After arriving in Karachi, you’ll be welcomed at the airport by Usman and a driver, who will bring you to our hotel and get you checked in. Depending on when you arrive, you may have some free time to explore or relax in the hotel before our Welcome Dinner.

Karachi is Pakistan’s largest city and a true assault on the senses. We’ll begin our day at Jinnah’s Mausoleum, the striking white marble tomb of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. Set amidst manicured gardens, this national monument is a symbol of pride and history.

Next, we’ll visit Mohatta Palace, a stunning pink sandstone building from the 1920s. Once a residence, today it’s a museum where we’ll explore exhibitions showcasing Pakistan’s art, history, and heritage.

Our journey will continue to Frere Hall, one of Karachi’s most beautiful examples of British colonial architecture.

We’ll then stop by Tooba Masjid. Built entirely from white marble, this mosque is one of the largest single-dome mosques in the world.

As evening approaches, we’ll head towards the Arabian Sea for a sunset crab fishing boat trip. Sailing out into the bay on a traditional wooden vessel, we’ll watch the fishermen at work before enjoying a multicourse seafood dinner onboard.

Today we’ll leave the city behind and take a day trip to Thatta, a historic town known for its grand Mughal architecture and ancient burial sites.

Our first stop will be the Makli Necropolis, one of the largest and oldest graveyards in the world. Spread over 10 square kilometers, Makli is home to beautifully carved tombs and mausoleums dating back over 600 years. As we walk through the site, we’ll see intricate stonework and faded blue tile mosaics, each tomb telling the story of a saint, king, or scholar from Sindh’s past.

Next, we’ll visit the Shah Jahan Masjid, built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century. This mosque is famous for its stunning geometric brickwork and hundreds of domes that create natural echo chambers inside. Its blue glazed tiles and detailed frescoes make it one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in Pakistan.

After a full day of exploring, we’ll return to Karachi for dinner in one of the city’s iconic local seafood spots.

Today is all about experiencing the sights, sounds, and flavours of everyday life in Karachi.

We’ll start our morning at Empress Market, one of the city’s oldest and most famous bazaars, where we’ll be able to shop for fragrant spices, beautiful textiles, and so much more. After wandering through the market, we’ll have some free time to relax or explore the nearby Saddar area, known for its colonial buildings and local shopping streets.

In the evening, we’ll head to Burns Road for a street food tour with a local expert. This legendary food street is packed with stalls and small restaurants serving up iconic dishes. We’ll try local favourites like nihari, bun kebabs, chaat, and Karachi’s famous fried fish. Don’t forget to save room for dessert – maybe some rabri or falooda to end the night on a sweet note.

Today we’ll take a domestic flight from Karachi to Lahore, one of my favourite cities in Pakistan.

After checking into our hotel, we’ll enjoy a walking tour through the Walled City of Lahore (including a tour of Shahi Hammam, a restored 17th-century Mughal bathhouse) before enjoying traditional Punjabi cuisine at Haveli, one of Lahore’s most iconic rooftop restaurants, with breathtaking views over Badshahi Mosque.

After breakfast in the hotel, we’ll discover Lahore’s most famous sites.

Lahore Fort was built in the 17th century by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan (who built the Taj Mahal!), and this architectural wonder is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Located right next to Lahore Fort, the Badshahi Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world. Completed in 1673, it’s another Mughal masterpiece known for its red sandstone façade, towering minarets, and vast prayer hall.

We’ll also visit the stunning Wazir Khan Masjid, one of the finest examples of Mughal architecture in South Asia. Built in the 17th century, this mosque is famous for its vibrant tile work, intricate frescoes, and beautifully painted ceilings.

In the evening, we’ll be able to soak up the buzzing atmosphere and devour some Lahori delights on a street food tour.

We’ll start our day with a visit to Usman’s family home, where his sisters will teach us how to prepare a traditional Pakistani lunch. Not only are Usman’s sisters excellent cooks (I speak from experience!), but they’re also both super funny and interesting people, and we’ll learn a lot about what it’s like as a woman in Pakistan.

