Dear Travelers, here is some information regarding Shandur Polo festival which is usually held during july. If you need more information, please feel free to contact me

Regards
TrekkingBoots

Held once a year during the months of July it is one of the most outstanding festivals that are held on Pakistan's North - The Shandur Polo Festival.The polo ground placed in Shandur (Chitral) is the highest polo ground in the world and visitors spend a whole week watching exciting polo matches with traditional music.A whole new world is built at Shandur before the event. Visitors take the advantage of having a breath-taking view of Shandur with its beautiful lush green mountains and not to forget its pure water lake.The festival provides visitors with the thrilling excitement of polo in its true form. Its true form means no rules and regulations, plus the traditional music played throughout each match. Alongwith polo, you will find hundreds of local and foreign tourists. The archrival teams of Gilgit and Chitral fight for the trophy. As hundreds of spectators watch the two teams take on each other.
HOW TO GET THERE : We can take you to Shandur via anyone of the follwoing two routes to Chitral :
1) Islamabad - Gilgit - Chitral
2) Islamabad - Peshawar - Chitral
WHAT SORT OF TRANSPORT WILL THERE BE?: A 4X4 vehical is your most likely transport to Shanudr. 4X4 vehicals are always recommended in this area.
WHERE TO STAY : As no hotels are available, tents provide the best means of shelter
HOW LONG TO STAY : As long as the festival lasts or else as long as you wish


Itinerary

Day 01 Arrival/Islamabad Arrival & transfer. PM city tour of Rawalpindi & Islamabad.
Day 02 Islamabad/Chilas Depart for Chilas, driving on Karakoram High along River Indus.
Day 03 Chilas/Hunza Drive to Gilgit and later proceed to Hunza. Superb views of Nanga Parbat & Rakaposhi en route. Visit Baltit & Altit Forts at Karimabad.
Day 04 Hunza/Khunjerab Pass/Hunza Excursion to Khunjerab Pass, the highest point on Karakoram Highway.
Day 05 Hunza/Golapur Early departure for Gilgit and later proceed to Golapur. Overnight in camps.
Day 06 Golapur/Phander Depart for Phander, a beautiful lake abound with delicious Trout. Overnight in camps.
Day 07/08/09 Phander/Shandur Pass Departure for Shandur Pass(3734 M), a plateau at the boundry of Gilgit and Chitral. Shandur is known for its annual Polo Tournament. We shall stay for next three days to enjoy the Polo Tournament. Overnight in camps.
Day 10 Shandur/Chitral Leave the camp-site and descend into Chitral Valley.
Day 11 Chitral/Bamburet(Kalash)AM brief visit of the Chitral. PM drive to Bamburet. Overnight in camps.
Day 12 BamburetDay free at Bamburet, optional trips to Rambur or Birir Valley. Overnight in camps
Day 13 Bamburet/Swat Depart for Swat Valley crossing Lowari Pass, en route.
Day 14 Swat Full day excursion to Kalam in Upper Swat Valley.
Day 15 Swat/Islamabad Drive to Rawalpindi/Islamabad, crossing Malakand Pass and visiting Takht-e-Bahi site, en route.
Day 16 Departure/Islamabad Transfer for onward journey. Assistance at departure.

http://pamirtours.com/picturesgallery/shandur%20polo%20festival%20dancers.jpg

8 Days Trip - Islamabad to Shandur Polo Match

shandur polo festivalThe 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.


ITINERARY:
Tour Duration: 8day(s)
Group Size: 10 and above
Specialty Categories: Festival Tours Camping
Season: July

5 July 2008: Arrival of group, Transfer to Centrally air condition hotel.

6 July 2008: Departure from Islamabad by HILUX at 0500 hours.
Lunch at Al-Manzar Hotel Dir at 1200 hours.
Departure to Chitral, arrival at Chitral by 1700 hours, overnight at
PTDC or Tarichmir View Hotel Chitral.


7 July 2008:
After breakfast drive to Shandur pass, a very scenic drive through the scenic villages of laspur, Pack lunch on way to be consumed at Mastuj or any where you like. Arrival at Shandur 1600 hours. Transfer to tented accommodation,
specially established for the group.


8 July 2008: 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. It’s 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.


9 July, 2008: Final match will be played between the top teams of Chitral and Gilgit. VVIPs graced the occasion for prize distribution to winning and runner –up teams. Departure back to Chitral at 1400 hours and arrival at Chitral 2200 hours. Transferred to hotel for overnight stay.

10 July, 2008: Full day Kalash valley excursion 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. Overnight stay at PTDC or Gluxey Hotel Bumburet
Kalash.

11 July 2008 Departure to Islamabad at 0500 hours and lunch at Dir
Hotel. Arrival at Islamabad by 2000 hours and transfer to hotel.

12 July 2008 0800 hours End of Services.


Cost of the package

Cost Per Pax : Rs. 29500.00 For Group of 10 Pax
Cost per person per day : Rs,4,000.00 For Per Extra Day



Package cost includes:

Transportation from Islamabad to Shandur/Kalash and back to Islamabad.
Meals 3 times on way to Shandur and back to Islamabad including
camping meals at Shandur.
No meals on arrival and departure at Rawalpindi.
Hotel Charges at Chitral on arrival from Islamabad and return from
Shandur Camp and at Kalash .One night stay in centrally air
conditioned hotel in Rawalpindi for the group on arrival and one night
stay after arrival from Chitral.
Guide services throughout the trips from Islamabad to Islamabad.
Tented accommodation, mattress, blankets, sleeping bags, lighting,
heating etc. at Shandur.

Cost Not Included in the Package & Limitation:
The package will not cover other contingency cost and health issues
Hotel and tent accommodation is on double occupancy basis
Personal items, like warm cloths, sun protection glasses and cream,
lotion, medicines are not covered under this package.

The operator will not take any responsibility for any natural and
environmental condition, which affects the plan itinerary.

All additional cost will be bear by the group members in collective
or individual capacity.

The team members have to ensure from the Doctor at Home station that
there will be no health complication to go on 12500 feet high polo
ground.

Basic health facilities will be available at Shandur on demand.

Very basic facilities will be available at Shandur, however, the
team members have to ensure some high value energy food at Shandur.

Be adequately equipped with clothes for harsh change of temperatures
that can happen anytime.


If agreed on above terms & conditions please send 40% advance in form of bank draft in the name of Alpine Trekkers and Tours Pvt Ltd
by registered post .The balance amount will be paid on Arrival at Islamabad.

Office : # 466, Street # 74, G - 8 /1 Islamabad, Pakistan.
Tel: 0300 8502223, 051 5896894, 5788223.



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