Kalash Spring Festival Tour (Chilam Joshi)
The Kalash Spring Festival Tour is a 10-day journey to Chitral and the Kalash valleys in May, to join Chilam Joshi, the joyful spring festival of the Kalash people, with music, dancing and flower-decked villages.
- Duration10 Days
- PaceEasy
- RegionsChitral & Kalash valleys
- Best SeasonMay
- GroupPrivate, 2+
Welcome Spring with the Kalash People
The Kalash Spring Festival Tour takes you to the three Kalash valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir in Chitral, home to the Kalash, a small community with their own ancient faith, language and dress. Each May they celebrate Chilam Joshi to welcome spring and bless the herds before they move to the summer pastures.
Over several days the villages fill with songs, drums and circle dances, women wear their famous black dresses and colourful bead headdresses, and homes are decorated with fresh flowers. We stay close to the festival, visit family homes with our local guide and also explore Chitral town, its fort and the Shahi Mosque.
Trip Highlights
- Celebrate Chilam Joshi, the Kalash spring festival
- Explore the Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir valleys
- Visit the Kalash Dur museum and village homes
- Chitral Fort and the Shahi Mosque of Chitral
- Mountain flight to Chitral past Tirich Mir (weather permitting)
- Local Kalash contacts and a cultural guide from TGA
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Islamabad
Our team meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. Evening welcome briefing.
Overnight: HotelDay 2Fly to Chitral (approx. 1,500 m)
Mountain flight to Chitral. If the flight is cancelled we drive via Swat and the Lowari Tunnel instead (two days).
Overnight: HotelDay 3Chitral town
Visit Chitral Fort, the Shahi Mosque and the old bazaar, with views of Tirich Mir (7,708 m).
Overnight: HotelDay 4Drive to Bumburet
About 2 hours to Bumburet, the largest Kalash valley. Visit the Kalash Dur museum and walk through the villages.
Overnight: GuesthouseDay 5Rumbur Valley
Day trip to the quieter Rumbur Valley, with a village walk and a visit to a Kalash family home.
Overnight: GuesthouseDay 6Chilam Joshi: the festival begins
Join the first festival day, as villagers gather for songs, drums and circle dances and homes are decorated with flowers.
Overnight: GuesthouseDay 7Chilam Joshi: the main day
The biggest day of the festival, with dancing on the festival grounds and the blessing of the herds.
Overnight: GuesthouseDay 8Birir Valley
Visit Birir, the smallest and most traditional of the three valleys, then return to Bumburet.
Overnight: GuesthouseDay 9Back to Chitral, fly to Islamabad
Drive to Chitral for the flight to Islamabad, or continue by road if flights are cancelled. Farewell dinner.
Overnight: HotelDay 10Depart
Transfer to Islamabad International Airport for your flight home.
Overnight: —Itineraries can change with weather, flights, road conditions and festival dates. Your guide will always put safety first.
What's Included
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Hotels in Islamabad and Chitral, guesthouses in the Kalash valleys
- Domestic flights Islamabad–Chitral–Islamabad, or road transport via the Lowari Tunnel if flights are cancelled
- Breakfast and dinner in the Kalash valleys
- Kalash valley entry fees and local registration
- Daily breakfast and the meals listed in the itinerary
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver
- English-speaking cultural guide throughout
- Entry fees to all monuments and museums in the itinerary
- Letter of invitation (LOI) for your Pakistan visa
Not Included
- International flights to and from Pakistan
- Pakistan visa fee
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry and phone calls
- Anything not listed under "Included"
Moments from the Trail
Why Choose the Kalash Spring Festival Tour?
The Kalash Spring Festival Tour is one of the most special cultural journeys in Pakistan. Chilam Joshi is a time of joy, music and colour, and the Kalash welcome respectful visitors to watch and, often, to join the dances.
The pace is easy, with short drives and plenty of time in the villages, so this tour suits all ages. If you prefer a quieter visit, see our Kalash Summer Festival Tour or the deep-winter Kalash Winter Festival Tour.
Before you travel, read our Pakistan visa guide and our advice on travel insurance, or browse all our culture tours in Pakistan.
Plan the rest of your trip
Good to Know
Respect & Photography
The Kalash are a small community with their own faith and customs. Always ask before taking photos of people, never enter sacred places unless invited, and follow your guide's advice during rituals.
Festival Dates
The Kalash community sets festival dates each year, and they can move by a few days. We confirm the exact dates with our local contacts before your trip and plan the itinerary around them.
Permits & Checkpoints
Foreigners register with the police in Chitral and pay a small entry fee for the Kalash valleys. Our team arranges both, so you just need your passport and visa.
When to Go
Chilam Joshi usually takes place around 13–16 May, when the valleys are green and the weather is mild. Read our guide to the best time to visit Pakistan.
Reserve Your Place on the Tour
Message us with your preferred dates and group size, and our team will send you full details and a quote for the Kalash Spring Festival.
