Shandur Polo Festival Tour — 8 Days
Overview
Once a year the roof of the world hosts a sports event like no other: Chitral vs Gilgit at freestyle polo: no referee's whistle worth hearing at 3,700 m: with thousands camped around Shandur's lake, polo ponies gasping in the thin air and folk music until late. We camp you at the festival itself, then unwind the trip through Phander's mirror lakes toward Gilgit and Hunza.
Plan the journey with our guided Hunza trips, places to stay in Hunza, rent a car in Hunza, Hunza adventure tours and foreign visitor packages.
Trip Highlights
- Festival days at the world's highest polo ground
- Lakeside festival camping (full setup)
- The Chitral or Ghizer approach: both spectacular
- Phander Lake and Ghizer valley
- Optional Hunza extension after the festival
- Folk music nights and mountain fairground
Day by Day Itinerary
8-day planIslamabad to Chitral (fly, road backup)
Day 1 follows the Islamabad to Chitral (fly, road backup) stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Arrive beneath Tirich Mir. The flight schedule is checked again before departure because mountain services can change with weather and visibility. The guide keeps the road alternative and revised sightseeing order ready, so a delay does not create unrealistic promises or compromise the remaining programme. The guide reviews the expected timing and practical requirements before departure, including clothing, footwear and water. Comfort breaks and photography pauses are planned sensibly, while keeping enough time for the main visit and the onward journey. Weather, traffic, road access, permits, opening hours and local instructions can change the exact order. When an adjustment is necessary, the team selects the closest suitable alternative and explains it before proceeding. Before the day finishes, the guide reviews the next stage, confirms the departure time and answers practical questions about luggage, meals or clothing.
Max altitude 1,500 mChitral to Mastuj
Day 2 follows the Chitral to Mastuj stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Up the river valley; acclimatise. Today’s transfer is treated as part of the experience, with scenery and useful stops built around a realistic arrival time. Road conditions, traffic and seasonal diversions are checked locally, and the driver maintains a measured pace throughout the journey. The meeting time and expected duration are confirmed beforehand, together with suitable clothing, footwear and anything guests should carry. Regular pauses are available for drinking water, washrooms and photographs whenever the route and local facilities allow. Exact timings remain flexible for weather, traffic, access restrictions, opening hours and local advice. Any necessary change is discussed with the group, and the closest practical alternative is used without changing the character of the day. The day concludes with a short review of the following programme, giving guests clear information about departure time, luggage and any useful preparation.
Max altitude 2,359 mMastuj to Shandur
Day 3 follows the Mastuj to Shandur stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Arrive the plateau; camp at the lake; opening matches. The road journey is planned with realistic driving time and appropriate comfort stops. The driver follows current route advice and uses a conservative pace, while the guide selects worthwhile viewpoints that do not create an unnecessarily late arrival at the next destination. As the day reaches an altitude reference of 3,700 m, guests should keep a comfortable pace, drink water regularly and tell the guide promptly about headache, nausea, unusual fatigue or breathing difficulty. Guests receive a clear briefing on timing, clothing, footwear and useful items to carry. The programme includes reasonable pauses for water, washrooms and photographs, with exact stopping points adapted to the route and facilities available that day. Local conditions may require a change in timing or sequence, particularly during busy periods or unsettled weather. The guide communicates any adjustment clearly and protects the day’s main purpose wherever conditions reasonably allow. At the end of the programme, guests have time to settle in or rest, and the guide confirms the next day’s departure and any preparation required.
Max altitude 3,700 mFestival day
Day 4 follows the Festival day stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: The main Chitral vs Gilgit fixtures; fairground and music night. The festival experience is organised around confirmed local timings rather than a rigid promise. The guide explains cultural etiquette, suitable photography and meeting points, and adjusts the day if ceremonies, polo fixtures, road control or community decisions change at short notice. As the day reaches an altitude reference of 3,700 m, guests should keep a comfortable pace, drink water regularly and tell the guide promptly about headache, nausea, unusual fatigue or breathing difficulty. The guide reviews the expected timing and practical requirements before departure, including clothing, footwear and water. Comfort breaks and photography pauses are planned sensibly, while keeping enough time for the main visit and the onward journey. Weather, traffic, road access, permits, opening hours and local instructions can change the exact order. When an adjustment is necessary, the team selects the closest suitable alternative and explains it before proceeding. Before the day finishes, the guide reviews the next stage, confirms the departure time and answers practical questions about luggage, meals or clothing.
Max altitude 3,700 mFestival finale to Phander
Day 5 follows the Festival finale to Phander stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Final match, then descend Ghizer-side to Phander Lake. Festival timing is based on the officially confirmed programme and local access arrangements. The guide coordinates arrival, viewing positions and respectful photography, while allowing for crowd movement, ceremonial changes and community instructions that may alter the published sequence. As the day reaches an altitude reference of 2,800 m, guests should keep a comfortable pace, drink water regularly and tell the guide promptly about headache, nausea, unusual fatigue or breathing difficulty. The meeting time and expected duration are confirmed beforehand, together with suitable clothing, footwear and anything guests should carry. Regular pauses are available for drinking water, washrooms and photographs whenever the route and local facilities allow. Exact timings remain flexible for weather, traffic, access restrictions, opening hours and local advice. Any necessary change is discussed with the group, and the closest practical alternative is used without changing the character of the day. The day concludes with a short review of the following programme, giving guests clear information about departure time, luggage and any useful preparation.
