Buddhism Cultural Tour

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:

  1. Takht-i-Bahi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
  2. Dharmarajika Stupa
  3. Couple protectors Pañcika and Hariti,
  4. The Buddha on lion throne.
  5. Shakyamuni, 150-200 AD,
  6. Taxila Museum
  7. Votive Stupa
  8. Shingardar Stupa
  9. Amluk Dara Stupa
  10. Dharmarajika
  11. Jaulian Monastery
  12. Mohra Muradu,Monastery
  13. “Healing Buddha,” Buddha with a navel hole
  14. The pool for ritual washings
  15. World’s first University
  16. Peshawar Museum
  17. 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

Day- 2

Day- 3

Day- 4

Day- 5

Day- 6

*********************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:

Cost does not include:

Essentials to bring along:

Pakistan Explorer disciplinary policy:

Cancellations: 

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

If canceled by the client;

If canceled by Pakistan Explorer;

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.

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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

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Pakistan Explorer
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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)

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