Riding at night gives a whole new perspective to the city, so step out and become part of the scene- an experience not to be missed!

For those of you interested in 'Comparative Cultures' coupled with a bit of adventure, this is an opportunity for you to join in on this very special ‘Pre- Sehri’ ride and for the more adventurous amongst you, we can even stop for a 'Sehri' break at a suitable place!

'Ramzan/Ramadan’ is the 9th.month of the Islamic Calendar observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting, reflection and community. The annual observance of ‘Ramzan/Ramadan’ is regarded as one of the 5 pillars of Islam-and lasts twenty-nine to thirty days, from one sighting of the crescent moon to the next. Fasting from dawn to sunset is considered obligatory for all adult Muslims who are not acutely, or chronically ill,traveling, elderly... etc.

The predawn meal is referred to as ‘Sehri' and the evening meal that breaks the fast is called ‘Iftari'. Both periods are characterised by hustle and bustle. Homes & markets are a buzz with activity and festivity!

The Salt Range comprises of two rows of low lying rugged hills that run east to west between the Soan and Jhelum rivers from the Grand Trunk Road near Jhelum city to the River Indus near Kalabagh. This area is said to record 600 million years of the earth’s history. It's name comes from the vast deposits of rock salt exposed and mined at Khewra. The salt was left behind when the sea, which extended over the Indus plains and the Potohar plateau, evaporated 600 million years ago. The rocks and fossils fund around the salt range provide a complete record of the history of the Earth.

The Salt Range Wetlands Complex comprises of a series of adjacent lakes – Kallar Kahar, Khabbeki, Ucchali, Jhalar and Namal. These lakes provide an important wintering ground for migratory birds and are core habitat for the endemic Punjab Urial.Historically this region is also very rich

• Alexander the Great passed through the Salt Range on his way to battle with Porus on the banks of the Jhelum River in 326 BC.
• In the 3rd century BC, this area became part of Ashoka’s Buddhist Empire.
• Towards the end of the Buddhist period, in the 6thcentury AD, there was a kingdom in the Salt Range called Singhapura, probably centered at Ketas.
• From 7th to 10th centuries, the Salt Range was part of the powerful Kashmiri Hindu kingdom.
• Mahmood Ghazni invaded the region in the early 11th century. The local tribes were converted to Islam at this time.

The Shri Katas Raj Temples also known as Qila Katas is a complex of several Hindu temples connected to one another by walkways.The temple complex surrounds a pond named Katas which is regarded as sacred by Hindus. The temples pond is said in the 'PURANAS' to have been created from the teardrops of Lord Shiva, after he wandered the Earth inconsolable after the death of his wife Sati. The temples also play a role in the Hindu epic poem, the Mahabharata where the temples are traditionally believed to have been the site where the Pandava brothers spent a significant portion of their exile. The Pakistani government began restoration works at the temples, with further improvements announced in 2017.

Trip Itinerary

• Departure from Islamabad at 07:30 am.
• Travel on Motorway M-2 and enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Salt Range
• Visit Khewra Salt Mines
• Visit the historical temples of Ketas Raj
• Drive to Kallar Kahar
• Short stay at Kallar Kahar (for refreshments and enjoying the scenic beauty of this area)
• Arrival at Islamabad at around 7:00 pm. End of trip.

An easy ride for everyone to enjoy, it’s on the road so all kinds of bicycles can join...and since spring is in the air, for flower lovers this is a special oppoprtunity for you !

The Rose and Jasmine Garden is a public garden located within the recreational area of Shakarparian near Sports Complex Aabpara, on Kashmir Highway in Islamabad.

The park contains numerous kinds of roses, over 10 kinds of Jasmine, and an array of other flowers. Every year, the garden hosts many festivals and flower shows!

Join us for a presentation on the art of the Kashmir shawls and experience why generations later people around the world are still so enthralled by these handwoven works of art. The shawl has become a symbol of prosperity and luxury in the contemporary world, often passed from one generation to another as a family heirloom!

It is said that the first ever Kashmiri shawl was made in the 1500s during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Akbar. So enamoured was Akbar with this luxurious textile that, he established imperial workshops to encourage the growth of the Kashmiri shawl. The earliest Kashmiri shawls had a plain background with borders featuring large floral sprays, flower vases, and pinecones. The buti (flower in Urdu) is one of the most popular motifs found in Kashmiri shawls. This teardrop-shaped motif is a fusion of a stylised floral spray and a cedar tree: a Zoroastrian symbol of life and eternity. The cedar represents strength and resistance, but also modesty!

You will get to see the 'buti' and other motifs that make up the vibrant shawl patinas during the presentation/demonstration...an opportunity not to be missed!

