The Asian Study Group brings you a rare opportunity to visit a lush green tea plantation in Shinkiari, Mansehra, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It was established in 1987 and serves as an agricultural research institute of high value crops. It covers an area of 50 acres and is at an elevation of 1000 meters.

We will meet at United Bakery at 9:30am for a 10am departure. It is a self drive programme and the drive to our desitnation is 2.5 hours from Islamabad. Please bring along your own lunch, a good pair of walking shoes and hat. We plan to return to Islamabad by 5pm.

We will be given a guided tour of the premises by our hosts and will have an opportunity to see tea plants, fruit trees and high value crops such as Kiwi.

Please register at London Book Company above Table Talk restaurant in Kohsar market.

Look forward to having you join us for what will be an educational visit.

Our hosts have very graciously opened up their home specially for ASG- this a rare opportunity to join us on what promises to be an inspiring visit to one of the most unique hillside residences in Pakistan!

Best described by our host Lauren Mueenuddin as a "Meeting of minds"...the Samarkand House- in Charra Pani- was built in the 1960s by the Mueenuddin family. Today, the family hopes its heritage can provide us with a view into how older generations built homes keeping nature in mind!

Nestled between old pine trees and terraced onto a hillside, the home provides a breathtaking view of Rawal lake, mature avocado trees, a tennis court, natural spring water pools, and a heartwarming charm.

We will meet at the Serena outside parking area at 12:30 pm on Sunday 14th of May. From there we will drive in a convoy to Samarkand House. It is a one-hour drive on the old Murree road from Serena Hotel.

Our hosts will serve us a cup of tea but do bring along a picnic/refreshments if you like. Wear sturdy walking shoes (and a walking stick if needed) for traipsing up and down the numerous walking paths, and perhaps a hat for warding off the sun!

Join us on a days outing to Isloo Fresh farm near Islamabad and check out the vegetables, fruit trees, a Miyawaki forest, chickens, cows, ducks, geese and a natural swim and fish pond!

Organic farming is an agricultural system that uses ecologically based pest controls and biological fertilizers. Modern organic farming developed as a response to the environmental harm caused by the use of chemical pesticides and synthetic fertilizers in conventional agriculture, and it has numerous ecological benefits. Our host will introduce us to the aspects of organic farming as we tour the farm.Lunch will be served!

Wear walking shoes, hat, sun glasses and bring along your water bottles.

Join us to learn more about the 'Orange' season in Pakistan!

'We only sell, what we grow'...Khalis farms is conveniently located in the suburbs of Islamabad. It is a small family run enterprise that organises fruit pickings on a regular basis and promotes healthy community activities!

Oranges & other organic vegetables will also be available for sale!

We will collect at Bilal Nursery ( Corner of Chak Shahzad/ Kuri Road)at 10:30am sharp and drive to the farm from there.

WhatsApp location pins will be shared with all participants

As Pakistan is ravaged by Climate Change ,the need for innovative approaches to horticulture is desperately required. The Green Impex nursery is doing just that by establishing a climate controlled greenhouse for their flowers.

Established in 1994, Green Impex is well known, and the owners have recently built a state of the art modern greenhouse that covers more than 10,000 square feet, is powered by solar energy, ventialted by large fans and cooled with water pads!

The Asian Study Group has been allowed exclusive access to this dynamic new facility.It is an excellent opportunity for horticulturalists looking for green solutions for the impact of unpredictable weather patterns, flower enthusiasts and those who want to learn more about how technology can help horticulture.

You will be able to view & purchase unique flower pots and seedlings including Lisianthus (prairie gentian- botanical name: Eustoma), best described as a tulip in the shape of a rose, Lilac (Syringa Vulgaris) -plants that have a strong fragrance, Potato Tree (Solanum Erianthum) also known as velvet nightshade, new varities of Teak (Sagwan) trees, herbs such as stevia, oregano and thyme and more...much more!!

It is a 15 minute drive to the nursery and we will travel in convoy. You are welcome to bring light refreshments to enjoy in the garden sitting area of the nursery, though you will be treated to cardamom tea and cookies!

Join us for a delightful session at a beautiful farm located in the outskirts of Islamabad!

Peaches are predominantly harvested in Swat, but recently a few good varieties of peach trees have been introduced in the region of Islamabad. These are early fruiting varities which give fruit before the start of the monsoon season.We will be visiting a peach orchard in Islamabad to pluck fruit directly from the trees for a fresh tasting of the seasons offering! The farm specialises in growing peaches, apricots and citrus fruit, all grown and harvested using organic techniques. Other seasonal crops like garlic and onions are also grown on the farm.

Please note:Freshly picked peaches will also be available for sale at the farm.This is a self drive trip. The farm is located near the Chakshahzad farms. We will gather at a suitable venue nearby and drive in a convoy to the farm located 15 minutes away.The presentation will be followed by light refreshments.

A family trip /self-drive

As winter gives way to spring, enjoy the outdoors and join us to pick some fresh organic strawberries. These will also be available for purchase. You will be able to hand pick strawberries and take them home.... and for those observing Ramzan, a perfect opportunity for making delicious ‘fruit chaat’ or strawberry milk shake for 'Iftari' ! If you have any special recipes, do share them with us!

📷This is also an opportunity to learn the technique of growing and taking care of strawberry plants in your own homes: site selection, growth habits, plant requirements, propagation and harvesting techniques will be discussed.

Self drive. Travel in convoy.

We will visit a beautifully landscaped, private farmhouse located at Tumair (within Islamabad Capital Territory) approximately 25 k.m. from the Chak Shahzad area. The drive to the farm is 30-45 minutes.

With a stream running through it, circling the immaculately manicured lawns…a wide variety of flowers and an extensive collection of fruiting trees, the garden is at its peak in early spring with all its highlighted features at their best!

This is an outdoor event, but do please follow Covid related SOPs.

Details and directions to the venue by SMS/Whatsapp after registration.

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!

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!