Shandur Polo Festival
Freestyle mountain polo between Chitral and Gilgit on the Shandur Pass, the highest polo ground in the world.
Polo on the roof of the world
Every summer the teams of Chitral and Gilgit meet on the Shandur Pass to play polo the old way — few rules, small sturdy horses and a crowd of thousands camped around the ground. Between matches there is folk music, dancing and a lake beside the pass.
We camp at Shandur in a fully serviced camp for the festival, arriving from the Chitral side and leaving down the Ghizer valley to Gilgit. Festival dates are fixed each year by the organisers; we confirm them as soon as they are announced.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
Islamabad
Arrival and rest.
- Day 2
Chitral
Fly to Chitral, weather permitting.
- Day 3
The Kalash valleys
A day in Bumburet or Rumbur.
- Day 4
To Shandur
Up the Chitral valley via Mastuj to our camp on the pass.
- Days 5 – 6
The festival
Two days of polo, music and the final match.
- Day 7
Gilgit
Down the Ghizer valley via Phander to Gilgit.
- Days 8 – 9
To Islamabad
Over the Babusar Pass and the Kaghan valley to Islamabad.
- Day 10
Departure
Transfer to the airport.
Let’s build your package together
Tell us about your event or holiday and we will design a program that fits your needs, interests and budget.