Shandur Polo Festival Pakistan - Traditional Game
Shandur Mela attracts visitors to experience a traditional polo tournament which is being held since 1936 on annual basis in July between the teams of Chitral and Gilgit. The tournament is held on Shandur Pass, the highest polo ground in the world at 3,800 meters.
The rules of freestyle polo mix brutality with finesse. Played with no referee. mallets break, balls fly, sticks crash into arms heads and many players end the game covered with bruises. The skill level of the best layers is exceptional and in combination with the wonderful mountain backdrop and the partisan yet friendly crowd we think this is one of Pakistan's standout events and sees people come back year after year.
The Shandur Polo Festival has lots of tourist attractions as they can take a ride to Shandur Lake or stay and wander around in Gilgit, Chitral and Skardu valleys, the most of beautiful of northern Pakistan.
