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Chilam Joshi Festival Chitral – Kalash Spring Festival Tour
Overview of the Chilam Joshi Festival:
Experience one of Pakistan’s most vibrant cultural celebrations with the Chilam Joshi Festival Chitral tour, a unique journey into the heart of the ancient Kalash Valley. Celebrated each spring, the Chilam Joshi Festival marks the arrival of the new season with traditional music, rhythmic dances, and centuries-old rituals performed by the Kalash community — one of the world’s most fascinating indigenous cultures.
This immersive Kalash Festival Pakistan experience takes you beyond sightseeing, allowing travelers to witness authentic traditions, colorful attire, and community celebrations in the scenic valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir. Surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes, blooming orchards, and welcoming local hospitality, the festival offers a rare opportunity to explore cultural heritage alongside breathtaking natural beauty.
Designed for cultural explorers, photographers, and adventure travelers, this Chitral festival tour Pakistan combines comfortable travel logistics with meaningful local interaction. From exploring historic Chitral town to participating in festive gatherings and discovering Kalash customs, every moment of the journey highlights the richness of northern Pakistan’s traditions.
With experienced guides and carefully planned arrangements, Alpas Travels ensures a seamless and responsible travel experience during the Chilam Joshi Festival Chitral, making it ideal for both international visitors and domestic travelers seeking an authentic cultural adventure. Whether you are drawn by photography, anthropology, or unforgettable travel experiences, this Kalash spring festival tour promises memories that last a lifetime.
Chilam Joshi Festival Chitral — Quick Summary
- Location: Kalash Valley, Chitral, Pakistan
- Festival Type: Kalash Spring Cultural Festival
- Time: 12-16 May (Annual celebration)
- Trip Style: Cultural & experiential tour
- Difficulty Level: Easy cultural travel
- Ideal For: Culture lovers, photographers, and adventure travelers
- Main Experience: Traditional Kalash dances, rituals, and village celebrations
Quick Highlights
- Attend the vibrant Chilam Joshi Festival Chitral celebrations
- Experience authentic Kalash Valley cultural traditions
- Traditional music, dance, and spring rituals
- Visit Bumburet & Rumbur valleys
- Explore historic Chitral town and local bazaars
- Cultural interaction with the Kalash community
- Scenic mountain landscapes perfect for photography
- Fully guided cultural tour by Alpas Travels
Get in touch with to book this trip!
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Itineraries
Day 1
Karachi to Islamabad
Departure from Karachi via Bus or Train.
Day 2
Arrival in Islamabad
Arrival in Islamabad. Travel to the hotel/guesthouse via own conveyance (Careem/InDrive). Short stay at hotel/guesthouse in Islamabad.
Day 3
Islamabad to Kalash Valley
Departure from Islamabad for Kalash Valley early morning. We will stop near Dir for lunch in between. On your way to Kalash, you will travel through Lower Dir, Upper Dir, Lowari Tunnel, passing by Ayun and then reach Kalash Valley in local transport from Ayun. We will arrive by evening. Dinner and night stay at local guesthouse in Bumburet, Kalash.
Day 4
Visit Rumbur for the Festival Celebrations
Breakfast at the guesthouse followed by a visit to the Rumbur Valley to see the Chilam Joshi festivities. Return to Bumburet. Dinner and night stay at local guesthouse in Bumburet, Kalash.
Day 5
Chilam Joshi Celebrations in Bumburet
Breakfast at the guesthouse followed by a visit to the Kalasha graveyard and Kalasha Dur Museum (ticket not included in the package). Join the cultural activities at Chilam Joshi Festival. Participate and dance to the tunes of Kalasha music. Dinner and night stay at local guesthouse in Bumburet, Kalash.
Day 6
Day Tour of Qaqlasht OR Garam Chashma
Breakfast at the hotel and head towards Chitral town. We will go for a half-day tour to the Qaqlasht Meadows which overlooks the town of Booni and offers panoramic views of Hindukush mountains.
OR
Visit the Garam Chashma Valley and Shehrisham Markhor View Point. Dinner and night stay at hotel in Chitral.
Day 7
Chitral to Islamabad
fter breakfast, we will visit the Chitral Fort and the Shahi Masjid. We will then depart for Islamabad and arrive at night.
* End of Services for Islamabad participants
For the passengers joining from Karachi they will be given accommodation in Islamabad after reaching Islamabad. Dinner of this night is not included in the package.
