A hike like never before...let us speak the language of 'nature'. This is an oppportunity for you to understand, appreciate and learn to observe its intricacies... with a pinch of learning, a bit of exercise and a whole lot of fun!

Participants are encouraged to bring a notepad and pen / pencils. We will note down the birds, animals, plants and trees located in a particular area that we can recognize, learn about the ones we don’t know about, and understand their role in the Margalla Hills National Park.

Participants are also encouraged to take unique pictures and note down interesting observations.At the get-together after the hike, we will have a discussion and -yes- there is a photography contest too... we have a surprise gift for the winner!

And more!

We are living in a time when climate change caused by our behaviors is a threat to every being on the planet. Yoga plays an important role in relaxing and energizing our bodies.It serves as a toolkit for everyday tensions, to enable ourselves to conduct ourselves in ways that benefit others/ and the environment. To rejuvenate ourselves we invite you to join us on a small Yoga session at the end of the programme!

With Ramzan ( Ramadan) around the corner an introduction/ demonstration of some delicious, nourishing dishes!

So what are the general health benefits of fasting?

-Boosts cognitive performance.

-Protects from obesity and associated chronic diseases.

-Reduces inflammation.

-Improves overall fitness.

-Supports weight loss.

-Decreases the risk of metabolic diseases.

-Supports blood sugar management

In all Muslim countries the holy month of Ramzan brings the families together at 'Iftar' (Opening of the fast at sunset).Traditionally in the subcontinent the general rule for Iftari centres around dates, pakoras/samosas, chaat, along with preserved juices ... and heavy fried food!

The menu will introduce a bit of baking instead of frying ... and fizzy drinks replaced by homemade seasonal fruit and vegetable sherbets... and the Arabic serving of rich nourishing soups!

The menu will also include : Fruit Chaat ( Salad), aaloo bundey, qeema samosa, dahi bara, pakoras witha variety of chutneys, potato tacos, spinach tart, chicken cheese balls, crispy potato croquettes, bread rolls filled with chicken, cheese rolls, sandwiches with different filings. And then, lets not forget the desserts: Carrot and Date Cake, Umm Ali and Kunafa!

A Day Trip

Foreigners: Please apply for NOC's well in time!

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 found 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 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 Katas. The Shri Katas Raj Temples 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 the Hindu community.

As legend goes, the temples' pond is said to have been created from the teardrops of Shiva, after he wandered the Earth inconsolable after the death of his wife Sati. The temples play a role in the Hindu epic poem, the Mahābhārata, where the temples are traditionally believed to have been the site where the Pandava brothers spent a significant portion of their exile. 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

Trip Itinerary

Departure from Islamabad at 08:00 am.

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

Visit Khewra Salt Mines

Visit historical temples of Katas Raj

Drive to Kallar Kahar

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

Arrival at Islamabad at around 7:00 pm.

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 throughout the trip.

Alberuni in his travelogue “Kitab ul Hind” has mentioned the legendry ‘Tilla Jogian’ (Peak of Jogis) near Jhelum as the center of Jogis (Ascetics). This centuries old monastery of Jogis was in existence when Alexander the great 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 like 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) at the village ‘Bheet’ located at the base of 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 shall reach at the top of hill.

Join us for a delectable journey through countries with that special Mediterranean touch : Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Morocco, Egypt and Lebanon.These produce some of the finest cuisine the world has to offer!

The demo/ lunch will include Harira -a Moroccan soup, delicious dips: baba ghanoush and hummus. Falafel in pita, stuffed grape leaves and olive bread,tuna briouats, chicken with walnut sauce and yoghurt, baked fish with tahini sauce, salads from Morocco & Greece... and then... the inimitable baklava for dessert!

“Stories are what hold things in place. Our fragmented lives, with pieces that often seem to have no place to go, are all part of our stories, the ones we live and the ones we invent. For me, that is the beauty and the magic of writing...” Anne Ostby is a Norwegian journalist and author. Her twelve published books for adults, young adults and children have been sold in 18 countries. Having spent most of her adult life as a UN nomad, living in ten different countries, her novels frequently explore questions of identity in an International setting, and depict women’s lives in various cultures. She has lived in Pakistan several times, eight years altogether, this time around from January 2020. She will share with us her writing process and discuss some of her books...

Pieces of Happiness (2016): “A novel of friendship, hope, and chocolate”, placing it solidly within the feel good genre, whereas Town of Love (2012) explores the darker themes of human trafficking and inter-generational prostitution. The former set in Fiji, with the ambience of sea, sand, and cocoa contrasts starkly with the latter- set in India- that tells the story of some of the most underprivileged and vulnerable women in the world ...

