Tour Description
Join Raikot Tours for a once-in-a-year cultural spectacle — the Chilam Joshi Festival in the Kalash valleys of Chitral. Celebrated every May by the ancient Kalash people, Chilam Joshi marks the beginning of spring with three days of music, traditional dance, floral decorations, and communal feasting. It is one of Pakistan’s most vibrant and unique cultural experiences.
The Kalash people — one of the world’s smallest surviving ancient civilisations — dress in elaborate black robes adorned with colourful embroidery and beaded headdresses. Their joyful celebration of nature, fertility, and community is an unforgettable window into a way of life that has endured for thousands of years.
Places Covered
- Islamabad
- Dir
- Chitral City
- Chitral Fort & Shahi Mosque
- Bumburet Kalash Valley
- Rumbur Kalash Valley
- Kalash Museum
- Tirich Mir Viewpoint
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Depart Islamabad. Drive to Dir. Overnight at hotel.
Day 2: Drive through Lowari Tunnel to Chitral. Check in to hotel. Evening visit to Chitral Fort. Overnight in Chitral.
Day 3: Drive to Bumburet Kalash Valley. Arrive and witness the beginning of the Chilam Joshi Festival — traditional music, dance, and flower offerings. Overnight in Bumburet or Chitral.
Day 4: Full day at the festival. Watch traditional Kalash dances, join the celebration, meet local families, and explore the Kalash Museum. Overnight in the valley.
Day 5: Visit Rumbur Valley — the most remote and traditional of the three Kalash valleys. Enjoy natural scenery and cultural interactions. Return to Chitral. Overnight.
Day 6: Visit Tirich Mir viewpoint. Drive back to Dir via Lowari Tunnel. Overnight in Dir.
Day 7: Drive back to Islamabad. Tour ends.