Shandur Polo Festival Tour 2025-26
This enthralling ten-day Shandur polo festival tour provides a rare opportunity to explore the remote and idyllic villages, experience a unique polo festival in Shandur, and have an authentic travel experience of Northern Pakistan. The other attractions you will explore during the Shandur Polo Festival tour are Chitral Valley, Kalash Valley, Shandur Lake, Phandar Valley, Gilgit Baltistan, Naran, and Karakoram Highway.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
- Experience the Shandur polo festival at the highest polo ground on earth
- Visit Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan
- Spectacular mountain view flight to Chitral
- Explore Chitral, Kalash Valley, Shandur Pass, and Gilgit Baltistan
- Watch the final polo match between rival Chitral and Gilgit on the roof of the world
- Stunning wild and remote scenery of Kalash and the Hindukush mountain
- Drive on Karakoram Highway in the Shadow of Nanga Parbat Peak.
TOUR OVERVIEW
Shandur polo festival is one of the wildest and oldest polo festivals on earth. This historical event has been taking place at the Shandur polo ground since 1936. Shandur polo ground is at Shandur Pass on the border between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan. The polo tournament brings the tribes of Gilgit and Chitral together each year for a three-day festival in the first week of July. Spectators from around the world annually gather at Shandur Polo Ground to witness these rival teams battle for supremacy at the Shandur Polo Festival. The Shandur polo festival tour itinerary will embark from Islamabad to historical Shandur and back to Islamabad via Gilgit.
Trango Adventure has been organizing the Shandur Polo Festival Tour and other adventure holidays in Pakistan for many years. We operate an 8-10 days long Tour to Shandur Festivals. All our holidays in Pakistan are on a full-board basis. You can follow our standard Shandur Polo Festival tour itinerary below, or our travel advisor can customize an itinerary to meet your travel needs and requirements.
Our Shandur Polo Festival Tour starts in Islamabad, the green capital city of Pakistan. Our representative will meet you at Islamabad International Airport and transfer you to the group hotel. The rest of the day is free to recover from your journey. We will meet in the evening over dinner to give you a detailed briefing about the tour.
Night stay in Islamabad and next day drive to the Airport to take an hour-long mountain view flight to Chitral. This spectacular mountain flight provides a breathtaking view of Tirich Mir (7,700m), the Himalayas, and the Hindukush mountains. Arrive in Chitral City, check in at your hotel, and spend your day visiting local shops, communities, and historical places. The next day, travel to Rumbur by road. Rumbur is one of the main towns of Kalash Valley. The people of this valley follow an ancient form of Hinduism and have a unique culture. Meet the local people, get to know their culture, and spend the night in a cosy Guesthouse.
Today, you will drive to Shandur to experience the unique freestyle polo matches between the rival Chitral and the teams of Gilgit Baltistan (northern areas). Rise and shine early to witness a spectacular sunrise view over the Hindukush mountains, have a leisurely breakfast and travel along the river to arrive at Shandur polo ground. It is on the border of Gilgit Baltistan and Chitral at the Shandur Pass on the northwest. At an altitude of over 3,743 meters above sea level, Shandur is the highest polo ground in the world.
The Shandur polo tournament will be in full swing by the time you arrive at the polo ground. Spectators from both sides travel long distances to experience the festival of Shandur. In recent years, the Polo festival Shandur has also attracted tourists and visitors from around the globe. The ancient form of polo played here has no written rules and is played by the local Shepherds, Policemen, Teachers, and Farmers.
Enjoy the incredible moments and experience a horse charging at the magnificent Shandur, followed by a bonfire and a musical night in the camping village. There are no hotels here, so spend the night in well well-organised and hygienically clean camp. Rise early and walk to Shandur Lake to enjoy a beautiful sunrise view, feel the thin fresh air, and return to the polo ground to experience the final day of the polo tournament. It is a tradition that the prime minister or the president of Pakistan is the chief guest and throws the ball to begin the final match. At the end of the title match, the chief guest gives the trophy to the winning team. During the Shandur Polo Festival tour, you will see freestyle polo, dancing, folk music, horse racing, paragliding, and traditional drum beating.
After the festival, you will descend from the Shandur Pass and travel along the Phandur River to arrive in Gilgit. Gilgit is the administrative and Capital city of the Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan. Night stay in Gilgit, and the next day travel on Karakoram Highway in the Shadow of Nanga Parbat and cross Babusar Pass to reach Naran. Naran is popular among domestic tourists. Night stay in Naran and the following day, travel on the Naran road to Mansehra and rejoin Karakoram Highway to arrive in Islamabad for a night stay. The next day you will travel to the Airport to take your flight back home.
