Buddhism Cultural Tour - Pakistan Explorer

Buddhism Cultural Tour

Foreword:

In the recent history of conflict and natural disasters, Pakistan seems to have been deprived of its great potential for tourism. Though Pakistan is not a Buddhist country, its rich heritage makes it an important pilgrimage site for the followers of Buddhism everywhere. Of the Buddhist heritage alone, there are hundreds of sites scattered across Pakistan. Among them are the Dharmarajika Stupa in Takht-i-Bahi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Votive Stupa, Shingardar Stupa, the Amluk Dara Stupa situated in Taxila (previously Takshashila), and an iconic Buddha statue in Swat. Over the last three years, Bamala in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has emerged as a major Buddhist heritage site after the remains of a 1700-year-old sleeping Buddha statue were discovered there. Long before Lumbini in Nepal was put on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1997 as the place where Lord Buddha was born, the Dharmarajika Stupa situated in Taxila, Punjab, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

The ancient Kingdom of Gandhara, situated near Taxila and extending to parts of present-day Afghanistan, was critical in spreading Buddhism. Ashoka the Great, an Indian emperor of the Maurya Dynasty, mobilized his envoys to spread the message of Buddha, built stupas and carved Buddha statues in this area back in 300/400 BC. Greek and Buddhist followers in the Gandhara Kingdom developed and followed the Mahayana strand of Buddhism. Marananta, a Buddhist monk from the Gandhara in modern day Pakistan, is said to have spread Buddhism up to the Korean Peninsula, all the way through Northwest Pakistan and China in the fourth century. The Gandhara Kingdom lasted until the 11th century before splitting into parts. Some of these parts now fall in Pakistan and others in today’s Afghanistan.

Must-Visit sites of Buddhist Heritage:

Takht-i-Bahi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Dharmarajika Stupa
Couple protectors Pañcika and Hariti,
The Buddha on lion throne.
Shakyamuni, 150-200 AD,
Taxila Museum
Votive Stupa
Shingardar Stupa
Amluk Dara Stupa
Dharmarajika
Jaulian Monastery
Mohra Muradu,Monastery
“Healing Buddha,” Buddha with a navel hole
The pool for ritual washings
World’s first University
Peshawar Museum
Peshawar Museum has one of the largest and most extensive collections of Gandhara art of the Buddhist period and is considered to be one of the biggest collections of Buddhist objects in the world.

Quick Facts:

Tour duration: 06 days (06 Days & 05 Nights)
Route : Islamabad-Taxila-Peshawar-Takh Bai-Islamabad

Difficulty level: Evening walks

Ideal Time: October- March

Tour Itinerary:
Day- 1

Arrival at Islamabad International
Airport Transfer
Overnight stay in Islamabad

Day- 2

Breakfast
Departure for Taxila (visit of Taxila Museum/Jaulian Monastery)
Return to Hotel

Day- 3

Breakfast
Departure for Taxila (visit of Ancient city of Sirkap/Dharmarajika Stupa/Mohra Muradu)
Return to Hotel

Day- 4

Breakfast
Departure for Peshawar
Exploring Peshawar Museum/Qissa Khawani Bazaar/ Takht-i-bai ancient ruins
Return to Islamabad

Day- 5

Breakfast
Free day in Islamabad/sight-seeing/shopping
Return to Hotel

Day- 6

Breakfast
Hotel check-out
Airport Transfers
Fly out

*********************End of Itinerary***************

Terms & Conditions

Cost:

For 02 persons: 800 USD per person (Independent Group)
For 04 persons: 600 USD per person (Independent Group)
For 06 persons and more: 500 USD per person (Independent Group)

Cost Includes:

All meals Breakfast/lunch/dinner throughout the tour (2-course continental/local cuisine as per choice)
Air-conditioned luxury Coaster (22/09-seater Hi-roof)
All hotel accommodation 2 to 3 star (double/triple sharing)
On-board snacks and drinks (ice box) during long travels
Licensed Tour Guide from Ministry of Tourism
Toll taxes/ NOC/ Permits other taxes
All Entry tickets to Forts/National Parks/sites/museums etc
All transportation from and to Islamabad Airport

