The Golden North: Kalash to Mastuj in Fall
9 Days | 12-20 October 2026
What to Expect
The Phool Festival is one of the most important festivals of the year, known most famously as the Kalash Autumn Festival. Kalash people celebrate it across Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir valleys. It’s a magical celebration of the harvest and the arrival of autumn in Pakistan, featuring traditional dances, music, milk offerings, new clothes, and matchmaking for young people.
Come experience rustic luxury at its finest — including a trip to see the glorious fall colours of Mastuj — during this unique and unforgettable trip.
- Insider access 15 October to the Kalash Autumn Festival
- 1 night of glamping** in the Kalash Valley to immerse yourselves in the spirit of the Festival
- Hosted by Princess Zainab of the Royal Family of Chitral and former Pakistan Polo Captain Shah Qubilai Alam
- Delight in daily menus curated by celebrity chef Natasha Qizilbash @if.natcancook
- See the change of season up close in all its gorgeous glory in picturesque Mastuj
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Itinerary in Detail
- A member of our team will meet you at the airport or your hotel
- Depart to Chitral in SUVs
- Lunch & sightseeing enroute (9 hour drive)
- Check-in at Hindukush Heights Hotel
- Welcome drinks by the pool & dinner
Hindukush Heights Hotel
Day 2 | Relaxed Day in Chitral
- Relaxed day to enjoy the hotel & explore surroundings
- Evening drive to the river to view the markhor grazing in the Tushi Game Reserve (markhor are the national animal of Pakistan and a rare endangered species of mountain goat native to the Western Himalayas)
- Evening hike
- Back in time for happy hour by the pool
- Breakfast, lunch & dinner at hotel
Hindukush Heights Hotel
Day 3 | Kalash Valley – Birir
- Breakfast
- 10am Departure for Kalash Valley of Birir (2.5h drive)
- Lunch at the glampsite
- Settle into your luxury tent at the Birir glampsite
- Walk around Birir to get familiar with this quaint Kalash valley
- Happy hour around a bonfire
- Dinner under the stars
Birir Campsite
Day 4 | Kalash Festival
- Breakfast
- Witness and participate in Kalash Festival ‘Pul’
- Lunch
- Departure for Chitral
- Enjoy happy hour & dinner at the hotel
Hindukush Heights Hotel
Day 5 | Chitral Sightseeing
- Breakfast
- Visit to Chitral Fort, mosque and bazaar for shopping
- Lunch at hotel
- Evening hike
- Drinks & dinner at the hotel
Hindukush Heights Hotel
Day 6 | Depart for Mastuj
- Breakfast
- Lunch of local Chitrali cuisine midway under apricot and mulberry trees
- Check-in to your mountain cabin at Mastuj Fort
- Arrive in time for tea, to relax and wander around the orchard
- Bonfire & Chitrali ‘Shtuk’ ... join in the dancing!
- Happy hour & dinner
Mastuj Fort
Day 7 | See the Fall Colours
- Early morning hike to the Valley of the Dragons
- Breakfast
- Lunch under a 350-year-old chinar tree
- Explore the village of Mastuj
- Back in time for sunset happy hour
- Dinner
Mastuj Fort
Day 8 | Return to Chitral
- Breakfast
- 10am depart for Chitral
- Lunch at Fokker Friendship Restaurant
- Farewell happy hour by the pool
- Dinner
Hindukush Heights Hotel
- Breakfast
- 10am depart for Islamabad airport
- Lunch enroute
- 7pm arrival at Islamabad airport
Where you Will Stay
Mastuj Fort
Chalets & glamping
Kalash Campsite
Private, mobile glamp
Hindukush Heights
Eco-friendly boutique hotel
Your Hosts
Zainab Ulmulk
Shah Qubilai Alam
Shah Changez “Chango” Alam
Upcoming Dates & Prices
*Minimum age to join in 16 | Prices are in USD
12-20 October 2026
US$4,500 per person for double occupancy / 2 guests sharing
US$4,900 for single room / 1 guest
Booking & Payment
50% deposit holds your spot, balance due by 12 July 2026
Cancellations 60 days prior to departure entitled to full refund minus deposit & bank charges.
Cancellations 30 days prior to departure entitled to 50% refund minus bank charges.
No refund for cancellations within 30 days prior to departure.
What you Get
Included in this tour
- 5N Hindukush Heights Hotel
- 1N Private Glampsite**
- 2N Mastuj Fort
- All meals mentioned in the itinerary
- Transportation during trip
- RT transfer from Islamabad
- **Option to stay in a hotel 1 hour from the Festival instead of the glampsite, please enquire for availability
Additional (not included)
- Full body massage treatments (recommend pre-booking)
- Extra snacks and drinks
- Laundry service (only in Chitral)
- Gratuities (optional but appreciated)