Shandur Polo Festival

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Overview

  • Duration:13 days 12 nights
  • Tour Type:Daily tour
Shandur Polo Festival is a unique event that takes place annually in the Shandur Pass, located in the Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. The festival is a celebration of the traditional sport of polo, which has been played in the region for centuries.
The festival is held at an altitude of over 12,000 feet above sea level and is a major attraction for tourists from all over the world. The event is usually held in July and is a week-long celebration of polo and the culture of the region.
Shandur Polo festival begins with a traditional polo match between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit, which is followed by other polo matches between teams from different regions. The polo matches are played on a large, open ground, and are watched by thousands of spectators.
Apart from polo, the festival also features traditional music, dance, and food. Local artists and musicians perform traditional songs and dances, and visitors can also enjoy the delicious local cuisine.
Shandur Polo festival provides an excellent opportunity for visitors to experience the unique culture and traditions of the region. Visitors can also enjoy the scenic beauty of the Shandur Pass and its surrounding areas, which offer stunning views of the mountains and valleys.
If you’re planning to attend the Shandur Polo Festival, it’s important to make sure you’re prepared for the high altitude and unpredictable weather conditions. It’s also a good idea to book your accommodations and transportation well in advance, as the festival is a popular event and tends to attract large crowds.
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Highlights

  • Experience the summer polo festival of Chitral and Gilgit tribes
  • Participate and dance to the tunes of local cultural music
  • View of peaks including Tirich Mir (7,708m) & Nanga Parbat (8,126m) in the Himalaya range
  • Rivers (Kunar, Chitral, Gilgit, Indus), tributaries and streams
  • Malakand pass, Shandur Pass (4,173m), & Babusar Pass (3,700m)
  • Valleys of Pakistan including Dir, Chitral, Yasin, Punial, Naran and Kaghan
  • Lakes including Shandur, Phandar, Khalti and Lulusar

Itinerary

Day-01: Islamabad and Rawalpindi

Welcome at Islamabad airport and transfer to hotel. Afternoon proceed for city tour of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which includes famous Faisal Mosque, Shakar Parian, Pakistan monument, Damen Koh, Lok Versa, Museum, Rawalpindi old bazaar, Raja Bazaar.
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day-02: Drive from Islamabad to Swat

Drive to Swat 4-5 hours, en route visit Taxila; which includes Jaulian, Mohra, Moradu and Sirkap and Museum. Arrive Swat transfer to hotel. Afternoon sightseeing in Swat valley.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day-03: Drive from Swat to Chitral

Drive to Chitral 254 km. Afternoon visit Shahi Mosque, Chitral Museum, Chitral Fort and Chitral town.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day-04: Excursion to Kalash Valleys

Drive to Bomburate (Kalash valley) 60 km, visit Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir valleys.evening drive back to Chitral .

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day-05: Drive from Chitral to Shandur Pass

Drive to Shandur Pass 3,700 meters, 157 km, 6-7 hours. overnight in tents.

Shandur Top (el. 12,200 feet (3,700 m) Shandur is called the ‘Roof of the World’. The top is flat, a plateau and can be crossed between late April and early November. The grade is very gradual, and the area is crossed by plentiful small streams during summer. The boundary line between Ghizer District and Chitral District is also situated in Shandur Top in Punji-Lasht as per the international boundary law division by watershed initially demarcated by Lt. Col AG Durand (also known as Durand boundary line).

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day-06: Polo Matches at Shandur Pass

We enjoy Polo matches at Shandur Pass and will the colorful spectacle of the fiercely contested polo matches being played at a frenetic pace in the festival atmosphere. This title match will be the main attraction of the festivals as audience will be supporting their teams with full zeal and enthusiasm.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day-07: Drive from Shandur Pass to Phander & Gahkuch

Drive to Phander 50 KM, after lunch continue drive to Gahkuch 104 KM.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day-08: Drive from Gahkuch to Karimabad

Drive to Karimabad 176 km, en-route stop at several places for photography, and refreshment.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day-09: Visit Baltit- Altit Forts and Duiker valley

This morning we visit the famous Baltit Fort, recently restored by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture to a fantastic standard. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Afternoon visit Altit fort and Duiker valley.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day-10: Drive from Duiker to Passu- Gulmit

Drive to Passu 1-hour en-route visit Attaabad Lake, arrive and transfer to hotel, after refreshment visit Borith Lake, Gulkin village, Gulmit village, Passu Glacier, Passu village, Hussani village and Hussani suspension bridge.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day-11: Excursion to Khunjerab Pass

Full day excursion to Khunjerab Pass 4,733 m, en route cross several small villages, evening drive back to Karimabad

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day-12: Drive from Karimabad to Naran

Drive to Naran 355 km, via Babusar Pass 4173 m), en route stop at junction point of three great mountain ranges meet, the Karakorum, Himalay and Hindukush.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day-13: Drive from Naran to Islamabad

Drive to Islamabad 279 km, en-route visit Taxila museum and historical sites.

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day-14: Fly back Home

Transfer to Islamabad airport for return flight.

Includes/Excludes

  • Entrance to National Sea Life Centre Birmingham
  • Food and drinks

Cancellation policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Extra Services

Childcare services

Childcare services

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$65.00/person

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