Your guide will meet you at the reception of your hotel. Today, you are going to experience something unique: a rickshaw ride! Accompanied by your guide, you will set off for a short city tour in a nicely decorated Rickshaw directly from your hotel. This mode of transport is not eco friendly nor it is comfortable but this is what a large number of Pakistanis use in their daily life especially in the big cities like Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Multan, Bahawalpur, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Swat …etc. It is convenient, easily available and certainly the cheapest mode of transportation. Moving around in a Rickshaw in the old town will be an interesting experience for you.

The word “Rickshaw” originates from the Japanese word Jinrikisha, which literally means ‘human powered vehicle’. As per Japanese history books, three men, Izumi Yosuke, Suzuki Tokujiro, and Takayama Kosuke are considered to have invented Rickshaw. This mode of transport was effectively used by the Japanese in 1850 or even earlier. By the end of 1876, there were more than 40000 rickshaws in operation only in Tokyo. It remained in practice until 1930 and disappeared gradually after the industrial revolution and economic boom of the country.

Actually, there are different forms of Rickshaw being used in different countries especially in Asia. In rural India, Bangladesh, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, it is called Cycle Rickshaw pulled by a man. In main cities of India, Thailand, Indonesia and Pakistan, it is called Auto Rickshaw where the whole structure is built on a scooter. Today, auto rickshaws in Pakistan are popular alternatives to taxi and public transportation. The government of Pakistan is even taking measure to convert these gasoline run rickshaws into more effective and eco friendly CNG Rickshaws. In-order to incite the owners of these vehicles, government is even offering them a certain rebate either on the purchase of new rickshaws or a financial package to convert the existing ones.

During your excursion, you will be passing by some of the historical monuments such as Bala Hisar Fort and Peshawar Museum. The real fun will commence when you move around in the old town with its narrow and busy streets. If you are enthusiast enough, the whole city tour can also be conducted in Rickshaw. Return back to your hotel and end of our services.

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Your guide will meet you at the reception of your hotel. Today, you are invited to experience something unique in Pakistan: a Tanga ride. Tanga (or Tonga in English) is a light wooden carriage with two big wheels and pulled by a horse. It has become a cultural symbol in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh and remains one of popular modes of transportation because it is not only quite a fun, but also cheaper than a taxi or rickshaw. Tongas are mostly being used in old cities and rural areas of Pakistan and not allowed on highways in the cities because of their slow pace. Its big wooden wheels lack shock absorbers and therefore, tonga ride could shake you up on uneven road. In villages and towns, tonga is still considered as a traditional feature of weddings and other social functions. In remote areas, it is not only used to carry clients from one place to another but also to transport goods and heavy commodities. Despite its charm, tonga is slowly becoming less popular amongst youngsters in the cities who prefer to take rickshaw as it goes much faster.

Tonga is being used in the sub-continent for a few hundred years. It used to be considered as a ‘royal’ mode of transport during the reign of Moghols. It was especially used during the feasts by the members of Royal court, Nawabs or Maharajas, rich tradesmen, owners of factories, elite, socially well placed families and some dignitaries. It's carriage was richly decorated by highly skilled professionals and the use of nicely decorated Tanga was quite synonymous of social ascension.

Apart from being a pollution free mode of transport, it is quite a delight for a visitor to discover part of a city on a Tanga or Tonga. With its slow pace, It is certainly the nice way to closely observe and enjoy the local life. During your excursion, you will pass by some of the historical monuments such as Bala Hisar Fort and Gandhara Museum. If you are enthusiast enough, the duration of your excursion can also be prolonged. Return back to your hotel and end of our services.