Join us on one of our favourite hiking routes just before the Ramadan!

We will start from the foothill village of Noorpur to Pir Sohawa via the caves of Loh Dandi. We are meeting at Trail 3 parking from where we will go together on our own cars to the starting point.

This is an old route developed & used by local villagers. It offers a fascinating experience of walking past the old villages in the hills, besides offering views of the valleys below.

Car pool to go to the actual starting point of the hike: the parking of Loh Dandi.

The hike is around 8-9Km long. We will climb up a track made for the shrine and caves of Loh Dandi, and go all the way to the top. From there we will descend back to the parking through a beautiful track through the valley.

Hike rating is Hard. Wear sturdy shoes and bring refreshments. This is an opportunity for you to take some awesome photos for the next ASG Calendar!

Demonstrations and a taste of the delicious 'Iranian' cuisine, along with with its cultural history ...an opportunity not to be missed!

Iranian cooking is heir to no less than two and a half thousand years of saffron and rosewater-scented history. In many ways, Persian food is considered one of the world's most important and influential cuisines- the original mother cuisine!

The foods of the courts of ancient Persia (as Iran was called until the 1930s) included perfumed stews flavored with cinnamon, mint, and pomegranates; elaborate stuffed fruits and vegetables; and tender roasted meats — dishes that have influenced the cooking of countries as far-flung as India and Morocco...

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Day Trip/ Self Drive

Waterfowl migration from extremely cold Siberian Winters to the wildlife sanctuaries of Chashma Barrage, Mianwali Wetland Game Reserve, and Marala Headworks near Sialkot display their annual diversity of around 5 million birds of 46 waterfowl species from December till March.

Many of these species are under the threat of extinction due to excessive illegal hunting, duck netting, and shrinking water basins due to the cultivation of wheat on the sandy patches disturbing the natural habitat of the area’s avifauna.

For amateur/professional photographers and ordinary camera buffs, it is a great opportunity to capture images of these beautiful migratory waterfowls like Siberian Pied Wagtails and Cranes, Grebes, Egrets, Teels, and Tefted Ducks at Chashma Barrage, among various local species.

• Chashma Barrage on the River Indus was declared a wildlife sanctuary on January 31, 1974, for five years under the Punjab Wildlife Act, 1974. Since then, it has continuously existed as a wildlife sanctuary. It is a wetland of international importance and is also a RAMSAR Site. The sanctuary is 25 km southwest of Mianwali town on the Mianwali–Kundian–Dera Ismail Khan Road and comprises 0.327 million hectares. We will travel to Chashma Barrage on the newly constructed new Motorway . The three-hours drive will also give participants an opportunity to capture landscapes enroute !

Day trip/ hike

Tilla Jogian is the highest peak in the Salt Range 3200 feet above sea level. It offers a panoramic view of the Potohar plateau and splendid scenic beauty! Alberuni in his travelogue 'Kitab ul Hind' has mentioned the legendary ‘Tilla Jogian’ (Peak of Jogis) near Jhelum as the center of Jogis (Ascetics). This centuries old monastery of Jogis was in existence when Alexander fought the famous battle with Raja Porus near this ‘Tilla’ in 326 BC. It has also been known as ‘Tilla Gorakh Nath’ and ‘Tilla Bal Nath’ at different times. The remnants of the monastery and shrine still exist eg. a big pond with balconies, masonry tombs, places for meditation, and banyan trees among others.

We will travel on the G T road and then about 35km off-G T road to reach (via Domaili & Gattat villages) the village ‘Bheet’ located at the base of the 'Tilla Jogian' mountain. One-way travel time is about one and a half hour or slightly more. The hill is quite steep and after a maximum one & half hour’s moderate to strenuous hike, we will reach at the top of hill.

Wear sturdy shoes; bring refreshments.

Off-road cycling to Kot Jandaan...a test of the rider's endurance and perseverance-so bring out your MTB and stake your claim in the hills!

An easy part to Chauntra Village is followed by a tough part that will take us all the way up to the village Kot Jandaan!

Tough climbs, breathtaking views, exciting and thrilling downhills... not many have been here,and not many can... challenge yourselves, this is your chance to add to your list of accomplishments!

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'Silk' painting developed from Indonesian traditional 'batik' art makes a fun and relaxing hobby ! Hand painting scarves can create beautiful, wearable works of art and thoughtful gifts for friends and family. It can also be used to create focal elements in card making, wall hangings, pillowcases, bags, pocket squares, and other decorative projects.

In this beginner's guide to silk painting, we will show you how to make your own piece for wall-hanging or a square scarve. You will learn how to use 'gutta' to draw your outlines, and paint your own creative design using silk paint!