Pakistan: Chilam Joshi Festival Tour

5 nights, 6 days 13 May, 2026 – 17 May, 2026

Start Date

13 May, 2026

End Date

17 May, 2026

Duration

5 nights, 6 days

Price

1595

Did you know that in the Kalash region of Pakistan, there are tribes who are not muslim, and believe in polytheism? Every spring, deep in the valleys of Chitral, the Kalash people throw one of the most colorful festivals on the planet: Chilam Joshi. This festival is where music, dance, and centuries-old rituals combine in one of Pakistan’s most remote and undiscovered regions.

The Kalash, an indigenous community with unique traditions unlike anywhere else in Pakistan and even South Asia, celebrate Chilam Joshi to mark the arrival of spring. The festival involves fertility rites, blessings for crops and livestock, and prayers to their ancient gods—all set against the picture-perfect backdrop of the Hindu Kush mountains. You can expect matchmaking ceremonies, dancing, valley-wide feasts, and a party atmosphere that runs all day and night!

The tour will begin in Islamabad, the modern and more cosmopolitan city of Pakistan, located in the North-West of the country. From Islamabad, we will drive through the far Western part of Paksitan, close to the Afghan border, through scenic mountain ranges and valleys along the way to the Kalash region near the border with Afghanistan. This includes Swat Valley, Ayun valley in the Hindu-Kush valley, Bomburet valley and of course, Rambur village where we will take part in the Chilam Joshi Festival!

Those who would like to continue the adventure can join our Afghanistan Spring Tour starting May 18!

Tour Highlight

Participate in the Chilam Joshi festival with the Kalash peoples of Pakistan - celebrating the beginning of Spring with folk dancing, matchmaking, singing, rituals, festive attire and much more!
Travel to one of the least visited regions of Pakistan - Kalash Valley very close to the border with Afghanistan where the people are polytheists and still practise animistic traditions and rituals to help with fertility and much more
Dive deep into Pakistan's long Buddhist history, with stops to temples and monasteries a part of the UNESCO World Heritage list that date back to the 600 BCE!

Included

Pakistan eVisa support
Twin share accommodation
Private transportation
All meals
Entrance fees & travel permits
YPT guide and local guide

Excluded

International flights
Single Supplement ($200)
Personal expenses
Tips for the guide
Travel Insurance

Group	Start date	End date	Duration	Price	Single Supplement

Print Itinerary

Full Itinerary

Tuesday 12th May – Islamabad, Pakistan – Takht-i-Bahi – Swat

Morning

Arrive at your convenience into Islamabad, the capital city of Pakistan, which is well connected with many countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Airport transfer to our hotel for the meeting location (hotel will be confirmed to you directly)
The group will have a pre-tour meeting at 9:00am to get to know your guide and run through important information for the tour.
We will then head northwest to Takht-i-Bahi, one of the best-preserved Buddhist monasteries in all of Pakistan. Perched dramatically on a rocky ridge just outside Mardan, this UNESCO World Heritage Site dates back to the 2nd–5th century AD and offers a stunning mix of history, spirituality, and scenery.
The climb up the hillside not only gives you sweeping views of the plains below but also explains why the site has survived so well over the centuries. Once at the top, you’ll explore the main stupa, sprawling courtyards, monastic cells, and a huge assembly hall where monks once gathered. Imagine colossal Buddhas, 16 to 20 feet tall, towering over worshippers—remnants of which still remain.
Takht-i-Bahi’s shrines, with their sculpted podiums and stupa-like finials, form a design unlike anything else in the Buddhist world. Over the years, the site has revealed a treasure trove of artifacts, many of which now sit in museums around the globe—but here, you’ll get to experience the atmosphere where it all began.

Afternoon

We will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant – try your hand at daahl, karrahi, biryani or other famous Pakistani dishes!
In the afternoon, we will continue North to Swat Valley. Swat Valley was a focal point for Buddhism in South Asia and now is often dubbed the “Switzerland of the East” for its incredible and largely untouched nature
Visit the Swat Museum to see Gandharan art and relics, learning more about this overlooked regions history
We will then take a stroll through Mingora Bazaar to experience local culture. In this bazaar you will interact with many locals and can taste some local delicacies including Pakistani mangos.
In the evening, we will check into our accommodation and have a local dinner eating delicious food!
Overnight in Swat Valley

Wednesday 13th May – Swat – Bomburet Kalash

Morning

After breakfast, we will leave early and begin our long drive to Bomburet Kalash, heart of the Kalash region and just 10km from the Afghanistan border.
We will take many photo stops and breaks to stretch the legs along the way as we drive through the incredible Kalash region and various valleys

Afternoon

We will enjoy a local lunch along the way – if you haven’t tried Pakistani food by now, we recommend digging into the local dishes!
In the evening, we will arrive to Bomburet Kalash, a hidden away town in the heart of the Kalash region where we will witness preparations for the following days Chilam Joshi festival
We may be able to partake in the opening day festivities – music and dance start in the village squares and we are welcome to join the locals in celebrating!
We will enjoy dinner and stay overnight in our local guest house

Thursday 14th May – Chilam Joshi festival

Morning

Breakfast at our guest house and dive straight into the Chilam Joshi festival!
The day will be filled with folk dances, singing, and lively drumming.
Men and women form circles to dance together, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
You will be treated as a welcomed guest and will experience hospitality and will have the chance to try some traditional food!

Afternoon

After an entire day of celebrating, eating and learning about the Kalash people and their culture, we will return to our hotel for some rest
Overnight in Kalash

Friday 15th May – Chilam Joshi Festival

Morning

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel
On the final day, the festivities continue with more music and dance, along with communal feasts.
Families and guests gather to celebrate the arrival of spring, and rituals are performed to mark the festival’s closing.

Afternoon

You can expect more food and hospitality today as well as witnessing the closing of the festival, to celebrate the coming of Spring.
Your whole day will consist of mingling with locals, taking photos, and experiencing the joyful spirit of the Kalash people.
In the evening, return to our hotel and prepare to depart the following day
Dinner and overnight in Kalash

Saturday 16th May – Bomburet Kalash – Swat

Morning

In the early morning, we will again jump back on the road and head towards Swat.
On the way, we will drive through the incredible fertile valleys, crossing bridges, rivers and through large swaths of green valleys

Afternoon

We will stop along the way for lunch along the Kalash valley before we bid goodbye to this incredible region.
Along the way we will be sure to stop for photo opportunities
In the evening, we will return to the Swat Valley
We will enjoy a local Pakistani dinner in town
Overnight in Swat Valley

Sunday 17th May – Swat – Taxilla – Islamabad

Morning

After breakfast, we will begin the drive from Swat to Islamabad 4-5 hours, en-route visiting the famous archaeological sites of Taxila. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30 km around Taxila
Explore the Taxila Museum with its rich collection of Gandhara art. Gandhara is modern-day Northwestern Pakistan and Eastern Afghanistan) from the 1st century BCE to the 7th century CE
We will then continue to the ancient Buddhist university and monastery of Jaulian, and the historic city ruins of Sirkap. These sites have been prescribed apart of the UNESCO World Heritage sites for more that 45 years.

Afternoon

We will enjoy a lunch break in Taxilla
In the evening, we will continue driving towards Islamabad
Transfer tour Islamabad hotel
Tour concludes
For those who are participating in our Afghanistan Spring Tour, we recommend booking an extra night at our hotel in preparations for the tour beginning the following day with a pre tour meeting at 6:00pm