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Shandur - The Roof of the world
Shandur Pass Travel Guide 2026 | Polo Festival, Things to Do & Tips | Destination Pakistan
What to know before visiting Shandur - The Roof of the world
Plan your trip to Shandur Pass, Pakistan. Home to the world's highest polo ground at 3,700m, the annual Polo Festival, Shandur Lake, and wild Hindukush trails. Complete travel guide with places to visit, food, and FAQs
About Shandur Pass
At 3,700 meters, Shandur Pass is a flat grassy plateau roughly 25 square kilometers wide, sitting right on the boundary between Chitral District (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Ghizer District (Gilgit-Baltistan). Locals in older times called it "halfway to heaven," and the nickname fits.
What makes Shandur different from every other mountain pass in northern Pakistan is the polo. Since 1936, this plateau has hosted freestyle polo played at 12,000 feet, with no umpires, no helmets, and rules that basically amount to "score more goals." The polo ground, called "Mas Junali" (Moon Polo Ground in Khowar), is the highest in the world. Beyond the sport, Shandur is surrounded by alpine meadows, a vivid blue trout-filled lake, and views stretching from Tirich Mir (7,708m) in the west to the Karakoram giants in the east.
The pass is accessible from late April through early November. The rest of the year, snow buries everything.
A Quick History
For centuries, Shandur served as a trade route linking Central Asia to the Indus Valley. In the 16th century, Ali Sher Khan Anchan of Skardu's Maqpon Empire played polo on this very plateau as a show of power between kingdoms. British troops marched through here in 1895 to relieve the siege of Chitral.
In 1935, British administrator Evelyn Hey Cobb asked a local leader, Niat Qabool Khan Kakakhel, to build a polo ground. Kakakhel refused any personal reward. Instead, he asked Cobb to bring trout for the local streams. Cobb ordered live trout shipped from England, dropped them into the Ghizer River, and that is how trout fishing became part of the region's identity. The first polo tournament followed in 1936, and the tradition has continued every year since. In 2025, Chitral defeated Gilgit-Baltistan 9-8 in extra time, maintaining a winning streak stretching back to 2011.
Visa Requirements for Visiting Pakistan
As of January 2026, Pakistan has moved to an e-Visa system for most nationalities. The previous Visa on Arrival and Visa Prior to Arrival programs have been suspended.
E-Visa (Standard Process): Citizens of 192 countries can apply through the official Pakistan Online Visa System at visa.nadra.gov.pk. Tourist e-Visas are typically valid for 3 months or 1 year, with a 30-day stay per entry. Processing takes 7 to 20 business days. You will need a passport valid for at least 6 months, a digital photo, hotel booking confirmation or invitation letter, and a credit/debit card for payment.
GCC Nationals: Citizens of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman do not require a visa.
Important Notes: Apply well in advance of your travel dates. The e-Visa is sent as a PDF to your email. Print it and carry it with your passport. Visa extensions of up to 6 months are possible from within Pakistan.
For the most current information, always check visa.nadra.gov.pk directly before making travel plans.
What to Know Before Visiting Shandur
Best Time to Visit: Late June to early August. The Shandur Polo Festival usually takes place in late June or early July (the 2025 edition was held June 20-22; the 2026 festival is expected around July 8-10). Outside the festival window, Shandur is quiet, empty, and even more beautiful, but you will need to be fully self-sufficient.
Getting There: There are two routes. From Gilgit, it is about 211 km via the Ghizer Road, passing through Punial, Gupis, and Phander. From Chitral, it is roughly 147 km via the Chitral-Mastuj road. Both routes require a 4x4 vehicle. Flights from Islamabad to Gilgit or Chitral take about 1 hour, but mountain flights are weather-dependent. The full drive from Islamabad takes 15 to 18 hours.
Road Conditions: The Gilgit side is in better shape, with paved roads up to Galachmuli. From the Chitral side, expect a dirt track for several hours. After rain, sections become challenging even for experienced drivers.
