The Shandur polo ground is in
District Chitral. The valley of Gilgit District borders it on the West by
Yarkhoon valley and on the Northern. The polo ground is about 153 km away
from the main Town Chitral and accessible by jeep. The road is closed
during winter due to heavy snow.
The world famous Shandur Pass is
about 3740m above sea level and lies midway between Chitral and Gilgit.
The distance from Chitral is 153 km and Gilgit is about 211 km. These
areas remain snow covered in winter and turn into a green heaven during
the summer season. There is a big lake in the area.
Shandur is the highest and the
largest polo ground in the world; there game of polo is played between
teams from Chitral and Gilgit each year, 7-9th of July. The
game originated in the dim and distant past in the high mountains of the
Hindukush and Karakorum ranges. Amongst the horse loving-people of Chitral
and Gilgit, here it is still played in its original form, a game that is
tough, rough and hard both for man and horse, just as the surrounding
mountains themselves. A game is without rules, a game with only a few
pre-agreed conventions of play. Polo in Khowar Language is called
“Istoorghar” and has been the traditional game of Chitral.
The Motto is: We play polo as
“the game of Kings and King of the games”. The game is commonly played to
the music band comprising a big drum.
Itinerary
|
Date |
Days |
Activities |
Overnights
|
|
July 1 |
1 |
Arrival in Islamabad.
Afternoon City Tour. |
Hotel |
|
July 2 |
2 |
Fly for Chitral. Afternoon
wildlife Photography. |
Hotel |
|
July 3 |
3 |
Drive to Rumbur, Kalash
valley. 2 hours drive. |
Camp |
|
July 4 |
4 |
Trek to Chimisan Ghari 2830m,
along the pine and cedar trees. 6-7 hours. |
Camp |
|
July 5 |
5 |
Trek to Doni Ghari (3250m),
over the pass. 4-5 hours trek. |
Camp |
|
July 6 |
6 |
Trek over the pass and
descend down to Gokhshal (2750m) (Chitral Gol
National Park).3-4 hours trek.
|
Camp |
|
July 7 |
7 |
Trek descends down to Chitral Town along thestream of Chitral Gol.
4-5 hours.
|
Hotel |
|
July 8 |
8 |
Drive to Shandur, along the
river of Mastuj. 5-6 hours drive. |
Camp |
|
July 9 |
9 |
Well experience and enjoy of
polo festival and local and traditional dance and music on the
occasion of the festival. |
Camp |
|
July 10 |
10 |
Drive back to Chitral. |
Hotel |
|
July 11 |
11 |
Fly to Islamabad.
|
Hotel |
|
July 12 |
12 |
Transfer to Airport for
onward destination. |
|
Service included:
-
Assistance
upon on Arrival and Departure.
-
All meal
during Hotel stay, Treks and Camping.
-
Road
transfer between Airport-hotel and within city as per itinerary.
-
Dome tents
for sleeping (1 tent for 2 people) at Camp. Mess tent with table and
stools, kitchen tent and toilet tent.
-
Camping site
fees and bridge crossing.
-
Kitchen
equipment, crockery, cutlery, fuel and all related gear.
-
Wages of
Guide, Cook and Assistant Cook.
-
Porterage at
Airport, Treks, hotels, tool taxes and parking fees etc.
-
Domestic
airfare. Surface transfer incase of flight cancellation.
Service not included:
-
International air fare, airport taxes, excess baggage charges.
-
Sleeping
bags personal and Personal equipment of any kind.
-
Medications.
-
Insurance
liability of members.
-
Tips for
field staff, drivers and porters
