Foreign members please apply for NOC well in time!

Shogran, one of the most beautiful plateaus in Kaghan Valley is situated 219 km from Islamabad. It takes about five hours to reach 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 morning 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.am. We will leave for Islamabad at around 11.30 am and reach Islamabad in the afternoon with a lunch stop at Abbottabad.

Please Note: (MPA) Film Rating: NC-17.

Film: Memories of Murder (2003) - South Korea

Language: Korean with English subtitles

Director: Bong Joon Ho / Screenplay: Bong Joon Ho, based on the play by Kwang-rim Kim

Cast: Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-Kyeung, Kim Roe-ha, Song Jae-ho, Byun Hee-Bong

Memories of Murder is a South Korean neo-noir crime thriller film based on the 1996 play Come to See Me. In the film, detectives Park Doo-man (Song) and Seo Tae-yoon (Kim) lead an investigation into a string of rapes and murders taking place in the late 1980s. The film is based on the real life serial murders. It is also inspired by detective fiction and elements of Bong's personal life.

It has received numerous awards and nominations, and is widely considered one of the greatest films of the 21st. Century!

A tense old-school crime story with a dark edge. This fictionalized but daring and nuanced film is about the investigation of the man reported to be South Korea's first serial killer.The film raises some troublesome questions about the nature of justice and the fallibility of investigative police methods before DNA testing. A refreshingly mature thriller that succeeds in its ambitious attempt to blend comedy and drama...

When a series of brutal murders begin in a South Korean village an inexperienced detective is completely overwhelmed. No one in the police department seems to have any idea what to do and the screenplay, without exaggerated comedy or melodrama, captures how investigations can be bungled not so much through ineptitude but by something closer to apathy...

The heritage site and the beautiful serene looking railway station has become one of the centerpieces of the 'Railway image' in the country !

The Golra Railway Station was established in 1882 during British rule and upgraded as junction in 1912. It was the logistics artery of British India during the Afghan military campaigns at the turn of the twentieth century. It is still operational but is not frequent to many trains. Situated southwest of Islamabad at the altitude of 1,994 feet, its magnificent building has Victorian architecture and is composed of yellow stone masonry. The station that once linked Peshawar, Kohat,Havelian and Multan now enjoys more importance due to its museum.

The Railway Heritage Museum was established in October 2003. From relics dating back to the inception of railways in the Subcontinent by the British, to memorabilia depicting the creation of the museum are housed and preserved in this heritage site. It contains artifacts reflecting history of railways over a period of more than 150 years including almost 100 years of undivided India.It also boasts of a special collection of memorabilia from different periods in time from the British Raj to the occupation of Indian-held railway station during the 1965 war with India.

An open yard displays a wide array of relics which have become extinct on the railway lines around the world. The steam and electric locomotives, a German postal car, a saloon car used by the last Lord Mountbatten, and another 1888 saloon car belonging to the Maharaja of Jodhpur made at the Ajmer Sharif Carriage Workshop from the Jodhpur railways, given as a wedding present to his daughter .

Please Note: The area is outside Islamabad: Foreigners/ diplomats will require an NOC to participate.
Miranjani at 2980m (9800ft) is the highest mountain of the Galiyat region. The hike is around 5Km long (one way) and has stunning views of the beautiful valleys and the Himalayas of Kashmir. If lucky, we may get a glimpse of the mighty Nanga Parbat from the top. We will take the road via Murree and it will take us about an hour and a half to reach Nathia gali from where the hike will start.Our transport will be a coaster with limited seats.

• Wear sturdy shoes; Dress appropriately.
• Bring own refreshments
• Don’t forget your camera/phone for some special memories!
• Hike Rating is Hard (the same as Trail 3 hike) with a distance of around 10 Km for the complete loop.

Join us for an evening of readings from Bapsi Sidhwa's works, and an overview of her life and times through shared stories and recollections, video clips, and conversation between academic Dr. Aroosa Kanwal , journalist and editor Amna R. Ali, and poet and editor Ilona Yusuf.

Bapsi Sidhwa (1938-2024)is a celebrated and pioneering Pakistani English language novelist, who received global recognition for her novels, The Crow Eaters, Ice Candy Man, An American Brat, and The Bride. Her writing put a spotlight on the Subcontinent’s 1947 Partition, the Parsi community in Pakistan, and women’s issues and experiences in Pakistani society.

Self Drive/Convoy

Located within the Islamabad Capital Territory ( just a 45 minute drive), Eva Anna Farms is a pioneer in regenerative livestock agriculture, dedicated to producing the highest quality organic 'desi' eggs and poultry.

Our hosts will serve us breakfast and give us a tour of the farm. We will leave their farm by noon.

Please bring along a hat, sunglasses and a good pair of walking shoes.

