Check out Islamabad at night!

Its summer time and cycling at night gives a whole new perspective to the city, so step out and become part of the scene- a night ride 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 check out what the Capital has to offer!

6 days /5 nights
Hunza Valley s ione of the most picturesque and culturally rich region of Gilgi,t Baltistan. Situated in the norther region of Pakistan, it is approximately a two hour drive from Gilgit city on the Karakoram Highway
At an elevation of 2500 meters it is situated on the north/west of Hunza River and spreads over 7900 square kilometers, it hosts a number of famous peaks of more than 6000 meter in height: Ultar, Rakaposhi, Diran, Golden Peak and Ladyfinger.
Itinerary
Day 1: Islamabad to Gilgit by morning flight.
Gilgit to Karimabad (Hunza). hort stay at Rakaposhi View Point. Arrival at Hunza. Sightseeing and photography. Overnight stay at selected hotel at Hunza.
Day 2: Full day to explore Hunza. Visit Duikar, Altit Fort, Baltit Fort and Ganaish. Overnight stay at Hunza.
Day 3: Full day trip to Upper Hunza. Visit Attabad Lake, Gulmit, Passu, Borit Lake and Khunjrab Pass. Return to Passu for night stay.
Day 4 Full day free to go for short hiking trip along Passu glacier or do local exploration around Passu
Day 5: Return travel to Gilgit. Enjoy scenic drive on KKH. Lunch en route at Rakaposhi View Point. Night stay at hotel at Gilgit

Day 6: Morning flight to Islamabad.

Celebrating Volume # 9 of The Aleph Review- a yearly anthology of literary writing and art from Pakistani and international writers, published by Broken Leg Publications.

The Ambassador of Austria, His Excellency Wolfgang Kutschera, will share his thoughts on the publication.

The programme will include readings by contributing poets and authors based in Islamabad, and conversation on the cover art and other artwork featured in the anthology,  followed by a Q&A session with the editors. All volumes of the review will be available at discounted prices!

Adventure Club /Photography/Trips:

Friday to Saturday : May 29-31

WEEKEND IN SHOGRAN, KAGHAN VALLEY
Shogran, one of the most beautiful plateaus in Kaghan Valley is situated 219 km from Islamabad. It takes about five hours to reach here via Mansehra, Balakot and Kawai.

Surrounded by thick pine forests and with an altitude of 2,362m, the early summer climate of Shogran is pleasantly cold in May. From Shogran you have a breathtaking view of Kaghan Valley’s snow covered peaks such as Musa Ka Musalla (4,419m), Makra (3,885m) and Malika Parbat (5,290m).
Programme:
On Friday : we will drive in a van to Shogran with couple of photo/refreshment stops en route. Shogran will be our base station where we will stay for two nights in a comfortable hotel. Afternoon will be free to walk around Shogran to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery.
On Saturday: we will go by 4x4 jeep to Sari and Paya in one hour. Group members will walk around the place and enjoy the beautiful panoramic views of mountains from the ridge of Paya, Paya at 3,079 is a lush green meadow with spectacular view of Malika Parbat and other snow covered mountains of Kaghan Valley. The group will come back to Shogran by 4x4 jeeps. Afternoon will be free for rest and recreation at Shogran.
On Sunday: Morning will be free for rest and recreation in Shogran till 11.00 am. There are good opportunities to go around for short walks and hikes around this place. We will leave for Islamabad at around 11.30 am and reach Islamabad in the afternoon with a lunch stop at Abbottabad.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS- ASG END OF YEAR EVENT: 2025-2026!!

ALL OF YOU THAT CALL ISLAMABAD HOME… DO JOIN US IN THE CELEBRATIONS!

