The region has historic importance with beautiful landscapes, flora, and fauna. Here is the highest polo ground on earth, where the contest of the rugged free-style polo takes place between the team of Chitral and Gilgit from July 7 to 9 every year, and that attracts national and international tourists, high-profile officials, and diplomats.
The origin of this unique and historical sport is largely shrouded in mystery; however, some researchers believe the equestrian sport originated and evolved in Central Asia around the 6th century BC to train the cavalry and stimulate a real-life battle. The ruling elites and soldiers initiated the sport to maintain and promote their cavalry skills and use the exercise to prepare themselves physically and mentally for the battlefield.
Besides the thrilling matches of free-style polo at Shandur, the event also features a unique cultural experience for foreign tourists and sports enthusiasts. The cultural fusion of the Hindukush, Himalayan, and Karakoram regions with their traditional music, cuisines, dresses, and overall lifestyle in a single space has a tremendous fascination for tourists.
The picturesque meadows on either side of the Shandur plateau along the snow-topped mountains provide the best opportunity for trekking and picture-taking in the pristine natural environment from the close quarter.
This article is an edited extract from a longer article published in Fascinating Pakistan, an e-magazine or hard copy magazine which can be found here
Shams Uddin
The region has historic importance with beautiful landscapes, flora, and fauna. Here is the highest polo ground on earth, where the contest of the rugged free-style polo takes place between the team of Chitral and Gilgit from July 7 to 9 every year, and that attracts national and international tourists, high-profile officials, and diplomats.
The origin of this unique and historical sport is largely shrouded in mystery; however, some researchers believe the equestrian sport originated and evolved in Central Asia around the 6th century BC to train the cavalry and stimulate a real-life battle. The ruling elites and soldiers initiated the sport to maintain and promote their cavalry skills and use the exercise to prepare themselves physically and mentally for the battlefield.
Besides the thrilling matches of free-style polo at Shandur, the event also features a unique cultural experience for foreign tourists and sports enthusiasts. The cultural fusion of the Hindukush, Himalayan, and Karakoram regions with their traditional music, cuisines, dresses, and overall lifestyle in a single space has a tremendous fascination for tourists.
The picturesque meadows on either side of the Shandur plateau along the snow-topped mountains provide the best opportunity for trekking and picture-taking in the pristine natural environment from the close quarter.
This article is an edited extract from a longer article published in Fascinating Pakistan, an e-magazine or hard copy magazine which can be found here
You might like...
Qaqlasht Plateau
Qaqlasht plateau, Upper Chitral, Pakistan, transforms into velvet green carpet interspersed with tiny yellow flowers after early spring sweeps through the valley.
Toshi Game Reserve
The Toshi game reserve in Chitral is home to a large herd of wild Markhors and is a wild expansive open landscape of mountains and valleys
Booni Village
Booni (Buni) is a town in the Chitral region of Northern Pakistan
Wildlife of Chitral & Gilgit Baltistan
Snow leopards, golden marmot, markhor, golden eagles, lynx, and other wildlife species frequent the extraordinary region of Chitral & Gilgit Baltistan in Northern Pakistan
Newsletter
Sign up to keep in touch with articles, updates, events or news from Kuno, your platform for nature