Day trip

Foreigners please check NOC requirements.
Rohtas Fort is a symbol of the determination and strength of its builder, Sher Shah Suri. The fort, 12 km in circumference, is located 110km from Islamabad in a gorge 16 km North West of Jhelum City. This huge fort has 12 gates, remains old palaces, 68 towers, 3 deep wells and 12 – 18 meters high/3 – 5 meters thick fortification walls. The construction of the fort started in 1543 and took over three years to complete. The original intent in building the fort was to block possible entry of the Mughal Emperor Humayun, who after his defeat had fled to Iran. The second objective was to punish and defeat the turbulent Gakkhars who had control of the valley and were allies of the Mughals.

The fort could not have been more strategically located – protected as it was by ravines and the river Kahan. However, it lost its importance as a frontier garrison when Akbar built the great fort at Attock on the Indus in the 1850s.
Conservation and restoration work is underway at Rohtas to bring back to this great edifice some of its past glory.
Trip Itinerary
0800- Departure from Islamabad (Assembly Point: In front of United Bakery, Supper Market F-6, Islamabad at 7:45 a.m.)
10.30- Short stay at Gujrankhan for refreshments
11.00- Arrival at Rohtas Fort and sightseeing tour of Fort
13.30= Free time for lunch (bring your now lunch pack and snacks)
15.00- Departure for Home destination
17.30 Arrival at Islamabad.

Join us for an unforgettable day trip into the heart of Karor Valley!

Nestled between Kotli Sattiyan and Murree, Karor Valley is a hidden gem, offering a breathtaking blend of scenic beauty and dense pine forests. This journey presents a rare chance to experience unspoiled mountain vistas, far from the usual tourist trails.

Along the way, we will make several stops, including: Simli Dam Viewpoint – a picturesque stop for stunning water and mountain views; Chawan Forest Rest House – a historic site steeped in colonial charm and other historical buildings – an opportunity to explore remnants of a bygone era, including intriguing abandoned poultry sheds!

Our adventure culminates at the recently renovated Aryari-Karore Fire Watch Tower. These towering structures in the past helped forest guards monitor fires and safeguard the region’s natural resources. To reach the tower, we will ascend high into the mountains via a rugged ridge road, followed by a short 10–15 minute trek through the forest. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Participants will have the opportunity to marvel at the majestic pine trees, relish the pristine surroundings, engage in meditation, take leisurely strolls around the area, and indulge in nature photography!

Important Notes:

• Bring ample water and refreshments.
• Wear sturdy walking shoes and dress appropriately for the weather.
• We are committed to preserving the valley’s beauty—please avoid littering and respect the natural environment.

Film: Theeb (2014) - Jordan

Language: Arabic & Turkish with English subtitles

Director: Naji Abu Nowar

Screenplay: Naji Abu Nowar & Bassel Ghandour

Awards: Academy Award Nomination: Best Foreign Language Film

Cast: Jacir Eid Al-Hwietat, Hassan Mutlag Al-Maraaiyeh, Hussein Salameh Al-Sweilhiyeen, Jack Fox, Marjji Audeh

A coming-of-age story about a Bedouin boy who must survive in the wide-open Wadi Rum desert in Jordan.

While war rages in the Ottoman Empire, two brothers grow up in a traditional Bedouin community that is isolated by the vast, unforgiving desert. Their quiet existence is suddenly interrupted when a British Army officer and his guide ask the older brother to escort them to a water well along the old pilgrimage route to Mecca. While he agrees to lead them on the long and treacherous journey his younger, mischievous brother, Theeb, secretly chases after them. They soon find themselves trapped in the midst of a threatening terrain riddled by Ottoman mercenaries, Arab revolutionaries, and outcast Bedouin raiders.

Hypnotic story beautifully captures the sprawling emptiness of the desert and its chilly, inhumane beauty while depicting the changing way of life in the desert.

• In collaboration with Alliance Francais d'Islamabad

Drive in convoy

A rare opportunity to visit a renowned photographer’s private space!

‘I only take and collect photographs. My life revolves around photography.I have been shooting since 40 years now (1985 to the current 2025). My archive consists of many negatives and positives and prints of my work. There are handmade silver gelatin prints as well.My library is probably the best photo book library in the country. Collecting photo books and art books of my inspirational artists is a passion of mine. This space of the library and archive rooms is and will be open to students who want to research on the medium and topics which I have worked on, which are no longer accessible to the majority…’

Guest Presenter-Arif Mahmood’s dedication to his craft and his unique perspective on capturing human experiences has made him a significant figure in contemporary photography. His artistic practice is noted for its blend of professional interests, combining elements of photojournalism, fashion photography, and portraiture. A renowned Pakistani photographer his work spans across various genres, including photojournalism, portraiture, and fashion photography. .He has contributed significantly to both national and international publications and has an impressive portfolio of over 29 publications, including limited edition portfolios and books.

His photography has been exhibited in numerous group exhibitions worldwide and he has held 17 solo exhibitions.His work is also part of prestigious collections, including two photographs in the permanent collection of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.

• In collaboration with Islambad Camera Club