MUSIC, ENTERTAINMENT & HERITAGE

A SUMPTUOUS DINNER, PRIZES AND MORE…

COLOURS OF PAKISTAN- CREATING MEMORIES THAT WILL LINGER ON

Some evenings are not just mere events.Cities change. Time quietly moves on. But every once in a while, there comes an occasion that brings it all back-the fun element, the warmth and shared experiences…

-Setting the tone: Rawalpindi’s very own Jimmy- celebrated for his electrifying ‘Dhol’ beats- will perform before dinner, building energy and anticipation for the performances to follow!

-For a rich cultural experience- the renowned contemporary Babar Ali Qawwali group from Lahore- that has performed to enthusiastic audiences both Nationally and Internationally- will take center stage after dinner, bringing their own unique expertise to deliver powerful renditions of traditional Qawwalis!

• In Collaboration With Serena Hotel, Islamabad

Note: NOC will be required for foreigners/ diplomats

Geah Forest Track is one of the most beautiful and well managed hiking track at Bara Gali (Abbottabad/ Nathiagali) area. It is one of the lesser explored tracks but easily beats every other track in that area in terms of the beauty and the views from the track. It presents some of the most beautiful places for exploring nature.

The hike is a loop and we will return back to the start point at the end. It is located near Bara Gali (Kalabagh, Nathiagali etc)

Wear sturdy shoes; bring sufficient refreshments/ water. We will picnic at the beautiful boulders at the top!

Hike Rating: Hard with a distance of around 10 km

Join us for an exclusive evening at the intersection of curation and creation!

Hosted within the private residence of independent curator Usman Ahmed, this event offers a rare look at Usman's private art collection alongside a featured showcase of works and talk by Samiya Mahir Sheikh.

We will transition from observers to collaborators in a guided collective art experience. Under Samiya’s supervision, we will contribute to a large-scale textile piece using spray paint, mixed media, and raw pigment to create a shared work that embodies the spirit of playful subversion!

Samiya Mahir Sheikh is a visual artist based in Islamabad, Samiya uses satire and symbolism to question traditional ideas of identity and belonging. With a decade-long practice rooted in media and cultural entrepreneurship, her layered, multimedia works create surreal worlds where humor and tension coexist. Her art gently subverts familiar power structures, inviting fluid readings of gender and authority.

Usman Ahmed is an independent curator, researcher, and art dealer, Usman’s practice foregrounds socially and politically relevant themes such as climate change and human rights. Having collaborated with the United Nations and various international bodies, he specializes in developing exhibitions that serve as platforms for critical advocacy and discourse.

Light refreshments will be served.

We will ride through the Bari Imam Village next to the Bari Iman Shrine to Shahdara Valley, nestled on the outskirts of Islamabad. It is a serene and picturesque retreat renowned for its natural beauty and cultural heritage. This tranquil valley, situated at the foothills of the Margalla Hills, offers visitors a refreshing escape from the urban bustle, making it a popular destination for nature lovers!

It is also known for its unique "picnic spots" that offer local cuisine & refreshments!

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Foreigners: Please check for NOC requirement.
We will visit the fabulous 'Isloo Farms' located in Pind Bhagwal. An exciting new venture and a rare opportunity to discover Islamabad and its environs!
As we walk along the farm and gardens filling up our baskets, Qasim Tareen- our very gracious host- will brief us about plantation, timings and maturity of the fruits and vegetable etc.
Azra Raza & Fawzia Memon- our 'cooking' partners will then convert the collected vegetables into a delicious meal - (you can also be part of this 'creative' experience if you like!)
As an added bonus- and while we wait for our meal to be prepared - Qasim will share his expertise on organic farming and answer all your queries!

Literature buffs...this evening is specially for you!

Published in February 2025, Muneeza Shamsie’s anthology 'In the New Century' follows the twentieth century’s 'A Dragonfly in the Sun'. It is a rich and comprehensive feast of various genres of writing- both prose and poetry- from Pakistani writers in English here and in the diaspora.

Curated by Fizza Hasan and Ilona Yusuf, this evening introduces the book and its editor, and showcases a set of readings, featuring both prose and poetry.