Shandur Polo Festival Tour
About this tour
Shandur polo festival is an amazing festival celebrated by the tribes of Gilgit and Chitral in the northern areas of Pakistan. The tribes from the regions of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral meet at the Shandur pass every summer. The pass has a beautiful polo ground where a unique wild free-style polo is played between different teams of the region. Shandur polo ground is considered to be the highest polo ground in the world at 3,700meter. The polo ground is adjacent to Shandur lake. The festival provides an amazing cultural experience in the Hindukush mountain ranges.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan to Islamabad, Pakistan
Welcome to Pakistan. Most of the international flights arrive at Islamabad International Airport in the mornings. Your culture guide will meet you at the international arrival hall and transfer you to your group hotel in Islamabad. The rest of the day is free to recover from your journey. Later in the afternoon, when everyone has arrived, we will have a detailed group briefing about the tour. If you feel that you are fresh and do not need a rest, you might want to do a self-guided city tour. Your guide will give you the details about places and landscapes you can visit. Islamabad was built-in 1961 as the new capital city of Pakistan. ACCOMMODATION Hotel day MEALS Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 2: Islamabad, Pakistan to Chitrāl, Pakistan
Today you will drive to the airport to take a spectacular mountain flight to Chitral (subject to weather). Flight to Chitral provides a breathtaking view of Karakoram, Hindukush, and the Himalayan mountain range. Arrive in the sleepy town of Chitral, check in to the hotel, and spend the rest of the day visiting local shops, communities, and some historical places. Explore the local Bazar, historical places and visit the Chitral Gol national park. Chitral is 1500 meters above sea level and lies along the Chitral river. It is the capital of the Chitral district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Should the flight canceled, you will travel by road to Chitral. The drive is as spectacular as the flight. You will pass through Mardan, Malakand, Bathkhela, Dir Lowari Tunnel. ACCOMMODATION Hotel day MEALS Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
Day 3: Chitrāl, Pakistan to Rumbur, Chitrāl, Pakistan
Wake up to a spectacular sunrise view over the majestic Hindukush mountain. Have a leisurely breakfast and travel to Rumbur. Rumbur is one of the Kalash valleys in the Chitral district. It is home to the Kalasha people who have been living in these valleys for many centuries, follow an ancient Hinduism religion, have a unique culture, tradition, and speak a different language. Spend your day in Rumbur, exploring the small historical village, get to know the friendly Kalasha people, and witness their day-to-day life. Night stay in Rumbur. ACCOMMODATION Camping/Guest House MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4: Rumbur, Chitrāl, Pakistan to Shandur Pass, Pakistan
Today, you drive to Shandur to witness the unique festival and the polo tournament at the world’s highest polo ground. Pass Chitral town and follow the Chitral Mastuj road along the Chitral river to the junction of Ludkho river, then follow Mastuj river to arrive in Mastuj. Mastuj is a small town at an altitude of 2359 meters above sea level. On route stop at Mastuj for lunch, then afternoon drive on the windy road with spectacular views of Tirich Mir, Boni Zong, Yarkun valley, and Shandur pass to arrive at the Shandur ground. It is the highest ground in the world. Therefore it is known as the roof of the world. This unique polo field is on the border between Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral. We will arrive at the Polo ground early in the afternoon, so we will have an opportunity to watch the last match of the day. A tourist camping village with restaurant facilities is set it up during the event. Merchants from Peshawar, Chitral, and Gilgit set up souvenir and folk craft shops during the event. This unique event allows you to mix with the locals and tourists from around the world. Tonight you will experience one of the most amazing bonfires of your life and enjoy the folk music in the camping village. Tonight you will sleep in a tent under the stars. Night stay at in the camp. ACCOMMODATION Full-service Camping MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 5: Shandur Pass, Pakistan to Shandur Pologround/Junali, Shandur
Wake up early to witness a magical sunrise view over the Hindukush mountains. Have a leisurely breakfast in the camp, and get ready for a busy day at the polo ground Shandur, also known as the roof of the world. Polo Festival Shandur will be at its height. You will notice, many spectators from every corner of the globe have gathered here to enjoy the traditional polo tournament with the local people. You will have a penalty of time and opportunities to merge into the festive vibe and get to know the local people and get on the floor to participate in the local traditional dance. Every year thousands of foreign visitors and locals gather at this world’s highest polo field to enjoy the freestyle polo tournament played between different teams of Gilgit Baltistan and Chital. Night stay in the camp. ACCOMMODATION Full-service Camping MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 6: Shandur Pass, Pakistan to Shandur Pologround/Junali, Shandur
