Choimus Kalash Winter Festival
Choimus is a fascinating and culturally rich winter event observed with zeal by the Kalasha community in Pakistan's scenic Chitral district. The festival, which lasts about a week, is normally held in mid-December.
The Kalasha people gather at Choimus to honor their ancestral spirits and ask for blessings for a prosperous year ahead. They decorate their dwellings with juniper branches and burn incense to purify the air.
The festival includes traditional music, dance, and lively acts. Men and women dressed in bright colors and elaborate beadwork perform dynamic dances that tell the stories of their old customs and beliefs.
Trip Highlights
Highlights
- Experience the spring festival of Kalash's ethnic minority community.
- Participate in and dance to Kalasha music.
- Take pleasure in Kalasha and Pakistani cuisine.
- Hear from Kalasha community members, both men, and women, about their experiences.
- Kalash has a Juniper, Oak, and Pine forest.
- View of hundreds of peaks in the Hindukush Range, including Tirich Mir (7,708m).
- Rivers (Kunar, Dir, Chitral), tributaries, and streams
- Malakand Pass (3,118 metres), Lowari Pass (3,118 metres), or Lowari Tunnel (10.4 km)
- Khyber valleys such as Dir, Chitral, and Kalash
- Views of forts and mosques (Malakand, Nagar, Ayun, and Chitral)
- Malakand Churchil Picket
- Discover the culture of Hunza's ethnic minority communities.
- Take part and dance to the sounds of Hunza drums.
- Take pleasure in Hunzai and Pakistani cuisine.
- Interaction with Hunza's community members, including men, women, and children
- View of hundreds of peaks in the Karakoram Range, including Rakaposhi (7,708m), Passu Sar (7,478m), and Ultar Sar (7,388m).
- Rivers (Hunza, Nagar, Gilgit, Indus, Kunhar), tributaries, and streams
- Babusar Pass (4,173 metres), Khunjerab Pass (4,733 metres), and Attabad Tunnel (7 km)
- Northern Pakistan valleys such as Hunza, Nagar, Naltar, Besham/Kaghan, and Naran, among others
- Lakes such as Attabad, Lulusar, Borith, Shandur, Khalti, Phandar, and Batura Glaciers such as Bualtar, Passu, Batura, and Hussaini, among others
- National Park of Khunjerab
- Forts (Altit and Baltit) Sightseeing
- Bazaars of Karimabad, Aliabad, and Naran
- Karakoram Highway and Ancient Silk Route
- Drive through the towns of Haripur, Abbottabad, Mansehra, and others
- Islamabad and Rawalpindi Sightseeing
- Make new acquaintances.
- Culture travel at a reduced price
Itinerary
The Itinerary for Choimus Kalash Winter Festival is noticeable below
Day 02: Drive to Swat Valley
Today's GPS Data Altitude: 975 m
Today we will travel to Swat, a lovely hill station in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, formerly known as the NWFP. We will travel on the freshly completed highway that has decreased the distance between Islamabad and Swat. Swat was once a princely realm as well as a center of Buddhist civilization. We will see the white palace, old Buddhist civilization archaeological sites, and the bazaar.
Day 03: Drive to Chitral
Today's GPS Data Altitude: 1,050 m
We shall travel from Swat to Chitral today. We will travel through the 10.4-kilometer-long Lowari Tunnel, which connects Dir and Chitral. Prior to the tunnel's construction, travelers had to travel through Lowari Pass, and the Chitral Region was cut off from the rest of the country for six months. We'll get to Ayun today. Ayun is the nearest village to the Kalasha Tribes, as well as a magnificent valley to enjoy and explore. Our accommodation will be in the Ayun Fort, which has beautiful ecological gardens and a bird's eye view of the valley and river. We'll be spending the night at Ayun Fort.
Day 04: Drive to Rumbur Valley to attend the Choimus Festival
Today's GPS Data Altitude:1,100 m
The Choimus festival will continue on this day for the attendees. They will spend the day exploring the neighboring locations.
The visitor will meet Kalash residents and will have the opportunity to learn about their culture and rituals. The visitor will spend the night in Bumburet. The evenings will be filled with bonfires and dances.
Day 05: Explore Bumburet Valley, Kalash
Today's GPS Data Altitude:1,100 m
On this day, we will begin our exploration of the Bumburet Valley. We'll go to the local museum. The Kalasha Cemetery and the Town Centre. Later, when all of the tribes converge in Bumburet, we shall participate in the big event. We will dance, take photographs, and interact with the Kalasha Tribe to gain firsthand knowledge of their unique culture. Later, we will proceed to Chitral and spend the night at the Pamir Hotel, which is located near the Chitral River.
Day 06: Explore Chitral
Today's GPS Data Altitude: 1,494 m
Today we'll go sightseeing in Chitral. We will go to Chitral Fort, the historic kingdom of Chitral's capital. From this fort, the territory was dominated. Later, we will visit the Chitral Shahi Mosque, which is located within the fort's grounds. We will then proceed to Birmoglasht, which is located on the mountain's summit. It provides a bird's-eye perspective of the valley and we may see Markhor, which is unique to this region. On this day, we'll eat lunch at Birmoglasht. If there is a polo match going on in Chitral Town, we will go to the polo ground and enjoy the thrilling polo event. Later, we'll visit Chitral Bazar. We'll eat dinner at the hotel.
