Morning visit of Gurdawara Dera sahib and Samadhi Maharaja Ranjit. Gurdwara Dera Sahib is a Sikh Temple in Lahore which commemorates the spot where the 5th guru of Sikhism, Guru Arjan Dev, died in 1606. Samadhi Maharaja Ranjit Singh is an 18th-century building in Lahore that houses the funerary urns of the Sikh ruler Ranjit Singh. It is located adjacent the Lahore Fort, Badshahi Mosque and Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore. From here we move to Royal Palace of Lahore Fort which rank in size and beauty with the Moghul forts at Delhi and Agra. Akber began building it the 1560s on the site of an older fort. From here we walk to Badshahi Mosque built by Emperor Aurangzeb in 1674 after the mosques of Delhi and Agra. It consists of a huge square with a minaret at each corner. You can climb up the 204 steps to the top of one of the minarets for a bird’s eye view of the old city of Lahore. We will move for lunch to a local restaurant and enjoy the best local taste known the world over as Tanduri. Evening time permitting visit rest of interesting places including Lahore Museum built by the British in Moghul Gothic style and opened in 1894.John Lockwood Kipling, Rudyard’s father was the museum’s first curator. It is the best museum in Pakistan with a superb collection of Moghal period includes illustrated manuscripts, miniatures, rugs and carvings. It also has excellent galleries of pre historic Pakistan and a superb collection of Buddhist stone sculpture. The famous Zam – Zama gun casted in 1760 stand in front of the Museum. Drive: 5-6 hrs Activities: Cultural exploration, Sightseeing, Interaction with locals Meals provided: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel

After breakfast visit the Gurdwara Chauthi sahib the Janam Asthan (Birth Place) of the Guru Ramdas ji at Chuna Mandi. Bhai Taru Singh was a prominent Sikh martyr known for sacrificing his life for protecting Sikh values, he is known for his martyrdom where he had his head scalped rather than cutting his hair or converting to Islam. Jinam Astan Guru Ram Das is a Gurdwara in Lahore. The Gurdwara was built atop the site traditionally believed to be the location of the birthplace and childhood home of Guru Ram Das, the 4th Sikh gurusShrine of Mian Mir is a 17th-century shrine located in Lahore that is dedicated to the Sufi mystic Mian Mir. The shrine is one of the most celebrated in Lahore and has historically been revered by both Muslims and Sikhs. Later visit the Anarkali Bazaar. Anarkali has its own distinct character. It is named after a slave girl who, according to legend, was immured by Mogul Emperor Akbar for having an affair with his son Salim. The bazaar is located in central Lahore. Drive: 5-6 hrs Activities: Cultural exploration, Sightseeing, Interaction with locals Meals provided: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel

After breakfast drive to Shaikhupura for visit of Nankana Sahib & Saucha Sauda at Farooqabad. Nankana Sahib is located about 80 km from Lahore. It is named after the first guru of the Sikhs, Nanak who was born here, so it is a city of high historic and religious value and is a popular pilgrimage site for Sikhs from all over the world. Gurdwara Sacha Sauda the place where Baba Guru Nanak gave his money to some poor men instead spending for business given by his father. He returned home empty hand and told “I have done Sucha Sauda” This Gurdawara was in very bad condition and was encroached by Gujjars. However, it was evacuated by Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) in 1992 and restored in its original form. Evening transfer to hotel. Drive: 2-3 hrs Activities: Cultural exploration, Sightseeing, Interaction with locals Meals provided: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel

We leave today after breakfast for Kartarpur, for the Yatra of Gurdawara of Kartarpura. Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur: Also called Kartarpur Sahib, is a Gurdwara in Kartarpur, located in Shakargarh, Narowal District. It is a top tourist attraction for people visiting Pakistan. The shrine is located five kilometers from the Indo-Pakistani border. Drive: 2-3 hrs Activities: Cultural exploration, Sightseeing, Interaction with locals Meals provided: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel

