Shandur Polo Festival

Polo the Game of Kings, and the king of all games are traditionally played in the Northern areas of Pakistan and Chitral for over the centuries, it has been played between the small kingdoms, villages and rival groups for the deciding of the disputes among them, and the losing team has to be lost of the land, territory, or pay the heavy fine and some times death punishment. the free style polo game have been practicing for the centuries between the traditional rival teams of Gilgit and Chitral each summer month of July on the Shandur pass (3734 meters) the highest polo field in the world. a three days polo tournament organized by the Gilgit and Chitral polo clubs and local administration. during the polo tournament you sleep on the comfortable two person tents with facilities of a mess and toilet tents. your cook will prepare the hearty and delicious meals for you every day. We start this trip from Islamabad the modern capital of Pakistan, drive through the scenic swat and Dir valleys, enjoying the thrilling experience of four wheel drive through the winding zigzags of the scenic Lawari pass 3118 meters to the lush green valley of Chitral. 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 observe the tradition and their unique life style, evening enjoy the Kalash woman dance with the traditional music. Drive by jeeps to Shandur pass by four wheel jeeps through the scenic villages and valleys under the shadow of Trich mir peak and other high snow covered peak in the Hindukush.

ITINERARIES Days Programs Day 1 Islamabad:Morning arrive Islamabad, meet and transfer to hotel. afternoon city sightseeing of Rawalpindi and Islamabad. overnight hotel Day 2 Peshawar:Morning after breakfast drive to Peshawar, afternoon visit the archeological museum and old city tour. overnight hotel. Day 3 Dir:Drive by road to Dir, enroute visit the Takht Bhai monastery and Churchill picket at the Malakand Fort, meals and overnight at hotel. Day 4 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 5 Kalash valley:Morning drive to Kalash valleys, afternoon excursion to Rambur and visit the local houses to observe the life style of Kalash tribe. Evening enjoy the Kalash dance and music. meals and overnight hotel. Day 6 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 7 Shandur pass:After breakfast drive to Shandur pass, a very scenic drive through the scenic villages of laspur, meals and overnight in tents. Day 8 – 9 Shandur (polo match):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 abbot bad and Mansehra valleys. enroute visit the archeological museum at Taxila. over night hotel. Day 14 Flight to destination                                                   More information visit http://www.gondogoro.com