Travelling in Pakistan? Visit Shandur Polo Festival 2025 – A Cultural Adventure Near Laspur Valley, Pakistan.
Seeking once-in-a-lifetime cultural festival in Pakistan? The Shandur Polo Festival 2025 is the ultimate highland adventure. This magnificent event unfolds on Shandur Top, the world’s highest polo ground at 12,200 feet (3,700 meters) above sea level. It sits between Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan, near the breathtaking Laspur Valley, and truly feels like you’re standing on the roof of the world.
Spanning three days, this festival welcomes everyone — whether you’re visiting Pakistan for travel, adventure, or cultural exploration, here you’ll experience a thrilling blend of sport, music, tradition, and mountain hospitality in Northern Pakistan.
Why Is the Shandur Polo Festival Important?
Shandur Polo is a renowned freestyle polo tournament where the two mountain regions — Chitral and Gilgit — face off in a heart-pounding match played on rugged terrain.
But this isn’t just another sporting event. It’s a deeply integrated cultural festival that draws thousands of locals, travelers, tourists, and tribal communities together each year.
Key Information:
Location: Shandur Top, near Laspur Valley, Pakistan
Dates: June 20–22, 2025
Region: Between Chitral and Gilgit Baltistan, accessible from Islamabad
Freestyle Polo at Shandur Pass – Pure, Real, and Powerful
This is polo like you’ve never seen before. The Shandur version is freestyle, high-octane, and fearless. There are no set rules — only pride, strength, and astonishing horsemanship.
The most electrifying match is the final showdown between Chitral and Gilgit, played amid cheers from thousands of spectators seated on the mountain’s rocky slopes.
Dating back to 1936, this tradition has evolved into a symbol of unity, tribal pride, and sporting excellence across Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
More Than a Game – A Cultural Festival in the North of Pakistan
Beyond the matches, the Shandur Polo Festival transforms into a vibrant cultural celebration. Here’s what to expect:
- Traditional music and highland dance performances
- Local cuisine featuring authentic Chitrali and Gilgiti dishes
- Artisan stalls, handicrafts, and live storytelling
- Drum circles, bonfires, and a tent village under the stars
All of this happens near Shandur Lake, mirroring the snow-capped peaks and the sky above — a dream setting for photographers, nature lovers, and adventure travelers.
Who Comes to Shandur?
People walk for days across mountain passes from valleys like Ghizer, Laspur, and Yasin to attend. Here, you’ll see shepherds, students, police officers, and elders sitting side by side. This isn’t a staged tourist event, this is the real Pakistan.
For backpackers and eco-tourists, Shandur is raw, real, and community-driven — far from the commercial paths. It’s one of the most unique cultural festivals in Pakistan in 2025.
In recent editions, the festival welcomed Dutch backpackers, a UK polo team, and over 80 international travelers, proving just how globally admired this high-altitude celebration has become.
A Traveler’s Guide to Shandur Polo Festival 2025
Planning your trip from Islamabad? You can reach Shandur either via Chitral or Gilgit through a rugged but scenic 4×4 journey. The roads are tough, but the experience is worth every bump.
What You Need to Know:
- Best travel time: Arrive by June 19 to allow time to acclimatize
- Accommodation: Basic campsites, local tents, and some homestays available
- Altitude awareness: Shandur Pass sits at 12,200 ft – hydrate and adjust gradually
- Essentials: Bring a camera, warm clothing, and a strong sense of adventure!
The Shandur Polo Festival 2025 is not just a sports match, it’s a celebration of bravery, heritage, and togetherness in the heart of Pakistan’s northern mountains.
If you’re dreaming of high-altitude thrills, tribal culture, and the warmest hospitality in Asia, then this is the festival you need to mark on your calendar.
Stay tuned with Hello Salam PK for more!
