Gandhara - The Land of Fragrance

Long ago, the lush green Valley of Peshawar, to the northeast of the city and bordered by the Swat Hills, was the home of a great civilization. Although little remains to indicate the former magnificence of Gandhara, it is always exciting to stand on the mound where the "Lotus City" once flourished and imagine yourself traveling back through time to 260 B.C., as a pilgrim reading the edicts of Ashoka or as a Buddhist monk at Takht Bhai.

Day 1: Islamabad - Arrive at the airport, where you will be met, then transfer to the hotel. Breakfast at the hotel. Full day city sightseeing tour of Islamabad visiting Shakar Parian (Sweet Hills), Rose & Jasmine Gardens, Constitution Avenue, Blue Area, Daman e Koh for a bird's eye view of Islamabad, Faisal Mosque - a modern architectural masterpiece, Rawal Dam, and later in the evening to Islamabad Food Park to enjoy the different traditional foods (at own expense). Overnight at the hotel (breakfast only).

Day 2: Islamabad - Peshawar - Drive to Peshawar from Islamabad, en-route visiting Taxila, which is situated 35 miles from Rawalpindi. It was invaded by Alexander the Great. The creative Gandhara period followed shortly thereafter and Taxila remained the centre of learning, philosophy and art. There is a well - maintained museum here and eight sites scattered around a very short radius. Amongst the best preserved are Sirkap, and Jaulian (the University). Overnight at the hotel (breakfast only).

Day 3: Peshawar - Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning take the Khyber Pass excursion. The historic Khyber Pass begins at a distance 15 miles west of Peshawar at the Baba-e-Khyber watchtower, which acts as a gateway to the pass. You then begin a winding journey through a tribal area; passing through the Jamrud Fort, and for 36 miles are another 'invader', witnessing the stark and severe beauty of this passage hewn through great rocks. The pass ends at the Torkham Border, passing through Landikotal which at a height of 3518 feet straddles the top of this historical passageway. At Torkham, the Durand line separates Pakistan from Afghanistan. In the afternoon, take a city sightseeing of Peshawar visiting the rich museum, which houses treasures of the Gandhara period. Proceed to old Peshawar through the Kabuli Gate - one of the sixteen - to the Qissa Khawani bazaar, "the street of story tellers", and witness unusual and unforgettable sights. We will also visit the coppersmith's bazaar, which flourished from the 1st century B.C. to the 5th century A.D. Continue to Mahabat Khan's mosque, built in 1670 by the Governor of Peshawar under Moghal Emperor Shah Jahan. Overnight at the Hotel.

Day 4: Peshawar - Swat - After an early breakfast we leave for Charsadda, one of the most important sites in Asia, and is represented by a group of imposing mounds 30 kms north east of Peshawar. The site has been identified as ''Pushklawati'' the pre-Kushan Capital of Gandhara. After visiting the site we continue to Jamal Ghari, Chanako Dheri & Trali. Jamal Ghari is a site situated next to Charsadda, and has the remains of a stupa and a monastery, surrounded by chapels. Chanako Dheri, site near Jamal Ghari, meaning Glazing Mounds. Chinese pilgrims Hsuan Tsang visited this place in 630 A.D. Trail, situated about 2 kms east of Jamal Ghari. This site has a monastery and a stupa. After visiting these sites drive to Takht Bhai and hike (5 minutes) up to the monastery. Takht Bhai, situated atop 160 metres high hill, is the remains of a Buddhist Monastery, about 80 kms from Peshawar. UNESCO has declared Takht Bhai as a World Heritage Site. Take a picnic lunch and then depart for Mardan and Shahbaz Ghari. Visit Ashoka's rock edicts. Shahbaz Garhi, the small village of Shahbaz Ghari was the site of the ancient city of Varusha. There are Ashoka's edicts (2^nd century B.C.) in Kharoshti script of Gandhara, inscribed on two large boulders, on the edge of a hill - south of the village. Continue driving to Swat for overnight stay at the hotel (breakfast only).

Day 5: Swat - Breakfast at the hotel, then a full day excursion of Swat Valley visiting Madyan, Bahrain and Murghazar. Overnight at the hotel (breakfast only).

Day 6: Swat - Islamabad - Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, visit Butkara Stupa, Swat Museum, and Mingora Bazaar. In the afternoon, drive back to Islamabad. After dinner transfer to the airport for onward flight (breakfast and dinner).