Islamabad is the Capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The city was built between 1960 - 1970 to replace Karachi as the capital. Before this it was just a small village, a part of which still exists with its mud houses and typical village life. Islamabad is a city of modern architecture. There are some great examples of modern buildings in Islamabad. The roads are wide and lined with grass& roses. The city is divided into several residential & commercial areas. Blue area , Jinnah Super Market and Aabpara are the main commercial areas. Among the buildings, the new Prime ministers secretariat , Assembly building , The Awami Markaz , Some ambushes on Diplomatic Enclave and The great Faisal Mosque are worth seeing. Rawalpindi though twin city to Islamabad, is the main city with a population of around 2 Millions. It is a bustling city with a lot of activity. Rawalpindi was the garrison town in the English times and even now it is the head quarter of Pakistan Army. The bazaars of Rawalpindi are no less then any oriental bazaar like the Sunday market in China or Afrasiab Samarkand. It takes two days to cover the Raja Bazaar.

HOTELS

• Pearl Continental Hotel (RWP) 5*
• Holiday Inn Islamabad 5*
• Marriott Islamabad 5*
• Bestwestern Hotel Islamabad 5*
• Serena Islamabad (Under construction )
• Shalimar Hotel (RWP) 4*
• Dream Land Hotel Islamabad 3*
• Akber International (RWP) 3*
• Paradise Hotel (RWP)
• Many other small & big hotels in Rawalpindi & Islamabad.

Transfers:

Islamabad - Peshawar

170 KMs 3 - 4 Hours usually combined with the tour of Taxila. Drive on the Grand Trunk road Stop at the confluence of Indus & Kabul rivers and later continue to Peshawar.

Islamabad- Besham

275 Kilometers usually takes 8 - 9 Hours with stops at Abbottabad & Taxila. The road is pretty good specially after Abbottabad there are great views of rice fields on the terraced lands. Mountains start getting higher after Thakot where you meet the river Indus. Besham is a small town located at the bank of River Indus. It is the first main town on Karakorum Highway.

Islamabad- Lahore ( See Lahore )

Islamabad Murree:

60 KMs drive to the green Murree hills. Once the hill station for the English officers now enjoys the largest no. of visitors from within Pakistan. There is an interesting Bazaar and a wide street (Jinnah Road ) where one can visit some nice eating places. Just 9 KMsfrom Murree is the beautiful Pearl continental hotel Bhurban, established as a modern 5* Hill resort in Pakistan. The road has great views of the foot hills and some villages on the way.

Tours :

Half day Rawalpindi Islamabad:

Visit the Shakarparian view point , Faisal Mosque (2nd largest mosque in the world) and Museum of folk heritage. Drive through some of the best buildings of Islamabad and later have a walk in Raja bazaar.

Evening dinner outside :

Can be done either in Islamabad at the folk heritage museum (if there is some activity going on ) or at a typical BBQ restaurant in Rawalpindi.

Full Day Excursion to Murree hills:

Drive to Murree. Visit the Bazaar there and later drive to Bhurban for a Lunch and short hike in the green hills. Return late Afternoon to Islamabad/Rawalpindi.

Full Day Taxila:

Drive to Taxila40 KMs. Visit the site museum and Sirkap , Julian and Dharma and Rajika Stupa. Later return to Islamabad.

Full Day Rohtas fort & Salt range.

Drive to the Salt range. Visit the Salt Mosque built entirely of salt in the mines later continue to Rohtas. On arrival transfer to the Horse carriage to go to the fort. Visit the fort and have a picnic. In the afternoon return to Islamabad.