13 Days Tour to Chital, Shandur Festival and Ghizer in Gilgit-Baltistan

Day 01. Drive to Chitral 10 -11 hours. Several hours on Swat Motorway passing Churchill Picket, Chikdara Bridge. Lunch stop at Dir and then via Lawari Tunnel to beautiful Nagar Fort of Lower Chitral. Hotel or camping at Nagar Fort. BBQ and Bonfire at night.

Day 02. After breakfast at Nagar Fort drive to Bumburat passing through Drosh and Ayun Villages to Kalash Valley approximately 2 hours drive. Here you can visit Kalasha Dur Museum, Kalasha Cemetery and Kalasha homes in Karakal Village. Afternoon drive to Chitral visit Chitral Fort and Shahi Masjid. Hotel in Chitral town

Day 03. After breakfast drive towards Shandur passing through beautiful villages, Koghuzi, Kuragh, Buni Village and Buni Zom, Sonoghor Village. Lunch stop at Mastuj and after passing through Harchin and Laspur Villages to Shandur Pass 3734m. Thousands of spectators come to participate in polo festival from across Pakistan along with musician groups hence can enjoy an entertaining musical night.

Day 04. Full day at Shandur Pass 3734m where you will enjoy 3 different free style polo matches between Gilgit and Chitral teams. Shandur Polo is also known ” POLO ON THE ROOF OF THE WORLD”

Shandur Polo Tournament History
The very first Polo tournament took place at Shandur Pass in 1936. A Gilgit based British Political Agent, Major Cobb, who was fond of playing polo under a full moon, had the polo ground near Shandur, named. ‘Moony Polo Ground’ (Mas Junali). Most exciting polo tournament of the entire Northern Pakistan is played on top of Shandur Pass around 3,734 metres above sea level. It is a place unique and exotic surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the world. The event marks the annual rivalry between the polo teams of Gilgit and Chitral. Shandur Polo tournament has become very famous and attracts many visitors in Pakistan and across the globe. Trout fishing at the nearby streams of Ghizar river and folk dances and musician from KPK and Gilgit-Baltistan make it more charming for visitors. The highlight of the festival is the final match between Gilgit and Chitral teams which provide the most colourful spectacle. Supporters of both sides travel long distances from remote parts of Chitral and Gilgit to watch the thrilling game. The event, as such, offers a fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the people of this region. Their culture and indigenous customs are a delight to behold for the visitors. Camping

Day 05. After final Polo match depart for Yasin Valley approximately 5 hrs. The drive from Shandur Pass towards Ghizer Valley is very scenic along the beautiful Guizer river enroute passing Langer, Teru, Phander Valley. Ghizer Valley is known “THE LAND OF LAKES” especially Phander Valley known as ” LITTLE KASHMIR “. we will reach at Yasin late evening. Hotel Fort Yasin

Day 06. After breakfast visit Shaheed Lalak Jan Mazzar at Hundur Village and then drive towards Birgal Ishkomen Valley approximately 4 hrs drive, on the way visit Gupis Fort built in 1894 by the British. Lunch at Hoper Tourist Garden. Near the guest house many trout fishponds where keen clients can fish and later enjoy fry or grill fish at the guest house. After dinner we can invite some local traditional musical group for singing and dancing if group is interested.Royal Guesthouse

Day 07. Full day to explore around. You can walk across Asia’s longest suspension bridge over the Ishkomen River between Chatorkhand and Dain Village. This bridge links Hindukush mountain range with Karakoram. Then you can walk uphill to Ghochar Waterfall. It can be a full day excursion walking through Upper Dain Village meet the local community and enjoy local hospitality. In Upper Dain Village you can visit a local lady possessed by a fairy in trance she talks to visitors and tells about the past and future. Evening back to the Royal Guest house. BBQ and bonfire arrangement.

Day 08. Drive to Hunza via the lush green village of Punial, famous for its fruits. On the way visit Hanzal Stupa and 10th centuries standing Kargha Buddha near Gilgit. Lunch at Gilgit town. After drive toward Hunza Valley. Tea stop at Rakaposhi viewpoint. Hotel Eagle Nest

Day 09. Morning visit 700 years old Baltit Fort and 900 years old Altit Fort. Afternoon Karimabad Bazar include carpet weaving and gemstone polishing centre. Hotel Engle Nest

Day 10. A full day trip to Khunjerab Pass 4693m passing through Attabad Lake, Gulmit Village, Hussaini Suspension Bridge, Passu, Batura glaciers and Sost Village to Khunjerab Pass and return to Gulmit Village. Hotel Marco polo inn

Day 11. After early breakfast depart for Naran Valley with a short stop at the three great mountain ranges point of the world Hindukush, Karakoram and Himalaya. Lunch stop on the way to Babusar Pass 4173m. approximately 8 – 9 hrs. Hotel in Naran

Day 12. Visit to Saif Ul Maluk Lake after breakfast and after drive through the beautiful Kaghan Valley, Balakot, Mansehra, Abbottabad to Islamabad. Approx. 7 -8 hrs. Hotel or Guesthouse

Day 13. Transfer to airport end of trip

Price Included
1. 4 rooms with double occupancy in above mentioned places with breakfast
2. 3 Jeeps or land cruisers from Islamabad to Islamabad with fuel and divers
3. English and Urdu speaking Tour Guide
4. Altit and Baltit Forts entry fees
5. Road taxes
6. Kalash museum entry fee
7. Tents etc for Camping at Shandur polo festival
8 . Kargha buddha fee
8. $10 Khunjerab national park fee per person

Price NOT included
1. Lunches, dinners,Tea or coffee
2. Mineral water and soft drinks
3. Any extra not mentioned in the itinerary
4. Any extra charges due to landslides or any natural disaster
5. Tips
6. Travel insurance
7. International Tickets
8. Early check in at hotel will incur previous night charge which is not included in the price

Note-
We reserve prices/ rates may fluctuate in the event of changes in exchange rate / fuel. Rates quoted are appropriate at the time of quoting and these rates may change prior to travel date. Thank you.