EXPLORE PAKISTAN
LAHORE | MULTAN | ISLAMABAD | SKARDU | SHIGAR VALLEY
A JOURNEY THROUGH PAKISTAN’S LIVING HERITAGE
April 11 - 24, 2027 • 12 nights | 13 days
Pakistan’s journey of discovery begins in Punjab, the cultural and historical heart of the nation, where centuries of civilization have shaped a landscape rich in art, architecture, and tradition. From the grand Mughal monuments of Lahore — including the Badshahi Mosque and Lahore Fort — to the spiritual shrines of Multan and the vibrant bazaars of old cities, Punjab reflects the soul of the country. Fertile plains fed by mighty rivers have sustained communities for thousands of years, creating a region known for its warm hospitality, refined cuisine, colorful festivals, and deep-rooted customs. Walking through Punjab is like stepping through layers of history, where ancient empires, poets, scholars, and artisans have all left their mark. From these timeless plains, the journey gradually rises northward, leaving the river valleys behind and opening the door to Pakistan’s great mountain world.
As the landscape transforms, Northern Pakistan emerges in breathtaking contrast, rising dramatically into one of the most spectacular mountain regions on Earth. Here, the towering peaks of the Karakoram, Himalayas, and Hindu Kush pierce the sky, crowned with glaciers, alpine lakes, and snow-covered summits. Valleys such as Hunza, Skardu, and Swat unfold in scenes of extraordinary beauty, where terraced fields cling to mountainsides and centuries-old forts overlook winding rivers. Crystal-clear air, starlit skies, and profound silence create a sense of timeless wonder, inviting travelers to slow down and absorb the majesty around them. In this realm of natural grandeur, visitors find themselves standing among some of the world’s highest peaks, where culture, history, and nature come together in unforgettable harmony.
Our Cultural Guide
Rabia Chaudry
She has returned to Pakistan year after year with family and friends to discover and rediscover the history, heritage, and landmarks of the region, to linger through its narrow, colorful open air bazaars and modern malls, and to feast on nostalgic dishes reflecting Punjabi, Mughal, Persian and Central Asian flavors.
In 2022, Rabia published her memoir “Fatty Fatty Boom Boom” which is replete with stories about Pakistan and sparked the first ever tour she led of a group of Americans through Southern Punjab, from Lahore to Karachi.
This Bayan tour, however, will cover not only the Mughal sites and thousand-year-old walled city of Lahore, and the hauntingly spiritual Sufi shrines of Multan, but also take us into the lap of the Himalayas - Skardu in the north.
It is said that whoever hasn’t seen Lahore hasn’t lived, and that Skardu is known as the door to Paradise. Rabia is honored to be your host for this journey of a lifetime.
Itinerary in PAKISTAN
Pre-Departure
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Sunday, April 11: Depart from the US or other origin points
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Monday, April 12: In Transit
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Hotels have been reserved beginning April 12th to accommodate early morning arrivals on April 13th.
Day 5: Journey to the Capital
Saturday, April 17
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Flight to Islamabad
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Lok Virsa Museum
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Pakistan Museum
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Faisal Masjid
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Daman-e-Koh Viewpoint
Day 9: Khaplu & K2 Views
Wednesday, April 21
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Khaplu Town
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Chaqchan Mosque
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Barah Valley
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K2 Viewpoint
Day 1: Arrival & Welcome
Tuesday, April 13
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Arrival at Lahore
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Welcome Dinner
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Visit to Liberty Market
Day 2: The Heart of Lahore
Wednesday, April 14
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Iconic Mughal Sites
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Lahore Fort & Shish Mahal
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Badshahi Mosque
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Hazuri Bagh
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Walled City : Delhi Gate
Day 10: Skardu Leisure
Thursday, April 22
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Relax at the resort in Skardu
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Optional: Hike to Masrur Rock
Day 6: Into the Mountains
Sunday, April 18
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Flight to Skardu
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Kharpocho Fort
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Sadpara Lake
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Manthal Buddha Rock
Day 7: Lakes & Valleys
Monday, April 19
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Upper Kachura Lake
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Shangri-La Resort
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Chunda Valley
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Katpanah Desert
Day 11: Return to Islamabad
Friday, April 23
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Flight to Islamabad
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Jumah Prayer
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Shopping at F-11 Market
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Sunset at Bari Imam
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Farewell Qawwali Performance
Day 3: Gardens & The Walled City
Thursday, April 15
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Dai Anga
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Shalimar Bagh
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Wagah Border
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Depart for Multan
Day 8: Deserts & Forts
Tuesday, April 20
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Sarfaranga Desert
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Shigar Fort
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Khanqah Mosque
Day 12: Departure
Saturday, April 24
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Flight back to the US
Day 4: Mystical Multan
Friday, April 16
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Shah Rukn-e-Alam Shrine
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Multan Fort
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Jumah Prayer
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Ghanta Ghar Market
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Tomb of Bahauddin Zakariya
Bayan has been offering faculty-led tours to world heritage destinations since 2017, with previous tours to Southern Spain, Morocco, Malaysia, Cambodia & Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Jerusalem & Jordan, Turkiye, Egypt, Cape Town, and Senegal & The Gambia, with exciting new destinations being planned in the coming years.
WHY JOIN A BAYAN TOUR?
Tours offered by Bayan cater to the diverse interests and needs of families, while offering an exceptional educational and cultural program. Each tour is led by one or more faculty members who provide daily background lectures and insights about the historical and contemporary contexts. Local guides are utilized as well at various points in time. The itinerary is crafted by experienced personnel to maximize your enjoyment and satisfaction. While the scheduled program is robust, ample time is provided to explore on your own, shop for local handicrafts and souvenirs, and enjoy some leisure activities. Bayan’s tour group size is typically between 20-30 participants.