As the winter cold subsides and with the advent of spring , we will visit a beautiful adobe house on a hill near Simly Dam, via a purpose-built road that has been carved into the hill to access it. The house itself is worth a visit, with its intriguing architecture and art work.The garden and the surrounding mountains offer stunning panoramic views and seem to enjoy a symbiotic relationship!

The premises also host a fruit orchard. Your questions on the planting/ nurturing of fruit trees will be answered by the accomplished 'malis' there!

You can also visit a lake at the site, before you drive back home! Bring your favourite refreshments ...enjoy the gorgeous view, relax and just plan on having a good time!

A Day Trip

Please Note: for Foreigners NOC’s required

Seeing is believing...an opportunity not to be missed!

With World’s Wetland Day around the corner, we have arranged a very exciting and informative trip to 'Uchhali Wetlands Complex' in coordination with WWF-Pakistan !

The complex is a combination of three independent wetlands: Uchhali, Khabekki and Jahlar and is located in the Soan Valley of the Salt Range. It was declared as a 'Ramsar' site in 1996. ('Ramsar' site: A protected area/wetland site designated to be of International importance known as ' The Convention on Wetlands) .The catchment area of these lakes is 381 km2 and the water surface area of these three lakes is 12.43 km2 (1,243 ha).

The three wetlands are important wintering sites for the White-headed duck, Greylag goose and Flamingos.Human presence in recent times has unfortunately resulted in substantial areas being reclaimed for agriculture. Large areas previously under water have been drained due to drought conditions, and there has been a continuous trend in the last few years towards reduction of water in these lakes....

Trip Itinerary :

Time Activity

0700-1000: Departure from Islamabad to Wetland Information Centre (Khabekki Lake, District Khushab), WWF-Pakistan

1000-1100: Refreshments and briefing on Uchhali Wetlands Complex .

1100-1130: Birdwatching and landscape photography at Khabekki Lake

1130-1215: Travel to Uchhali Lake

1215-1245: Bird watching and landscape photography at Uchhali Lake

1245-1330: Travel back to Khabekki Lake

1330-1430: Lunch

1430-1730:Travel back to Islamabad

Please Note: Bring your own refreshments ( Lunch & Drinks)/or enjoy lunch on payment at a nearby restaurant.

As we hike on the Margalla Ridge from Pir Sohawa, a narrow and curvy stretch of the scenic Pharilla Track offers pine trees, small streams and panoramic view of the nearby areas...

An old forest rest house from the British Era is located at Pharilla, approximately 8Km from Pir Sohawa. Maintained by the CDA, it provides the perfect picnic spot!

All SOP’s to be strictly observed.

Travel by convoy. Car Pooling to be avoided.

Distance: 20Km round trip (from/to PirShoawa)

Elevation Gain: 450m

Hike Rating: Strenuous (because of the distance)

Wear sturdy shoes; bring refreshments. Also do not forget camera/phone as you do not want to miss taking shots of the beautiful views!

People who have not registered will not be allowed to join the hike.

A Day Trip

Taxila or Takhkhasilā, (City of Cut Stone" in Sanskrit) is a significant archaeological site in the modern city of the same name in Punjab. It lies about 35 km north-west of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, just off the famous Grand Trunk Road.

Ancient Taxila situated at the pivotal junction of the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia was an important city in the Kingdom of Gandhara. The origin of Taxila as a city goes back to 1000 BCE. Owing to its strategic location and with many empires vying for its control, it has changed hands many times over the centuries, Bactrian Greeks, Parthians, Scythians, and Kushans ruled the area in turn, developing a unique art fusing east and west known as Gandhara.

By some accounts, ‘Jaulian’- the University of Ancient Taxila was considered to be one of the earliest universities in the world. Ashoka, the great Mauryan leader, a Viceroy at Taxila became a Buddhist and interred some of Buddha’s ashes at Dharmarajika Stupa. From Taxila, Buddhism flourished and spread to Central Asia and on to Tibet, China, and Japan.

When the great ancient trade routes connecting these regions ceased to be important, the city sank into insignificance and was finally destroyed by the nomadic Huns in the 5th century.

The renowned archaeologist Sir Alexander Cunningham rediscovered the ruins of Taxila in the mid-19th century. In 1980, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site

Trip Itinerary

0900 departure from Islamabad

1000 Arrival at Taxila. Visit Taxila Museum

1115 Visit archaeological sites of Sirkap and Julian Monastery

1330 Rest stop for Lunch

1430 Visit remains of Dharmarajika Stupa

1530 Short stay en-route for shopping of crafts of stones and clay.

1600 Departure for a Home destination.

1730 approx. Arrival at Islamabad.