Shandur Pass is famous around the world for one thing, the highest polo ground on earth. Every summer, the open meadow at over 3,700 metres hosts the annual Shandur Polo Festival between teams from Chitral and Gilgit. For travelers, it is a magical mix of high-altitude camping, mountain scenery, traditional sport and warm hospitality. This guide explains how to actually plan a Shandur trip from the Chitral side, written by the local team at Chaqon Global Tours.
What makes Shandur special
Shandur is not just a festival venue. It is a high alpine pasture surrounded by snow peaks, with the polo ground at its heart and small lakes around the rim. The freestyle polo played here is faster and rougher than the international version, and the energy of the crowd, locals from both sides of the pass, makes it unforgettable.
The pass and festival atmosphere
The festival usually runs in summer, but exact dates are confirmed by tourism authorities every year. The pass is generally only open from late June to early September. During festival days, the meadow turns into a tented village with food stalls, music and an excited crowd. Always confirm the official schedule before booking your trip. See more on our Shandur Polo Festival page.
Chitral route planning
The most common route is:
- Islamabad → Chitral (12–14 hours by road via Lowari Tunnel, or 1 hour by air).
- Chitral → Mastuj (5–6 hours by jeep).
- Mastuj → Shandur (3–4 hours by jeep).
We strongly recommend an overnight in Chitral and another in Mastuj for safe acclimatisation and rest. Returning the same way is normal; some adventurous travelers continue across the pass towards Gilgit.
Transport and vehicle notes
Shandur is jeep country. Strong 4x4 vehicles with experienced mountain drivers are essential. Sedan cars are not appropriate. We provide tested 4x4 vehicles from our fleet with drivers who know every kilometre of the Chitral–Mastuj–Shandur road.
Accommodation and camping
During festival days, options are:
- Festival camping at Shandur, tents pitched on the meadow, the most atmospheric option but cold at night.
- Mastuj guesthouses, return-trip option, more comfortable but requires daily drives to the festival.
- Phander side, for travelers coming from Gilgit.
We arrange whichever style suits your group, and confirm rooms or tents well in advance.
What to carry
- Warm jacket and base layers, nights at 3,700 m are cold even in July.
- Sleeping bag rated for cold nights if you are camping.
- Sun protection, strong UV at altitude.
- Water bottle, snacks, headlamp, basic medicines.
- Cash, there are no ATMs on the route.
Responsible visitor behavior
Shandur is a fragile high-altitude environment and a culturally meaningful event. Please respect locals, carry your trash back, and ask before photographing people. Keep festival drinking discreet and avoid disturbing the matches.
Suggested itinerary ideas
- 6 days: Islamabad → Chitral → Mastuj → Shandur (festival) → Mastuj → Chitral → Islamabad.
- 8 days: Add Kalash Valley before Shandur for a balanced culture + festival trip.
- 10–12 days: Continue across Shandur into Gilgit-Baltistan and finish in Hunza.
Travel with a local team
We specialise in Chitral-based festival travel, see our festival tours and Chitral tours. Tell us your dates and we will design a safe, well-paced Shandur trip for your group.
Frequently asked questions
Dates are announced each year by the local tourism authority and usually fall in summer. Please confirm with us before booking flights.
Plan this trip with our local team
Chaqon Global Tours is based in Lower Chitral and runs custom journeys across Chitral, Kalash, Shandur, Hunza, Skardu and the rest of northern Pakistan. Share your dates and we will design the right route, vehicle and stays for your group.