We strongly believe that visiting the historical Chitral & Kalash valleys, exploring their ancient Pagan culture, witnessing the Shandur festival, and driving on the Karakoram Highway, will give you a real authentic travel experience to remember. You will love discovering the unique architecture, testing your taste buds with its spicy food, and exploring the dramatic landscapes, which begin in lush green Islamabad and end in Shandur, Known as the roof of the earth.
The diversity of Pakistan is hard to capture on a short tour. The contrast between the South and North is diverse, from the architecture to the culture and cuisine. Expand your stay in Pakistan and venture further into the south to visit the historical Lahore, the city of Sufi shrines Multan and Bahawalpur, or add Hunza Valley, Khunjerab pass, Skardu, and Swat to the itinerary.
We have three fixed departures for solo travellers to join the “Shandur polo festival tour” in the first week of July. Private groups chose dates according to their travel plans.
Read our review on TripAdvisor for this tour.
Brief Tour Itinerary
ARRIVAL DAY IN ISLAMABAD
FLIGHT TO CHITRAL
CHITRAL TO RUMBUR, (30 km) 2 HOURS
RAMBUR TO SHANDUR, ( 180 km) 6 HOURS
SHANDUR FESTIVAL DAY
SHANDUR FESTIVAL DAY
SHANDUR TO GILGIT, (230 km) 6 HOURS
GILGIT TO NARAN, (230 km) 5 HOURS
NARAN TO ISLAMABAD, (280 km) 5 HOURS
DEPARTURE DAY - FLY BACK HOME
Additional information
| Duration | 10 Days |
|---|---|
| Grade | EASY |
Map and itinerary of the Shandur Polo Festival tour.
Introduction
Trango Adventure has been organizing the Shandur polo festival tour and other adventure holidays in Pakistan for many years. All our travel advisors and guides live and travel extensively in Pakistan to gain knowledge and experience to provide you with quality and aspirational holidays. We designed our itinerary based on Over 40 Years of experience and local knowledge, which is the best in terms of safety, acclimatization, and enjoyment.
We intend to keep the day-by-day travel itinerary detailed below, although there might be some flexibility due to local conditions or other factors beyond our control. If this is the case, your tour guide will do everything possible to work out the changes to minimize your inconvenience and discomfort.
Adventure travel requires an open and flexible attitude. You may experience extreme conditions, unpredictable weather, flight cancellations, road blockades, and last-minute changes to the itinerary beyond our control. The flexibility to work in a team is the most crucial aspect of our tours and holidays in Pakistan.
DETAILED ITINERARY
ARRIVAL DAY IN ISLAMABAD
Welcome to Pakistan. Most 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 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
- Hill View Hotel or similar
- MEALS
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
FLIGHT TO CHITRAL, 1 HOUR
Today you will drive to the Islamabad 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 learn about the local history and experience 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 be cancelled, you will travel by road to Chitral. The drive is as spectacular as the flight. You will pass through the Mardan, Malakand, Bathkhela, and Dir Lowari Tunnels.
- ACCOMMODATION
- Ptdc Hotel or similar
- MEALS
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner.
CHITRAL TO RUMBUR, (30 KM), 2 HOURS
Spend your day in Rumbur, exploring the small historical village, getting to know the friendly Kalasha people, and witnessing their day-to-day lives.
Night stay in Rumbur.
- ACCOMMODATION
- Camping/Guest House
- MEALS
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
RUMBUR TO SHANDUR (180 km) 6 HOURS
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. You will see a tourist camping village with a restaurant facility during the event. Merchants from Peshawar, Chitral, and Gilgit sell souvenirs and folk crafts during the festival.
This unique festival allows you to mix with locals and tourists from around the globe. 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.
SHANDUR FESTIVAL DAY
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 that 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, 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.
SHANDUR POLO FESTIVAL DAY
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 visitors.
Night stay in the camp.
- ACCOMMODATION
- Full-service Camping
- MEALS
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
SHANDUR TO GILGIT, (230km) 6 HOURS
Gilgit is the capital city of the Gilgit Baltistan region of Pakistan. It beautifully lies on both 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.
Night stay in Gilgit.
- ACCOMMODATION
- Ptdc Hotel or similar
- MEALS
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
GILGIT TO NARAN, (230 km) 5 HOURS
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 the Babusar pass and enter the lush green Naran and Kaghan valleys. Naran and Kaghan are popular among domestic tourists for blossom tours.
Night stay in Naran.
- ACCOMMODATION
- Ptdc Hotel or similar
- MEALS
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
NARAN TO ISLAMABAD, (280 km) 5 HOURS
- ACCOMMODATION
- Hotel de Papae or similar
- MEALS
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
DEPARTURE DAY - FLY BACK HOME
Shandur Polo Festival Date and Cost
Private Groups – select your dates.
