The Kalasha people celebrate the Kalash festival. The Kalasha people live in the Kalash valley of Pakistan. The Hindu Kush mountain range surrounds the Kalash valley. The Kalash festival occurs thrice a year, in spring, summer, and winter. The spring festival, called the Chilam Joshi, starts around 13 May 2026. A summer festival called the Uchal festival starts on 20 August 2026.
The winter festival is called the Choimus Festival, and it starts on 15 December 2026. During the festival, people not only drink, dance, and have fun but also worship their Gods and spirits, making offerings and even making sacrifices. Also, young men and women choose their future husbands and wives during this festival.
Trip Maker has been organizing tours to the Kalash valley to witness the Kalash festival for 40 years. We operate an 8-10-day private and solo group tour to Kalash. All our festival tours and other holidays in Pakistan are on a full-board basis. Depending on your available time and travel requirements, the duration may be longer or shorter. You can follow our standard Kalash festival itinerary, or our travel advisor can customize a plan to your travel needs.
Throughout the year, the inhabitants of the Kalash valley celebrate a variety of lively festivals. The three main festivals are:
This festival heralds the arrival of spring. During Joshi, participants don new clothing, and adorned women lead celebrations, with girls heading to the hills to dance and sing. Houses are decorated, and fresh milk is collected from the livestock. Additionally, mothers and their one-year-old babies are purified as part of the festivities.
The Uchal Festival marks the annual harvest, filled with singing, dancing, and giving thanks to nature for a fruitful barley and wheat crop. Special dishes such as cheese, buttermilk, and cornbread are prepared. Women showcase traditional dances throughout the celebration.
The Phool, or Autumn Festival, is a vibrant two-day event in the Birir Valley, celebrated with enthusiasm and joy. It signifies the grape and walnut harvests, during which people sing in their local dialect and perform traditional dances.
The Chaumas, or Chawmos, celebrated around the winter solstice (approximately December 7-22), is the most significant festival for the Kalash. This two-week festival marks the conclusion of the year’s agricultural labor and involves much music, dancing, and the sacrifice of goats. It honors the god Balimain, who is believed to visit from the Kalash legendary homeland, Tsyam. Food sacrifices are made at ancestor shrines known as Jeshtak.
During Chaumas, individuals considered impure cannot participate; they must undergo a purification ceremony involving a fire ritual for men and a separate one for women and children. Unlike other times, the ‘old rules’ of the gods (Devalog, dewalōk) are temporarily set aside for this festive occasion.
The main ritual occurs beneath a Tok tree in a place called Indra’s place, or “indrunkot,” often linked to Balimain’s brother, the lord of cattle, In(dr). Ancestors are symbolically represented by young boys (ōnjeṣṭa ‘pure’), who are venerated and offered bread as they form a chain and weave through the village.
Our Kalash festival Tour starts in Islamabad, Pakistan’s purpose-built capital. Your guide will meet you at the Islamabad International Airport and then transfer you to the group hotel. The rest of the day is free to recover from the journey. We will meet again in the afternoon to give you a briefing about the Kalash festival tour.
The following day, you will be transferred to the airport to catch the spectacular 1-hour mountain view flight to Chitral. Flights to Chitral are subject to weather conditions; in the event of cancellation, you will drive to Chitral. Arrive in Chitral, check into your hotel, and the rest of the afternoon is free to explore the town.
The next day, you will drive to Kalash Valley. You will spend a few days exploring and enjoying the Kalash festivals, meet the PEGANS, and then follow the same itinerary back to Islamabad. You will spend the night in Islamabad, and the next morning, we will transfer you to Islamabad International Airport for your flight back home.
The Kalash festival tour is one of the world’s top cultural retreats. This beautiful valley and the friendly Kalasha people will make your holiday a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
You will discover many beautiful and cultural diversities in the Kalash Valley, located in the Lower Chitral district. It comprises the Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir valleys, with Bumburet being the largest and most frequently visited. In Rumbur Valley, the Kalash River runs through it, while in Birir Valley, the Kunhar River follows it.
The trip from Chitral City takes about 2.5 hours. People from the Kalasha ethnic group practice their religion and don’t follow Islam. Foreign tourists must apply for special permits and pay 600 PKR in tax to access the Kalash Valley. During the May Chilam Joshi Festival, September Uchau Festival, or December Chawmos Festival, you can enjoy folk music and dance!
