Shandur Polo Festival Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan

Welcome at Islamabad airport, and transfer to the hotel, after refreshment proceeds for a city tour of Islamabad and Rawalpindi, which includes the famous Faisal Mosque, Shakar Parian, Pakistan monument Damen Koh, Lok Versa, and Museum.

Night stay in Islamabad

Drive to Swat for 4-5 hours, and en route visit Takht-e-Bahi. Arrive Swat transfer to hotel.
Afternoon sightseeing in Swat valley Night stay in Swat

Drive to Chitral 254 km. Afternoon visit Shahi Mosque, Chitral Museum, Chitral Fort, and Chitral town

Drive to Bumburet (Kalash valley) 60 km, arrive and transfer to hotel, afternoon visit Bumburet valley. Chitral’s prime attraction is the Kalash valleys, home of 3000 non-Muslim Kafir Kalash (or black infidels) who live in 20 small villages in the valleys of Birir and Rumbur. The Kafir Kalash still follow their own religion, a mixture of animism and ancestor and fire worship, and have retained some of their original cultures. They make
offerings to several gods: sajigor, the highest deity, is in charge of everything: Surisan protects the cattle, Goshedoi milk products, and praba fruit. Most of the Kalash are pale-skinned, and some of them even have fair hair and blue eyes, all of which give rise to the usual legend that they are descended from the followers of Alexander.

Morning visit Birir, Bumburet, and Rumbur, afternoon drive back to Chitral for overnight.

Drive to Shandur Pass 3,700 meters,157 km, 6-7 hours. overnight in tents. Shandur Top (e1.12,200 feet (3,700 m) Shandur is called the ‘Roof of the World’. 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 plentiful small streams during summer. The boundary line between Ghizer District and Chitral District is also situated in Shandur Top in Punji-Lasht as per the international boundary law division by watershed initially demarcated by Lt. Col AG Durand (also known as Durand boundary line).

We enjoy Polo matches at Shandur Pass and will the colorful spectacle of the fiercely contested polo matches being played at a frenetic pace in the festival atmosphere.

This title match will be the main attraction of the festivals as the audience will be supporting their teams with full zeal and enthusiasm.

Drive to Phander 50 km arrive and transfer to the hotel. In the afternoon visits Phander valley and enjoy trout fishing at Phander Lake. Phander is one of the most scenic valleys with easy access both from Gilgit and Chitral. Which is commonly called ‘Little Kashmir”. Phander Lake is one of the most famous tourist spots in the entire region. Phander valley was the breadbasket for the whole Northern Areas. The name Ghizer comes from the name of a village ‘Ghizer’ situated in the vicinity of Phander. The deep blue lake in Phander offers a magnificent view and is basically the home of trout fish.

Drive to Karimabad 288 km 6-7 hours. En route stop at various viewpoints for photography and refreshment, Rakaposhi view point sightseeing old silk road overnight stay in Hunza.

Morning visit Baltit Fort 700 and Baltit Fort 900 Years old, Altit. Afternoon drive to Duiker valley thirty minutes arrive and transfer to hotel. An evening walk through the village to Holy shrines, today you will have the opportunity to see many local people working in the fields. (Duiker valley is a viewpoint to see the sunset and Sunrise over the beautiful mountains in the surroundings of Hunza). Duiker valley (Roof of the world), has a spectacular view down to Karakoram Highway and awesome views of Golden peak at 7027m, Rakaposhi at 7788m, Ultar Sar at 7388m, Diran Peak at 7266m, Lady Finger at 6000m and Disteghil Sar at 7885m.

Full-day excursion to Khunjerab Pass 4733 m, (Pak- China Border) evening drive back to Karimabad. En route visit Attabad Lake, arrive, and transfer to the hotel. Afternoon visit Borith Lake, Gulkin village, Gulmit village, Passu white Glacier, Passu village, Hussani village, and Hussani suspension bridge.

Drive to Naran 355km 9-10 hours via Babusar Pass 4173-m. Babusar Pass (el. 4173 m. /13,691 ft.) is a mountain pass north of 150 km. (93 miles) long Kaghan Valley connecting it via the Asthak Nala with Chilas on the Karakoram Highway (KKH). Babusar Pass connects Gilgit Baltistan with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan.

Drive to Islamabad 239 km, 6-7 hours, en-route visit the Taxila Museum and historical sites Taxila Jaulian, Mohra, Moradu, and Sirkap, Most of the archaeological sites of Taxila (600 BC to 500 AD) is located around the Taxila museum. For over one thousand-year Taxila remained famous as a center of learning Gandhara art of sculpture, architecture, education, and Buddhism in the days of Buddhist glory. There are over 50 archaeological sites scattered within a radius of 30 km around Taxila. In Taxila visit the archaeological sites of Jaulian, Mohra Moradu, and Sirkap. Later visit. Taxila museum: A museum comprising various sections with rich archaeological finds of Taxila. It is one of the best and most well-maintained site museums in Pakistan.

Transfer to Islamabad airport for international flight