Day 8
Islamabad to Karachi
Departure for Karachi via Executive class bus service or train. Reach the train station or bus terminal on your own.
Day 9
Arrival in Karachi
Arrival in Karachi. Trip ends for participants from Karachi.
• 3 Nights in a guesthouse in Bumburet (4 Pax Sharing - 2 Beds 2 Mattress)
• 1 Night in a hotel in Chitral (3-4 Pax sharing - 2 Beds + Mattress)
• 2 Nights for Karachiites in Islamabad (3 Pax sharing - 2 Beds 1 Mattress)
• AC Transport - Toyota Grand Cabin or Coaster
• Local Transport for Kalash Valley from Ayun
• Breakfast & Dinner
• Tour guide
• Bonfire
• First Aid
• Bus or Train or Air Tickets
• Lunch or Snacks
• Meals during transit
• Tickets for extra activities such as Zipline, Boating, Jetski, Chairlift etc.
• Entrance fee for any Fort, Museum, Resort or National Park etc.
• An extra expense due to landslides or road closure or force majeure.
• Tips made to the driver or tour guide (at your own choice at the end of trip)
Confirmation & Payment:
• At least 50% or above at the time of registration only then booking confirmation will be given.
• The remaining amount shall be cleared 1 day before the departure of the trip.
• All payments must be cleared before departure to Islamabad; otherwise, the departure details will not be shared.
• To secure your slots on the trip, it is advised to confirm your booking at least one week prior.
Method One: Full payment via cheque or cash Deposit at the Alpas Travels Office
Method Two: Online Bank Transfer at the following account:
Bank Name: United Bank Limited (UBL)
Title: Alpas Travels
Account Number: 2653336543442
IBAN: PK06UNIL0109000336543442
Swift code: UNILPKKA
• 100% Refund if cancellation is made three weeks prior the trip.
• 90% Refund if cancellation is made two weeks prior the trip.
• 50% Refund if cancellation is made one week prior the trip.
• 25% Refund if cancellation is made 5 days prior the trip.
• 0% Refund if cancellation is made in less than 5 days prior the trip.
• Minimum booking requirement is 9-11 people to execute the trip
• Alpas Travels reserve all the rights to reschedule or change event timings due to city and weather conditions.
• If trip is called off by Alpas Travels due to low registration, city or climate condition, the registered members who have paid will be entitled to a 100% refund or transfer amount to the next trip.
• All payments must be cleared 1 day before departure; otherwise, the departure details will not be shared.
• All the members should reach the pick-up point an hour before the scheduled time.
• Seat arrangements during the trip are on a first-come, first-served basis and cannot be reserved in advance. Alpas Travels does not designate specific front or back seats in the Coaster or Grand Cabin. We kindly ask all travellers to cooperate with fellow members and tour guides, keeping in mind the comfort of elderly passengers if they are part of your group. Seat swaps can be arranged through mutual understanding among travellers.
• Penalty will be charged in case of any damage to the property of Alpas Travels.
• If any destination in the itinerary (other than those previously mentioned) is inaccessible, the guide will consult with the group and decide on an alternative route for the day.
• Alpas Travels reserve the rights to cancel an individual’s trip due to unethical behaviour with the fellow members, caught carrying illegal drugs or alcohol.
• Alpas Travels will not be held responsible for any personal injury or accident.
• Alpas Travels is not responsible for any loss/damage of your personal belongings. • Any type of illegal drugs or alcoholic substances and weaponry is strictly prohibited.
• No refund will be made in case of natural disasters or any unexpected circumstances beyond human control.
• In the event of a natural disaster or landslide, any additional expenses will be the responsibility of the client.
• Any hike in fuel price before the start of trip will lead to additional charges in the package price.
• Alpas Travels reserves all the rights to amend Terms & Conditions without prior notice.
The Chilam Joshi Festival Chitral is a traditional spring festival celebrated by the Kalash community in the Kalash Valleys of northern Pakistan. The festival marks seasonal renewal and includes cultural rituals, music, dancing, and community gatherings welcoming the arrival of spring.
The festival takes place in the Kalash Valley, near Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Celebrations are mainly held in the villages of Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir, where visitors can experience authentic Kalash traditions.
The Chilam Joshi Festival is celebrated in May each year, lasting around four days usually 12th - 16th May. Exact dates may vary slightly based on the traditional Kalash calendar and local arrangements.