Altitude: At 3,700 meters, altitude sickness is a real possibility if you have come up from the lowlands without acclimatization. Stay hydrated and watch for headaches or dizziness.
Connectivity: SCOM (the military network) is the only carrier in Gilgit-Baltistan, and coverage at Shandur is unreliable. Download offline maps before leaving Gilgit or Chitral.
Cash Only: No ATMs at Shandur. The last reliable ATM accepting foreign cards is Bank Alfalah in Aliabad, Hunza (from the Gilgit side) or in Chitral town. Carry enough Pakistani Rupees.
What to Pack: Warm layers (nights drop below freezing even in July), sunscreen, sunglasses, sturdy shoes, a sleeping bag rated for 0°C if camping, a torch, and a basic first-aid kit.
Food & Supplies: Stock up in Chitral or Gilgit. During the polo festival, food stalls appear. Outside festival time, there is nothing at Shandur.
Accommodation: During the polo festival, a tent village is set up with basic amenities. Otherwise, you camp on your own. Guesthouses are available in Phander (2-3 hours away), Mastuj, and Laspur.
Food to Eat
Fresh Trout
The star of the region. Caught from the rivers and lakes around Shandur, Phander, and Khalti, trout is pan-fried or grilled over open coals. Simple preparation, huge flavor. If you are staying in Phander, ask your host to arrange a fishing and cooking session.
Chapshuro
A Gilgit-Baltistan specialty: stuffed flatbread filled with minced meat (usually yak or goat), onions, and spices, then baked on a hot stone or griddle. Filling, portable, and perfect for mountain travel.
Lamb Kebabs
Skewered, seasoned lamb cooked over charcoal. Simple, smoky, and widely available at roadside stalls in Mastuj and Chitral. Pair it with fresh naan and green chutney.
Phitti
A round, thick bread from the Ghizer region, often eaten with butter and salt tea. The everyday bread of the mountains.
Apricot Sweets and Dried Fruits
The valleys around Shandur are full of apricot, cherry, and mulberry orchards. Fresh fruit is everywhere in summer. Dried apricots are a year-round staple, and locals make sweets from apricot paste. Also try the local honey, sold by beekeepers along the road from Gilgit to Shandur.
Salt Tea (Namkeen Chai)
Pink, salty, buttery, and served piping hot. An acquired taste for outsiders, but once you adjust, it becomes the perfect drink for cold mountain mornings. Made with green tea leaves, milk, salt, and a spoon of butter or cream.
Best Time to Visit
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
Places to Visit in Shandur - The Roof of the world
These popular destinations have a lot to offer
Shandur Lake
Sitting right beside the polo ground, Shandur Lake has deep blue-green water that mirrors the surrounding peaks. The lake is stocked with brown and rainbow trout, a legacy of those fish shipped from England in the 1930s. On calm mornings, the reflections are almost too perfect. In summer, the meadows around the lake explode with wildflowers, making it one of the best camping spots in northern Pakistan.
Shandur Polo Ground (Mas Junali)
The world's highest polo ground sits on flat, grassy terrain at 12,000 feet. The field is about 200 meters by 56 meters, smaller than a standard polo pitch, with low stone walls instead of boards on the sides. Outside the festival, it is just an empty meadow with mountains on every side. During the tournament, it becomes one of the most electric sporting venues on earth.
Phander Valley
About 2 to 3 hours from Shandur on the Gilgit side, Phander is often called the Switzerland of Pakistan. The turquoise Phander Lake sits in a valley of poplars, orchards, and quiet villages. The area is famous for trout fishing, boat rides, and long afternoons doing absolutely nothing. The Ismaili communities here are welcoming, and invitations for tea are common.
Khalti Lake
Roughly 30 minutes from Phander, Khalti Lake has darker blue water and a reputation for big trout. Locals offer boat rides, and in winter, the lake freezes hard enough for ice-skating. A good stop for tea and photography on your way between Gilgit and Shandur.