The Shandur Polo Festival Tour Starts and finishes in Islamabad.
Introduction
Shandur polo festival is an all-inclusive holiday package. Shandur Polo Festival tour dates and prices for the itinerary from Islamabad to Islamabad. The above cost and dates are for the fixed departure holidays only. Join our fixed departure with like-minded solo travellers to enjoy the Shandur polo. Single hotel rooms and tent supplements are available at minimum cost. The cost of a single hotel room may vary due to the availability of rooms and other factors.
Private groups chose dates according to their travel plans. Group, couple, and family discounts are available, so contact us before booking. All our holidays are on a full board basis, including domestic flights, hotels, meals, transport, and guides. We included everything in our holiday packages so you can sit back and enjoy your vacation.
Shandur Polo Festival tour cost and dates are for the itinerary based from Islamabad to Islamabad. International flights from most cities arrive at Islamabad airport in the morning. Return flights will depart from Islamabad International Airport on the last day of the itinerary.
Please be aware that there are often only a limited number of seats available at the advertised price for the group departure. We recommend you book as early as possible, especially during peak times. Please note if we are unable to offer a seat at the advertised price, our travel advisers will contact you with an alternative quote. Secure your place with a small deposit and pay the remaining balance when you arrive in the country. After receiving the deposit we will email the required documents so you can apply for the Pakistan tourist visa. The deposit amount is FULLY refundable if you or we cancel the trip due to COVID, political or other health and safety reasons.
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE – NO SURCHARGE GUARANTEE:
The price of our holidays in Pakistan can change depending on many factors. But unlike some other tour operators, Trango Adventures has undertaken to guarantee the cost of your holiday will not change after you have booked. The shown price is the price you pay whether you book for this year or next. Book early to avoid any tour price increases, get the best International flight fares, and take advantage of our ‘No Surcharge Guarantee’. Trango Adventure is a Government Licence and bonded tour operator in Pakistan to follows the strict rules and regulations laid out by the Tourism Department of Pakistan.
Shandur Polo Festival Tour Information 2025
What is included in the cost
- Licensed, professional, and English-speaking culture guide (government requirement)
- All domestic Airport transfers
- All domestic road transfers in private vehicle
- All hotel accommodations (twin-sharing rooms)
- All camping accommodations (twin-sharing tents)
- All hotel meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
- All camping site fees
- Camping logistics (tents, non-personal equipment, and tools)
- Support staff, cooks, assistants, etc.
What is not included in the cost
- International flights
- Travel Insurance
- Visa Fee
- Tips for local guides and support staff
- Miscellaneous expenses
- Bars, room service, and laundry
- Beverage and drinks
- souvenirs etc
- Excess airport luggage charge
MEAL PLAN
We include everything in our tours so you can sit back and enjoy your holiday in Pakistan. Fully inclusive of all meals throughout, from lunch on Day 1 to breakfast on the last day of the Shandur Polo Festival tour.
ACCOMMODATION
During the tour, the group will spend 2-3 nights in Islamabad in an international tourist standard hotel. The group will also have a night in a tourist standard hotel in Chitral, Gilgit, and Naran. Accommodation at each of these hotels is twin-sharing with en-suite facilities. While at the Shandur polo field, there will be three nights of full-service camping in 2-person tents. If you are travelling alone, we will pair you with another single client of the same sex. It is possible to hire a single tent while at Shandur for an additional cost. Please note single tent hire does not include single rooms in hotels. For the hotel nights, single rooms are available at supplementary costs. We can book extra hotel nights in Islamabad if required, so contact us in advance for more information. For hotel prices and single supplement costs, contact our Travel Advisors. Hotel rooms in the capital, Gilgit, and Naran are subject to availability, and prices may vary.
INTERNAL FLIGHTS:
CHITRAL FLIGHT
Chitral is a weather-dependent airport in a narrow valley surrounded by the giants of the Hindukush mountains. Since the valley is narrow and covered by mountains, planes can only fly and land here in good visibility. Due to this reason, a flight is not always guaranteed. Planes fly to Chitral very often, but cancellations can also occur. You will travel to Chitral by road should the flight be cancelled due to bad weather, you travel by road. If we do not travel by road, we risk being stranded in Islamabad and missing the event.
HEALTH & VACCINATIONS
Contact your doctor or travel clinic to check whether you require vaccinations or other preventive measures to visit Pakistan. You must be up to date with routine courses and boosters as recommended in the United States & United Kingdom. Diphtheria-tetanus-polio and measles-mumps-rubella), along with hepatitis A and typhoid. Malarial prophylaxis is discretionary for this trip. Malaria exists in the area around Rawalpindi. However, incidences of urban transmission of malaria are extremely low. In the mountains, there is no malaria risk. On holidays to more remote areas in Pakistan, you should also have a dentist check-up.
