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10 Days / 09 Nights
Specific Tour
20 people
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Gandhara, an ancient Indo-Aryan civilization, was centered in present-day north-west Pakistan and north-east Afghanistan. It occupied the Peshawar and Swat valleys, with influence reaching Taxila in the Potohar Plateau and the Kabul valley in Afghanistan.
The Kingdom of Gandhara, once a revered center of Buddhism, flourished from the 6th century BCE to the 11th century. Its pinnacle came from the 1st to the 5th century under Buddhist Kushan Kings. Mahmud of Ghazni conquered it in 1021 CE, leading to the disappearance of the name Gandhara. During the Muslim period, Lahore and Kabul administered the region, and in Mughal times, it was part of Kabul province. The Gandharas, settled along the Kabul River, later crossed the Indus into north-west Punjab. Gandhara, on the northern high road (Uttarapatha), facilitated international trade, connecting ancient Iran and Central Asia. Peshawar Valley, known since Vedic times, played a crucial role in Gandhara’s history.
The legacy of Gandharan Buddhism and its art persists, spreading through Central Asia to the Tarim Basin. Ideas and images from Gandhara reached China, Korea, and Japan, making Gandharan art enduringly significant.
Arrival in Lahore, meet & greet, and transfer to the hotel for check in and overnight stay.
Drive from Lahore to Islamabad with en route visit to Rohtas Fort - one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Pakistan. Transfer to a hotel in Islamabad for overnight stay.
Full day sightseeing of Rawalpindi & Islamabad. Overnight stay at a hotel in Islamabad.
Drive to Swat Valley with en route visit to Taxila - A UNESCO World Heritage Site near Islamabad. Upon arrival, overnight stay at a hotel in Swat.
Explore Swat Valley - visit key attractions in Swat including the Swat Museum, Butkara, Jahanabad Seated Buddha, White Palace, Shingardar Stupa, Gumbat Stupa, Ghalegay Buddha etc. Return to the hotel for overnight stay.
Drive from Swat to Peshawar en route Mardan, Takht-e-Bahi Monastery: A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, transfer to a hotel for overnight stay.
Full day sightseeing of Peshawar - visit Mahabbat Khan Mosque, Cunnigham clock Tower, Sethi Street, Peshawar Museum, Balahisar Fort, Gorgathri etc. Retern to the hotel for overnight stay.
Drive from Peshawar to Lahore. Upon arrival, transfer to a hotel for overnight stay.
Full day sightseeing of Lahore - AM: Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque, and Jahangir's Tomb. PM: Proceed to Wahga Border for flag-lowering ceremony. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Transfer to the Lahore Allama Iqbal International Airport for onward flight to homeland. End of services.
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