Tag: Shandur

Shandur Polo Festival, Pakistan. The Shandur Polo Festival is an extraordinary celebration that takes place over three days in a remote part of the world. The Shandur Festival brings together the Gilgit and Chitral tribes who reside in the northern regions of Pakistan. The two tribes hail from the Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral regions, and they meet at the Shandur pass every summer for the polo festival.  The Shandur Pass is home to a gorgeous polo ground. It is there that unique free-style polo matches are played, between Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan teams. One of the unique aspects of the Shandur Polo Festival is the ground itself.  The Shandur Polo Ground is at an altitude of 3,700 meters above sea level, making it the highest polo field above sea level in the world. The incredible polo ground sits next to the beautiful Shandur Lake, surrounded by snow-covered Hindukush mountains. It is a spectacular background to one of the world's most unique sporting events. Travellers seeking to discover a one-of-a-kind cultural experience should not miss the Shandur Polo Festival. The Shandur Polo Festival began in 1936 in an area surrounded by mountains, offering up some incredible views. The rivalry between the provinces of Gilgit and Chitral is fiery, and the Shandur polo matches are the highlight of the year between the two groups. Fans of Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan polo teams travel long distances to watch the polo match. The Shandur Pass is in a remote part of Pakistan, but due to the magnitude of the polo game, it brings people together to cheer on the teams. What happens during a Shandur Polo Festival? The Shandur Polo Festival is held for three days in July. The local government confirms the date for each year’s Shandur Festival, but the games take place in