This is one of our horseback riding programmes which we offer in the north-west of Pakistan. We start our tour by car in which we discover Swat Valley and its secret after which we’ll have a full day excursion in Kalash Valley, famous for its culture and mystic Kalash religion. Afterwards we’ll drive to the Hindu Kush Valley where we will spend the next days exploring the region on the back of a horse, while camping in one of the most beautiful regions of Pakistan. Our guides know the region very well and will be there to assist you through every step if you don’t have too much experience riding a horse. Although we recommend you to have already some experience and have done some classes.
The Hindu Kush is a mountain range which starts in Afghanistan and goes all the way into Pakistan, where we can find the highest peaks. In the extreme east it runs along the Pakistani-Chinese border. The name was giving by the explorer Battuta after the many Hindu slaves who lost their lives while trekking from India to Turkestan. Sometimes it is considered part of the Himalayas and combined with the Karakoram mountains it is called the Hindu Kush-Karakoram-Himalayan Mountain Range (HKH). We will take you to the most beautiful routes in this valley.
We’ll also visit the Swat Valley and Kalash Valley at the beginning of our itinerary so you’ll truly get a good taste of the best Pakistan has to offer. This part will be done by car while on our way to Shandur Pass.
Swat Valley is located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan and borders Gilgit-Baltistan and Afghanistan. It is named after the Swat River and the area is known as the Switzerland of Pakistan because of its lush green fields and beautiful deep forest on the hills. There are several historical sites in the area where we can find petroglyphs and stupas.
The Kalasha Valleys are north of Swat and are located in the Chitral district and are dominated by the Hindu Kush mountain range. They are inhabited by the Kalash people with their own culture, language and although most of them are converted to Islam, a part of them still practice their own religion, which could best be described as a form of ancient Hinduism. Many of them fled from the Taliban in Afghanistan to start a new life in Pakistan and this ethnic minority is under protection of the government of Pakistan. There are three main valleys with Bumburet being the largest. The other two are called Biriu and Ayun. The culture is known for their colored-clothed women with unique and beautiful clothing and jewelry.
Hindu Kush Horseback riding itinerary:
Day 1: Arrival in Islamabad
Day 2: Scenic drive to Swat Valley
Day 3: Scenic drive to Chitral through Lowari Pass
Day 4: Excursion to Kalash Valley
Day 5: Scenic drive to Mastuj: From tomorrow on, all the following days are on horse
Day 6: Scholkuch: camping
Day 7: Mughal Mariru: camping
Day 8: Lasht: camping
Day 9: Shusht: campingg
Day 10: Ishoeru Dok: campin
Day 11: Shah Ghari to Old Gjar through Shah Jinali: camping
Day 12: Dershal: camping
Day 13: Rua: camping
Day 14: Zanglashe: camping
Day 15: Drive to Chitral
Day 16: Continue to Swat
Day 17: Drive to Islamabad
Day 18: Departure from Islamabad (please, add an extra day for PCR-testing if needed)
Price:
1 person: 8799 usd
2 persons: 5399 usd per person
3 persons: 5199 usd per person
4 persons: 4399 usd per person
** Single supplement: 780 usd
