A Cultural Sojourn: Choimus Kalash Winter Festival Tour

Journey from Islamabad to the storied Swat Valley, often called the “Switzerland of the East.” En route, explore the Taxila Museum and Sirkap ruins, remnants of the ancient Gandhara civilization. Continue towards Takht-i-Bahi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where Buddhist monks once meditated among stone stupas and quiet courtyards. As you enter the emerald valleys of Swat, feel the stillness of pine forests and mountain streams welcome you.

Travel Distance: 230 km
Travel Time: Approx. 5–6 hours, with sightseeing stops
Main Attractions: Taxila Museum, Takht-i-Bahi Buddhist Monastery
Accommodation: Hotel in Swat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Begin your ascent into the Hindu Kush Mountains toward the hidden Kalash Valleys  home to one of the world’s oldest and most unique cultures. The winding mountain road reveals sweeping views of rugged cliffs and turquoise rivers. By late afternoon, arrive in Bumburet, the largest of the Kalash Valleys, where wooden homes cling to terraced slopes and warm smiles greet you. As dusk settles, stroll through the village, breathing in wood smoke and the scent of juniper in the cold mountain air.

Travel Distance: 260 km
Travel Time: Approx. 6–7 hours
Main Attraction: Scenic Mountain drive, Kalash Valley
Accommodation: Guesthouse/ hotel in Kalash Valley
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Step into the heart of the Choimus Festival, a sacred winter celebration that fills the valley with color and music. Rituals of purification begin the day  offerings to ancestral spirits, preparation of Choimus bread and symbolic bathing ceremonies marking renewal. As night falls, bonfires blaze across the valley; men and women dance in rhythmic circles, their faces painted in traditional designs, their voices rising in songs that echo through the mountains.

Travel Distance: Minimal
Travel Time: Local Exploration
Main Attraction: Choimus Festival Ceremonies, Purification Rituals
Accommodation: Guesthouse or hotel in Kalash Valley
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, drive to the serene Rumbur Valley, where the Kalash live much as their ancestors did  in harmony with nature. Wander through wooden villages and share quiet conversations with locals, gaining deeper insight into their customs. Continue your scenic journey to Chitral, a charming mountain town nestled beneath the mighty Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush.

Travel Distance: 75 km (15 km to Rumbur, 60 km to Chitral)
Travel Time: Approx. 3–4 hours total
Main Attractions: Rumbur Valley, Local Kalash life
Accommodation: Hotel in Chitral
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Spend the day discovering Chitral’s royal and cultural heritage. Visit the 14th-century Shahi Fort and its grand mosque, explore the Chitral Museum filled with artifacts of ancient civilizations, and drive toward the Shandur Polo Ground, the world’s highest polo field. Wander through local bazaars filled with handmade crafts, mingling with the warm-hearted people who call this valley home.

Travel Distance: Trip around the city
Travel Time: Local Exploration
Main Attractions: Shahi Fort, Shahi Mosque, Chitral Museum, Shandur Polo Ground
Accommodation: Hotel in Chitral
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Bid farewell to Chitral as you retrace your route through mountain passes draped in snow and serenity. Stop for tea at a roadside inn in Dir, where time seems to move slower and conversations flow like the mountain streams nearby. By evening, return to the green valleys of Swat and rest after a day of scenic travel.

Travel Distance: 250 km
Travel Time: Approx. 6–7 hours
Main Attraction: Scenic drive through the Hindu Kush
Accommodation: Hotel in Swat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, journey south to Peshawar, a city of ancient bazaars and Mughal charm. Upon arrival, visit the Mahabat Khan Mosque, a jewel of white marble artistry, and the intricately carved Sethi House Museum. Later, stroll through the lush Shahi Bagh, a tranquil garden oasis that has witnessed centuries of history.

Travel Distance: 190 km
Travel Time: Approx. 4–5 hours
Main Attractions: Mahabat Khan Mosque, Sethi House Museum, Shahi Bagh
Accommodation: Hotel in Peshawar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart for Lahore, the cultural heart of Pakistan. Along the way, stop at the magnificent Rohtas Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site built by Sher Shah Suri, its towering ramparts and arched gateways still echoing with stories of the empire’s past. Continue to Lahore, where you’ll witness vibrant streets and Mughal grandeur. Check into your hotel and relax.

Travel Distance: 210 km
Travel Time: Approx. 4–5 hours
Main Attraction: Rohtas Fort
Accommodation: Hotel in Lahore
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today is a celebration of Lahore’s soul, a city that wears history like a crown. Visit the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, and the jewel-like Wazir Khan Mosque, each glowing with Mughal splendor. At the Lahore Museum, trace centuries of art and civilization, then head to the Wagah Border for the electrifying flag-lowering ceremony, a spectacle of pride and passion that closes your day in unforgettable rhythm.

Travel Distance: Local
Travel Time: City exploration
Main Attractions: Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, Wazir Khan Mosque, Lahore Museum, Wagah Border Ceremony
Accommodation: Hotel in Lahore
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Enjoy a slow morning in Lahore, savoring your final breakfast in Pakistan. Depending on your flight schedule, you may explore nearby bazaars or enjoy a last stroll through the city’s tree-lined streets. Later, transfer to the airport for your departure carrying home not just photographs, but the spirit of the Kalash, the scent of cedar fires and the quiet wisdom of the mountains.

Travel Distance: Variable (hotel to airport)
Travel Time: 30–45 minutes
Main Attraction: Farewell from Lahore
Accommodation: N/A
Meals: Breakfast

The festival is celebrated annually in mid to late December in the Kalash valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir.

This is a moderate cultural journey with light walking and some uneven terrain in the valleys. No trekking experience is required. However, the winters are dry and harsh.

You’ll stay in comfortable guesthouses and local lodges, offering warmth, hospitality, and proximity to festival activities.

 Yes. Venus Trails is a women-owned and operated company, and this tour is led by experienced female guides ensuring a safe and empowering environment.

 You’ll enjoy traditional Kalash and Chitrali cuisine, complemented by hot tea, soups, and hearty local dishes suited for the cold season.

The Kalash are welcoming but modest. Please dress conservatively, ask permission before photographing individuals, and participate respectfully in ceremonies.

 Venus Trails commits to planting 5 trees per traveler, avoiding single-use plastics, and working with local communities to ensure tourism preserves culture and nature alike.