Dengue fever is a known risk in the Rawalpindi area. It is a tropical viral disease spread by daytime-biting mosquitoes. Currently, no vaccine or prophylaxis is available, so the best form of prevention is to avoid being bitten. We recommend you take precautions that can help to reduce the risk of mosquito bites.
INSURANCE
We highly recommend that you have adequate travel insurance for your trip with Trango Adventure. We recognize the complexity and variety of choices in the insurance market. Many of you have your preferred insurer or have annual multi-trip cover already. If this is the case, please ensure that your insurer is aware of your Trango Adventure itinerary and can agree to cover the activities taken during the Shadur Polo Festival tour in Pakistan.
Trango Adventure does not provide any advice on the type of travel insurance policies. We recommend you have a suitable policy that covers all the activities.
Suggested insurance companies include
Expeditions or Treks
- HCC Medical Insurance Services LLC Tel: +1-800 605 2282
- Travelex Insurance Services Tel: +1-800 228 9792
- Austrian Alpine Club (UK) Tel: +44 (0) 1929 556870
- Snowcard Tel: +44 (0) 1295 660836
- The B.M.C. Tel: +44 (0) 161 445 6111 (please note the BMC cannot cover Mt Damavand)
- Dogtag Tel: 0800 036 4824 (UK residents only)
- World Nomads (up to 6000m)
- Insure for Less (Australian nationals only).
Treks and Tours only:
- Campbell Irvine Tel: 0044 (0) 207 938 1737
- Rothwell & Towler Tel: 0044 (0 )845 908 0161
- J S Insurance Tel: +44 (0) 844 848 1500.
TOUR GUIDE AND SUPPORT STAFF
An English-speaking culture Guide will lead the Shandur polo festival tour. During the trip, the group will have a support crew, assistant Guide, and private vehicle with a private driver.
ALTITUDE
This tour involves going to very high altitudes in the Hindukush mountain range. You will spend at least one night above 3,000 meters during this holiday. It is not something you should be worried about, as our bodies can adapt to the new range of altitude. However, we must follow some simple rules to acclimatize successfully. Before coming on this holiday, you should read the advice on holidays at high altitudes. Unless you have previous experience touring or trekking above 3,000m, you should consult one of our travel advisers before embarking on this holiday.
CLIMATE
From mid-June to August, expect to encounter temperatures as high as 35°C at Gilgit and 25°C at Kalash and Naran. Above 3,500m, snow can fall at any time of the year. The temperature above 3,500 meters is likely to drop to freezing or below in all seasons during the evening. At our Shandur camps, the temperature may drop to 5 or 10°C. Weather in the Gilgit Baltistan Region is generally good throughout the summer, with clear skies and little rain or snow. However, weather in mountainous areas is difficult to predict, and short-lived storms can occur at any time of the year.
BOOKS
- Trekking in Pakistan. Isobel Shaw.
- Karakoram Highway. King.
- In the Throne Room of the Mountain Gods. Galen Rowell.
- K2 Triumph and Tragedy. Jim Curran.
PASSPORT & VISA
A passport with six months remaining validity at the end of your stay is generally required to visit Pakistan. The information that we provide is for United Kingdom passport holders. Please check the relevant embassies or consulates for other nationalities in your home country. You are responsible for the correct travel documents and visas for your holiday. Visa requirements and charges are subject to change without notice.
PAKISTAN VISA
All nationalities require a visa for Pakistan. The visa fee is approximately USD 80, and you must apply for it before departure. You need a letter of invitation from an approved travel agency in Pakistan to receive the visa. Trango Adventure is a licensed travel agency and tour operator in Pakistan. We will provide the invitation letter along with other required documents. Visa applications can be made ONLINE or in person at the Pakistan consulate/Embassy in your home country. For online visa applications, please visit the official dedicated website of the Government of Pakistan.
REFUND POLICY
Secure your place with a small deposit and pay the remaining balance when you arrive in the country. Once we receive the deposit, we will email all the required documents so you can apply for the Pakistan tourist visa. The deposit amount is FULLY refundable if you or we cancel the trip due to COVID, political, security or other health and safety reasons.
EQUIPMENT LIST
We will send you a detailed list of items close to your Holiday departure. As a general rule, please try to keep the weight of your luggage to a minimum. Any additional items not needed during the tour can be left in our Rawalpindi office or at your hotel.
If you would like to know more about the “Shandur Polo Festival tour” then contact our travel advisers at [email protected]
Tour Reviews
Great experience. Good selection of routes. Professional people. Really enjoyed the Shandur Polo Festival. Coming back again next year.
Shandur Polo festival is a unique festival in the worlds. look forward to well come you next year.
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