Trips Category: Ghizer-Chitral

admin July 18, 2018 0

Shandur Polo Festival Tour

Shandur Polo Festival is one of the wildest polo festival played in the world. The polo ground at Shandur is located amidst Ghizer district of Gilgit-Baltistan in the North West and Chitral District. It is a common shared pass between these regions. Shandur is a flat plateau and is also a border between the province of KPK and Gilgit-Baltistan. The first time polo was played at Shandur Polo ground in 1936. Ever since it has become the greatest polo ground of entire North Region. The polo ground is approximately 155 kms away from the Chitral Town and about 200 kms from Gilgit City.

Shandur Polo Festival is incredibly different than any other game festivals around the world. The elevation of this great polo ground is about 3,743 m above the sea level. The birth of this ground is also an incredible story of local wisdom. This polo ground attracts many tourists from around the world. Matches are played between different teams of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral but the final match is a contest between Gilgit Team and Chitral Team.

The field measures about 200 meters by 56 meters (normal polo field is about 270m by 150m), with 60 cm high stone walls running the length of the field on both sides instead of boards. As six players make up one side, the field can get fairly crowded.

 

 

     Detailed Trip Itinerary

Day-01  : Arrival to Islamabad

Day-02  : Drive to Swat Valley,

Day-03  : Drive to Chitral via Lawori Pass

Day-04  : Full day excursion to Kalash Valley

Day-05  : Drive to Mastuj 5-6 hrs

Day-06  : Ridding to Shandur Pass (3800m)

Day-07  : Ridding around the lake and Pass

Day-08  : Shandur to Tero

Day-09  : Continue to Phunder

Day-10  : Phunder to Gupis

Day-11  :  Gupis to Gakuch

Day-12  : Gakuch to Sher Qila or Single

Day-13  : Continue to Gilgit

Day-14  : Drive to Besham

Day-15  : Continue to Islamabad

Day-16  : Departure from Islamabad

admin July 18, 2018 0

Kalash Festival

Kalash Festival is one the most unique and taboo for many in Pakistan and elsewhere on earth. Kalash  tribe celebrates many festivals around the year.  Chilam Joshi is also known as  spring festival. The Kalash people celebrate this four day festival across all three Kalash valleys of Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir. A large number of domestic and foreign tourists attend the Chilam Joshi festival every year. The three main festivals are Chilam Joshi (spring festival), Choimus (winter festival) and Uchal (summer festival). All three are explained below:

Kalash Festival – Chilam Joshi (Spring)

Chilam Joshi Festival is one the most vital kalash festivals.   Chilam Joshi is also known as Kalash spring festival. The Kalash people celebrate this four day festival across all three Kalash valleys of Rumbur, Bumburet and Birir. A large number of domestic and foreign tourists attend the Chilam Joshi festival every year.

The main objective behind the Chilam Joshi is that Kalasha men and women can find themselves a spouse to get married. The women wear traditional attire with lively colors and hair dresses have patterns of flowers on it. They wear beaded necklaces which compliments their dresses and head gears.

Uchal (Summer)

Uchal, also known as Utchal is a summer festival. Kalasha people during this festival pay homage to God by celebrating the harvest and also thanking their God for blessing them with good food and crops. Corn, buttermilk and cheese are prepared to celebrate the festival.

 

Men wear traditional Shalwar Kameez with a waistcoat made of wool. They dance together and sing in a circle on drum beats. Every year this festival brings smile to the bachelors and spinsters of Kalash Valley tribes as it gives them an opportunity to choose their life partners and announce their names on the last day of the festival.

 

    Trip Itinerary:

Day 01       Arrival in Islamabad. Afternoon City Tour.
Day 02  Fly or Drive for Chitral.
Day 03  Drive to Bumburet, Kalash valley. 2 hours drive.
Day 04  Well experience of kalash spring festival and Enjoy Kalash girls’ dance and other activities during the Event.
Day 05 Drive back to Chitral. Afternoon visit to Tooshi for Wildlife watching and Photography.
Day 06 Fly to Islamabad. Afternoon Islamabad City tour.
Day 07         Transfer to Airport for onward destination.
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