Overview
The four-day Chilam Joshi Festival, also known as the Spring Festival, is a vital celebration for the Kalash people, an indigenous group with unique traditions, language, and religion. Held annually in May, the festival marks the arrival of spring and symbolizes the community’s deep connection to nature. It is a time of thanksgiving, where the Kalash express gratitude to their gods for protecting their herds and ensuring a good harvest.
The festival begins with rituals to purify the valleys, such as sprinkling milk on the soil to mark the start of a new cycle of life. Dressed in vibrant traditional attire, the Kalash gather to celebrate with music, dance, and cultural rituals. Women wear elaborately embroidered black robes with colorful beads, while men don simpler traditional clothing. The dances, accompanied by drumbeats and flutes, are a joyful expression of their culture and are performed to honor their deities.
Beyond its religious significance, Chilam Joshi is also a key social event. It brings the Kalash community together, strengthens social bonds, and provides an opportunity for young people to find potential marriage partners. The festival has attracted tourists from across Pakistan and beyond, offering them a glimpse into the Kalash way of life. However, with increased tourism, there is a growing focus on preserving the festival’s authenticity and respecting the traditions and privacy of the Kalash people.
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FAQs
The Kalash Chilam Joshi Festival is a four-day celebration open to everyone, with no restrictions based on age, gender, or religion. Participants are simply asked to respect the Kalash community's customs and traditions during the festival.
Please share your plan, dates and other people planning to travel with you so that we can arrange accordingly.
You are traveling to one of the most beautiful yet culturally sensitive valleys in Pakistan, rich in nature, history, and heritage. During the festival, the people of Kalash demonstrate their culture and heritage that has been preserved for centuries. You will also have the opportunity to explore a variety of historic monuments and connect with both local people and tourists from around the world.
Since the festival takes place during May, a time of the year when the days are warm enough and nights are pleasant. You will enjoy a balanced weather during Chilam Joshi.
The weather is moderate in the Kalash Valleys; you may pack up ordinary things including
● Important medicine/first aid kit
● Sunglasses
● Sunblock and lip balm
● Water bottle
● Cap/hat, and scarf (to avoid scorching sun)
● Full sleeves shirt
● Comfortable shoes and flip-flops
● Warm Layers of clothing (in case or rain)
● Camera with additional batteries (optional)
● Cell phone with charger and charging bank (optional)
We do. We can organize customized tours for solo tourists and groups of any volume, but we prefer not more than 20. All we need is the information on the interest, dates, and number of persons with special instructions if any.
The maximum size of our groups is 20 persons. The average size of our groups is 10 members.
During this tour, all three meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner) will be served to the participants. A combination of Foreign and Pakistani meals will be included in our food plan in the big cities like Islamabad and Swat. Breakfasts will have coffee, cereal, tea, eggs, muesli/porridge, bread/chapatti included. Lunches include fresh meat and veggies, chapatti, rice etc. The dinner will be served in the hotel restaurant or at a famous food outlet in the vicinity of your hotel. In the Chitral and Kalash Valley, the best available organic meals will be provided.
Accommodation will be arranged as per the commitment. We always try not to compromise on services and provide the highest standards of accommodation. In Islamabad, Swat, and Chitral, there are standard tourist class hotels. However, in the Kalash Valley, we have no other choice than local guest houses. However, the rooms are of good tourist class standards.
On this tour, each day is filled with exciting adventures as you explore a new destination along the Chitral Road. Every morning begins with breakfast at your hotel, followed by a drive according to the itinerary. Lunch is provided at a convenient and quality location, while dinner is a lavish affair at the best available venue. We strive to offer a variety of cuisines, ensuring a rich and diverse culinary experience throughout your journey. During the day, guided tours will be provided to the nearest attractions and in the Kalash valley, particularly, festival will be enjoyed during the evening and tours will be enjoyed during the day.
All nationalities must obtain a valid visa for entry into Pakistan. Tourists are advised to contact the nearest Pakistan Embassy/High Commission/consulate in their respected country/city. For the detailed information on visa, please refer to https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/ Pakistan does have visa on arrival facility for a number of countries. Please check the details here https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/visa-on-arrival-tourist/
Tipping in Pakistan is not obligatory; it is entirely at one’s own discretion. Staff generally expects to be tipped at the end of the tour. If the staff during the trip performed well, a good tip is considered well-deserved. However, there is no defined amount as it depends on the situation, number of days spent and performance of the staff. With groups clients can join in to add to an amount.