Explore Pakistan
A Journey Through Heritage and Mountains
Explore Pakistan's extraordinary cultural heritage — from the Mughal splendor of Lahore to the breathtaking mountain landscapes of the Karakoram. This tour covers not only the Mughal sites and thousand-year-old walled city of Lahore, and the hauntingly spiritual Sufi shrines of Multan, but also takes us into the lap of the Himalayas — Skardu in the north. It is said that whoever hasn't seen Lahore hasn't lived, and that Skardu is known as the door to Paradise. This is truly a journey of a lifetime.
Tours offered by Bayan cater to the diverse interests and needs of families, while offering an exceptional educational and cultural program. Each tour is led by one or more faculty members who provide daily background lectures and insights about the historical and contemporary contexts. The itinerary is crafted by experienced personnel to maximize your enjoyment and satisfaction.
Rabia Chaudry
Attorney & Author
Rabia Chaudry is an attorney and author who was born in Lahore and has returned to Pakistan year after year to discover and rediscover the history, heritage, and landmarks of the region. In 2022, Rabia published her memoir "Fatty Fatty Boom Boom" which is replete with stories about Pakistan and sparked the first ever tour she led of a group of Americans through Southern Punjab, from Lahore to Karachi.
Your Itinerary
Depart from North America
Participants from North America should begin travel.
In Transit
International travel day.
Arrive in Lahore
Arrive in Lahore. Transfer to hotel. Welcome dinner and orientation.
Lahore: Mughal Heritage
Visit Lahore Fort, Shish Mahal (Palace of Mirrors), Tomb of Dai Anga, Badshahi Mosque, and Hazuri Bagh.
Lahore: Walled City
"History by Night" tour, Walled City exploration, Food Street, Lahore Heritage Club, and Wagha border flag ceremony.
Transfer to Multan
Travel to Multan. Visit Multan Fort and Kashikari blue pottery workshop.
Multan: Sufi Shrines
Visit the Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, Tomb of Bahauddin Zakariya, and Ghanta Ghar market.
Flight to Islamabad
Fly to Islamabad. Visit Lok Virsa Museum, Pakistan Monument, and Faisal Masjid. Sunset at Daman-e-Koh. Live Qawali.
Flight to Skardu
Fly to Skardu. Visit Kharpocho Fort, Indus River, and Sadpara Lake.
Skardu: Lakes & Mountains
Visit Manthal Buddha Rock, Upper Kachura Lake, Shangrila Resort. Explore Chunda Valley and Katpanah Desert dunes.
Shigar Valley
Scenic drive to Shigar Fort. Visit Sarfaranga Desert. Optional Para Trike Air Safari over Karakoram Mountains.
Khaplu Valley
Jeep safari to Khaplu. Visit Khanqah-e-Amburik Masjid, Serena Khaplu Palace, Chaqchan Masjid. K2 Mountain Viewpoint.
Return to Islamabad
Flight back to Islamabad. Free afternoon. Farewell dinner.
Depart from Islamabad
Transfer to Islamabad airport for departure.
Tour Highlights
Lahore
- Lahore Fort & Shish Mahal
- Badshahi Mosque
- Walled City tour
- Food Street
- Wagha border flag ceremony
- Tomb of Allama Iqbal
Multan
- Tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam
- Tomb of Bahauddin Zakariya
- Kashikari blue pottery workshop
- Ghanta Ghar market
Islamabad
- Faisal Masjid
- Pakistan Monument
- Lok Virsa Museum
- Daman-e-Koh sunset
- Live Qawali performance
Skardu
- Kharpocho Fort
- Upper Kachura Lake
- Shangrila Resort
- Katpanah Desert dunes
- Sadpara Lake
Shigar & Khaplu
- Shigar Fort
- Sarfaranga Desert
- Karakoram Mountains
- Serena Khaplu Palace
- K2 Mountain Viewpoint
- Optional Para Trike Air Safari
Tour Pricing
Land Package Only — All pricing is per person, double occupancy. Airfare not included.
What's Included
Package Inclusions
- Airport transfers on April 13 in Lahore and April 24 in Islamabad
- 11 nights hotel (boutique and 4*/5*)
- Private A/C bus from Lahore to Multan and Islamabad
- 4x4 jeeps in Skardu region
- 3 internal domestic flights: Multan-Islamabad, Islamabad-Skardu, Skardu-Islamabad
- Entrance fees for scheduled sites and excursions
- Daily breakfast plus 2 dinners (welcome and farewell)
- Daily commentary/discussions with cultural guide
- English-speaking local guides/escorts as needed
Not Included
- International airfare to Pakistan (budget ~$1,200-1,800 round-trip from US)
- Tourist visa
- Gratuities for drivers and guides
- Additional meals/beverages and personal items
- Hotel incidental charges and individualized services
- Optional excursions (Para Trike Air Safari, etc.)
- Travel insurance (recommended)
Where You'll Stay
Or hotels of comparable quality
Nishat Hotel
Ramada by Wyndham Hotel
Roomy Signature Hotel
Byarsa Hotel
Serena Hotel
Broq Hotel
Frequently Asked
Rabia Chaudry, attorney and author, will be the cultural guide on this tour. She has returned to Pakistan year after year with family and friends to discover and rediscover the history, heritage, and landmarks of the region, and looks forward to sharing her insights with participants.
Bayan's tours are focused on providing a well-rounded experience featuring academic knowledge, historical site visits, cultural exposure, recreational activities, and free time. The itinerary includes visits to mosques and other sites of prayer. By participating in a tour, you are helping sustain and advance Bayan's mission as a non-profit educational institution. Our group size tends to be in the range of 20-30 participants. This enables participants to get to know one another and develop bonds of friendship and camaraderie that can last a lifetime.
We are accepting registrations for the tour until capacity is reached before November 1, 2026. Upon booking your reservation, you must pay a refundable deposit of $1000 per traveler. The deposit is partially refundable until November 1, 2026, minus a $250 fee per traveler. After payment of the deposit, you will receive an invoice for the remaining balance for your party. The remaining balance shall be due upon receipt of invoice and must be paid no later than November 1, 2026 or your reservation will be subject to cancellation. After that date, any payments received, including the deposit, will not be refunded.
Participants should expect to walk roughly 15,000 steps on most days, as the daily schedule involves walking tours through old city streets and monumental complexes, as well as light hikes and more demanding optional hikes in northern Pakistan. Participants should expect to climb up and down flights of stairs at various sites, as ramps and elevators may not be available.
Pakistani cuisine reflects a rich blend of South Asian, Central Asian, Middle Eastern, and Persian influences, shaped by centuries of trade, migration, and empire. A traveler to Pakistan can expect deeply flavorful dishes built on aromatic spices, slow-cooked meats, and freshly baked flatbreads, with meals often centered around chicken, beef, lamb, and lentils. Popular foods include fragrant biryanis, hearty stews like nihari and haleem, smoky grilled kebabs, and tomato-based karahi curries, typically eaten with naan or roti.
Yes, a detailed daily schedule and other important information will be provided to all registered participants closer to the departure date. This will include a packing list, information about the hotels, and contact information for the tour leaders.
Interested in Pakistan?
Reserve your spot today. Space is limited to 20–30 travelers per group.