Max altitude 2,800 mPhander to Gilgit
Day 6 follows the Phander to Gilgit stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Emerald river country. Today’s transfer is treated as part of the experience, with scenery and useful stops built around a realistic arrival time. Road conditions, traffic and seasonal diversions are checked locally, and the driver maintains a measured pace throughout the journey. Guests receive a clear briefing on timing, clothing, footwear and useful items to carry. The programme includes reasonable pauses for water, washrooms and photographs, with exact stopping points adapted to the route and facilities available that day. Local conditions may require a change in timing or sequence, particularly during busy periods or unsettled weather. The guide communicates any adjustment clearly and protects the day’s main purpose wherever conditions reasonably allow. At the end of the programme, guests have time to settle in or rest, and the guide confirms the next day’s departure and any preparation required.
Max altitude 1,500 mGilgit to Chilas or Besham
Day 7 follows the Gilgit to Chilas or Besham stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Begin the road return to Islamabad with scheduled meal, comfort and viewpoint stops. The road journey is planned with realistic driving time and appropriate comfort stops. The driver follows current route advice and uses a conservative pace, while the guide selects worthwhile viewpoints that do not create an unnecessarily late arrival at the next destination. The guide reviews the expected timing and practical requirements before departure, including clothing, footwear and water. Comfort breaks and photography pauses are planned sensibly, while keeping enough time for the main visit and the onward journey. Weather, traffic, road access, permits, opening hours and local instructions can change the exact order. When an adjustment is necessary, the team selects the closest suitable alternative and explains it before proceeding. Before the day finishes, the guide reviews the next stage, confirms the departure time and answers practical questions about luggage, meals or clothing.
Max altitude 1,265 mArrive Islamabad
Day 8 follows the Arrive Islamabad stage of the journey. The day’s planned activities include the following: Complete the final road leg and transfer to the confirmed hotel, residence or airport. This arrival day is deliberately paced for comfort. After the scheduled pickup, the team assists with the hotel transfer, confirms room arrangements and provides a practical briefing covering communication, expected weather, clothing and the following morning’s plan. The meeting time and expected duration are confirmed beforehand, together with suitable clothing, footwear and anything guests should carry. Regular pauses are available for drinking water, washrooms and photographs whenever the route and local facilities allow. Exact timings remain flexible for weather, traffic, access restrictions, opening hours and local advice. Any necessary change is discussed with the group, and the closest practical alternative is used without changing the character of the day. At the end of the tour, the guide confirms the agreed drop off or departure arrangements and remains available for final practical questions about the journey.
Max altitude 540 mWhat’s Included
Included
- Licensed local mountain guide
- Porters and camping equipment where required
- All meals on trek days
- Islamabad pickup and drop (private transport)
- Hotel nights before/after trek
- First-aid kit and oximeter
- Festival camping setup at Shandur
- Festival access arrangements
- 4x4 for the Shandur sectors
Not included
- Sleeping bag (rentable)
- Personal trekking gear and boots
- Lunches/dinners on non-trek days
- Tips and personal expenses
- Domestic flights (at cost)
Frequently Asked Questions
When exactly is it?
Traditionally 7 to 9 July, government-confirmed each year: we hold camps ahead and confirm dates the moment they're official.
How cold is camping at 3,700 m?
Nights near freezing even in July: we provide four-season tents and sleeping bags; bring proper layers.
Is this tour completely private?
Yes: your own vehicle, your own driver and guide, and departure on any date you choose. No strangers, no fixed seats, and the daily plan flexes to your pace.
Can the trip begin at Gilgit Airport?
Yes: fly Islamabad to Gilgit (tickets booked at cost) and we start the itinerary from the airport, trimming the road days. A road backup is always planned in case mountain weather cancels the flight.
What happens if a domestic flight is cancelled?
Mountain weather cancels a share of Gilgit and Skardu flights, so every fly-based plan carries a costed road backup that activates automatically: you may lose a day, never the trip. Road-based itineraries are unaffected.
Is Khunjerab Pass included?
Not in the standard plan: this itinerary focuses elsewhere: but a Khunjerab day (4,693 m, open ~May to Nov) can be added to any private booking; ask for the extended quote.
Which hotels are used?
Named properties are confirmed on your quote; expect well-reviewed standard hotels, with deluxe and luxury upgrades available at booking. See our Hotels page for the full 65-hotel partner list and per-night rates.
Is this package suitable for children?
Yes for school-age kids and up who enjoy walking; drive-instead options exist for most active days.
Is the tour suitable for senior travellers?
Yes with reasonable mobility: vehicle access covers nearly every highlight, walking is optional, and we pace days generously. Tell us about any conditions and we’ll adapt the plan.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Completely: add or drop days, swap valleys, change hotel tiers or start cities; it’s your trip and re-quoting a custom version costs nothing.