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Join us for a guided tour cum hike to Ridge Trail that is yet to be inaugurated !

Escorted by the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) staff, we will discover and be informed about the variety of tree species and old 'bunds' , fossils, view points and historical names of places etc. that you would not even be aware of as an ordinary trekker!

It's an easy to moderate hike. We will start the hike around 04:00 pm and complete a two hours loop just before the sunset to break the fast.

Since this is during Ramzan/ Ramadan everyone is invited to join, and bring along refreshments to enjoy the sunset & share at 'Iftari' time!

About the trail: This trail is the most picturesque part of the hills that falls completely within Margallah Hills National Park. Access is from Talhar Mor on the way up on Pir Sohava Road. The Trail exits at Kot Janan from where there is a road (metalled) leading down from MHNP and out to Sinyiari village and from there connecting to main Margallah Road. Talhar Mor to Kot Janan takes approximately 10 km long, zig-zag.

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...and for those of you interested in 'Comparative Cultures' coupled with a bit of adventure, this is an opportunity for you to join in on our very special ‘Pre- Sehri’ ride!

‘Ramzan/Ramadan’ is the ninth 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, travelling , 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 activilty and festivity!

For the more adventurous amongst you, we can even stop for a 'Sehri' break at a suitable place!

Planned for the golden hour before sunset, since we plan to get back in time for 'Iftar '- keeping the month of Ramzan in mind!

Join us for a short hike on one of the most beautiful tracks in Islamabad... the back of Saidpur Village on a trail that ascends to the Pir Sohawa road near Monal.

Duration: 60-75 minute. Easy to medium.

Wear sturdy shoes and don't forget to bring your camera/phone for some spectacular photography!

We will gather at the parking of the Saidpur model village.

Parking lot

https://maps.app.goo.gl/x9qHHCpNpT1oPkSa7

The Aleph Review, a non-profit journal, celebrates 7 years of its print anthology of literature and art. A conversation with the editors will be interspersed with readings by Islamabad based poets and writers, chosen from the books.

Mehvash Amin, the publisher and Editor in Chief, is ably assisted by associate editor Ilona Yusuf, Managing Editor Hassan Tahir Latif, contributing editor Afshan Shafi, and newly recruited editors Mina Malik and Noor Waheed. Sana Hassan does the layout and Jamil Masud is cover designer as well as in charge of all pre-press details.

A running website, www.thealephreview.com, puts up four new pieces a month as well as archival excerpts from the print journal. The journal is grateful to all sponsors past and present for their invaluable help.

An opportunity not to be missed- a special for art lovers!

Join us for an Open House invitation by Nigi Aziz. She will be showcasing her individualistic art work featuring oils, water color and stained glass on mixed mediums... and then refreshments on the beautiful rooftop garden!

Modeled after a similar concept in Monterey, California, where artists open their houses to the general public to see their paintings hanging in their own homes, this is a unique experience for both the guests and the artist...

Nighat Kamal Aziz (Nigi) is an artist and a columnist. Her articles have been published in the op -ed pages of local & international magazines.Apart from Islamabad, she has held a number of art exhibitions in Berlin where her spouse served a couple of stints, most recently as the Defence Attaché.

• Nigi’s Palette on Instagram: @nigiaziz

Join us for a relaxing guided meditation by Sanniya Gul, who is an energy healer!

Meditation is an ancient practice that dates back thousands of years. It is a silent journey into the inner realms of your heart, soul, body and mind. With all the stress of modern day living the practice of meditation is beneficial for your physical, emotional and mental well- being.

A very special delicious vegetarian meal will be served to make you feel alive, with vibrant energy flowing through you!

Sanniya will be sharing her family recipes made with homemade “paneer” ( Cheese) eg: Almond infused paneer 'Koftas in tomato curry, Walnut Masti cheese, Shaljam Gulistan (an aromatic turnip dish), Toofani Razma (red bean curry), fresh organic salad and a special tea to cleanse the spirit & soul!

Sanniya Gul and Kashif Razi are co-founders of “Magical Floor”. A space for guided meditation, support groups and various groups for awareness building and giving back to the society. The café serves soulful food, fresh ginger tea, coffee and freshly made sandwiches and desserts.

PLAN AHEAD!

Day Trip-Travel by coaster.

Join us for this very special ,truly enthralling trip to the Torkham Valley!

Torkham is a major border crossing between the Pakistani city of Torkham and Afghanistan, located along the Grand Trunk Road on the international border between the two countries that traverses through the famous Khyber Pass. It connects the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan with Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. It is the busiest border land port which is being developed as a state-of-the-art Border Crossing terminal under the Asian Development Bank-funded Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation (CAREC) Program to make Pakistan a regional transit hub.

The location has been used throughout history by Afghan and Turkic caravans, including marching armies of mighty empires and later on by the British, and contains relics like the historic Michni Fort established in 1920 by the British. Situated right before the Pak-Afghan border at a higher point, Michni Fort offers breathtaking views of the Pak-Afghan Border and Taimur Lane's jail where he executed prisoners.

The Khyber Rifles Mess at Landi-Kotal is another historic landmark of British Rule enroute to Torkham Valley. Established in 1878 by Sir Col Robert Warburton, the beautiful Mess housed officers who commanded Khyber Jezailchis (Afridi Tribesmen recruited by the British Army to serve as one of the eight 'Frontier Corps). The Mess has a museum that contains antique guns and rare historic photographic sections of foreign dignitaries like Shah Iran, Queen Elizabeth, and Lady Dianna, visiting the fabled Khyber Rifles Mess. The Mess also contains a century-old Banyan tree arrested in 1913 by a drunken British Officer, James Squid, and remains in shackles since then !!

Join us on one of our favourite hiking routes!

We will start from the foothill village of Noorpur to Pir Sohawa via the caves of Loh Dandi .

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!

Repeating on popular demand and the weather is perfect!

A Family Ride

Fatima Jinnah Park also known as Capital Park or F-9 Park, is a public recreational park that spans the whole of Sector F-9 of Islamabad. It is named after Mādar-e Millat Fatima Jinnah, the younger sister of the founder of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah. At 304 hectares (750 acres), it is just smaller than New York's Central Park. . It was designed by Michael Japero, and was inaugurated in 1992. The park’s original master plan was prepared by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and was revised in 2005 by Pakistani architect Nayyar Ali Dada.

Fatima Jinnah Park's vast acreage is mostly covered by greenery, with a few man-made structures dotting the landscape. Most of the park area is effectively a wildlife sanctuary, except for a few areas of the park that are close to residential districts. A well laid network of footpaths lies inside the park, with neat grass and a few statues.

Recently new cycling route & tracks have been added within the F-9 Park, this month we will explore these!

It is an easy ride for everyone to join and it’s on the road and on slight off roads so all kinds of bicycle can join.

The Salt Range comprise 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. Its 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 comprise 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 fought 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 6th century 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 powerful Kashmiri Hindu kingdom. Mahmood Ghazni invaded the region in the early 11th century. The local tribes were converted to Islam at this time.

We have planned a day trip to explore this interesting area. Booking will be made on first come first served basis so don’t wait for the deadline date and immediately call ASG office and book your seat!

Trip Itinerary

Departure from Islamabad at 07:30 am.

Travel on Motorway M-2 and enjoy the dramatic scenery of Salt Range

Visit Khewra Salt Mines

Visit historical temples of Ketas Raj

Drive to Kallar Kahar

Short stay at Kallar Kahar (for refreshments and enjoying the scenic beauty of this area)

Return travel to Islamabad

Arrival at Islamabad at around 7:00 pm. End of trip.