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Meet with your guide at the reception of your hotel. Sightseeing of this historical city will commence by the visit of museum which houses treasures of Gandhara period: 300 BC to 300 AD. Built in 1906 in memory of Queen Victoria, Peshawar Museum is a blend of British and Moghal styles. It has the largest collection of Gandhara Greco-Buddhist art in the world with 4247 Gandahara pieces including Buddhist stone sculptures, coins, manuscripts, panels, stucco sculptures, terracotta figurines, relic caskets and toiletry objects. It also houses effigies from Kalash tribes, weapons, Moghal paintings, jewellery, Persian handicrafts and household objects.

Your guide will then take you to the old part of Peshawar where you will walk through the famous Qissa Khawni Bazaar or Story tellers bazaar. In the gone days, trade caravans used to come and stay here in Serai. Unfortunately, there is no Serai left today. While walking through the bazaar, you will pass by the different shops Pottery works, then Bater bazaar and Mochi Lara well known for its stylish embroidered sandals that have become integral part of local dressing.

Return back to your hotel and end of our services.

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Meet with your guide at the reception of your hotel. Sightseeing of this historical city will commence by the visit of museum which houses treasures of Gandhara period: 300 BC to 300 AD. Built in 1906 in memory of Queen Victoria, Peshawar Museum is a blend of British and Moghal styles. It has the largest collection of Gandhara Greco-Buddhist art in the world with 4247 Gandahara pieces including Buddhist stone sculptures, coins, manuscripts and panels, stucco sculptures, terracotta figurines, relic caskets and toiletry objects. It also houses effigies from Kalash tribes, weapons, Moghal paintings, jewellery, Persian handicrafts and household objects.

Our next halt after the museum will be Yadgar Square and visit Mahbbat Khan Mosque, constructed in local tradition with lofty minarets. A walk through Sarafa Bazaar (jewellers bazaar) will allow you to measure the degree of adoration that the Pakistani women have for the yellow metal, the gold …

Chappal kabab restaurants (stake houses) and small tea houses (Qehwa Khana) along the road sides could be an interesting experience for a western tourist. You will see people sitting there, sipping green tea and gossiping for hours and hours. Their debate topic could vary from cock fight that took place the day before to the next general elections.

Your guide will then take you to the old part of Peshawar where you will walk through the famous Qissa Khawni Bazaar or Story tellers bazaar. In the gone day, trade caravans used to come and stay here in Serai. Unfortunately, there is no Serai left today. While walking through the bazaar, you will passing by the different shops Pottery works, then Bater bazaar and Mochi Lara well known for its stylish embroidered sandals that have become integral part of local dressing.

Return back to your hotel and end of our services.

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Meet with your guide at the reception of your hotel. Departure in the direction of Swat to visit a well preserved Buddhist monastery of Takhat-e-Bai, situated at 85 km in the north east of Peshawar. It was founded in the early 1st century AD, and was successively occupied and expanded from that time until it fell into disuse. Owing to its location on the crest of a hill, it escaped the invasions of the Huns and other antagonistic peoples, leaving it today with much of its original character intact.

Most of the Buddhist monasteries in the neighbouring countries such as Bhutan, China and Nepal are built on the hills and away from the cities and residential areas. This is to allow monks meditate in peace and perfect harmony with the nature. Takht-e-Bai monastery is also in perfect line with this principle as it is situated at the top of a hill, 150 m high from the ground level. During early excavations, many sculptures were found here. Some depicted stories from the life of Lord Buddha while others, more devotional in nature, included Buddha and Bodhisattva.

Upon arrival, we shall walk up the hill to discover the monastery. Thakt-e-Bai was unearthed in the early 20th century and is the only well preserved Buddhist monastery in Pakistan. This monastic complex comprises of a main Court with the main Stupa of almost 10 meters high. It is supposed to enshrine the ashes of Lord Buddha and is surrounded by the chapels. The adjacent court shows us 38 votive Stupas made by the students who lived here and later became Monks. Then we will see the cells of Monks in the Monastery Court. These cells are believed to be originally plastered and painted in different colours.
Lunch will be served at a restaurant with a local speciality Chapple Kabab.
Drive back to Peshawar.
Arrival at your hotel and end of our services.

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