The Soul of Pakistan: Stories of Heritage, Mountains and Partition
- Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan
Duration
13 Days
May 5th - 17th
Group Size
1-15
From
$2099
Paid in 3-5 installments for your convenience
We're taking you to Pakistan!
Pakistan - Rated one of the top 10 countries to visit in 2024 by Lonely Planet, and yet, continues to be one of the most misunderstood nations in the world. Nature, culture, food and sights that can easily be compared with some of the best destinations worldwide. Come join us as we take you on a cultural adventure to this South Asian gem.
Enjoy the Adventure
Here's what one of our guests had to say about us:
"The Hybrid Tour was my first group trip and one of the best travel decisions I've ever made. I was surrounded by a wonderful group of people all willing to learn, grow, and have lots of fun! Our guides/facilitators were the best I've ever had. They skillfully led us through hard conversations. Plus, they know how to have a good time. Our talks with local activists were also invaluable. 10/10!"
To support humanitarian causes and better understand the region, we will also be meeting with local activists. If you are curious, and interested in TRULY learning about the world and combining this with adventurous travel and other like-minded travellers, this trip is for you.
The Soul of Pakistan: Stories of Heritage, Mountains and Partition
- Lahore, Pakistan
Pakistan is one of the most underrated countries in the world, and through our expertise and contacts, we’re here to take you on this journey. We’re including the must-see highlights, along with some off-the-beaten-path spots that most tourists miss!
On this trip, you’ll explore stunning mountainous landscapes, incredible valleys, and iconic landmarks. Through our partnership with local organizations, we’ll also meet with activists and communities to better understand the region and the challenges they face. Not only have we been to the country on multiple occasions, but one of our founders is Pakistani! We cannot think of a better travel company to take you there.
If you’re looking to discover a new part of the world, check off some bucket-list experiences, travel in a unique way, support meaningful causes, and immerse yourself in a rich culture, then join us from May 5-17th, 2025, as we embark on an unforgettable journey through Pakistan!
Meet the team
Hira: Founder of Our World Too
Our World Too (OWT) is a platform dedicated to rehumanising the narrative surrounding refugees and displaced communities around the world. As part of our work, Our World Too also the damaging effects of politics and the direct impact these can have on populations worldwide. Jordan is the perfect example for this. Our work also preserves and honours the memories of victims and survivors.
Sibu: Founder of Go Global With Sibu
Sibu is on a journey to break stereotypes and to show people beautiful destinations that they would normally overlook. Travel is more than just being in a destination: it means immersing yourself in its history and culture, and that is what you’ll experience with her. Looking to get out of your comfort zone and make new friends while travelling? This is the chance to do so!
Demir Mahmutcehajic: Your local guide
Demir is a long-term human rights activist with a sense of duty for the land where he was born and bred. He uses his internationally collected knowledge to inspire visitors toward a joint struggle to prevent the evils that humans commit against other humans. For Demir, Bosnia and Herzegovina is more than just another country. It is the book that we can all read and learn from, but also one we can add our notes to.
Trip Highlights
- Lahore | Islamabad | Skardu | Hunza | Chillas | Katpana Desert | Basho Valley
- Comfortable accommodation throughout the trip, including stays in scenic mountain lodges
- The spectacular Wagha Border flag-lowering ceremony
- Exploring Lahore in a VERY fun way, you're in for a surprise!
- Touring the stunning landscapes of Basho Valley and the Katpana Desert
- Exploring sites along the iconic Karakoram Highway, the highest paved HW in the world
- Fun activities planned throughout the trip
- Cultural Immersion meetings with locals and activists
- Friendships with other like-minded travellers
Trip dates: May 5-17th, 2025
Logistics: Pick up is anytime on May 5th, from Lahore International Airport.
The airport code is LHE. We suggest arriving in the am to not miss out on the pm activities, plus our welcome dinner!
If the flight schedules do not align, we will be happy to arrange extra hotel nights & airport transfers if needed! Please reach out directly to help you out 🙂
The departure should be booked on May 18th after midday from Islamabad International Airport, airport code ISB.