Yes, the festival is one of the best cultural photography experiences in Pakistan. Colorful dresses, traditional dances, mountain landscapes, and local celebrations provide exceptional photography opportunities.
Alpas Travels offers experienced guides, cultural insights, organized transport, and responsible tourism practices, ensuring a safe and authentic experience of the Chilam Joshi Festival Chitral.
• At least 50% or above at the time of registration only then booking confirmation will be given.
• The remaining amount shall be cleared 1 day before the departure of the trip.
• All payments must be cleared before departure to Islamabad; otherwise, the departure details will not be shared.
• To secure your slots on the trip, it is advised to confirm your booking at least one week prior.
Method One: Full payment via cheque or cash Deposit at the Alpas Travels Office
Method Two: Online Bank Transfer at the following account:
Bank Name: United Bank Limited (UBL)
Title: Alpas Travels
Account Number: 2653336543442
IBAN: PK06UNIL0109000336543442
Swift code: UNILPKKA
After making the payment, please share the screenshot of the payment on our official WhatsApp +923352684308
All our Northern Pakistan trips start from Islamabad. It doesn't matter which city are you from, you can join us in Islamabad.
All our trips to Southern Pakistan including all the destinations in Sindh and Balochistan depart from Karachi city.
Yes! We offer booking of bus, train and air tickets for participants if they request us. We book our customer's tickets without any extra charges or commission.
The group size varies from 12-21 persons per vehicle. Maximum 12 persons if it's a Grand Cabin and 21 persons if it's a Coaster.
– 50% Refund if Cancellation 7 Days before the trip starts.
– 30% Refund if Cancellation 5 Days before the trip starts.
– 0% Refund if Cancellation is Less than 5 Days before the trip starts.
Contrary to the narratives often portrayed in mainstream news, Pakistan has proven to be one of the most secure countries in the opinion of many famous travelers and travel bloggers. Alpas Travels is committed to dispelling the prevailing negative stereotypes linked to the country by unveiling a facet of Pakistan that rarely receives media attention.
Late spring usually brings warmer weather, although there may still be lingering snow in the high mountain regions. Fall journeys, on the other hand, tend to be cooler, and the urban areas are less sweltering. Be prepared for a diverse range of weather conditions. You might find yourself bundled up in your down jacket at times, while in cities like Lahore and Islamabad, temperatures can reach up to 35 degrees.
The prices are determined for accommodations in twin-sharing rooms, and if you prefer single occupancy, there is an additional cost for hotel rooms and cottages. Our lodgings during the trip encompass a delightful variety, ranging from guesthouses, hotels, and cottages. Please note that the hotel rooms in the mountain regions do not come with air-conditioning, although rest assured, the accommodations in Lahore and Islamabad – the two warmest destinations – are equipped with air-conditioning.
To conclude the tour, we enjoy a night's stay in a 4-star hotel in Islamabad or Lahore for group tours and 3-star for expeditions.
Connectivity is limited at times. Though cities have decent signals and wifi, mobile signals in Gilgit Baltistan territory are unreliable. Wifi is slow (if even available) and many areas have no signal. We’ll arrange local SIM cards for you if desired, but overall don’t count on doing video calls or uploading videos unless we’re in a city.
On mountaineering expeditions, there's no connectivity except satellite phones.
Hygiene standards in Pakistan can be less than ideal. The accommodations we have selected, such as hotels and guesthouses, maintain clean facilities. However, when we venture on the road, we may encounter restroom conditions that can be less than pleasant. Additionally, the quality of food can pose challenges, and it's not uncommon to experience stomach discomfort. Rest assured, we will make every effort to locate clean and safe food options and aid anyone who may become ill, as this is a common occurrence when traveling in this region.
You can easily apply for a Pakistan tourist visa online for the normal tour groups. But for the trekking & mountaineering expeditions, you need to apply for trekking & mountaineering visa in the tourist visa section on the website.
Apply on the only official Pakistan e-visa website. You can start your application on the NADRA website here: https://visa.nadra.gov.pk/tourist-visit-visas/
As an average, it takes no more than 1 week to get the visa approval.
Tips and instructions will be shared upon booking a spot.
You can find ATMs in the cities, but better to bring cash for the Northern Areas and preferably converted to Pakistani Rupees PKR.
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