UNDISCOVERED PAKISTAN Pakistan is one of the least explored countries on earth, with the mighty Indus River at its heart. We’ll follow it from its mouth at Karachi 1000 miles north to Lahore, passing through regions that have seen very few western visitors since Partition. Pakistan expert and Central Asian explorer Michael Prato will lead the expedition along the golden Indus - the cradle of one of the earliest human civilizations. Along the way we shall visit teeming and sophisticated cities, vibrant bazaars and glorious desert shrines.
Pakistan is a truly undiscovered destination which offers visitors a fascinating glimpse into the heart of the sub-continent. Our expedition has been devised to provide deeper insights into Pakistan’s history, culture, politics and contemporary issues from Karachi street politics to mystic sufis. On this exhilarating undiscovered world expedition we will meet desert villagers, fishing communities and river gypsies whose way of life has not changed for millennia, and hopefully see the endangered Indus River dolphins. Along the way we’ll visit ancient cities, imposing forts, majestic temples and grand gardens, and journey through some astonishing national parks to see a desert teeming with wildlife.
At various points along our journey, we will be joined by special guest speakers to provide context to our journey. The tour will end with a visit to the unforgettable ‘lowering of the flags’ ceremony at the India/Pakistan border at Wagah. India and Pakistan have fought four wars since independence over ownership of the idyllic Himalayan valley of Kashmir. At Wagah, the continuing rivalry between these brother nations is acted out in dramatic style, cheered on by enthusiastic crowds.
Sufism is a major theme on the tour. Its central belief is that the nature of the Divine is so complex that it cannot be rationally understood, but that it may be glimpsed through poetry and music. The tour incorporates visits to major Sufi shrines where impromptu performances of hypnotic Qawwali music is part of their everyday ritual, and in Lahore, to the informal concerts that take place in streets and parks where devotees gather to sing their ecstatic choruses far into the night.
As well as a centre of Sufism, Lahore is also Pakistan’s cultural capital. The annual Lahore Literary Festival is a growing international event, showcasing the best of contemporary Pakistani writers, and attracting guest speakers from around the world. Our guide will be John Zubrycki, former Delhi correspondent of the Australian newspaper, former diplomat, and author of the Last Nizam of Hyderabad, who will be appearing to speak about his latest book ‘Indian Magic’.
Highlights
Meet Pakistan’s mysterious river gypsies. Be amazed by Sufi shrines Observe the rare Indus river dolphin Witness the dramatic flag lowering ceremony at the Pakistan/India border. Visit the massive Derawar fort in the awe-inspiring Cholistan desert. Marvel at the beauty of Pakistan’s textiles and handicrafts. Explore and bargain in an Aladdin’s cave of colourful bazaars Contemplate the haunting ruins of one of man’s earliest civilizations Be transported by the ecstatic rhythms of Qawwali music Experience the tranquillity of the most beautiful mosques in Islam Tread in the footsteps of Moghuls, Viceroys and Alexander the Great. Attend the Lahore Literary Festival in the hometown of Kipling.
Day 1 Arrive Karachi
Arrival at Karachi Airport where you will be met by your Undiscovered World guide.
Both early morning arrivals and arrivals later in the day will be at liberty to either rest at the hotel or take
part in some gentle sightseeing.
Karachi is Pakistan’s great melting pot. For those willing to jump straight in we’ll take in a city tour visiting Mazar-i-Quaid, Frere Hall, St Patrick's Cathedral, Saddar Bazaar and other markets all in the centre
of the city. Day 2 Karachi – Chaukhandi – Karachi
An early morning departure for the Chaukhandi Tombs, 27 km from Karachi. These tombs are part of an
early Muslim cemetery and are unique in the world for their Islamic art. We’ll return for lunch and
sightseeing around Karachi, followed by a visit to Clifton Beach.
In the evening a special VIP guest will join us for an exclusive event at the Karachi Press Club about what’s happening in Pakistani current affairs and contemporary politics, as well as the complexities of Pakistan’s
difficult ongoing relationship with India.
Overnight Karachi. Day 3 Karachi – Hyderabad
We drive from Karachi to
Hyderabad stopping along the way
at Haleji Lake, a haeven for
migratory Siberian birds and
crocodiles; and Makli/Thatta, an
ancient town that was a river-port
and the capital of Sindh, until the
Indus changed its course.
In the afternoon we will visit Jamia
Masjid, built by Shah Jehan, who went on to build the Taj Mahal, the
delicately stone-carved Dabgir
Masjid, and the Makli Necropolis, claimed to be the largest graveyard
in the world.
Overnight Hyderbad Day 4 Hyderabad - Ranikot Fort - Bhit Shah - Hyderabad
We drive out from Hyderabad to Ranikot Fort, also known as the Great Wall of Sindh, which is believed to
be the biggest fortress in the world, and was the last stronghold of the Talpur Mirs before the British takeover. We then cross the Indus to visit Bhit Shah, the shrine of Shah Abdul Latif, Sufi saint and poet and
the uncrowned king of Sindh. Especially beloved of the poor, there is a daily musical gathering at the
shrine.
We return to Hyderabad to explore its famous bazaar, the longest in Pakistan, and its many handicraft
workshops.
Overnight Hyderabad. Day 5 Hyderabad - Sehwan - Manchar Lake - Larkana
Leaving Hyderabad we drive to Sehwan, site of one of Alexander the Great’s fortresses, and the shrine of
Shaikh Usman Marvandvi, popularly known as Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a 12thC Persian Sufi mystic, whose
riotous annual festival is attended by thousands. In the afternoon we will visit Manchar Lake, where
fishermen descended from the original Indus Valley peoples use the same ancient fishing techniques.
