Kalash Festivals
Overview
The Kalash people, also known as Kalasha, live in the Chitral district of Khyber Province, in three valleys: Rumbur, Brumbret, and Birir. The Kalasha is a minority community with a population of only around 4000. Scholars have explored Kalasha religious practices as a synthesis of ancient Hinduism and pre-Islamic traditions. There are several Kalasha festivals throughout the year, among which three are the most popular with visitors:
- The Joshi Spring Festival (May 13-16): This festival celebrates the start of spring. People wear new clothes, women dress up, and girls dance and sing on the hills. Houses are decorated, and they gather milk from their cows. Special rituals are held for one-year-old babies and their mothers.
- The Uchal Festival (August 20-21): This festival celebrates the harvest. People dress up in traditional attire to sing, dance, and thank nature for giving them barley and wheat. Special foods like cheese, buttermilk, and cornbread are prepared.
- The Chaumas Festival (December 15-22): This is the biggest Kalash festival. It takes place for two weeks around the winter solstice, marking the end of the farming year with music, dance, and goat sacrifice. This festival is held for the god Balimain, who comes from the Kalasha mythical homeland. Special rituals are held to honor their ancestors, with young boys pretending to be them. The main ceremony is held at a special tree called Indrunkot, linked to Indr, the god of cows and brother of Balimain.
This itinerary will first transport you to from Islamabad to Chitral, via a scenic drive through Swat Valley. Immerse in two full days of festivities in the Kalash Valley, and emerge with unforgettable experiences of Kalasha culture. This will be followed by an enchanting and thrilling drive to Mastuj and Khalti Lake, where you can encounter sparkling rivers and eat mountain trout fish. The road continues to the breathtaking Hunza Valley, where you will explore the historical Baltit and Altit forts, marvel at the sapphire waters of Attabad Lake, and the picturesque Passu Cones. Enjoy a relaxing day of souvenir shopping in the lanes of Karimabad before a special 2700m high farewell dinner at the Duikar view point. The journey concludes back in Islamabad, where you can wind down to explore the city and enjoy delicious cuisine while wrapping up cherished memories of the colorful Kalash festivals and the majestic beauty of Northern Pakistan.
Itinerary At Glance The Kalash Chilum Joshi Spring Festival
12-day itinerary: Kalash Chilum Joshi Festival (spring festival, May13th-16th) Fixed departure/joining Dates (May 11th each year, arrival to Islamabad airport)
- Day 1: Arrival at Islamabad airport, hotel transfer
- Day 2: Drive to Swat (255 km, 5hrs), ovenight in Swat
- Day 3: Drive to kalash (250km, 8hrs), overnight in Kalash Valley
- Day 4: Explore Bumburet and Rumbur, overnight in kalash valley
- Day 5: Drive to Reshun village (90km, 3hrs 40minutes)
- Day 6: Drive to Phandar valley (6 hrs and 140km), via shandur national park, overnight phandar
- Day 7: Drive to Hunza valley (265km, 7hrs and 30minutes)
- Day 8: Half day rest Visits to Baltit and Altit fort
- Day 9: Excursion of Attabad Lake & upper Hunza, sovenir shopping
- Day 10: Hunza to Naran drive (315km 6hr & 30 mints)
- Day 11: Afternoon Islamabad arrival (280 km 6hrs) Overnight Islamabad
- Day 12: Mid-day hotel checkout, afternoon excursion of Islamabad and airport transfer after
Itinerary At Glance The Uchal Festival
12-day itinerary: Uchal Festival (summer festival, August 20th - 22nd) Fixed departure/joining Dates (August 18th each year, arrival to Islamabad airport)
- Day 1 : Arrival at Islamabad airport, hotel transfer
- Day 2 : Drive to Swat (255 km, 5hrs), ovenight in Swat
- Day 3 : Drive to kalash (250km, 8hrs), overnight in Kalash Valley
- Day 4 : Explore Bumburet and Rumbur, overnight in kalash valley
- Day 5 : Drive to Reshun village (90km, 3hrs 40minutes)
- Day 6 : Drive to Phandar valley (6 hrs and 140km), via shandur national park, overnight phandar
- Day 7 : Drive to Hunza valley (265km, 7hrs and 30minutes)
- Day 8 : Half day rest Visits to Baltit and Altit fort
- Day 9 : Excursion of Attabad Lake & upper Hunza, sovenir shopping
- Day 1 0: Hunza to Naran drive (315km 6hr & 30 mints)
- Day 1 1: Afternoon Islamabad arrival (280 km 6hrs) Overnight Islamabad
- Day 1 2: Mid-day hotel checkout, afternoon excursion of Islamabad and airport transfer after
Itinerary At Glance The Choimus Festival
9-day itinerary: Kalash Choimus Festival (winter festival, December 15th – December 22nd) Fixed departure/joining Dates (December 13th each year, arrival to Islamabad airport)
- Day 1: Arrival at Islamabad airport, hotel transfer
- Day 2: Drive to Swat (255 km, 5hrs), ovenight in Swat
- Day 3: Drive to kalash (250km, 8hrs), overnight in Kalash Valley
- Day 4: Explore Bumburet and Rumbur, overnight in kalash valley
- Day 5: Drive to Chitral (37 km, 2 hrs.), Excursion of Chitral
- Day 6: Drive to Swat (250 km, 7hrs), overnight Swat
- Day 7: Drive to Peshawar (200km, 3hrs), city excursion, Peshawar overnight
- Day 8: Drive back to Islamabad (2hrs), with historical excursions
- Day 9: Afternoon excursion of Islamabad city, airport transfer after dinner
Services Included
Hotel transfers
Domestic flight
Transport to Islamabad-Hunza and Hunza-Islamabad
5 nights hotel stays (shared twin room)
Climbing permits
Pollution fee
Camping arrangements and camping fees (kitchen tents, mess tents, member tents)
Camp food
Porters (two porters each member allowing 40 kg, additional weight is charged per kg)
Mountain guide and kitchen staff
Services Not Included
Travel insurance
Visa to Pakistan (we will help provide supporting documents)
Tips for staff and drivers
Sleeping bag
Notes For the Trip
Road conditions vary in this part of the mountains. This may result in longer travel times. In case of unavoidable road blockage that prevents travel, we will be responsible for managing your lodging and food during this extra time. However, you will need to cover the expenses for the extra days.
It should be noted that climbing permits are not guaranteed for individuals who have previously violated mountaineering rules in Pakistan, as they may be rejected due to past misconduct or violations.
Any additional services beyond the itinerary or possible changes during the tour will incur extra charges, and these changes should be discussed with the guide beforehand.
If flights to Gilgit from Islamabad are canceled, be prepared for a 12 to 14-hour road journey via Islamabad Naran Hunza.
Money paid in advance for permits is completely nonrefundable in case of any individuals or expedition cancellation.
Tour Map