Today is the last day of the tournament at the polo ground, so expect a lot of folk music, traditional dancing, horse racing, paragliding, and VIP arrivals. It is the tradition that the chief guest has always been the president or the prime minister of Pakistan. The chief guest throws the ball to begin the final match and hands out the trophy to the winning team. The highlight of the tournament is the final match between the rivalry Gilgit and Chitral polo teams. The final match provides a most colorful spectacle. Fans of Gilgit and Chitral teams travel from the remote areas to support their teams and watch. The traditional polo duration varies anywhere between half an hour to one hour. The polo tournament offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the people of this region. Their culture and indigenous customs are a delight to behold for the visitors. Night stay in the camp. ACCOMMODATION Full-service Camping MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 7: Shandur - Gilgit Road, Gilgit to Gilgit
The Shandur festival is finish now. Today you will travel to Gilgit after enjoying and witnessing this amazing event. Leave the camp behind with lifelong memories and follow the Gilgit road along the magnificent Gilgit river. On route stop at a small village in the Phandar Valley for a lunch break. Phandar Valley is in the Ghizer district of Gilgit Baltistan. Ghizer District is famous for trout fishing. Enjoy the view of the crystal clear Gilgit river water and the small village to arrive in Gilgit. Gilgit is the capital city of the Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan. It beautifully lies on booths sides of the Gilgit river, surrounded by giant mountains. Gilgit is the kind of the American Wild West of Asia. It is the getaway to China, K2 Base camp Trek, Spantik peak, Biafo Hispar, Hunza, and many other mountain valleys. Nigh stay in Gilgit. ACCOMMODATION Hotel MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 8: Gilgit to Naran, Pakistan
Wake up early to explore the markets and parks of Gilgit city. Being the biggest city of the Gilgit Baltistan region and the nearest city along the Karakoram highway on the Pak China border makes it the hub of Chinese products. It is a perfect place to buy a souvenir and Chinese products on the bargain. Have your lunch in Gilgit, then travel on the smooth Karakoram Highway along the Indus river towards Naran. You will stop at the junction of the world’s mightiest mountain ranges, the Himalayas, Karakoram, and the Hindukush, to enjoy the breathtaking view. These mountain ranges meet at the confluence of the Indus river. After a quick stop at the viewpoint, continue your journey on the Karakoram Highway under the shadow of Nanga Parbat. Leave the Karakoram highway at the junction of Thak Gah river and turn left to follow the Babussar pass road. Cross Babusar pass and enter the lush green Naran and Kaghan valley. Naran and Kaghan are popular among domestic tourists for blossom tours. Night stay in Naran. ACCOMMODATION Hotel MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 9: Naran, Pakistan to Islamabad, Pakistan
After breakfast continue our journey towards the capital.. Travel along the Naran river on Naran Kaghan road with spectacular views of the lush green valleys, small villages, and towns to reach Mansehra city. In Mansehra, rejoin the Karakoram Highway and follow the road to arrive back in Islamabad. You will notice that you are not used to the traffic and the hustle and bustle of city life after back from the mountains. Tonight is your last evening in Pakistan, so make sure to have local and traditional Pakistani cuisine for dinner to make your Shandur polo festival tour more memorable. ACCOMMODATION Hotel MEALS Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 10: Islamabad, Pakistan to Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan
Depending on your flight departure time, we transfer you to the Airport for your flight back home. End of “Shandur Polo festival tour”
What's included
Implementation of Covid SOPs/Guidelines & Complimentary Safety Pack (sanitizer, 1 mask & glove per day) Licensed professional guide (government requirement) Airport transfer on first and last day in Islamabad All domestic road transfers All hotel accommodation (twin sharing rooms) All trekking accommodation (twin sharing dome tents) All hotel meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) All trekking meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) All camping site fees Trekking logistics (tents, non-personal equipment, and tools) Support staff (cook, assistant(s), etc) Porters for trekking equipment, kitchen (supplies, tools, equipment, crockery, gas), and personal luggage (12.5kg)
What to know
This tour can be customized. Please get in touch with me.
Route & locations
Islamabad International Airport, Islamabad, Pakistan to Islamabad, Pakistan