Chitral Tour Packages is an enticing opportunity to discover Pakistan’s hidden gem. These tailored packages afford avid explorers and tranquilly seekers alike an intimate encounter with Chitral’s vibrant culture, exotic wildlife, mysterious history, and poetic landscapes. Nestled high amidst imposing mountains, each day in this paradise reveals new wonders as you meander through lush valleys, blooming orchards, rushing rivers, and ancient fortresses. See List of Best Chitral Hotels
| Kalash Valley Festivals and Dates | No. of Days | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Chitral Valley Family Package | 7 Days/6 Nights | 185,000 |
| Chitral by Air Luxuay Package | 4 Days/3 Nights | 140,000 |
| Honeymoon Package | 5 Days/4 Nights | 135,000 |
| Chitral Valley Group Package | 4 Days/3 Nights | 35,000 |
| Chilam Joshi Festival (Kalash spring festival) 12 -18 May | 4 Dyas/ 3Nights | 140,000 |
| Festival of Uchal (Kalash summer festival) - 19-25 August | 5 Days/ 4Nights | 160,000 |
The inhabitants of the Kalash Valley celebrate a number of festivals all year round. The three predominant festivals are as follows:
Chitral Valley is home to many beautiful places that are worth visiting. Some of the most popular tourist attractions in Chitral Valley include the Kalash Valley,
The easiest way to reach Chitral Valley is by taking a flight from Islamabad to Chitral and then travelling by road. There are several buses and taxis available from Chitral to Kalash Valley, which is approximately a 1-2 hour drive. Pak Tours offers Chitral tour packages from Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi by road or air.
The people of Kalash are considered unique among the people of Pakistan. The Kalasha, or Kalash, also called Waigali or Wai, are a Dardic Indo-Aryan indigenous people residing in the Chitral District of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. They speak the Kalasha language, from the Dardic family of the Indo-Aryan branch. They are considered unique among the people of Pakistan. They are also considered to be Pakistan’s smallest ethno-religious, practicing a religion that some authors characterise as a form of animism, while academics classify it as “a form of ancient Hinduism.”. The Kalash are considered to be an indigenous people of Asia, with their ancestors migrating to Chitral Valley from another location, possibly further south, which the Kalash call “Tsiyam” in their folk songs and epics.
Language of Kalash people: The Kalasha language, also known as Kalasha-mun, is a member of the Dardic group of the Indo-Aryan languages. Its closest relative is the neighbouring Khowar language. Kalasha was formerly spoken over a larger area in south Chitral, but it is now mostly confined to the western side valleys, having lost ground to Khowa. However, Urdu and English are also widely understood and spoken.
The grandest of all is that the Kalashas carry a romantic view of being the descendents of Alexander the Great. On the other hand, many historians believe that they are indigenous tribe of the neighbouring area of Nuristan also called Kafiristan (the land of Kafirs). It is believed that in 1895, Amir Abdul Rahman, the king of Afghanistan, conquered the area of Nursitan and forced the inhabitants of the area to convert to Islam. It was during that time that many people fled to Chitral to avoid conversion. The third theory claims that the ancestors of Kalashas migrated from a distant place in South Asia called Tsiam. The Tsiam is considered to be the traditional home of these people. The Kalasha folk songs and fables hint at the existence of Tsiam and that their roots belong in that region.
The weather in Chitral Valley is generally mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from 20–25 °C during the day and 5–10 °C at night. However, during the winter months, the temperature can drop below freezing
The people of Kalash have a rich culture and are very strong-minded about their identity. These people stand out from the remaining tribes, cultures, and communities of Pakistan due to their distinct culture, religious practices, and festivals. The area known as Kalash Valley boasts serene beauty, lush green valleys, and fruit farms, making it an ideal tourist spot not only in terms of scenic beauty but also cultural diversity and religious spots. Despite all the pros, the fact of the matter remains that nothing is being done to develop the area or invest in its tourism industry. The Kalash Valley faces discrimination on a number of fronts, be it economic development or recognition as a separate religious entity. The area lacks proper infrastructure which cuts it off with the rest of the world and has resulted in the backwardness of the region.
Chitral. The town of Ayun is short of Chitral city on the confluence of Chitral and Bumburet River. Some of the attractions of Chitral include the Shahi Mosque, Shahi Qila, polo ground, Governor Cottage Chitral museum. .
