Shandur Festival and Trekking

The northern region of Pakistan is home to mesmerizing destinations and activities fit for nature-lovers and adventurous travelers. Combine experiencing the highest polo festival in the world, a several-days trek to some of the most stunning landscapes you'll see, and visits to the impressive spots of Pakistan in terms of natural beauty, culture, and tradition, and you'll get a multi-day tour you won't soon forget.

Season: July to September

Day 1: Arrival at Islamabad

Arrive at Islamabad airport where your driver-guide will be waiting for you. Depending on your arrival time, your guide will arrange a quick tour of the city, visiting the highlights of Islamabad. In the evening, savor some delicious Pakistan dish at Monal Restaurant where you'll also have a panoramic view of the city. 

Day 2: Islamabad - Gilgit

Take an early morning flight to Gilgit, the capital of Gilgit-Baltistan, and serves as a hub for trekking and mountaineering expeditions. Here, you'll explore the city center and visit China Yadgar, a graveyard that serves as a memorial for the Chinese workers who died while constructing KKH. 

Day 3: Gilgit - Punial Vallley - Yasin Valley

From Gilgit, we'll drive to Darkot Village, the starting point of our trek. The first stop during the trek is Punial Valley, a mountainous valley where you can feast your eyes with verdant and sprawling villages, side valleys full of pastures, and the meandering Gilgit River. You will also visit the 2000-year old Gupis Fort before ending the day at an overnight camp in the ravishing Yasin Valley.

Approx altitude: 1500-2700 masl

Day 4: Yasin Valley - Boimoshani

Today, you'll trek narrow, rocky trail to Boimoshani, which means Boi's vegetable garden in the local language. Here, you'll find a small camp amidst willows and a spring.

Approx altitude: 4000 masl | Distance and duration: 10 km for 4-5 hours

Day 5: Boimoshani- NeeBar

From Boimoshani, make your way through unspoiled traditional valleys with spring-fed meadows and superb alpine vistas to the camp in NeeBar.

Duration: 5-6 hours

Day 6: NeeBar - Punji Pass - Holojut

Beat the icy morning as you trek through fields of thyme and wildflowers to Holojut via Punji Pass. Pass by a small glacial cirque and reach the Punji summit, where you can enjoy sweeping views of the peaks above Darkot and Thui An.

Approx altitude: 4600 masl | Distance and duration: 8 km for 5 hours

Day 7: Holojut - Handis

Traverse through scrub junipers and tall-stemmed weeds and berries and pass by some of the high-altitude settlements including Talas, Babusar, and Galtir. Arrive at Handis, a campsite situated in flat, grassy, shaded areas near a clear stream.

Approx altitude: 3000 masl | Distance and duration: 17 km for 8 hours

Day 8: Handis - Ghotulti - Khalti

From your Handis camp, descent by cultivated fields and a shrine and arrive at the village of Ghotulti, where your trek ends. You'll then take a scenic ride to Khalti Lake, a gorgeous lake that is the result of a massive landslide in the 70s. Drive back to Khalti and spend the night at PTDC hotel or similar.

Day 9: Khalti - Phander Village - Shandur Pass

From Khalti, you'll then head to Shandur Pass in preparation for tomorrow's festivities. Stop by Phander, a small village in the eponymous Phander Valley. This village is famous for its vast vistas, trout-filled waterways, and friendly people. After a few hours here, continue to Shandur Pass and stay for the night.

Day 10: Shandur Polo Festival

Shandur Polo Festival is an amazing celebration by tribes of Gilgit and Chitral in the northern areas of Pakistan. Every summer, the tribes meet at a beautiful polo ground where a unique free-style polo is played between teams of the region. With the tournament being held at 3700 meters above sea level, this event is dubbed as the highest polo festival in the world. In the evening, enjoy local dancing and sumptuous food prepared by the locals.

Day 11: Shandur Pass - Chitral

From Shandur Pass, drive to Chitral for about 6 hours. Upon arrival, be enchanted by the mysterious landscape of the district, with its steep harsh mountains, lush green valleys, beautiful pastures, and big glaciers. In the summer which is also the harvest season, you can enjoy pleasant weather and a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Day 12: Chitral - Lowari Pass/Lowari Tunnel - Swat Valley

Today, we'll head to Swat Valley, the Switzerland of Pakistan. The valley has come a long way from being a headquarters for the Taliban terrorist group. Today, Swat is a hallmark of majestic natural beauty and rich historical past. In Swat, you'll visit Swat Butkada Stupa and Swat Palace (White Palace). On the way here, we'll traverse via Lowari Pass, one of the most dangerous roads in Pakistan. The pass is dubbed as such as high mountains guard each of its sides, and an avalanche can come at any moment without a warning especially during winter. Despite this, adventurous visitors still seek to pass by these roads as it offers impressive views.

Day 13: Swat - Islamabad

Say goodbye to Swat and drive to Islamabad in the morning. Cruise through Malakand Pass and visit Takht-i-Bahi, one of the last surviving ancient Buddhist sites in the region. Thanks to its remote location, the monastery in the region escaped several Hun invasions in the 5th and 6th centuries.

Arrive in Islamabad where your tour concludes with a drop off at the airport/hotel.

Includes

• Local flight
• 4x4 transportation
• Hotel accommodation
• Airport/hotel pickup and drop off
• 3 meals
• Certified tour guide
• Porters
• Camping gear, tent and camping fee
• Local tax
• Letter of invitation for visa application

Excludes

• Meals and beverages not mentioned
• Visa
• Travel/medical insurance
• Personal expenses
• Tips and gratuities