Uchal Kalash Summer Festival is one of the most vibrant and culturally rich festivals of Pakistan, celebrated by the indigenous Kalasha tribe in Kalash Valley, Chitral. The Kalash people observe several festivals throughout the year, but the three main Kalash festivals are Chilam Joshi (spring festival), Uchal (summer festival), and Choimus (winter festival). Among these, the Uchal Festival marks the peak of summer, celebrating the wheat harvest, prosperity, and gratitude toward nature.
Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Hindukush mountain ranges, the Uchal Kalash Festival is a once-in-a-lifetime cultural experience for travelers visiting northern Pakistan. During the festival, Kalash villages come alive with traditional music, rhythmic group dances, colorful embroidered dresses, ancient rituals, and communal celebrations passed down through generations.
This cultural heritage holds global significance. In November 2018, UNESCO recognized Kalash culture as “Intangible Cultural Heritage”, highlighting its historical and anthropological value during the 13th session of UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Committee in Mauritius.
Our Uchal Kalash Festival Tour offers travelers an authentic opportunity to experience Kalash traditions, explore remote mountain valleys, and attend one of Pakistan’s most extraordinary cultural festivals. This tour is ideal for cultural explorers, photographers, and adventure travelers seeking a meaningful and immersive journey.
• Experience the vibrant Uchal Festival Kalash of the Kalash community in Chitral.
• Participate in traditional Kalasha dances and enjoy local music.
• Witness colorful tribal costumes and floral headpieces of the Kalash people.
• Interact with the Kalasha community and learn about their rituals and traditions.
• Taste authentic Kalasha and Pakistani cuisine during village visits.
• Explore the scenic Hindukush mountains, rivers, and alpine valleys.
• Drive through historical routes including Lowari Tunnel, Malakand Pass, and Shandur Plains.
• Visit Swat Valley and the ancient Buddhist ruins of Taxila.
• Stay in Chitral, Mastuj, Phander, Gilgit, Passu, and Hunza in riverside lodges and hotels.
• Admire breathtaking peaks including Tirich Mir, Rakaposhi, Ultar Sar, and Ladyfinger Peak.
• Travel along the Karakoram Highway, witnessing Attabad Lake, glaciers, and high-altitude passes.
• Discover Hunza Valley with visits to Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, and Karimabad Bazaar.
• Experience serene valleys like Phander, Shandur, and Upper Hunza.
• Pass through Khunjerab Pass, the Pakistan–China border, and spot high-altitude wildlife.
• Explore rivers, tributaries, and streams including Kunar, Dir, Chitral, Hunza, and Indus.
• Drive through picturesque Northern Pakistan towns like Naran, Gilgit, and Chilas.
• Capture photography opportunities with festivals, mountains, valleys, and cultural moments.
• Explore local bazaars for souvenirs in Karimabad, Aliabad, and regional towns.
• Enjoy guided tours with professional local guides for cultural insights and safe travel.
| Start Dates | End Dates | Price (USD) | Availability | Deposit | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 18, 2026 | Aug 31, 2026 | $2,350 | Available | $500 | Register Now |
*Price is based on twin sharing room.
*Single room supplement: $350 per person.
Arrive in Islamabad and transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax after your international journey or enjoy a short city tour, including Faisal Mosque, Daman e Koh and Pakistan Monument.
Overnight: Islamabad
Hotel: Envoy Continental / similar
Meals: Dinner
Distance: ≈ 300 km | Drive time: 7–8 hours
After breakfast, depart Islamabad for Swat Valley, with a short visit to the ancient Buddhist ruins of Taxila en route. Continue driving to reach Swat.
Overnight: Swat
Hotel: Royal Lodge Swat / similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: ≈ 215 km | Drive time: 7–8 hours
Breakfast at hotel. Travel from Swat to Chitral through scenic mountain terrain, crossing the Lowari Tunnel, which connects Dir with Chitral. Enjoy dramatic landscapes and river valleys along the way.
Overnight: Chitral
Hotel: Pamir Riverside Hotel/Similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: ≈ 80 km (round trip) | Drive time: 3–4 hours
Full-day excursion to the Kalash Valley to experience the vibrant Uchal Festival, featuring traditional dances, music, and cultural rituals of the Kalash people. Return to Chitral in the evening.
Overnight: Chitral
Hotel: Pamir Riverside Hotel / similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: ≈ 80 km (round trip) | Drive time: 3–4 hours
Another full day in the Kalash Valley to further explore the festival celebrations, local villages, and unique traditions. This allows deeper cultural interaction and photography opportunities.
Overnight: Chitral
Hotel: Pamir Riverside Hotel / similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: ≈ 115 km | Drive time: 4–5 hours
Depart Chitral and travel north along the Chitral River toward Mastuj, passing through quiet mountain villages and scenic valleys.
Overnight: Mastuj
Hotel: Hindukush Heights / similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: ≈ 150 km | Drive time: 6–7 hours
Continue your journey toward Phander, crossing the Shandur region, known for its wide plains and alpine scenery. Arrive at beautiful Phander Valley, famous for its lake and trout streams.