Morning departure for Islamabad via G. T. Road by visiting Rohri Sahib, Chaki Sahib and Lalo de Khoi at Eminabad (Gujranwala), Rohtas Fort (World Heritage Site). Gurdwara Rohri Sahib at Eminabad, an ancient town in the Gujranwala. The Gurbani of Guru Nanak in the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji suggests that he was in Eminabad when the town was sacked by Babar in 1521. The town has important historic Gurdwaras which were administered by the Shiromam Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee since 28 February 1922 until 1947. Gurdwara Chakki Sahib: Guru Nanak Dev’s being made a prisoner at the hands of Babar’s men. He was made to grind corn with a hand-driven millstone (Chakki in Punjabi), but his captors were surprised to see that the millstone revolved by itself while the prisoner only poured grist into it. When the miracle was reported to Babar, he himself came to the Guru, after talking to him he set free not only but all other prisoners too, many of whom became the Guru’s followers. Gurdwara Khuhi Bhai Lalo was a carpenter living at Eminabad during the 1500’s. Guru Nanak Dev stayed with him on several occasions. Bhai Lalo’s house became a dharmsal (a place where Dharam is taught and learnt), meeting place for local followers of the Guru, and was later developed into Gurdwara which was named after a “khuhi” (narrow well) which existed even when the old house had crumbled. After visit, continue drive to Deena. Arrive and after lunch proceeds for visit of Rohtas Fort. Rohtas Fort (World Heritage Site): It is one of the most imposing historical monuments, which represents the Pathan period of architecture style in Pakistan. The Fort is the symbol of strengthen and determination of its builder Sher Shah Suri who ruled over India only for six years, 1540-45 A.D, but even during that short period he created many splendors including Rohtas Fort and the Great Grand Trunk Road, connecting Kabul with Calcutta. Drive: 5-6 hrs Activities: Cultural exploration , Sightseeing, Interaction with locals Meals provided: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel

After break fast we drive towards Hassan Abdal. Hassan Abdal is an important historic town in Northern Punjab, Pakistan. It is located where the Grand Trunk Road meets the Karakorum. In 1521 the founder of the Sikh faith, Guru Nanak arrived in Hassan Abdal, a Gurdwara was built on the spot that he stayed containing a sacred rock that is believed to contain the hand print of Guru Nanak. There are different traditions about the origin of the Hand print. Evening return to Islamabad. Drive: 2-3 hrs Activities: Cultural exploration, Sightseeing, Interaction with locals Meals provided: Breakfast Accommodation: None

