The Choimus Winter Festival is one of the four celebrated festivals in Kailash, recognized by UNESCO as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage” in November 2018. This event is marked by traditional dances encircling bonfires and the rendition of Choimus songs. Women adorn themselves in elaborate attire crafted from cowry shells, coins, and beads, accompanied by necklaces fashioned from apricot kernels, a customary offering during Choimus. Additionally, women traditionally paint their faces with ink, replacing earlier practices of facial tattooing.
Preceding the main festival, offerings of seasonal foods are presented to honor ancestral spirits, and lights are illuminated in their memory. Throughout the festival, purity is paramount, with celibacy observed to ensure participants maintain clear minds for the visitation of Balmain to the valley. Ritual bathing is mandatory for all attendees in the week preceding the festival, while during the men’s purification ceremony, sitting is prohibited for the entire day. Men exclusively prepare special bread away from the central village during this purification ritual, while Jaou or Choimus bread, stuffed with crushed walnuts and goat’s cheese, is prepared for the festival itself.
Trip Itinerary:
Exploring Lahore, Islamabad, Swat, Bumburet, Chitral, Peshawar, and Islamabad.
Festival Dates:
From December 14th to December 16th
Total Duration:
10 nights and 11 days.
Embarking on a journey to experience the Choimus Winter Festival promises an unforgettable adventure filled with cultural immersion and awe-inspiring traditions. Here’s what you can expect for this trip:
Upon arrival in Lahore, guests will enjoy a brief period of relaxation before embarking on a half-day city tour of Lahore. Following the tour, guests will overnight in Lahore.
A full-day excursion awaits guests in Lahore, encompassing sightseeing across the city, culminating in the iconic Wagah Border flag ceremony. Following the day's activities, guests will overnight in Lahore.
Travel to Islamabad, with scheduled stops en route to visit the Khewra Salt Mines and Ketas Temple, followed by an overnight stay in Islamabad.
Enjoy a comprehensive full-day city tour of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, followed by an overnight stay in the area.
Travel to the scenic Swat Valley, with a scheduled stop en route to visit the significant archaeological site of Takht-i-Bhai. An overnight stay is planned in Swat Valley.
Embark on a journey to Kailash Valley to witness the festival, with arrangements made for an overnight stay.
Experience the full-day festivities of the Choimus Festival, with accommodation provided for an overnight stay.
Allocate half a day to partake in the festivities in Bamburet, followed by an afternoon drive to Chitral, where arrangements have been made for an overnight stay.
Proceed with a journey to Peshawar, where a half-day city tour is planned, followed by an overnight stay in the city.
Travel towards Islamabad, making a stop en route to explore the Taxila archaeological site and museum. Afterwards, continue the journey to Islamabad for an overnight stay.
Arrange for transportation to the airport for departure on the homeward-bound flight, with accommodation provided for an overnight stay.
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