Overnight: Phander
Hotel: Rover by Roomy / similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: ≈ 185 km | Drive time: 6–7 hours
Drive from Phander to Gilgit via Ghizer Valley, following the river and enjoying lush green landscapes before reaching the regional hub of Gilgit.
Overnight: Gilgit
Hotel: Kalisto Hotel / similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: ≈ 150 km | Drive time: 4–5 hours
Travel along the Karakoram Highway toward Upper Hunza, passing Rakaposhi viewpoint and Attabad Lake. Arrive in Passu, known for its iconic cathedral-like peaks and glaciers.
Overnight: Passu
Hotel: Passu Tourist Lodge / similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: ≈ 300 km (round trip) | Drive time: 6–7 hours
Breakfast at hotel. Drive to Khunjerab Pass (4,693 m), the Pakistan–China border, enjoying high-altitude landscapes and wildlife sightings. Return south to Hunza Valley for the night.
Overnight: Hunza
Hotel: Hilltop Hotel / similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Breakfast at hotel. A full day to explore Hunza, visiting Baltit Fort, Altit Fort, Karimabad Bazaar, and enjoying panoramic views of Rakaposhi, Ultar Sar, and Ladyfinger Peak.
Overnight: Hunza
Hotel: Hilltop Hotel / similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: ≈ 350 km | Drive time: 7–8 hours
Depart Hunza and drive south along the Karakoram Highway, crossing the Babusar Pass, before descending into Naran Valley.
Overnight stay: Naran
Hotel: Hotel Northern Retreat
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Distance: ≈ 280 km | Drive time: 6–7 hours
After breakfast, continue the return journey to Islamabad, descending from the mountains into the plains. Arrive in the capital by evening.
Overnight stay: Islamabad
Hotel: Envoy Continental
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your flight back to your home country.
Meals: Breakfast
Licensed professional guide (government requirement)
Airport transfers on the first and last day
All road transport with fuel, toll tax
Hotel accommodation (twin sharing rooms)
Meals as per itinerary (Breakfast, lunch and dinner)
Entrance Fee for sites and national park as per itinerary
Bottled water during meals and journey
Travel Insurance (recommendations only)
Visa to Pakistan (supporting documents offered)
International airfare
Personal equipments (list provided on registration or request)
Tips for guides, porters, staff etc
Miscellaneous (drinks, phone calls, laundry, souvenir etc)
Deposit: The deposit is non-refundable, but it can be applied toward a future tour departure since it is used for in-country arrangements.
Balance Payment: The remaining balance is payable upon arrival in Pakistan on the first day of your tour. Detailed payment instructions will be provided ahead of time.
Currency: International travelers may pay in US Dollars (USD), or the equivalent in Euros (EUR) or British Pounds (GBP). Pakistani travelers will pay in Pakistani Rupees (PKR) at the applicable rate.
Single Room Supplement: Guests requiring single accommodation will incur an additional USD 350 for the entire tour. This amount is payable with the balance upon arrival in Pakistan.
The Uchal Festival Kalash is one of the most important cultural festivals of the Kalash people in northern Pakistan. It is celebrated annually in Kalash Valley, Chitral, mainly in the villages of Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir.Uchal Festival marks the celebration of the wheat harvest and is a way for the Kalash community to thank nature for its blessings. During the festival, locals dress in traditional Kalash attire, perform vibrant folk dances, sing ancient songs, and take part in rituals that reflect their centuries-old traditions.For tourists, the Uchal Festival offers a rare chance to witness authentic Kalash culture, untouched traditions, and a joyful atmosphere set against the stunning mountains of Chitral.
Tourists usually stay in Chitral, Ayun, or local guesthouses in the Kalash Valleys, with options ranging from standard hotels to riverside lodges. Overnight stays during the festival include comfortable hotels close to the festival sites, allowing easy access to all celebrations.
Visitors can drive to Chitral. By road, the journey passes through Taxila and Swat Valley, including the scenic Lowari Tunnel, and finally reaches Chitral, offering travelers stunning views of mountains and river valleys along the way.
Yes! The festival tour includes mountain drives, river valleys, alpine scenery, and the Karakoram Highway through Hunza, making it perfect for adventure seekers and photographers. The itinerary also includes Phander Valley, Attabad Lake, Naran, and Khunjerab Pass, providing breathtaking adventure opportunities throughout northern Pakistan.
Tourists attending the Uchal Festival in Kalash Valley can enjoy a wide range of cultural experiences, including:
Traditional Kalash dances and music
Ancient rituals and ceremonies
Wearing and learning about Kalash traditional dress
Tasting local Kalash cuisine
Interacting with the Kalash community and learning about their beliefs and lifestyle
The festival provides an authentic insight into one of Pakistan’s most unique indigenous cultures.
Yes! We can customize the Uchal Festival Kalash tour according to your preferences, including travel dates, accommodation, duration, and activities, to create a personalized experience that suits your interests and schedule.
(+92) 0335 5101659
tours@saiyah.com.pk
I had a really great time on the Uchal Kalash Festival tour. The trip was fun, & well organized. I learned so much about Kalash culture, traditions, and history while still enjoying every moment of the journey. The guide was knowledgeable, the atmosphere was friendly, safe, and the festival experience was unforgettable. Truly a happy and memorable tour.
