shandur polo festival

Shandur polo festival

Key Information:
Tour Duration: 13 day(s)
Group Size: 6 and above
Specialty Categories: Festival Tours Camping
Season: July
Tour Customizable: Yes


The most exciting polo tournament of the entire Northern Pakistan, is
played on top of Shandur Pass, around 3,700 meters above sea level. It
is a place unique and exotic in itself, surrounded by some of the most
spectacular mountain scenery in the world. The event marks the annual
rivalry between the polo teams of Gilgit and Chitral. The Polo
tournament has some added attractions for the visitors; trout fishing
at the nearby streams and lakes and a festival of folk dances and
music of the Northern Pakistan.
Highlight of the festival:
The highlight of the festival is the final match between the Gilgit
and Chitral teams. The final provides a most colorful spectacle.
Supporters of both sides travel long distances from the remote parts
of Chitral and Gilgit, to watch the thrilling game. The event, as
such, 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.

Back ground:
The first time a polo tournament took place at the Shandur Pass, was
in 1936. A British Political Agent, Major Cobb, who was fond of
playing polo under a full moon, had the polo ground near Shandur,
named, "Moony Polo Ground".
English word 'Polo" is a Balti word meaning, "ball". Now a day, there
are six players to a side, but this is by no means a rule in local
polo games. There was no limit to the number of players and no time
limit. Whichever team scored nine goals first, was the winner. The
present game with a team of six players in a side, lasts one hour with
a ten minute break.
Festival Information:
It is advisable to be there one day in advance to enjoy all the
offerings of the festival. An activity at Shandur includes dance and
music performances by different groups, trout fishing, mountaineering,
trekking, hiking and of course, horse riding. Crystal clear lakes,
snow covered mountains, alpine flowers and vast stretches of green
grass, are added attractions.
Facilities
A tourist tent village with restaurant facilities is sprung up during
the tournament. Merchants from Peshawar, Chitral and Gilgit set up
souvenir and folk craft shops. The tournament offers visitors and
opportunity to mix with the locals.
How to reach?
The Shandur Pass lies almost midway between Chitral and Gilgit on a
jeep road, traveling on which, is adventurous, to say the least. The
distance from either side is 170 kms. One can get to Chitral or Gilgit
by Pakistan International's daily F27 Fokker planes form Peshawar and
Islamabad. There are daily two flights from both destinations, subject
to good weather. Visitors planning to go by air must expect adjustment
of minimum 02 days in their itineraries just in case the weather does
not permit flights to operate.
Access to Chitral by road is either from Peshawar or from Islamabad.
Both these routes join up in lower Swat valley near Chakdara, from
where you proceed via Dir over 3200 meters high Lowari Pass and on to
Chitral. It will take about 11 hours for a direct ride, otherwise, a
stopover in Dir is recommended. From Dir, you shift to 4x4 jeeps for
your onward journey to Chitral and on to Shandur. From Chitral side,
travelers can also enjoy overnight stay at Mastuj.


Itinerary:
Day 01: Islamabad.
Morning arrive Islamabad, meet and transfer to hotel. Afternoon city
sightseeing of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Peshawar.
Morning after breakfast drive to Peshawar, afternoon visit the
archeological museum and old city tour where you can find exotic
spices and local delicacies. The Old City bazaar is a fascinating
place to wander around. Make a day trip up the famous Khyber Pass on
Afghanistan's doorstep overnight hotel.
Day 03 ir.
Drive by road to Dir, enroute visit the Takht Bhai monastery and
Churchill picket at the Malakand Fort, meals and overnight at hotel.
Day 04: Chitral.
Morning drive by four-wheel jeeps to Chitral through over the scenic
Lawari passes and continues drive to Chitral. Meals and overnight
hotel.
Day 05: Kalash valley.
Morning Drive to Kalash valleys to explore the centuries old
traditions and unique life style. The Kalash tribes living in the
three isolated valleys of Bomboret, Rambur and Birir in the heart of
Hindukush are famed to be the descendents of army of the Alexander the
Great, who passed this remote region in 326 BC. Visiting the
traditional Kalash houses to. At Evening enjoy the Kalash dance and
music. meals and overnight hotel.
Day 06: Mastuj .
Morning after breakfast drive to Mastuj, passing through the scenic
valleys and villages with commanding view of Trich mir, the highest
peak in Hindukush range over night hotel.
Day 07: Shandur pass:
After breakfast drive to Shandur pass, a very scenic drive through the
scenic villages of laspur, meals and overnight in tents.

Day 08-09: Shandur (polo match).
Join the thousands of Pakistanis who travel to the far north of the
country for the world's highest polo tournament, set at over 11,000
feet above sea level. Its not just the location that makes this event
unique, the tournament also uses a set of rules that are over 800
years old making it very different from 'modern' polo matches. The
festive atmosphere, cut-throat competition, and remote location
certainly make this one of the world's most entertaining polo
tournaments. During the day enjoy the polo match and evening local
music and dancing. meals and overnight in tents.

Day 10: Phander.
Drive to Phander a very scenic and beautiful village with lush green
meadow and crystal clear streams ideal for trout fishing. Overnight in
tents.
Day 11: Gilgit .
Morning drive to Gilgit, passing through the lush green valleys of
punial, sherqila and visit the 7th century Ad Buddha rock carving at
Kargha near Gilgit. overnight hotel.
Day 12: Besham.
Morning after break fast drive to Besham, through the Karakuram high
way along the mighty Indus river and enjoy the magnificent views of
Nanga Parbat, 8125 meters. Overnight hotel.
Day 13: Islamabad.
After break fast drive to Islamabad, passing through the scenic
abbotabad and Mansehra valleys. enroute visit the archeological museum
at Taxila. over night hotel.
Day 14: Depart.
Departure to homeland.


A PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
* Airport taxes & airfares to/from Pakistan
* Personal expenses such as bottled or alcoholic beverages, telephone
calls or personal equipment like sleeping bags etc...
* Insurance of self and baggage.
* Tips and gratuity.
* Expenses caused by factors beyond our control like rail and airplane
delays, roadblocks, vehicle malfunctions, political disturbances,
taxes etc...
* Any item that is not mentioned above.