If you’re looking to visit a new part of the world, travel in a completely different way, enjoy breathtaking nature, get to meet new people and immerse yourself in a new culture, then come and join us!
Travel tip: Fly to Dubai or Abu Dhabi, then book a separate flight to Lahore/Islamabad. This can easily cost less than $100 USD one-way if you book it in advance. Google Flights/SkyScanner are the best tools if you’re looking for regular airlines, and we recommend Kiwi for low-cost flights! PS: need help booking flights? Just reach out! Happy to help.
Included / Excluded
To help you plan your trip, we have put together a list of what's included and what's not included in your tour package. This will give you a clear understanding of what to expect and help you make any necessary arrangements before your journey begins.
- Accommodation
- We’ll be staying in a a mixture of quality hotels and mountain lodges
- Activities
- All activities are included except those that involve high levels of adrenaline
- Small groups
- For the best immersive travel experiences, we pride ourselves in having no more than 15 people per group
- Transport
- Transportation is provided for the duration of the trip in a private vehicle.
- Airport Transfers
- Airport pick-ups/drop-offs are included on May 5th + May 18th.
- Meetings with activists
- You'll be learning about history from activists. We expect guests to remain courteous.
- Domestic Flight
- One domestic flight included
- Entry fees
- All entry fees listed in the itinerary are included.
- Visa paperwork
- There is visa on arrival and electronic visas included. We'll arrange the paperwork and guide you through the process.
- Local tour guides
- Professional English-speaking tour guides.
- Meals
- All breakfast and dinners are included. Budget $5-10 for each lunch.
- Government taxes/tolls
What’s not included
- Travel insurance
- All participants are required to have travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- We recommend bringing at least $200-300 USD for all of your personal expenses throughout the trip and extra activities. This does not include the tips.
- Extra meals
- Meals outside of those stated in the itinerary.
- Tips for guides
- Not included. We recommend $10/day to your guide and half of this to your driver.
- Visa fees
- Visa fees for Pakistan and required in countries en-route to Pakistan are not included.
- Activities not listed
- Adrenaline-filled activities such as zip-lining, jet ski...
- International Flights
- Beverages
Itinerary
We have carefully planned out each day to give you the best possible experience. From exploring historic landmarks to tasting delicious local cuisine, each day is packed with adventure and excitement. Join us as we take you on a journey through some of the most fascinating destinations in the world.
Arrival at Allama Iqbal Lahore International Airport (LHE). Meet and assist at the airport. Transfer to hotel. Airport transfer available all day.
We suggest arriving in the morning of the 5th to make the most of Day 1. There are plenty of flights from the UAE/Qatar to Lahore in the early morning. If the timing is not suitable for you, no worries! You can arrive the night before and we can arrange an extra hotel night for you. This is very common among our guests to get some rest and be ready for Day 1 so you won’t be the only one!
After midday, we will be visiting the Lahore Museum to meet with a representative from the Citizens Archive of Pakistan who will tell us about their incredible work, share information about the Subcontinent under colonial rule and the subsequent Partition of Pakistan and India. This is incredibly important for you to understand the experiences of Day 2 + 3.
This is part of the work that we do with Our World Too, and what sets us apart from other travel companies out there. These are safe spaces we’ve created where you get to learn and ask anything you want about the country.
In the evening, we’ll have our official welcome dinner at Haveli Restaurant with the best views of Lahore.
Meals included: dinner
Overnight in Lahore
After an early morning breakfast, we’ll set off to explore Lahore – the Fort, Badshahi Mosque (a beautiful structure that’s from the 16th century Mughal Era) and more in a very FUN way, you’re in for a surprise!
In the afternoon, we will head to the Attari Wagha Border for the flag lowering ceremony where border guards from both Pakistan and India meet. This is one of the most spectacular borders in the world and a must while visiting Lahore.
In the evening, during dinner, we’ll have a meeting with local activists to learn more about their work in the fields of climate change and human rights.
Meals included: breakfast and dinner
Overnight in Lahore
After breakfast, we’ll be driving to Islamabad via the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway.
Once we arrive in Islamabad, we’ll visit the Lok Virsa Museum to get a better understanding of the different ethnic groups in the country. We have a long day ahead of us so we’ll be taking it easy today.
