07/14 JAN
11/18 FEB
11/25 MAR
15/20 APR
13 MAY
08 JUL
12/26 AUG
16/30 SEP
14/30 OCT
11 NOV
30 DEC
To the north of Pakistan, the historic Khyber Pass is the gateway to Central Asia via Kabul, capital of war torn Afghanistan and was finally traversed by the railway in 1926 at Rs. 700-800 thousand per mile, the Khyber Railways cost the Rai twice that of the magnificent Railway through the Bolan Pass although it was purely a military and never a commercial enterprise. The idea was conceived during the second Afghan war and received fresh impetus seven years later in 1890 when the railway head had reached Peshawar Cantonment. Initially the Kabul river gorge was chosen but eight years later another study proved the Khyber Pass to be a better route. Jamrud, entrance to the Khyber Pass witnessed the Iron Kiss in 1901 and in 1905 the track was pushed up the Kabul river gorge before turning west up the Loi Shalman Valley. Alliance with Russia slowed the work and scheme was abandoned in 1909 before the third Afghan war sparked the incentive once again. The myth of impossibility was shattered by Colonel (later Sir Gorden) G.R. Hearns. Construction began again in 1920 and the section from Jamrud to Landi Kotal was opened on 3rd November 1925. On 23rd April, 1926 the line was finally opened as far as Landi Kotal just 2 miles short of the Durand Line.
The alignment is a classic example and from the engineering point of view the work had no superior in the world. It has a ruling gradient of three percent between Jamrud and Landi Kotal, 3494 feet above sea level, a rise of nearly 2000 feet in twenty-one miles. The track then drops 872 feet in four and a half miles to Landi Khona, the route steeping to a gradient of 1 in 25. Other features include four reversing stations, thirty-four tunnels, ninety-two bridges and culverts, six ordinary crossings and four locomotive watering stations. Being a strategic track, the Khyber Railways was designed for the movement of troops and supplies in emergencies. The line between Landi Kotal and Landi Khona has been closed since 1932 on the insistence of the Afghan Government.
Two steam locomotives, HGS 2-8-0s one in the rear and the other in the front haul the carriages through the Khyber, every burst of steam or whoop of the whistle echoing thehistory and myth of the Khyber. Two of the locomotives numbering 2216 -2306 were built by Kingston & Co. U. K. & Valcon Foundry U.K. in the year 1913.
PROGRAMME
0700 Departure from Peshawar Cantt. Railway Station
0830 Arrival at Jamrud Railway Station
0900 Departures from Jamrud Railway Station
1130 Arrival at landikotal Railway Station
Sight Seeing Tour by Surface Transportation upto Michini Check Post-Torkham border view point and back to landikotal for picnic lunch and refreshments.
1400 Departure from landikotal Railway Station
1700 Arrival at Peshawar Contt. Railway Station
SPECIAL PROMOTIONAL PACKAGES BASED ON KHYBER STEAM SAFARI DEPARTURES
PACKAGE I
AN EXCLUSIVE DAY EXCURSION TRIP TO
KHYBER PASS ON BOARD THE KHYBER STEAM SAFARI
Package includes day excursion trip to Khyber Pass with
Transportation right from your doorstep to Peshawar to
connect with Khyber Steam Safari at Jamrud and return to
Islamabad in the evening.
PACKAGE II (SATURDAY/SUNDAY)
2 DAYS PACKAGE ISLAMABAD - PESHAWAR - ISLAMABAD
Package includes two days excursion trip to Peshawar with
transportation right from your door step, half day shopping
and sightseeing tour of the ancient walled city of Peshawar;
accommodation on double occupancy basis with traditional
dinner; continental breakfast, a full day excursion trip on
board the Khyber Steam Safari with lunch and return journey
back to Islamabad.
PACKAGE III (FRIDAY/SATURDAY/SUNDAY)
3 DAYS EXCURSION TRIP AROUND THE VALLEY OF PESHAWAR
Friday - Islamabad - Peshawar by surface transportation,
afternoon sightseeing and shopping trip of the colourful
bazaar of Peshawar with traditional Afghan Lunch,
overnight stay.
Saturday Excursion trip to the Malakand Pass and
Churchill's Picquet at Chakdara with picnic lunch and
overnight stay at Peshawar.
Sunday - Full day excursion trip to Khyber pass on board the
Khyber Steam Safari and return drive to Islamabad from
Landikotal with stop at Hayatabad Smugglers Bazaar.
The above packages can be offered with hotel of your choice
on double occupancy basis. Rates for individuals and groups
are also available.
Hotels used, Pearl Continental Pesh., shelton House,
Continental Guest House, Khan Klub and Green Hotel.
RATES
Cost per Person: 3.985,- PKR
Package includes Round trip train ride (or back by bus), refreshment enroute, picnic lunch at Landi kotal, Sightseeing tour to Michni View Point near Torkham and all necessary permissions for travelling in the Tribal Area.
Overnight Package including Airport pick-up/drop
Pearl Continental 6.885 Rs/person
Continental Guest house 4.785 Rs/person
Shelton House 4.750 Rs/person
Green Hotel 4.650 Rs/person
Khan klub
HOW TO GET IN PESHAWAR
By Air: See PIA
By road: Transport Package via Tour Operator
TOUR OPERATORS
SEHRAI TRAVEL & TOURS
12 Saddar Rd,Peshawar Cantt
Tel: 091/272084
Fax:091/272085
www.pakcyber.com/sehrai-travels
E-mail: sehrai@psh.brain.net.pk
OTHER POSSIBLE BOOKINGS: See PAK Travel Operators
REMARKS
1. UN authorisation - See Travel Advisory.
2. Diplomatic passport holders need to obtain a Non-Objection Certificate from Foreign Affairs in Islamabad (15 workdays required)
3. Photocopy of passport to be provided to Tour Operator to arrange permissions to Khyber Pass.