Pakistan: Persians, Mughals and Mystics

Fly overnight from London to Lahore via Dubai or Qatar.

Arrive in Pakistan following your overnight flight and check-in at Faletti’s Hotel Lahore. After a rest proceed to tour the Shalimar Gardens followed by an evening lecture and welcome dinner.

Enjoy a full day’s sightseeing of Lahore, the historic capital of both the Mughal Empire and the Punjab region. Highlights include the renowned Badshahi Mosque, commissioned by Emperor Aurangzeb in the 17th century, as well as the Royal Fort, one of the finest examples of Indo-Islamic architecture on the subcontinent. Visit both the Wazir Khan Mosque and the Persianate Shahi Hamman (‘Royal Baths’) which underwent a full restoration from 2013-2015.

Morning visit to the tomb of Emperor Jahangir, the only one of the six major Mughal emperors to be buried in what is now Pakistan. Continue to the nearby tomb of his favourite wife Nur Jahan, before returning to central Lahore. In the afternoon, visit the Lahore Museum, famous in the works of Rudyard Kipling and home to an array of impressive Mughal artefacts. The day concludes with a visit to the bustling Anarkali Bazaar, which dates from the reign of Emperor Akbar the Great.

Depart Lahore for the city of Multan. Stop en route to visit the ancient site of Harappa, once home to one of the earliest civilisations on the subcontinent. Arrive in Multan and visit a workshop where artisans still produce the city’s famous Kashikari pottery, a style brought by Mongol invaders from Central Asia. Continue to your hotel and stay at Faletti’s Grand Multan for 3 nights. Optional afternoon excursion to the tomb of Shah Rukhn-e-Alam to see and hear local Sufi musicians perform their art.

This morning, drive to Uch Sharif. Said to have been founded by Alexander the Great, the city has long been a stronghold of Islamic rule in the subcontinent. See the famous Sufi shrines, including the Tomb of Bibi Jiwandi, which is currently working towards full UNESCO World Heritage recognition. At the conclusion of your tour, return to Multan.

Enjoy a morning tour of Multan, including the city’s key Sufi shrines as well as the Shahi Eid Gah mosque, an excellent example of later Mughal architecture completed in the mid-18th century. In the afternoon, enjoy time at leisure or take an optional excursion to visit the Multan Arts Bazaar.

Departing Multan, drive to Shekhepura where you will see the impressive Hiran Minar. Built by Emperor Jahangir, the complex unusually commemorates the emperor’s favourite antelope, which he named Mansraj. Jahangir was noted for his love of wildlife both as quarry for the hunt and to observe in the wild. Proceed to the city of Lahore, stay at Faletti’s Hotel for 2 nights.

This morning, explore the historic Hira Mandi district of Lahore, including the Fakir Khana Museum, housed in a building which once served as the home of the Mughal Emperor’s Treasurer (subject to confirmation). In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to Wagah to see the famous border ceremony followed by a farewell dinner.

Transfer to Lahore Airport for your return flight to London via Dubai or Qatar.