Shandur Pass Tour
The Roof of the World's polo ground — a 3,700 m plateau between Ghizer and Chitral.
What is the Shandur Pass tour and when should you go?
Shandur Pass is a grassy plateau at about 3,700 m between Ghizer and Chitral, home to the world's highest polo ground and the Shandur Polo Festival each July. Pakistan Travellers runs it in summer only, roughly late June to September, reaching it by 4x4 from Gilgit via Phander or from Chitral via Mastuj.
- Both approaches are long, remote 4x4 drives done over several days.
- The July festival brings mountain polo, music, folk dancing and a tented camp.
- Snow closes the crossing outside the summer months.
Shandur Pass, the 'Roof of the World', is a vast 3,700 m grassy plateau between Ghizer and Chitral, famous for hosting the world's highest polo ground and the legendary Shandur Polo Festival each July. Ringed by peaks, dotted with lakes and open meadows, it is one of Pakistan's great high-country crossings and a bucket-list route for adventurers. Our tours handle the long, remote drive, camping or stays and festival logistics.
About Shandur Pass
At around 3,700 m, Shandur is a wide, flat alpine plateau rather than a sharp pass — grassland, small lakes and grazing horses beneath big skies. Its centrepiece is the historic polo ground, the highest in the world, where teams from Gilgit and Chitral meet in the famous July festival, one of the most colourful events in the region.
The Shandur Polo Festival
Held each July, the Shandur Polo Festival brings free-style mountain polo, music, folk dancing and a huge tented camp to the plateau. It is a spectacular, atmospheric event — and busy, so we book transport and camping well in advance for anyone wanting to attend.
How to get there
Shandur is reached from either side — from Gilgit via the Ghizer valley and Phander, or from Chitral via Mastuj. Both are long, remote drives on rough roads, best done over several days with an experienced 4x4 driver. Our tours plan the route, pace and overnight stops.
Best time to visit
Summer is the only practical season — roughly late June to September, when the plateau is green and the pass is clear of snow. The festival is in July. Outside summer, snow closes the crossing. We run Shandur trips in the warm months only.
What's included
- Private transport with a trained mountain driver (Coaster/van for larger groups)
- Handpicked hotels — Standard, Executive, Luxury or Premium on request
- Daily breakfast
- Fuel, toll taxes & driver allowance
- Expert local guide & 24/7 on-trip support
Not included
- Lunch & dinner
- Personal expenses (shopping, tips, etc.)
- Extra activities (boating, jet ski, chairlifts)
- Travel insurance & air tickets (unless a by-air package)
Most Shandur Pass trips are fully customised
We rarely sell a fixed, off-the-shelf tour. Instead we build each itinerary around your dates, group size, pace and budget — and confirm hotels based on live availability for your travel window. Your total package cost comes down to just two choices:
A private 4×4 with a trained mountain driver, sized to your group. For a smooth, comfortable mountain journey we usually recommend the Toyota Prado TZ, though the full range — from sedans to Land Cruisers, Grand Cabins and Coasters — is available depending on your group size.
Choose from four tiers — Standard, Executive, Luxury and Premium. Same route, elevated comfort at each step. Premium and 5★ stays such as Shangrila, Broqand other resorts deliver the best locations and views; these raise the total but are worth it for a special trip.
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Every trip is private — your own vehicle and driver, never a shared coach. Child-friendly hotels, and the pace is planned around the youngest and oldest in the group.
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