We’ll have dinner and check-in at the hotel for the evening.
Meals: breakfast and dinner
Overnight in Islamabad
We gotta be up early today! We’ll drive out to Hunza via Chillas and stay overnight in Chillas to break down the drive. Not to worry! This way we’ll get a chance to go through small picturesque towns and stunning views as we ascend into northern Pakistan. This is also very important to avoid altitude sickness.
We’ll be making regular stops for tea and stopping at local towns. We’ll also get a chance to stop at the Naga Parbat Viewpoint, one of the highest peaks in the world. We’ll have a lunch break at Rakaposhi Viewpoint and make it in time to catch the sunset of the entire Hunza Valley.
Meals: breakfast and dinner
Overnight in Chillas and Hunza
Today, we’ll be visiting two iconic sites that you cannot miss while in Pakistan. We’re all about showing you the best spots mixed in with hidden gems, after all!
We’ll visit the iconic Altit Fort, one of the oldest forts in the Hunza Valley, which dates back over 900 years, and it offers a fascinating glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the region.
We are algo going to visit the infamous Hussaini Suspension Bridge, one of the most thrilling bridges in the world. This bridge hangs over a deep gorge and is completely optional to cross for those who want a bit of adrenaline. As the day winds down,
we’ll head to the Karimabad market for an evening visit. Here you’ll get a chance to browse the local handicrafts, and interact with the friendly vendors. The market is a perfect place to pick up souvenirs!
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight in Hunza
Gilgit-Baltistan was voted by CNN among the best places to visit in 2025, and we can see why.
Today, we’ll be leaving Hunza and driving to Skardu, for another day of scenic drives. Our first stop will be Kachura Lake, which is known for its crystal-clear waters. We will also get a different view from the lake from the nearby Shangrila Resort, often referred to as “Heaven on Earth.”
Towards the end of the day, we’ll be making it to the Kampana Desert, which we’ll be exploring the next day. Imagine the beautiful contraste between the sand dunes and the mountains!
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight in Skardu
We’re starting the day right in the cold desert of Skardu! We’ll be exploring the area in the morning. If you get up early enough, you might even catch the amazing sunrise this place has to offer: a photographer’s dream.
From the cold desert, we’ll head to the historic Shigar Fort, a 400-year-old fort, also known as “Fong-Khar” (Palace on the Rock), which has been restored and now serves as a museum and boutique hotel.
Our final stop for the day will be the stunning Manthoka Waterfall, one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the region. This is one of our favorite days since it shows you the variety of landscapes that can be found only with a few hours drive.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Overnight in Skardu
We’re kicking off the day with a fun 4×4 jeep ride into the Basho Valley, a hidden gem of Skardu known for its lush greenery. Going by jeep will allow us to go off-road to explore more of this area.
We’ll stop for lunch right in the middle of the valley, yet another meal with incredible views. Afterwards, we’ll continue exploring the area, and potentially even meet with locals! In the late afternoon, we’ll head back to our accommodation.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight in Skardu
We’re starting our last full day up north with a drive to Khaplu. Our first stop is the historic Khaplu Fort, also called Yabgo Khar, which is a great example of Balti architecture. This restored 19th-century fort is now a heritage museum.
Next, we’ll visit the serene Khaplu Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the region, known for its unique Tibetan, Persian, and Balti architectural influences. This mosque is a great example of the cultural diversity that is present in this region.
To finish the day, we’ll make our way to the Masherbrum Viewpoint, where you’ll be able to see the iconic Masherbrum peak, also known as K1, one of the most famous mountains in the world.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight in Skardu
Start the day with an early morning breakfast before heading to the airport, where we’ll catch a one-hour flight back to Islamabad. Depending on our arrival time, you’ll get a chance to explore the city at leisure!
We suggest booking your return flights for the FOLLOWING DAY, on May 18th after midday to account for any possible delays. Departure should be booked from Islamabad Airport (ISB).
Thank you for being part of this amazing adventure. We hope you’ll have a fantastic time and look forward to our journey together!
All the best,
The Hybrid Tours Team
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