Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Shandur Polo Festival (July 7-9th 2012)
Do you like this story?
Shandur Top (el. 12,200 feet (3,700 m)) located in District Ghizer of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Shandur-Top in Ghizer is often called the 'Roof of the World' where the Hindukush in Gilgit-Baltistan, between Afghanistan and Gilgit- Baltistan and Karakorum mountainous ranges of Gilgit-Baltistan meet. The top is flat, a plateau and can be crossed between late April and early November. The grade is very gradual, and the area is crossed by small streams of trout. Grazing in summer is plentiful.
Shandur invites visitors to experience a traditional Polo tournament which since 1936 has been held annually in the first week of July between the teams of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. The tournament is held on Shandur Top, the highest polo ground in the world at 3,700 meters (the pass itself is at 3,800 meters). The festival also includes Folk music, dancing and a camping village is set up. The polo tournament is featured in the first episode of Himalaya with Michael Palin.
Various teams of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral have always played the game of polo closest to its original form. In the past, the British Rulers were the patrons of the game.
D-01 Islamabad/RawalpindiD-02 Drive to Chilas on Karakorum highway
D-03 Drive to Karimabad 6-7hrs
D-04 Visit Altit & Baltit Forts afternoon
D-05 Drive to Gilgit 2-3hrs
D-06 Drive to Shandur
D-07/09 (03 days at Shandur pass)
D-10 Drive to Chitral
D-11/12 Visit Birir, Bumburet and Rumbur valleys
D-13 Fly to Islamabad
D-14 Islamabad
D-15 Fly back
This post was written by: Franklin Manuel
Franklin Manuel is a professional blogger, web designer and front end web developer. Follow him on Twitter
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
0 Responses to “Shandur Polo Festival (July 7-9th 2012)”
Post a Comment