The Kalash, also known as the Kalasha, are a unique pagan minority residing in the Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. They inhabit three valleys in this region—Rumbur, Brumbret, and Birir. Rumbur and Brumbret share a common culture due to their similar traditions, while Birir stands out as the most traditional of the three, boasting a distinct cultural identity.
Unfortunately, the Kalash population has dwindled to about 4,000 people living in these valleys. They are polytheistic, and notable linguist Richard Strand suggests that their practices represent an ancient form of Hinduism that evolved locally over time, influenced by the neighboring pre-Islamic region of Nuristan.
Our company specializes in culturally immersive and ethically responsible Kalash Festival Tours. We collaborate closely with local communities to ensure that tourism supports the Kalash people and helps preserve their rich heritage.
Every season provides a unique glimpse into Kalash culture. Spring tours shine a light on celebration and color, summer tours emphasize agricultural life, and winter tours unveil the spiritual significance and ancient rituals that define this captivating community.
Getting to Chitral and the Kalash Valley is a breathtaking trip through northern Pakistan.
Distance: Approximately 400 km
Travel Time: 10–12 hours by road
Route: Islamabad → Peshawar → Chakdara → Dir → Lowari Tunnel → Chitral
The Lowari Tunnel has greatly improved access, allowing for year-round travel to Chitral. Once you arrive in Chitral town, the Kalash Valley is around 30–40 km away, and you need a 4×4 jeep or local transport to reach it.
Among the valleys, Bomburet is the most accessible, while Rumbur and Birir are more remote and culturally conservative.
When it comes to accommodation during the Uchal Festival, options span from basic guesthouses to pleasant boutique stays.
Keep in mind that accommodations fill up quickly during the festival season, so it’s advisable to book your stay 3–6 months in advance, preferably through experienced tour operators.
Day-1: Preparation and offerings of fruits, grapes, and grains
Day-2: Main celebrations featuring ritual dances, wine sharing, and sacrifices
Day-3: Community feasts, prayers, and concluding ceremonies
Activities during the festival include:
Food plays an essential role in Uchal celebrations, highlighting Kalash and Chitrali cuisine:
Kalash Cuisine: Goat meat from ritual sacrifices, corn bread, barley dishes, fresh grapes, walnuts, and homemade fermented wine.
Chitrali Cuisine: Freshwater trout, Chapshuro (meat-filled bread), apricot-based dishes, vegetable stews, and corn porridge.
Visitors should be mindful and consume wine respectfully, only where it is culturally appropriate.
While Kalash Valley is generally safe, it’s wise to steer clear of isolated areas at night. Dress modestly and respect sacred spaces, avoiding any contact with altars or ritual objects. Cash is essential, as ATMs are scarce, and the weather can change quickly, so bring layers.
Foreign tourists may need a No Objection Certificate (NOC) for Chitral, which tour operators usually arrange. Pakistani nationals do not require permits.
Supporting local artisans by buying directly from them contributes to the community.
Kalash Valley hosts several other festivals:
Chilam Joshi (May): A spring and fertility festival
Phool Festival (September): Marks the end of agricultural work
Choimus (December): Celebrates the winter solstice
Each festival reflects different aspects of Kalasha life and beliefs.
Day 1: Arrival in Islamabad, sightseeing, and welcome dinner
Day 2: Drive from Islamabad to Chitral via Lowari Tunnel
Day 3: Transfer to Bomburet, village walks, and cultural orientation
Day 4: Uchal Festival celebrations in Bomburet and Rumbur
Day 5: Visit Birir Valley and return to Chitral town
Day 6: Drive back to Islamabad
| Trips Type | Days / Nights | Cost Price | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chitral Festival Group Tour Package | 3 Days / 2 Nights | Rs.14500 | Book Now |
| Chilam Joshi Kalash Festival Package | 3 Days / 2 Nights | Rs.18500 | Book Now |
| Kalash Choimus Festival Online Package | 4 Days / 3 Nights | Rs.21500 | Book Now |
| Chitral Kalash Online Tour Package | 6 Days / 5 Nights | Rs.25500 | Book Now |
| Chitral & Kalash Trip Package | 5 Days / 4 Nights | Rs.28500 | Book Now |
30% advance for reservation of Tour. Remaining at the Departure time you will have to pay.
Yes you can change the travel dates 2 days before the departure day.
Yes. It is totally family & kids friendly tour with complete security, privacy & family environment.
This group tour has fixed departure dates and days (Once in a week).
