Shandur Polo Festival Tour
The Shandur Polo Festival Tour is a private 8-day journey to the world's highest polo ground, where teams from Gilgit and Chitral meet every July for three days of fast, free-style polo, music and dance.
- Duration8 Days
- StyleModerate
- DestinationsGilgit, Phander, Shandur
- Best SeasonJuly (festival dates)
- StayHotels & camping
Polo on the Roof of the World
At around 3,700 metres, the Shandur Pass is home to the highest polo ground in the world. Every summer, teams from Gilgit and Chitral meet here for the Shandur Polo Festival, a three-day contest of free-style mountain polo with almost no rules.
On the Shandur Polo Festival Tour you drive through the Ghizer Valley and Phander, camp near Shandur Lake, and watch the matches with thousands of excited fans, folk music and traditional dances around the ground.
Trip Highlights
- Free-style polo on the highest polo ground in the world
- The final match between Gilgit and Chitral
- Camping beside Shandur Lake
- Folk music and traditional dances
- The turquoise lakes of Phander and Ghizer
- The Karakoram Highway and Gilgit
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Islamabad
Our team meets you at the airport and takes you to your hotel.
Overnight: HotelDay 2Fly to Gilgit
Fly to Gilgit (or drive the Karakoram Highway if flights are cancelled). Explore Gilgit bazaar in the afternoon.
Overnight: HotelDay 3Drive to Phander
Drive west through the Ghizer Valley, past Gupis, to the turquoise lake of Phander.
Overnight: HotelDay 4Drive to Shandur
Continue up to the Shandur Pass and settle into your camp near Shandur Lake.
Overnight: CampDay 5Shandur Polo Festival
A full day of polo matches, music and dance at the festival ground.
Overnight: CampDay 6Final match day
Watch the final match between Gilgit and Chitral, the highlight of the festival.
Overnight: CampDay 7Drive to Gilgit
Drive back down the Ghizer Valley to Gilgit.
Overnight: HotelDay 8Fly to Islamabad, depart
Fly to Islamabad and transfer to the airport.
Overnight: —Festival dates are set each year by the organisers. We confirm the schedule with you before you book, and your guide will always put safety first.
What's Included
Included
- Private airport pick-up and drop-off
- Hotels in Islamabad and Gilgit and a full-service camp at Shandur
- Domestic flights Islamabad–Gilgit–Islamabad, or road transport if flights are cancelled
- Private 4x4 vehicle with an experienced driver
- English-speaking local guide
- All meals in camp, breakfast and dinner in hotels
- Letter of invitation (LOI) for your Pakistan visa
Not Included
- International flights to Pakistan
- Pakistan visa fee
- Travel insurance
- VIP enclosure tickets, if offered
- Lunches and drinks in towns
- Tips and personal expenses
Why Choose the Shandur Polo Festival Tour?
The Shandur Polo Festival Tour takes you to one of the most exciting events in Asia. You will not find polo like this anywhere else, played at high altitude in a ring of mountains, with the whole valley cheering.
See more of the area on our Shandur Pass Jeep Safari, or explore Chitral on the Kalash Summer Festival Tour.
Before you travel, read our Pakistan visa guide, or browse all our festival tours in Pakistan.
Plan the rest of your trip
Good to Know
Private & Flexible
Every festival tour is private, with your own guide and 4x4. You can add days in Gilgit, Hunza or Chitral.
High Altitude
Shandur is around 3,700 metres high. Nights in camp are cold even in July, so bring warm layers and a good jacket.
Festival Crowds
The festival draws large crowds. Your guide finds you a good place to watch and keeps the group together.
When to Go
The festival is usually held in early July. Read our guide to the best time to visit Pakistan.
Reserve Your Place on the Tour
Message us with your dates, and our team will plan your Shandur Polo Festival trip and send you a quote.
