Southern Pakistan: Confluence of Civilizations
Luxury Group Travel | 16 Days
- 5,000-year-old Indus Valley archaeological sites, comparable to Egypt
- Massive mud-brick forts and domed, tiled tombs set in the desert
- Pakistan’s painted buses, bustling bazaars, and famed blue pottery
- Convergence of Muslim, Hindu, Sufi, Sikh, and other religions
- Interactions with Pakistani curators, scholars, and artisans
Traveling through Southern Pakistan’s Indus River Valley from Karachi to Islamabad, discover a host of historical riches to celebrate: UNESCO World Heritage sites in Taxila and Mohenjodaro; extraordinary mosques, Mughal monuments, Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples, and Greco-Bactrian ruins; and an intricate intermingling of cultural traditions and creations. At the same time, enjoy the diverse attractions of contemporary Pakistan, from exhilarating bazaars to delicious cuisine to hospitable people. Venture north through this fifth most populous country on the planet, gaining a new appreciation of Pakistan’s infinitely intriguing layers and coded complexities.
Trip Overview
This trip is an extraordinary opportunity to see a significant swath of Pakistan from Karachi, edged by the Arabian Sea in Sindh province to Islamabad on the Pothohar Plateau of Punjab province, and GeoEx is one of a select few US companies traveling in Pakistan right now.
– SARA BARBIERI, TRIP LEADER
1 – 2
Arrive and explore extraordinary Karachi, one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the world Take your time exploring its neighborhoods, mosques, museums, and markets.
3
Explore tiled and stone tombs at the Necropolis at Makli Hills and Thatta’s ornate Shah Jahan Mosque on the road to Hyderbad.
4
Drive to Larkana via Sehwan to visit the Shrine of 13th-century Sufi poet and philosopher, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.
5 – 6
Continue your journey northward, stopping at Kot Diji and UNESCO-listed Mohenjodaro, one of the world’s earliest major cities.
7 – 8
The nawab city of Bahawalpur provides a good base from which to explore Uch Sharif and the desert forts of Cholistan.
9 – 10
Meet artisans who carry on the tradition of kasha kari pottery See the tile work on shrines and tombs seen throughout Multan.
11
Stop to marvel at ancient Harappa, one of the three early civilizations (along with Egypt and Mesopotamia).
12 – 13
Vibrant Lahore welcomes you with its culinary and cultural riches, historic monuments, and the majestic Lahore Fort Witness the spectacle of the Wagah-Attari border ceremony.
14 – 15
Islamabad comes alive through bazaars and neighborhood explorations. UNESCO-recognized Taxila offers some of the most well-preserved archaeological treasures in Asia.
16
Depart for home or begin the optional extension to Swat and Peshawar.
OPTIONAL POST-TRIP EXTENSION
Swat & Peshawar
Extend your trip to explore the magnificent Swat Valley, renowned for its natural beauty, with lush forests, alpine meadows, and snow-capped mountains. Peshawar was the one-time capital of the Buddhist kingdom of Gandhara, significant caravan-trading hub, and one of the world’s oldest cities.
MEET YOUR TRIP LEADER
Tese Wintz Neighbor
Tese began guiding in the early 1980s and has since led more than 50 trips in Asia. She has lived and worked in China, was the Senior Director of Professional Development for the World Affairs Council’s Global Classroom Program, and currently instructs teachers on how to educate about Asia.
MEET YOUR TRIP LEADER
Bill Jones
British-born raconteur-explorer Bill Jones has led tours in more than 180 countries over the past 40 years. He was one of the first Westerners to travel the Karakoram Highway from Pakistan to Kashgar. Alicia M. writes, "Bill was everything a trip leader should be: he is very knowledgeable, experienced, caring, informative, fun, and more."
Dates & Prices
Dates
11/01/23 – 11/16/23 Led by Tese Wintz Neighbor; Waitlist only; please call
01/10/24 – 01/25/24 Led by Bill Jones
01/08/25 – 01/23/25 Leader TBA
Custom trips offered October-February
Pricing
Group Trip: From $12,250 per person
Optional Peshawar & Swat Extension (5 days): From $3,150 per person
based on double occupancy
Custom Trip: Please call for individually tailored recommendations and pricing.
Inclusions
- Expertise of GeoEx’s travel specialists
- Services of GeoEx’s in-house air reservations team
- All accommodations
- All ground transportation and airport transfers
- Sightseeing, events, visits, and entrance fees
- Most meals
- Bottled water at included meals and while sightseeing
- Services of a GeoEx trip leader, local guides, drivers, and other staff
- Some gratuities
- Emergency evacuation services and secondary medical expense insurance
A Journey Built Just For You
Take customization to the next level on a journey fully tailored to you. GeoEx's destination specialists will gladly tailor this existing itinerary—or build one completely from scratch—to suit your style, interests, and time frame. Contact us to see what's possible.
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