Early in the morning after breakfast drive to After breakfast we will start our journey towards Taxila,” The World Oldest Existing City”, 32 kilometers from Islamabad spanning a rich history from 516 B.C to 600 A.D. In the 6th century B.C, the Achaemenians of Persia made it the Gandharan capital. Alexander the Great paused here en route from Swat. Situated strategically on a branch of the Silk Road, Taxila linked China to the West, Taxila reached its apogee between the 1st and 5th centuries. It is now one of the most important archaeological sites in Asia. The ruins of the four settlement sites at Taxila reveal the pattern of urban evolution on the Indian subcontinent through more than five centuries. The Mauryan emperor Ashoka, a patron of Buddhism, built a university here in 2nd century B.C biggest of its time in the world, to which pilgrims and scholars came from all over Asia. It requires two days to explore this richest archaeological sites of Asia but we will spent one day to view its excellent museum houses one of the best collections of Gandharan Buddhist in the world. Most of the archaeological sites of Taxila (600 BC to 500 AD) are located around Taxila Museum. For over the thousand years, Taxila remained famous as a center of learning Gandhara art of Sculpture, architecture, education, and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered in a radius of 30 kms around Taxila. Some of the most important sites are: Dhamarajika Stupa and Monastery (300 BC 200 AD), Bhir Mound (600-200 BC), Sirkap (200 BC 600 AD), Jandial Temple (c.250 BC) and Julian Monastery (200- 600 AD). One of these sites, the Bihr mound, is associated with the historic event of the triumphant entry of Alexander the Great into Taxila. The archaeological sites of Saraikala, Bhir, Sirkap, and Sirsukh are collectively of unique importance in illustrating the evolution of urban settlement on the Indian subcontinent. The prehistoric mound of Saraikala represents the earliest settlement of Taxila, with evidence of Neolithic, Bronze Age, and Iron Age occupation. The Bhir mound is the earliest historic city of Taxila, and was probably founded in the 6th century BC by the Achaemenians. Its stone walls, house foundations, and winding streets represent the earliest forms of urbanization on the subcontinent. Bihr is also associated with Alexander the Great’s triumphant entry into Taxila in 326 BC. Sirkap was a fortified city founded during the mid-2nd century BC. The many private houses, stupas, and temples were laid out on the Hellenistic grid system and show the strong Western classical influence on local architecture. The city was destroyed in the 1st century by the Kushans, a Central Asian tribe. To the north, excavations of the ruins of the Kushan city of Sirsukh have brought to light an irregular rectangle of walls in ashlar masonry, with rounded bastions. These walls attest to the early influence of Central Asian architectural forms on those of the subcontinent. The Taxila serial site also includes Khanpur cave, which has produced stratified microlithic tools of the Mesolithic period, and a number of Buddhist monasteries and stupas of various periods. Buddhist monuments erected throughout the Taxila valley transformed it into a religious heartland and a destination for pilgrims from as far afield as Central Asia and China. Other Buddhist archaeological sites at Taxila include the Khader Mohra grouping, the Kalawan grouping, the Giri monasteries, the Kunala stupa and monastery, the Jandial complex, the Lalchack and the Badalpur stupa remains and monasteries, the Pipplian and the Bahalar stupa and remains. After Taxila, We will visit famous Raja Bazar for sights and smell of Rawalpindi, followed by the visits of alleys of old Rawalpindi town including visits of Haveli Man singh and Lal Haveli. We will also visit the jewelers’ bazar, where the artisans are at work as well as embroidery workers to see their working. After this we will visit Truck Art painting site for an insight of this living art in Pakistan and meet the artist at work there. Pakistan’s ‘truck art’ is now quite a well-known ‘genre’ around the world. For long, it has been an homegrown art-form in South Asia, especially in Pakistan, where the whole idea of decorating trucks (also, lorries and even rickshaws) with complex floral patterns and poetic calligraphy, has evolved in the most radiant and innovative manner. Our next stop would be Heritage(folk lore) Museum. The Heritage Museum is the first state museum of ethnology in Pakistan which presents the history and living traditions of the people of Pakistan both from the mainstream and the remotest regions of the country. The Lok Virsa Folk Heritage Museum offers an enchanting journey spanning from the neolithic cultures of South Asia to the present day folk heritage and traditions of Pakistan. One can traverse through several thousand years of history in the space of a walk through the extensive corridors of the museum. The museum shows the evolution of culture and tradition through the ages, accounting for most of the cultural changes and influences along the way. Every gallery of the museum imparts the essence of a bygone era, replete with the traditions, costumes, jewelry and folklore, and ending with depictions of the present folk heritage of the four provinces of Pakistan. Passing through the gallery called ‘Pottery through the ages’ one sees ancient pottery from thousands of years ago, including artifacts such as cooking stoves and pots, pitchers, plates, and grain containers etc. After museum our next stop would be Shah Faisal Mosque, which is a major tourist attraction, and is referred as a contemporary and influential feature of Islamic architecture. Combined the structure cover an area of 54,000 square ft, the mosque dominates the landscape of Islamabad. It is located on an elevated area of land against a picturesque backdrop of the national park on the foothills of Margalla Hills, the westernmost foothills of the Himalayas. The largest mosque in Pakistan, the Faisal Mosque was the largest mosque in the world from 1986 until 1993. The mosque features a contemporary design consisting of eight sides of concrete shell and is inspired by a Bedouin tent. Construction of the mosque began in 1976 after a $120 million grant from Saudi King Faisal, whose name the mosque bears. The unconventional design by Turkish architect Vedat Dalokay was selected after an international competition. Without a typical dome, the mosque is shaped like a Bedouin tent, surrounded by four 260 feet (79 m) tall minarets. The design features eight-sided shell shaped sloping roofs forming a triangular worship hall which can hold 10,000 worshippers, while the surrounding porticoes and the courtyard up-to 200,000 more. After Faisal Mosque, our next stop would be Pir Sohawa view point, where we would have to retreat our evening and dinner. Drive: 2-3 hrs Activities: Cultural exploration, Sightseeing, Interaction with locals Meals provided: Breakfast Accommodation: Hotel