Day 07: Drive to Mastuj Village
Today's GPS Data Altitude: 2,359 m
We will go from Chitral Town to Mastuj on this day. Mastuj is the principal village of the Yarkhud Valley, which is bordered on one side by Gilgit-Baltistan and on the other by Afghanistan. Along the river gorge, we shall pass through various Chitral villages. When we get to Mastuj, we will walk about the hamlet and meet the local village and community. We'll spend the night in Mastuj the next night.
Day 08: Travel to Ghizer District via Shandur Pass
Today's GPS Data Altitude: 2,217 m
We will go from Chitral to Gupis, known as Khalti, on this day. Khalti is located in the Ghizer District of the Gilgit-Baltistan Region. We will drive through many Laspur villages and cross the Shandur Pass. We will briefly stop in Shandur to see the high alpine Shandur Lake and the Shandur Polo Ground, the highest polo ground on the earth. We will travel through Barsit, Langar, and Teru highland grasslands and meadows.
We'll also make a quick stop in Phandar Valley, which is lush green and includes a lovely still lake. When we get to Khalti, we will check into a hotel and then explore the local towns and take photos of Khalti Lake. On this day, we shall serve Trout Fish as one of our cuisines.
Day 09: Travel to Gilgit
Today's GPS Data Altitude: 1,500 m
We shall go from Khalti to Gilgit on this day. Gilgit is the regional capital of Gilgit-Baltistan. We will check into the hotel and rest when we arrive. After lunch, we'll head to Kargah Nala and see the famous Buddha Carving. Later, we'll visit the Gilgit Bazaar and sample the "Mantu" (dumplings). We will rest and spend the night in Gilgit before continuing on to the "Land of Legends" - Hunza.
Day 10: Drive to Hunza Valley
Today's GPS Data Altitude:2,500 m
This day will be unique and thrilling because we will be traveling to Hunza. Let me tell you that Hunza is a complete package that includes a gorgeous landscape, glaciers, high-rising mountains, lakes, culture, heritage, an international border, and the Karakoram Highway, the world's eighth wonder. We will witness the old silk road utilized for trade centuries ago as we begin our drive on the Karakoram Highway. We will halt at Rakaposhi View Point to sip a cup of tea or coffee while enjoying the air from the Mother of Mist.
We will see stunning peaks from the window seat as we go towards Hunza and as we arrive at Karimabad. Rakaposhi's perspective will astound any nature lover, as this visible mountain will pass over your head. On this day, we'll visit Baltit and Altit Forts, as well as Karimabad Market, before heading to the famous Eagle's Nest View Point to watch the sunset over the majestic hills.
Day 11: Explore Hunza
Today's GPS Data Altitude:2,700 m
We will go to Northern Hunza on this day and go boating in Atabad Lake. The immaculate glacial water and the color of the lake, combined with the bleak mountains, will take your breath away. We will continue our journey, passing through many Upper Hunza communities before entering Khunjerab National Park in Deh. We will enjoy the breathtaking ride along the Karakoram Highway. We will stay at Passu when we return.
Day 12: Visit Passu Village
Today's GPS Data Altitude:: 4,693 m
On this day, we will begin by touring around Passu Village. We will meet folks working in the field and visit a local residence to learn about the architecture and way of life of Pakistan's Wakhi community. We'll go to Borith Lake, another mountain lake with stunning colors. We will also go across the Hussaini Suspension Bridge to feel the rush of the mountains. We will continue on to Hopper Valley, where we will be astounded by its splendor. We'll walk to Bualtar Glacier. On this night, we will enjoy Hunza dances and music.
Day 13: Drive from Hunza to Besham
Today's GPS Data Altitude: 2,409 m
On this day, we will travel from Hunza to Besham. Besham is another lovely hill station with amazing views. We'll make a few brief stops along the route.
Besham.
Day 14: Travel to Islamabad
Today's GPS Data Altitude: 540 m
We shall go from Islamabad to Islamabad on this day. On the way, we'll stop at the Taxila Museum and ancient Buddhist sites from the Gandhara Civilization. We will then proceed to Islamabad, which is 45 minutes away from Taxila, for our farewell meal at Monal Restaurant.
Day 15: Fly back to your native country
Today's GPS Data Altitude: 540 m
Everything excellent must come to an end. This is the day when we say our final goodbyes to our guests and fellow members. This is the last day of the tour.
Holiday Overview
The celebration also includes the production and consumption of particular meals and beverages from the region. Feasts are held, and guests are warmly welcomed to join in the fun.
Choimus is not just a religious and cultural festival, but also a time for socializing and strengthening communal relationships. It gives an insight into the Kalasha way of life, their deep relationship with nature, and their efforts to maintain their distinct heritage in the face of modern forces.
Choimus has attracted tourists from all over the world as tourism has grown in the region, giving them the opportunity to witness this vivid festival and learn about the Kalasha people's unique customs and beliefs. However, it is critical to approach the event with sensitivity to the cultural sensitivities and practices of the community.