Once lunch is ready, we’ll eat together, with Usman’s family.

One of the most special things we’ll experience on the trip is the flag ceremony at the Wagah Border. The Wagah Border marks the only land border crossing between Pakistan and India. Every evening before sunset, a colourful and energetic flag-lowering ceremony takes place on both sides of the border and is supposed to represent cooperation and brotherhood between the two nations. I was lucky enough to attend this ceremony on my last trip to Pakistan, and the atmosphere was electric.

Today we’ll dive deeper into Lahore’s vibrant street life and cultural traditions.

We’ll start the morning with something truly unique – a visit to a traditional mud wrestling match, locally known as Kushti. Held in earthen pits, these matches are a centuries-old sport where wrestlers train and compete barefoot in the mud.

Next, we’ll head to Anarkali Bazaar, one of the oldest and busiest markets in South Asia. This sprawling bazaar is a maze of narrow lanes packed with shops selling everything from colourful fabrics and jewellery to traditional footwear and handicrafts. It’s the perfect place to hunt for souvenirs or get some great street photography.

For those interested, there’s the option to step inside a nearby salon for a henna workshop. With the help of a local artist, we’ll learn how to create intricate mehndi designs and even get our own hands decorated if we wish.

We’ll spend our last evening in Lahore exploring the stalls and small eateries of Anarkali Food Street.

Today we’ll drive to a rural village, where we will be lucky enough to stay the night with Usman’s family!

We will see how local people go about their daily lives and will be able to experience local life – perhaps we’ll milk some cows, make roti in Tandoori, or take a ride on a donkey cart!

Today we’ll travel to Peshawar, making sure to stop for plenty of chai en route!

We’ll begin our day at the Mahabat Khan Masjid, a stunning 17th-century mosque built during the Mughal era.

Next, we’ll step inside Sethi House, a beautifully preserved 19th-century mansion built by a prominent merchant family. With its elaborate wooden balconies, stained glass windows, and intricate carvings, the house offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of Peshawar’s wealthy trading elite during the British Raj.

Afterwards, we’ll head to Qissa Khwani Bazaar, known as the ‘Bazaar of Storytellers.’ Once a gathering place for traders and poets traveling along the Silk Road, this bustling market is now filled with spice stalls, tea shops, and colourful street vendors. We’ll wander through the lanes, stopping for a cup of Peshawari green tea (kahwa) and maybe a plate of local chapli kebabs.

We’ll start the day with a Truck Art workshop, where we’ll learn about one of Pakistan’s most colourful and iconic art forms. Guided by local artists, we’ll see how intricate floral patterns, calligraphy, and vibrant animals are painted onto trucks, buses, and even everyday objects.

Next, we’ll visit a traditional weapons factory, where skilled craftsmen still make handmade firearms and antique-style weaponry using age-old techniques. This visit offers a fascinating look at the craft that Peshawar is famous for.

In the afternoon, we’ll explore Karkhano Bazaar, one of the largest markets on the city’s outskirts, which is a hive of activity and a lively place to soak up local market culture. We’ll stick to the main, foreigner-friendly areas and avoid the restricted sections at the far end!

At night, we’ll head to the legendary Namak Mandi Food Street, famous for its sizzling meat dishes. We’ll sit down at a traditional roadside eatery and enjoy freshly cooked lamb karahi, chapli kebabs, and the city’s signature tikka, all cooked over open flames.

We will spend our final day in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital city. We will visit Faisal Mosque, the national mosque of Pakistan, and one of the largest mosques in the world! Its intriguing architectural design was inspired by a Bedouin tent.

We will also visit the Pakistan Monument, which is a four-petal flower symbolising the unity and solidarity of Pakistani people. The monument is located on a hilltop overlooking the city and offers panoramic views.

Finally, we will visit Saidpur Village, a historic village on the outskirts of Islamabad which is said to be over 500 years old. This is a great place to experience Pakistani culture and see a different side of Islamabad.

Today marks the end of our time together.

After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and our driver will drop us off at the airport for our flights back home.