TOUR INFORMATION
TOUR PRICING (LAND PACKAGE ONLY)
International airfare is not included.
All pricing is double occupancy and per person. The additional Single Supplement charge applies to solo travelers who would have their own room and not share with another person.
Early-Bird (Reserve by 9/1/26) After 9/1/26
Adult $4,395 $4,595
Minors (12-17) $3,995 $4,195
Single Supplement: $500 $500
You will be billed in four (4) equal monthly installments. Full payment, however, is due no later than December 31, 2026.
Your reservation is partially refundable until Dec. 31, 2026, minus a $250 fee per traveler.
LAND PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
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Airport transfers on April 13 in Lahore and April 24 in Islamabad
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11 nights hotel (boutique and 4*/5*)
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Private A/C bus from Lahore to Multan and Islamabad, 4x4 jeeps in Skardu
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3 internal domestic flights: Multan - Islamabad - Skardu - Islamabad
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Entrance fees for scheduled sites and excursions
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Daily breakfast + 2 dinners (welcome dinner and farewell dinner)
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Daily commentary/discussions with cultural guide
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English-speaking local guides/escorts as needed
EXCLUSIONS
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International airfare to Pakistan (budget around $1,300 round-trip per person from US gateways)
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Airport transfers when arriving and departing outside of dates/times specified
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Tourist entry visa (requirements vary per nationality) - $60 for US nationals (obtain at https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/)
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Gratuities for driver(s) and local guide(s)
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Additional meals/beverages
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Hotel incidental charges, hotel porters and other individualized services
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Urgent care, medical treatment and testing, related expenses
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Personal items
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Travel insurance (recommended)
hotels
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Lahore: Nishat Hotel - 5-star (2 nights)
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Multan: Ramada by Wyndham Hotel - 4-star (2 nights)
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Islamabad: Roomy Signature Hotel - 4-star (1 night)
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Skardu: Byarsa Hotel - boutique (3 nights)
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Khaplu: Serena Hotel - boutique (1 night)
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Hussainabad: Broq Hotel - boutique (1 night)
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Islamabad: Roomy Signature Hotel - 4-star (1 night)
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Lahore
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Lahore Fort
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Shish Mahal
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Tomb of Dai Anga
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Badshahi Masjid
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Gurdwara Dera Sahab
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Hazuri Bagh
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Tomb of Allama Iqbal
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“History by Night” tour
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Walled City tour
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Food street inside the walled city
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Breakfast at Shalimar Bagh
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Barood Khana (18th century mansion)
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Emporium Mall
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Delhi Gate market (shopping)
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Lahore Heritage Club
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Wagha border flag ceremony
Multan
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Multan Fort
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Kashikari blue pottery workshop
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Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam
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Tomb of Bahauddin Zakariya
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Ghanta Ghar market (shopping)
Islamabad
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Lok Virsa Museum
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Pakistan Monument
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Faisal Masjid
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Sunset at Daman-e-Koh garden in Margalla Hills
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F11 Markaz (shopping)
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Sunset at Bari Imam mausoleum grounds
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Live Qawali performance
Skardu (Gilgit / Balistan)
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Kharpocho Fort
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Indus River
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Sadpara Lake
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Manthal Buddha Rock
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Upper Kachura Lake
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World-famous Shangrila Resort activities
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Chunda Valley
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Sunset at Katpanah Desert dunes
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Marsur Rock (Hussainabad)
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Deep tissue massage (optional)
Shigar Valley / Khaplu Valley
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Scenic drives
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Shigar Fort
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Sarfaranga Desert (7,500 ft. elevation)
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Para Trike Air Safari (optional)
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Karakoram Mountains
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Jeep safari ride
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Khanqah-e-Amburik Masjid
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Sunset at Zharba Tso (Blind Lake)
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Alpine ponds
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Serena Khaplu Palace tour
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Chaqchan Masjid
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Barah Valley
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K2 Mountain Viewpoint
INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Arriving to Lahore
Numerous airlines provide service to Pakistan, including European (ex. British Airways), Middle Eastern (ex. Turkish, Etihad or Emirates), and Asian (ex. Singapore Airlines) carriers. Participants should book “multi-city” flights that arrive in Lahore (LHE) on Tuesday, April 13. The tour program officially begins around 5:00pm on that day with a group orientation meeting and dinner at the hotel. For travelers from the US, this would mean departing from your city of origin on Sunday, April 11. You can plan your travel to add extra days for a layover at a preferred city before reaching Lahore.
IMPORTANT: If you choose to arrive earlier than April 13, Bayan may be able to add extra nights to your reservation at an additional cost per night. If Bayan cannot secure extra nights on your behalf, you must make your own hotel reservations at the hotel or any other lodging of your choice.
Departing from Islamabad
The main tour concludes on Saturday, April 24 in Islamabad. Depending on your departure time on that day, you can continue sightseeing or head to the airport in the morning via the provided transfer. Your outgoing flight can be to any destination of your choice. You may also consider spending more time in Pakistan after the conclusion of the tour, and plan your flights, local transportation and additional hotel accommodations accordingly.
IMPORTANT: All participants must check out of the hotel by noon on April 24, even if their onward travel plans extend into the afternoon or evening.
Booking Your Flights
Once you’ve paid your deposit to Bayan Tours, you should book your flights as soon as possible to try and obtain well-priced airfare with suitable flight timings, and connecting layovers of not less than 90 minutes. You can use your own travel agent, check airline websites, or use other booking sites to select the flight legs that are best for you.