Mastuj Valley
On the Chitral side, Mastuj is the last sizable town before the pass. A green valley with apricot orchards, old stone houses, and a small bazaar for stocking up. Mastuj Fort offers a sense of the region's importance as a crossroads between Chitral and Gilgit.
Laspur Valley
Between Mastuj and Shandur, Laspur is a high-altitude valley with scattered settlements and yak herders. Wide meadows, bare rock peaks, and genuine remoteness. Barsat village marks the start of the flat "langer" plain where shepherds graze yaks, cattle, and donkeys before you climb up to the pass.
Things to Do in Shandur - The Roof of the world
Popular activities and experiences
Watch the Shandur Polo Festival
The main event. Three days of wild, freestyle polo between Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan teams, played without umpires or helmets. Folk music performances between matches, traditional dancing, and bonfires at night. The 2026 festival is expected July 8-10. The final match usually draws massive crowds and high-ranking officials as chief guests.
Trek from Shandur to Phander Lake
A three-day trek passing through alpine meadows, along mountain streams, and through the Phander Valley. Wide views of the Hindukush and Karakoram ranges throughout. Arrange a local guide from Gilgit or Chitral. Manageable for anyone with moderate fitness.
Camp Under the Stars
With almost zero light pollution, the night sky at Shandur is extraordinary. The Milky Way stretches wide overhead. Pitch your tent by Shandur Lake and bring a good sleeping bag since temperatures drop fast after sunset.
Go Trout Fishing
The lakes and rivers around Shandur, Phander, and Khalti are rich with trout. You will officially need a permit, but guesthouse owners in Phander can usually help. Bring your own gear or borrow a rod from your host.
Drive the Chitral-Gilgit Road
Visit the Kalash Valleys (Side Trip from Chitral)
If approaching from Chitral, the three Kalash Valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur, and Birir are well worth the detour. The Kalash people follow a polytheistic faith, wear distinctive embroidered clothing, and hold colorful festivals. A cultural experience unlike anything else in Pakistan.
Shandur - The Roof of the world Tour Packages
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FAQs about
Shandur - The Roof of the world
Late June through early August. The pass is open from roughly late April through early November, but the best weather and access coincide with the polo festival in late June or early July
From Gilgit (211 km via Ghizer Road) or from Chitral (147 km via Mastuj Road). Both routes require a 4x4. Flights from Islamabad to Gilgit or Chitral take about 1 hour but depend on weather.
Yes. Northern Pakistan's tourist regions, including Shandur, are considered safe. Checkpoints are placed along the road, and during the polo festival, security increases with army and Frontier Corps presence.
No special permit is required. Some areas deeper into Chitral (near the Afghan border) may require a No Objection Certificate (NOC). Check with local authorities before planning side trips.
During the polo festival, a tent village operates with basic facilities. Outside the festival, there is no accommodation at the pass. Nearest guesthouses are in Phander, Laspur, and Mastuj. Hotels are available in Gilgit and Chitral town.
An annual freestyle polo tournament at the world's highest polo ground (3,700m). Teams from Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan compete over three days with folk music, traditional dances, paragliding, horse parades, and trout fishing competitions alongside the matches.
Warm layers (nights drop below freezing even in summer), sunscreen, sunglasses, sturdy shoes, a sleeping bag if camping, a torch, and enough cash in Pakistani Rupees. Stock up on food and water before leaving Gilgit or Chitral.
Very limited. SCOM is the only carrier in Gilgit-Baltistan, and coverage at the pass is unreliable. Download offline maps and prepare to be disconnected.
Yes. The most popular circuit is Islamabad to Chitral (with a stop in the Kalash Valleys), over Shandur to Phander and Gilgit, then back to Islamabad via the Karakoram Highway. This takes about 8 to 12 days.
3,700 meters (12,139 feet). Altitude sickness is possible if you ascend quickly. Allow time for acclimatization on the drive up.
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