Shandur Gilgit–Baltistan Pakistan

Shandur  is situated at an altitude of 12,500 feet (38000 meters) above sea level is famous for having the highest polo ground of world. It is sometimes called Roof of the World. It is located in District Ghizer, Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan. The version of polo game played in Shandur Polo Ground is considered to be the purist of all. It is also called free style polo.
Polo is the most favorite game in Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistan. Gilgit, Skardu, Hunza, Shigar, Laspor, Mastoj, Chitral and all other valleys around must have at least one polo ground, where local people can be seen playing polo.
Shandur Polo Ground is naturally designed to be a polo ground. Small hills are on all four sides of rectangular ground, where spectators can sit and enjoy the match. The surrounding landscape and Shandur Lake makes it even more beautiful.
The beautiful polo ground of Shandur turns into a city of tents each year between 7 and 9 July due to Shandur Polo Festival. A match of polo is held between teams of Gilgit and Chitral. A great number of tourists and spectators from different areas of country especially from Hunza, Skardu and Chitral come to attend this event. Shandur Polo Ground is located at an altitude of 12,200 feet (3,700 meters) and it is very hard to play here due to reduced amount of oxygen. It requires a lot of stamina and players must be physically very strong. The match is always marvelous because cream players from Chitral and Gilgit participate in it.

 Shandur Top (el. 12,200 feet (3,700 m)) located in District Chitral, KPK Pakistan. Shandur-Top in Shandur is often 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 small streams of trout. Grazing in summer is plentiful.

Polo is the game of kings and king of games.Shandur is the highest polo ground in the world. Here it is still played in its original form, a game as tough rough and hard, on man and horse as the surrounding mountains themselves. A game without rules or empire, a game with only a few agreed convention of play. Polo in Khowar called “Istoorghar” has been the traditional game of Chitral, as our motto is “we play polo the game of king and king of the games”. The game is commonly played to the music band comprising a big drum.
Every year, 10.000 people move with their tents to the breathtaking shandur pass, 4300 meters high, to attend the shandur polo festival where the best teams from Gilgit and Chitral come to compete against each other.
  
History
Historically, polo being the king of games was played between small kingdoms, villages and rival groups of Gilgit and Chitral. From 1936 onwards polo tournaments were held annually on this ground. The three day Shandur Polo Festival has developed steadily in recent years into the massive celebration of mountain polo that it is today. It is attended every year by prominent celebrities, public figures and opinion makers.

The Shandur Polo Festival takes place in July on a plateau known as Shandur Pass, which stands at an elevation of 3,734 metres. It is located between District Ghizer in Gilgit-Baltistan and District Chitral, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. The ownership of this pass is disputed between KPK and Gilgit-Baltistan with both parties claiming it as their property. The first officially recorded polo game was played here in 1936.
The traditional rival teams of Gilgit and Chitral participate in the polo matches and only the best players and horses from each side compete. Playing at such an altitude requires that players be physically strong and have the stamina to withstand the reduced amount of oxygen. Usually each match lasts for an hour with a ten minute break in between. Along with the polo matches, the three-day festival includes folk music and dancing. Other outdoor activities such as fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and mountaineering are also available to partake in.

Nearest Air port : Gilgit Airport
Nearest Railway NO Railway Station
Local transport: Bus Taxi Jeep also available   
Mobile Networks: UFONE , WARID , ZONG, MOBILINK
Inter net provider : PTCL Some local   

Hotels

 SKARDU Motel PTDC K-2 Motel, Skardu, Baltistan (NA) Tel: (05815) 450291-2  Fax:450293

Shangrila Resort SKARDU
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