Kalash People
The Kalash believe they are
originally from Tsiam, although no one yet knows where that is. It is more
likely they are descendants from Indo-Aryans (about 2000BC). Many
historians believe the Kalash are descendants of the soldiers of Alexander
the Great.
The kalash valleys of Rumbur,
Bumburet and Birir are within Chitral District of Pakistan. The kalash
people are the only non-Muslims for hundreds of miles. They may be a
little wary of strangers, but usually do welcome who wants to become
acquainted with the kalash way of life.
The 3500 Kalash of the valleys
live in unique houses made of local stone and wood which are stacked on
top of one another at steep hillsides. The roof of one house is the
verandah of another, on top of the lower house. They make their living
with staple crops like lentils or wheat and by goat herding. Life is very
traditional, like in many parts of the world, and the work division
between men and their women is elaborate. Family life, cattle herding and
harvesting form their main livelihood with the occasional distraction of a
festival or two. Women move into a Bashaleni house when giving birth and
also when they are menstruating. Many aspects of the society are both
communal and segregated and typically, marriages are made by arrangement.
Festival
The festival is celebrated to
welcome the arrival of the New Year. All the Kalash people remain indoors
and outsiders are not allowed to enter their settlements for 7 days. The
people have a merry time by free wine drinking and they sacrifice goats.
People show their thanks by dancing and singing together, enjoying every
moment.
During the festivals prayers, a
procession is made to a high plateau outside the village in Balangkuru
where the long night of dancing begins. The festivals continue for many
more days moving on to different locations within the valleys.
Itinerary
|
Date |
Days |
Activities |
Overnight |
|
December 10 |
1 |
Arrival in Islamabad.
Afternoon City Tour. |
Hotel |
|
December 11 |
2 |
Fly or Drive for Chitral. |
Hotel |
|
December 12 |
3 |
Drive to Bumburet, Kalash
valley. 2 hours drive. |
Camp |
|
December 13-22 |
4-13 |
Well experience of kalash
winter festival and enjoying the Kalash Girls’ dance and other
activities during the events. |
Camp |
|
December 23 |
14 |
Drive back to Chitral.
Afternoon visit to Tooshi for Wildlife Photography. |
Hotel |
|
December 24 |
15 |
Fly to Islamabad. Afternoon
Islamabad City tour. |
Hotel |
|
December 25 |
16 |
Transfer to Airport for
onward destination. |
|
Service included:
-
Assistance
on Arrival and Departure.
-
All meal
during Hotel stay and Camping.
-
Road
transfer between Airport/hotel and within city as per itinerary.
-
Dome tents
for sleeping (1 tent for 2 people) at Camp. Mess tent with table and
stools, kitchen tent and toilet tent.
-
Camping site
fees and bridge crossing.
-
Kitchen
equipment, crockery, cutlery, fuel and all related gear.
-
Wages of
Guide, Cook, and Assistant Cook
-
Porterage at
Airport, hotels, tool taxes and parking fees etc.
-
Domestic
airfare. Surface transfer incase of flight cancellation.
Service not included:
-
International air fare, airport taxes, excess baggage charges.
-
Sleeping
bags personal and Personal equipment of any kind
-
Medications.
-
Insurance
liability of members.
-
Tips for
field staff, drivers and porters.
