Southern Pakistan: Confluence of Civilizations

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Southern Pakistan: Confluence of Civilizations

Luxury Group Travel | 16 Days | Limited to 12 Guests

5,000-year-old Indus Valley archaeological sites, comparable to Egypt
Massive mud-brick forts and domed, tiled tombs set in the desert
Pakistan’s painted buses, bustling bazaars, and famed blue pottery
Convergence of Muslim, Hindu, Sufi, Sikh, and other religions
Interactions with Pakistani curators, scholars, and artisans

Traveling through Southern Pakistan’s Indus River Valley from Karachi to Islamabad, discover a host of historical riches to celebrate: UNESCO World Heritage sites in Taxila and Mohenjodaro; extraordinary mosques, Mughal monuments, Buddhist monasteries, Hindu temples, and Greco-Bactrian ruins; and an intricate intermingling of cultural traditions and creations. At the same time, enjoy the diverse attractions of contemporary Pakistan, from exhilarating bazaars to delicious cuisine to hospitable people. Venture north through this fifth most populous country on the planet, gaining a new appreciation of Pakistan’s infinitely intriguing layers and coded complexities.

Trip Overview

This trip is an extraordinary opportunity to see a significant swath of Pakistan from Karachi, edged by the Arabian Sea in Sindh province to Islamabad on the Pothohar Plateau of Punjab province, and GeoEx is one of a select few US companies traveling in Pakistan right now.

– SARA BARBIERI, TRIP LEADER

Day

1 – 2

Arrive and explore extraordinary Karachi, one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the world Take your time exploring its neighborhoods, mosques, museums, and markets.

Day

3

Explore tiled and stone tombs at the Necropolis at Makli Hills and Thatta’s ornate Shah Jahan Mosque on the road to Hyderbad.

Day

4

Drive to Larkana via Sehwan to visit the Shrine of 13th-century Sufi poet and philosopher, Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.

Day

5 – 6

Continue your journey northward, stopping at Kot Diji and UNESCO-listed Mohenjodaro, one of the world’s earliest major cities.

Day

7 – 8

The nawab city of Bahawalpur provides a good base from which to explore Uch Sharif and the desert forts of Cholistan.

Day

9 – 10

Meet artisans who carry on the tradition of kasha kari pottery See the tile work on shrines and tombs seen throughout Multan.

Day

11

Stop to marvel at ancient Harappa, one of the three early civilizations (along with Egypt and Mesopotamia).

Day

12 – 13

Vibrant Lahore welcomes you with its culinary and cultural riches, historic monuments, and the majestic Lahore Fort Witness the spectacle of the Wagah-Attari border ceremony.

Day

14 – 15

Islamabad comes alive through bazaars and neighborhood explorations. UNESCO-recognized Taxila offers some of the most well-preserved archaeological treasures in Asia.

Day

16

Depart for home or begin the optional extension to Swat and Peshawar.

OPTIONAL POST-TRIP EXTENSION

Swat & Peshawar

Extend your trip to explore the magnificent Swat Valley, renowned for its natural beauty, with lush forests, alpine meadows, and snow-capped mountains. Peshawar was the one-time capital of the Buddhist kingdom of Gandhara, significant caravan-trading hub, and one of the world’s oldest cities.

Rice fields in the Swat Valley, Pakistan

MEET YOUR TRIP LEADER

Bill Jones

British-born raconteur-explorer Bill Jones has led tours in more than 180 countries over the past 40 years. Bill’s deep knowledge of local history and firsthand experience of the contrasts between the tribulations of some countries and the prosperity of others gives him a unique understanding of the regions in which he leads tours. He is deeply knowledgeable, experienced, caring, informative, and fun.

MEET YOUR TRIP LEADER

Mehreen Chida-Razvi

Dr Mehreen Chida-Razvi was awarded a PhD in Art History from SOAS (2012) with an expertise on the art and material culture of Mughal South Asia. She works for the Khalili Collection of Islamic Art, is an Associate Editor for the International Journal of Islamic Architecture, and regularly teaches courses and lectures on Islamic and Indo-Islamic art at universities and museums in London and Oxford.

Dates & Prices

Dates

02/02/25 – 02/17/25 (Led by Mehreen Chida-Razvi) Peshawar & Swat Extension: 2/17/25 – 2/21/25

10/08/25 – 10/23/25 (Led by Bill Jones) Swat Valley & Peshawar extension: 10/23/25 – 10/27/25

Custom trips offered October-February

Pricing

Group Trip: From $13,495. per person

Optional Peshawar & Swat Extension (5 days): From $4,350 per person

based on double occupancy

Custom Trip: Please call for individually tailored recommendations and pricing.

Inclusions

Expertise of GeoEx’s travel specialists
Services of GeoEx’s in-house air reservations team
All accommodations
All ground transportation and airport transfers
Sightseeing, events, visits, and entrance fees
Most meals
Bottled water at included meals and while sightseeing
Services of a GeoEx trip leader, local guides, drivers, and other staff
Some gratuities
Emergency evacuation services and secondary medical expense insurance

A Journey Built Just For You

Take customization to the next level on a journey fully tailored to you. GeoEx's destination specialists will gladly tailor this existing itinerary—or build one completely from scratch—to suit your style, interests, and time frame. Contact us to see what's possible.