Shandur Polo Ground is naturally designed to be a polo ground. Small hills are on all four sides of the rectangular ground, where spectators can sit and enjoy the match. The surrounding landscape and Shandur Lake make it even more beautiful.
Where is the location of the world’s highest polo ground?
Shandur is situated at an altitude of 12,500 feet (38000 meters) above sea level and is famous for having the highest polo ground in the world. It is sometimes called the Roof of the World. It is located in District Ghizer, Gilgit–Baltistan, Pakistan. The version of the polo game played in Shandur Polo Ground is considered to be the purest of all. It is also called freestyle polo.
Shandur Top (el. 12,200 feet (3,700 m)) is located in District Ghizer of Gilgit-Baltistan.
Shandur-Top in Ghizer is often called the ‘Roof of the World’ where the Hindukush in Gilgit-Baltistan, between Afghanistan and Gilgit- Baltistan and the Karakorum mountainous ranges of Gilgit-Baltistan meet. 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.
Experience the Thrill of the World’s Highest Polo Tournament: Shandur Top Polo Festival.
Shandur invites visitors to experience a traditional Polo tournament which since 1936 has been held annually in the first week of July between the teams of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral. The tournament is held on Shandur Top, the highest polo ground in the world at 3,700 meters (the pass itself is at 3,800 meters). The festival also includes Folk music, and dancing, and a camping village is set up. The polo tournament is featured in the first episode of Himalaya with Michael Palin.
Read Also: Shigar Fort, a Royal Fort Locally Known as The Palace on Rocks.
Various teams of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral have always played the game of polo closest to its original form. In the past, the British Rulers were the patrons of the game.
The Annual Shandur Polo Festival: A Crowd-Pleasing Event in the First Week of July.
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 the teams of Gilgit and Chitral. A great number of tourists and spectators from different areas of the 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 the 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.
Polo as the King of Games in Chitral with a Musical Touch.
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 conventions 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 in the music band comprising a big drum.
How to get there.
Shandur can be reached from Gilgit and Chitral. It 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 the Mastuj and Surlasp valleys.