Cost does not include:

Air tickets (national or International)
Visa fee
Travel Insurance
Personal clothing
Extra refreshments apart from itinerary
Laundry
Rescue/evacuation

Essentials to bring along:

Warm clothing, fleece, jackets, headgear. Gloves
Sunglasses UV protective
Sunblock SPF 60+

Pakistan Explorer disciplinary policy:

In wake of unexpected and incidental scenarios e.g. heavy rains/landslide/road blockage/security concerns, PE management will take appropriate measures to continue or disengage the tour (cancellation/refund rules applicable)
Hotel rooms on double sharing
Camps on double sharing
While Guests are encouraged to photograph and record places during their visit, they must respect the local community/houses and their privacy
Guests are strictly advised to use life jackets while swimming or engaging in water sports. PE will not be responsible for any accident encountered in such a scenario
Guests are bound to follow the instructions of the team leader/guide/HAP while crossing dangerous routes or else he/she will not be allowed to proceed further

Cancellations:

All cancellations must be notified in writing to Pakistan Explorer. Cancellation charges will be levied as follows:-

If canceled by the client;

Whenever canceled by the client, the bank charges for both sides from the advance will be paid by the client
If canceled by the client any time after the commencement of the trip, or after deposit of advance due to any reason whatsoever, No refund will be given on any unutilized services other than hotels, meals which are subject to cancellation charges accordingly
If the trekking/expedition is cancelled by the client, government rules will be applied for the refund of Trekking Fee/climbing permits etc.

If canceled by Pakistan Explorer;

If the tour is canceled by Pakistan Explorer citing unfavorable conditions e.g. accident, landslide, flooding, incident of terrorism, wide spread epidemic and other such happenings which are truly incidental and has no participation of either client or Pakistan Explorer, and no alternate destination/arrangement/tour has not been mutually agreed upon by both client and Pakistan Explorer, client will be refunded for whatever unutilized service like hotel accommodation, meals, transportation etc. however, charges for trekking fee/climbing permits and other nonrefundable government charges will not be refunded

Liabilities and Responsibilities of Pakistan Explorer:

Pakistan Explorer, its agents, employees or any of the affiliates or subsidiary companies shall neither be responsible nor liable for any loss, damage, injury, sickness or death caused to any member or the property of the group directly or indirectly due to any delay, accident, acts of God, dangers, fire, landslide, avalanche, machinery failure, declared or undeclared hostilities, civil disturbances, strikes, riots, theft, pilferage, epidemics, quarantines, medical or customs regulations, delays, cancellations or changes in itinerary or schedules, Govt. restrictions or due to any causes beyond the control of Pakistan Explorer.

Reservations and Advance Payment:

All provisional reservation must reach us in writing well in advance before your arrival in Pakistan. No deposits are necessary for making any provisional reservations.
All provisional reservations are subject to confirmation on deposit of USD 300/= per pax advance payment into our account before arrival of the group/client in Pakistan. The balance amount must be paid on arrival in Pakistan.
Scan/copy of passport along with two passport size photographs will be required
Pakistan Explorer is a registered Travel company bearing National Taxation Number (NTN: 7187922-0) and is registered with Ministry of Tourism providing complete assistance to tourist and climbing expeditions from across the world.

Confirmation and Payment Mode: For Online Deposits:
Account Title: Pakistan Explorer
A/c #: 001005077804
Branch Code: 0131
IBAN: PK75ALFH0131001005077804
Bank Alfalah F-10 Markaz, Islamabad

For more queries and info Contact:
Pakistan Explorer
Suite 104, Millennium Heights, F-11, Islamabad
Cell: 0092-319 5285268
E-mail: operations@pakistanexplorer.org
Note: Pakistan Explorer is a registered Travel & Media Company based in Islamabad, Pakistan (NTN: 7187922-0)