Day 6 Larkana - Mohenjo-Daro - Sukkur
Leaving the beautiful garden city of Larkana we drive to Mohenjo-daro, the most impressive and best- preserved ancient site on the Indian subcontinent. An entire city belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization,
contemporary with that of Ancient Egypt and Sumeria, it displays advanced town-planning techniques.
Later in the afternoon we will continue on to Sukkur via Bukkur, an island in the Indus surmounted by a
fort and surrounded by shrines dedicated to river gods. Sukkur itself contains much of interest, including
the leaning Masum Tower.
Overnight Sukkur. Day 7 Larkana - Mohenjo-Daro - Sukkur
We leave Sukkur via the Lansdowne bridge and the stupendous irrigation works completed by the
British. We drive north and enter the Punjab, stopping first at Uch Sharif, which contains some of the
most poignant ruins in Islamic antiquity, notably the Tomb of Bibi Jawindi. We continue on to the
charming city of Bahawalpur.
Overnight Bahawalpur. Day 8 Bahawalpur - Derawar Fort - Multan
We drive to Derawar fort, a huge citadel towering over the surrounding Cholistan desert, where we will
meet some of the desert people and take the opportunity of a camel ride and learn something of their
way of life.
Later in the afternoon we drive to Multan with a few refreshment stops along the way.
Overnight in Multan. Day 9 Multan
All day wandering around the monuments and bazaars of Multan, the ancient capital of Lower Punjab, and renowned as the City of Sufis. The Tomb of Shah Rukn-i-Alam is a must-see, as is the shrine of Shams- ud-din Tabriz. Multan is a centre for the production of fine embroidered cottons, tilework, ceramics and
traditional camel-skin lamps, and also famed for its halwa and mango chutney.
In the evening there will be an immersive Sufism experience in the company of a renowned local mystic.
Overnight in Multan. Day 10 Multan - Harappa - Lahore
Leaving in the morning we drive to the ancient site of Harappa, contemporary with Mohenji –Daro, but also containing the remains of a later Bronze and Iron-Age city. We arrive In Lahore in the afternoon. In
the evening, after checking into our hotel, we will attend a traditional Sufi street-concert of Qawwali
music in the picturesque Old Town.
Overnight in Lahore. Day 11 Lahore
Lahore is the cultural capital of Pakistan and on our tour of this remarkable city we will take in the
famous Badshahi mosque, the Fort of Shahi Qila, and the incredible Shalimar Gardens. In the late afternoon we will witness the unflinching flag ceremony at the Indian border at Wagah. Dinner will be at the Village restaurant with traditional Pakistani food and live music. Our special guest author will be on
hand to discuss Pakistan’s traditional and contemporary arts and literature scene.
Overnight in Lahore. Day 12
Lahore
Guests will be transferred to the airport for their outbound flights or the option of joining our 2 day
exclusive literary festival tour. Expedition Leader Expert Guide Michael Prato John Zubrzycki
Michael Prato is Orientalist and an expert in John Zubrzycki is a Sydney-based author, Central Asian rugs and handicrafts with decades journalist and researcher, specialising in of experience travelling throughout Eurasia and international affairs. John is an accomplished the sub-continent. Born in London in 1953, he foreign correspondent having spent years in first travelled to Central Asia on the Overland New Delhi covering South Asia for The Trail in 1975, where he discovered an abiding Australian, The South China Morning Post and interest in the arts, culture, religion and politics The Christian Science Monitor. John is a former of the region. Following the collapse of the deputy foreign editor of the The Australian Soviet Union, Michael based himself in Tashkent newspaper and has also worked as an Australian where he spent two years trawling the art diplomat, a radio broadcaster, and an academic. markets and carpet bazaars of Uzbekistan, He is the best-selling author of The Last Nizam: Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. Since the 1990’s An Indian Prince in the Australian Outback (2006 he has been the proprietor of Afghan Interiors, a Pan Macmillan) and The Mysterious Mr Jacob: Sydney-based importer and high street retailer Diamond Merchant, Magician and Spy (Random and splits his time between Sicily, Sydney and House). In 2018 he penned his third book ‘Indian Peshawar on the Pakistan/Afghan frontier. Magic’ investigating the historical links between Michael is a founder and board member of Indian and Western stage magicians. Frontier Development and Support, a charity promoting progress in Pakistan’s Tribal Areas, and a graduate of Sydney University, where he studied Political Economy and Modern Languages. TOUR PRICE
USD$4425 Per Person Twin-Share. USD$940 Single Supplement.
Dates
12th Feb - 23rd Feb 2019
Inclusions EXCLUSIONS
All meals included; Breakfast, Pakistan visa fees and airport Lunch & Dinner. taxes.
Transport by luxury minibus Any alcoholic beverages. with driver.
All entry fees to museums, Any tips or gratuities to national parks and support staff. monuments.
Airfares
Undiscovered World is a full service travel agency and we can issue point to point air ticketing anywhere in the world at competitive prices. No booking fee is charged for flights associated with any of our tours.
Weekly to Pakistan from Sydney.
Return ECONOMY flights start from USD$1242
Return BUSINESS class flights start from USD$4485
We can also book through airfares to Pakistan from anywhere in the world. Please Contact us for a competitive quote. Inclusions
Contact & Booking www.undiscovered.world
[email protected] (+61) 1300 161 333 Australia (+1) 650 45 70413 USA (+44) 203 6565710 UK
ABN 39 623 732 730