Pakistan: Persians, Mughals and Mystics

Fly to Lahore

Fly overnight from London to Lahore via Dubai or Qatar. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Lahore

Arrive in Lahore, Pakistan, and check in at Avari Hotel Lahore to stay 3 nights. After a rest, tour the Shalimar Gardens followed by an evening lecture and welcome dinner. (D)

Lahore

Enjoy a full day’s sightseeing of Lahore, the historic capital of both the Mughal Empire and the Punjab region. Highlights include the Badshahi Mosque, commissioned by Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century, as well as the Royal Fort, one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. Visit both the Wazir Khan Mosque and the restored, Persianate Shahi Hamman (‘Royal Baths’). (B)

Lahore

Today, you visit the tomb of Emperor Jahangir, the only one of the six major Mughal emperors to be buried in what is now Pakistan. Continue to the nearby tomb of his favourite wife, Nur Jahan. This afternoon, visit the Lahore Museum, famous in the works of Rudyard Kipling and home to impressive Mughal artefacts. Conclude the day at the bustling Anarkali Bazaar, which dates from the reign of Emperor Akbar the Great. (B, L)

Harappa - Multan

Travel to Multan, stopping en route in Harappa, ancient home of one of the subcontinent’s earliest civilisations. In Multan, visit a workshop where artisans still produce the city’s famous Kashikari pottery, a style brought by Mongol invaders from Central Asia. Continue to Faletti’s Grand Multan, where you stay 3 nights. Optional afternoon excursion to the tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam for a performance by local Sufi musicians. (B)

Uch Sharif - Multan

This morning, drive to Uch Sharif. Said to have been founded by Alexander the Great, the city has long been a stronghold of Islamic rule in the subcontinent. See the famous Sufi shrines, including the 15th-century Tomb of Bibi Jiwandi. After, return to Multan. (B, L)

Multan

Enjoy a morning tour of Multan, including the city’s key Sufi shrines as well as the Shahi Eidgah mosque, an excellent example of late Mughal architecture. In the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure or take an optional excursion to visit the Multan Arts Bazaar. (B, L)

Shekhepura - Lahore

Drive to Sheikhupura where you will see the Hiran Minar complex, unusual for being a commemoration of Emperor Jahangir’s favourite antelope, Mansraj. Jahangir was noted for his love of wildlife both as quarry for the hunt and to observe in the wild. Proceed to Lahore and stay 2 nights at Avari Hotel Lahore. (B, L)

Lahore

Explore the historic Heera Mandi district of Lahore, including the Fakir Khana Museum (subject to confirmation), within what was once the home of the Mughal Emperor’s Treasurer. Then visit Wagah in time to see the India-Pakistan border ceremony, followed by dinner. (B, D)

Rohtas - Islamabad

Drive to Islamabad, pausing en route to visit the 16th-century Mughal fort at Rohtas. Proceed to Islamabad and stay at the Marriott Islamabad (or similar) for 2 nights. (B)

Islamabad - Taxila

Visit nearby Taxila, an ancient Buddhist centre which was conquered by Alexander the Great. Return to Islamabad for a highlights tour of Pakistan’s modern capital. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D)

Fly to London

Fly to London via Dubai with Emirates or extend your stay in Islamabad. (B)

Fly to Lahore

Fly overnight from London to Lahore via Dubai or Qatar. (N)

Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Lahore

Arrive in Lahore, Pakistan, and check in at Avari Hotel Lahore to stay 3 nights. After a rest, tour the Shalimar Gardens followed by an evening lecture and welcome dinner. (D)

Lahore

Enjoy a full day's sightseeing of Lahore, the historic capital of both the Mughal Empire and the Punjab region. Highlights include the Badshahi Mosque, commissioned by Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century, as well as the Royal Fort, one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture. Visit both the Wazir Khan Mosque and the restored, Persianate Shahi Hamman ('Royal Baths'). (B)

Lahore

Today, you visit the tomb of Emperor Jahangir, the only one of the six major Mughal emperors to be buried in what is now Pakistan. Continue to the nearby tomb of his favourite wife, Nur Jahan. This afternoon, visit the Lahore Museum, famous in the works of Rudyard Kipling and home to impressive Mughal artefacts. Conclude the day at the bustling Anarkali Bazaar, which dates from the reign of Emperor Akbar the Great. (B, L)

Harappa - Multan

Travel to Multan, stopping en route in Harappa, ancient home of one of the subcontinent's earliest civilisations. In Multan, visit a workshop where artisans still produce the city's famous Kashikari pottery, a style brought by Mongol invaders from Central Asia. Continue to Faletti's Grand Multan, where you stay 3 nights. Optional afternoon excursion to the tomb of Shah Rukn-e-Alam for a performance by local Sufi musicians. (B)

Uch Sharif - Multan

This morning, drive to Uch Sharif. Said to have been founded by Alexander the Great, the city has long been a stronghold of Islamic rule in the subcontinent. See the famous Sufi shrines, including the 15th-century Tomb of Bibi Jiwandi. After, return to Multan. (B, L)

Multan

Enjoy a morning tour of Multan, including the city's key Sufi shrines as well as the Shahi Eidgah mosque, an excellent example of late Mughal architecture. In the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure or take an optional excursion to visit the Multan Arts Bazaar. (B, L)

Shekhepura - Lahore

Drive to Sheikhupura where you will see the Hiran Minar complex, unusual for being a commemoration of Emperor Jahangir's favourite antelope, Mansraj. Jahangir was noted for his love of wildlife both as quarry for the hunt and to observe in the wild. Proceed to Lahore and stay 2 nights at Avari Hotel Lahore. (B, L)

Lahore

Explore the historic Heera Mandi district of Lahore, including the Fakir Khana Museum (subject to confirmation), within what was once the home of the Mughal Emperor's Treasurer. Then visit Wagah in time to see the India-Pakistan border ceremony, followed by dinner. (B, D)

Lahore - Rohtas - Islamabad

Drive to Islamabad, pausing en route to visit the 16th-century Mughal fort at Rohtas. Proceed to Islamabad and stay at the Marriott Islamabad (or similar) for 2 nights. (B)

Islamabad - Taxila

Visit nearby Taxila, an ancient Buddhist centre which was conquered by Alexander the Great. Return to Islamabad for a highlights tour of Pakistan's modern capital. In the evening, enjoy a farewell dinner. (B, D)

Fly to London

Fly to London via Dubai with Emirates or extend your stay in Islamabad. (B)