Indus Valley tour in Pakistan
Description of Indus Valley tour in Pakistan
This small group tour is created by experts with superb on-the-ground connections. Accompanied by guides with in-depth knowledge of their subjects, you’ll explore UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Mughal-era Shalimar Gardens in Lahore and the salt mines of Khewra, which date back to the time of Alexander the Great. You will tour Mohenjo-daro, one of the greatest archaeological treasures in Pakistan, hear stories of mystics and holy men as you wander Multan, take a boat trip to islands where Indus river dolphins swim, and visit the vast Sukkur Barrage, built during the British colonial era.
There’s more: immense necropolises, early Islamic cemeteries where countless thousands were laid to rest in elaborate settings, and vast desert forts that no-one is quite sure what they were built to defend. You’ll also get the chance to compare and contrast the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Wherever possible, you’ll stay in locally owned accommodation, eat in small restaurants where guides can help translate the menu and recommend the best dishes, and pause regularly in neighbourhood tea houses.
This two-week Pakistan tour is a snapshot of the country’s past and present, designed by our experienced cultural tour specialists. It is also a fantastic way to spread the benefits of responsible tourism to remote communities that see few foreign visitors, and are all the more welcoming for it.
Price information
Check dates, prices & availability
Travel guides
Reviews
1 Reviews of Indus Valley tour in Pakistan
Reviewed on 09 Mar 2024 by Joanna Donkin
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
I really enjoyed the ancient monuments and seeing the farming practices and land management.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Seriously consider the visa application, the email visa support team was useless so paying Travcour was the only viable option. On arrival in Karachi, visa check desk advised that they could fill the visa form in approximately 10 minutes...Air pollution effected my chest and wearing a face mask was helpful
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Good although the vegetarian menu selection was limited and repetitive, as was the fresh fruit.
Responsible Travel
Planet
We strive to ensure that we leave the areas that we visit as we find them and our team have been trained in strict no litter policies, meaning that we take all refuse to either be recycled or properly disposed of in nearby towns. Many people in Pakistan do not have the same approach to the environment as we would in western Europe, therefore it is not uncommon for local people to dispose of rubbish simply by throwing it out of the window. We work to educate our drivers and other service providers so as to avoid contributing to this problem.When exploring the landscape on foot we make sure that we stick to whatever tracks there may be, and when driving we stick to the dirt roads so as not to degrade the landscape.
In conjunction with our local team we work with hotels and guesthouses to implement best practices when it comes to environmental matters – in some places this is far behind what we might be used to in other parts of the world. This includes basic things like not replacing towels each day, as well as saving electricity and turning lights off .
People
We visit a number of sites and monuments on this tour that do not necessarily receive much funding from other sources; the entrance fees that we include help to maintain the heritage of this country for future generations – not just western travellers but more importantly to local people to whom they have far more cultural and historical significance. We use locally owned suppliers and our partners here are deeply involved with the preservation of the culture and heritage of the country.Where possible we encourage our travellers to spend their money with local businesses; for example when visiting villages we usually make a point of stopping at a tea shop or buying supplies from shops, which helps to spread the economic benefits of tourism. It is not always practical to eat outside of the hotels and guesthouses but where possible we try to do this, again to make sure that a variety of businesses and people gain from our visit.
We employ drivers and local guides from within the areas that we visit, helping to provide income to a region that has traditionally been rather neglected from an economic point of view.
Popular similar holidays
Hunza and Skardu cultural tour, Pakistan
From £2360 14 days including domestic flights only
Experience the rich cultural heritage of Karakoram valleys
Hindu Kush tour in Pakistan
From £3650 - £3720 15 days excluding flights
Experience the incredible scenery & culture of the HinduKush
Nangma and Thallay La trek in Pakistan
From £2050 15 days including domestic flights only
Off the beaten track to Nangma and Thallay La
