Join us for an invigorating early morning excursion!

Shakarparian is located in the National park area located near the Zero Point Interchange in Islamabad. At a height of 609 meters, the terraced gardens offer pleasant and sweeping vistas of Margalla and Murree hills, Rawal Lake,Rawalpindi and Islamabad. The famous Pakistan Monument and Pakistan Monument Museum are also located here.

Before Indo-Pak partition in1947,what is now known as Shakarparian was once the 'Gakhar' tribes land holdings. The clan was relocated to create a park for newly marked federal capital of the country in 1960-61.

Those returning during the ride please inform the coordinators.

It is an easy ride and is on the road so all types of bicycles can join!

Join us with family & friends on one of ASG Gardening Subgroups most popular programmes! We will be visiting a 10 acre picturesque farm near Chattar village, approximately 25 kms. from the Rawal Lake area on the way to Murree. The drive is 30-40 minutes from the Serena Car Park.

Located in a beautiful setting with a backdrop of mountains and a stream winding in between the farm and the mountains, it offers a diverse collection of mature trees and 'blood red orange' groves. Known for the best organic citrus available in Islamabad,the oranges are unique to this region as they are red inside and are grown without the use of organic or chemical fertilisers.

Our host - a fomer Rose Society President and knowlegable horticulturalist- will give us a guided tour of the orchards and give us tips on growing citrus plants ,their maintainance and pest control.

Please note:

• Freshly picked oranges by the dozen will be available for sale. You may give your order to the person concerned at the event, and collect them when going home.
• We will NOT pluck oranges from the trees ourselves.
• The presentation will be followed by tea and snacks.
• A certain amount of walking is involved, so do wear comfortable walking shoes.

With plenty of positive energy, we plan to have a wonderful outing!

Foreigners Please check for NOC requirements.

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.

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. 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.

For the adventurous...not to be missed...a ride around the various Heritage sites in Taxila!

Foreigners:Please check for NOC requirements.

Taxila (meaning "City of Cut Stone") is an important archaeological site of ancient India, located in Taxila city, Rawalpindi District of the Punjab, Pakistan, situated about 32 km (20 mi) north-west of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, just off the famous Grand Trunk Road.

Ancient Taxila was situated at the pivotal junction of the Indian subcontinent and Central Asia. The origin of Taxila as a city, goes back to c. 1000 BCE. Some ruins at Taxila date to the time of the Achaemenid Empire in the 6th century BCE, followed successively by Mauryan Empire, Indo-Greek, Indo-Scythian, and Kushan Empire periods.

Director: Dino Risi

Screenplay: Dino Risi, Ettore Scola & Ruggero Maccari

Cast: Vittorio Gassman, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Catherine Spaak, Claudio Gora, Luciana Angiolillo, Linda Sini, Franca Polesello

David Di Donatello Award: Best Actor (Vittorio Gassman)

An Italian road movie about an unlikely friendship that develops after a chance encounter between a liberal man (Vittorio Gassman) and a conservative law student (Jean-Louis Trintignant).

Like a whirlwind the student's entire life is transformed as they both go on this impromptu frantic journey with their contrasting personalities and outlooks on life, leading to a number of fascinating conversations, as the two traverse the roads of Italy. The stunning historic architecture of Rome and the scenic vistas of the countryside roads act as a delightful backdrop which the director exploits to its full potential, painting a magical picture of an enticing part of Italy.

The charming comedy is the personification of the Swinging Sixties as the pair indulge in fun involving bars, the beach and a bevy of beautiful women. Also like many great comedies, there is a tragic undercurrent to the story that adds depth to its humour as the senseless decadence reaches a heart-stopping climax. The film is shot entirely on location and without the use of back projection which provides a sense of immediacy and realism to the story.

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!

Day Trip

Takht-e-Bahi Buddhist Monastery is one of the most impressive and well preserved pieces of Gandhara architecture in Pakistan. It is situated 14 km northwest of Mardan on the road to Swat (2 ½ hour drive from Islamabad). The reputation of Takht-e-Bahi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is based partially on the extraordinarily good state of preservation and partially on its glorious location. The site itself is located on the northern flanks of a rocky spur rising 150 meters (500 ft) above the plains.

On a clear day you can see across the plains as far as Peshawar on one side, and the Malakand pass and the Swat hills on the other. The monastery and stupas were founded in the 1st. Century AD and abandoned in the 7th century AD. You may also enjoy the famous local cuisine of “Chapli Kabab” and tandoori nan from one of the famous kabab shops in Takht-e-Bahi bazaar.

Trip Itinerary

Departure from Islamabad at 08:00 a.m. (Assembly Point: In front of United Bakery, Supper Market F-6, Islamabad at 7:45 a.m.)

Travel on Islamabad-Peshawar Motorway.

Short stay on the way for toilet break and refreshments (if needed).

Take road to Mardan.Visit historical site of Takht-e-Bahi along with local guide

Return to main road and stop at local restaurant for lunch of “Chapli Kabab and tandoori nan"/or your own refresments.

Departure for Islamabad 3:30 pm

Arrival at Islamabad at around 6:30 pm.

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

Demonstration/lunch- Outside in the garden!

Join us to learn the art of 'Dosa ' cuisine with the experts- the wife & husband team- Noor ul Ain and Khalid !

Masala Dosa with a delicious potato filling , served with the mouthwatering Chutneys, Sambar, Baray and Halwa is best described as a fermented crepe or pancake, made from rice batter and lentils. A delicious staple dish from certain specific areas of the Subcontinent, it is also popular in other countries like Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore .

First come, first served.

Happy cycling in super weather!

Join us for a "three- in- one" ride - starting with easy, moving to medium and then...to the tough one!

We will meet at the Flower market F/6 .Starting from the Islamabad Zoo site, we will cycle to the mid- range stop: Daman-e- Koh and then for the more hardy It is ride to Monal.

It is upto the members as to which which stage they want to turn back or to continue!

For those of you turning back during the ride, please do not forget to nform the coordinators!