Overview
Buddhist pilgrimage tour and Buddhist Rock Cravings, is one of the important tour, it not only contain the history of Buddhism but also share the prosperity of Buddhism in Pakistan in ancient times. Pakistan was once a region containing different religious territories. In those religious territories one region was a large Buddhist region, in which a great population lived and practiced Buddhism.
Today the regions are North Western Pakistan and Eastern Afghanistan which were once the Buddhist regions. Swat Valley, is well known for Buddhist antiquities, the Swat Valley was once known as Oddiyana in the medieval time, this region was important for the development of Vajrayana Buddhism. In Sanskrit Oddiyana means the “royal garden”. Many archaeological sites concerning Buddhism are located in Swat.
Later, at Chilas we will witness the art of Budhhist Rock Craving dated back to 2nd century AD. Craved by the Buddhist pilgrims, and travellers who travelled through silk road in the ancient times.
Tour Itinerary
Arrival at Islamabad international airport. There the NPA representative will greet and transfer to the hotel, a moment to rest at the hotel. After rest we will leave to visit Islamabad city, which is known to be the second prettiest Capital in the world; we will visit Faisal Mosque, Lok Versa Museum, and Pakistan Museum. Overnight stay at hotel.
In morning, we will drive to Taxila. Taxila was an Ancient Buddhist site in the Gandhara kingdom, where a number of monasteries and stupas are found. In Taxila we will visit Taxila museum; which holds the Buddhist Artifacts in which the story of Buddha is vividly craved and the collection of Gandharan art. Secondly, we will visit Darmarajika Stupa, also referred as the Great Stupa of Taxila. It was built in 2nd century CE by Kushans, which in 1980 was inscribed as a UNESCO world Heritage Site. Then we will visit the Sirkup City of Greek architecture which is embedded with different monuments including Buddhist eagle stupa, Jainist Temple, Zoroastrian temple all present and enclosed in a single ancient city of Sirkup. We will the visit the monastery of Julian and Mohra Muradu which were also built by the Kushans, at a peaceful and high beautiful location. Overnight in hotel (Approximately 3 to 4 hrs drive).
In the Morning we will drive to Peshawar, visit the Peshawar Museum which was built in the memory of Queen Victoria in 1907, has the collection of Buddhist artifacts made with black schist stone are abundantly exhibited at Peshawar, Mughal and Persian Islamic Art, and the British rule collection. Overnight at hotel (Approximately 3 to 4 hrs drive).
We will be visiting the Kanishka Stupa Fort, which was made after the death of famous Kushan king Kanishka in 2nd century CE. We will continue and move towards Mohabbat Khan Mosque, which was built in 1630 and was named after the Mughal Governor of Peshawar, Nawab Mahabat Khan. Near Mohabbat Khan Mosque, Qissa Khwani Bazaar (Story-tellers market) in Ancient time it used to be a story tellers Bazaar where people would drink Qehwa (green tea) and tell stories. We will get back for overnight stay at hotel.
Morning drive towards Swat en-route we will visit Takht-i-Bahi a famous Buddhist monastery located in the region of Mardan. It is an Indo-Parthian archaeological site, the meaning of Takht-i-Bahi stands for “throne of the water spring”. This monastery was found in 1st century CE and was recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. After that we will make a stop at Shingardar Stupa, which is located 3km northeast of Brikot village. A huge Buddhist Stupa, well preserved was built by Uttarasena, the ancient king of Swat Valley. Overnight stay at Peshawar in hotel. (Approximately 5 to 6 hrs drive).
After Breakfast, we will drive to visit Jehanabad Buddha; a huge craved image of Buddha in Dhyana mudra pose is an impressive Gandharan art. It will take a 30-minute walk to reach the Jehanabad Buddha due to hilly terrain. We will visit the Swat Museum, which holds a number of Buddhist artifacts, which were made in the Kushan and Mauryan period. After visiting the museum, we will move towards Butkarah Stupa, which was built by the Mauryan Emperor Ashoka dated back to 2nd century BCE. After visiting Butkarah Stupa our last visit will be of Saidu Sharif Stupa; it is a sacred Buddhist area located near the city of Saidu Sharif. It is a square based stupa around it we found small votive stupas, probably consecrated around 1st to 5th century CE. After our excursion of Swat, we will head back to Mingora for dinner. Overnight stay at hotel. (Approximately 1 to 2 hrs drive).
After breakfast, we will start our second day of swat excursion. First we will visit Balokalay Stupa; BaloKalay stupa is located in the town of Bazira, Barikot Swat. Several Buddhist site surround are present near the town of Bazira, the stupa of Balo Kalay is double dome presenting a unique architecture in stupas also known as Gumbat Stupa due to its double dome architecture. It is dated back to the 2nd century CE build by Kushan Emperor. To reach the stupa we have to walk up a hill. After the Balo Kaly stupa a 35 min drive to Jordara Buddhist monastery which is believed to be the built in Mauryan period of rule which dates to 3rd century BCE. Discovered by an Italian Archaeologist. The architecture of this monastery is Apsidal (Semi-circular) in Nature. After the Mauryan Greco-Indian King Menander kept it running in the 2nd century BCE. Overnight at hotel. (Approximately 3 to 4 hrs drive).
In morning, drive to Chilas, at arrival transfer to hotel. Overnight stay at hotel. (Approximately 8 – 9 hrs drive).
After Breakfast, we will visit the infamous Ancient Buddhist Rock Craving along the Ancient Silk Route. These craving hold the primitive petroglyphs from Neolithic hunting gather era to Islamic Era. Among these Buddhist craving are the mostly to be found around this area dating from 2nd century BCE. These rock craving consist of Stupas, Pagodas (Chinese Stupas), Bodhisattvas, Buddha with his followers, and also different inscription from Kharoshti, Brahmi, Tibetan, and Chinese are carving into these rocks. These rock craving witnessed nearly every empires rule from Achaemenid Empire to Islamic Emergence. Later we will drive to Gilgit. Overnight in hotel.
After breakfast, we will fly back to Islamabad, transfer to hotel have a short rest. After that we will go and visit the Pakistan Monument and Faisal Mosque. At the evening we will leave for our farewell dinner at the top of Margalla Hills. Overnight in hotel.
Transfer to hotel for internation Departure.
