Shandur Polo Ground is natural rectangular Polo Ground. It has an altitude of 12,500 feet (38000 meters) above sea level. Its title is the highest polo ground of the world. It is located between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Gilgit–Baltistan, of Pakistan.

Shandur Pass:

Shandur Pass remains snow covered in winter and turns into green pastures during the summer season. Lakes adds to the colors of the plateau surrounded by high mountains.

Shandur Pass is a mountain pass connecting the Upper Chitral District of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan. Here the Hindu Kush, Pamir Mountains, and Karakoram ranges meet. It is the site of the annual Shandur Polo Festival, which takes place from 7th to 9th July.

SHANDU POLO FESTIVAL:

The Balti Raja of Skardu ,Ali Sher Khan Anchan built the polo ground of Shandur. The Polo in Shandur started by British occupiers who made possible the building of the polo ground. In 1935, UK Administrator for Northern Areas, Evelyn Hey Cobb asked Niat Qabool Hayat Kakakhel to make a well-constructed polo ground in Shandur. He constructed a polo ground with the help of the people. This polo ground was later on named as “Mas Junali”. The word “Mass Junali” is in Khowar language. The word “Mas” means moon and “Junali” means polo ground.

The Version Of Polo Play Here :

The version of polo game played in Shandur Polo Ground is as purest of all. It is famous as freestyle polo. Shandur Polo Festival is one of the big festivals of Pakistan. This festival is held from the 7th to 9th of July every year in Shandur Polo Ground. Teams of Chitral District and districts of Gilgit-Baltistan played here. Many people from around the world come to witness this polo festival each year.

Shandur invites visitors to enjoy a traditional Polo tournament. Along the game it provides the people with the entertainment of Folk music, dancing, and a camping village.

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 great number of tourists and spectators from different areas of a country especially from Hunza, Skardu, and Chitral come to attend this event. This Polo Ground is located at an altitude of 12,200 feet (3,700 meters). It is very hard to play here due to a 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.

How to reach Shandur Polo Festival?

Shandur Polo Ground is about 197 kilometers (122 miles) from Gilgit and 147 kilometers (91 miles) from Chitral. When coming from Gilgit to Shandur one can see the charming valleys of Gahkuch, Gupis, Phandar and many beautiful lakes. When coming from Chitral one can see the beauty of Mastuj and Surlasp valleys.