City Dweller

Waking up in Lahore, we’ll visit the public library of Quaid-e Azam and explore the Shaalimar Gardens. This Mughal era ‘paradise’ garden features fountains, pavilions and flowerbeds. If you missed it last night, we’ll head to Data Darbar today and take in the grandeur of the 4 mile Mall Road which is dotted with tourist attractions including the Lahore Museum as well as important offices, housed within Mughal and colonial-era buildings. There are some exotic residents too – Lahore Zoo is found on The Mall!This afternoon our private mini bus will take us to the watch the flag-lowering service at the Wagah border crossing. You’ll get to see representatives from both Pakistan and India perform ceremonial marching and dancing as music plays, marking the closure of the border for the day. Truly unique and a highlight of this trip!After a busy day, we hope you will get a good night’s sleep on the night train to Karachi.

Alighting in Karachi, we’ll get started on exploring the sights of this buzzing, sprawling coastal city.The plan for today includes the Quaid-e-Azam Mazar, the mausoleum of Pakistan’s founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah. We’ll see the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Karachi, St Patricks Cathedral and tour the elegant Frere Hall, a souvenir from the days of the British Raj.Encounter art, textiles and crafts at the Mohatta Palace – a museum which was originally the seaside retreat of a wealthy businessman.We’ll pick up local food at Port Grand and take some time to shop for trinkets or simply take in the atmosphere at Empress Market!

After all this city dwelling, today we’ll plunge into nature and hit the high seas – well, the Arabian Sea to be specific! Our own private boat will sail us to the uninhabited, phenomenally beautiful Charna Island.The exquisitely clear water is rich with exotic marine life and coral. You can choose to snorkel or scuba diver (at an additional cost) or simply kick back under the sun with a book or float in the warm sea.This evening we’ll fly from Karachi to Islamabad.

Waking up early in the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad, we’ll bypass the city today and go trekking in the Margalla Hills National Park. Savour views of Pakistan’s capital nestled amongst lush, scenic greenery from the Daman-e-Koh lookout and get some group photos.We’ll swing by Saidpur Village, a hilltop village marked by a grand Hindu temple. We’ll visit the Faisal Mosque, the largest mosque in Pakistan and pick up some local history knowledge at the Lok Virsa Heritage Museum.Tonight we’ll enjoy dinner with a view at The Monal.

After our second trek among the Margalla peaks, we’ll travel by private minibus to Islamabad’s sister city, Rawalpindi, or Pindi. You have the option to visit a local village or enjoy some personal time in the afternoon.Take some time to shop for souvenirs and clothes at the Saddar Bazaar and tuck into local delicacies including Nihari, Karahi and Pakistani tikkas at Pindi’s Food Street.

Today concludes your City Dweller tour, so you can make your own onwards travel arrangements and revisit any favourites from Islamabad.