Shandur Top

Shandur Pass (Urdu: شندور‬‎)

is located between Chitral District and Ghizer District of Gilgit-Baltistan in North Pakistan as a common shared pass. It is often called the 'Roof of the World'.

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 plentiful small streams during summer. The boundary line between Chitral District and Ghizer District of Baltistan.

During the annual 'Shandur Polo Festival,' which is organized Chitral Districts and Ministry of tourism Gilgit-Baltistan, there is a polo match being played on Shandur Top, between the teams of Chitral District and districts of Gilgit-Baltistan.

The Shandur Pass is one of the major mountain passes between of Chitral District and Ghizer
District of Baltistan, Pakistan.

The initiation of Polo in Shandur is credited to The balti raja of Skardu; Ali Sher Khan Anchan who built the polo ground of Shandur as well.Shandur invites visitors to experience a traditional polo tournament which since 1936 has been held annually in the first week of July between the local teams of Gilgit and Chitral. Organized and financed by the Tourism Corporation of NWFP,

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, dancing and a camping village is set up. The polo tournament is featured in the first episode of Himalaya with Michael Palin

Historically, polo being the king of games was played between small kingdoms, villages and rival groups of Gilgit Agency. From 1936 onwards polo tournaments were held annually at Shandur at the patronage of the British.

The three-day Shandur Polo Festival has developed steadily in recent years into the massive celebration of mountain polo that it is today.

Located in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa’s Chitral area, Shandur Top is thought to be the highest polo ground in the world. Although snow keeps the place covered in snow in winter, Shandur Top turns into a lush green scenery in summer. Every July, Shandur Polo Festival is held here and is an attraction to tourists and natives. It is difficult to get here in winters considering the heavy snowfall and slippery tracks, but in summers visitors use jeeps to reach it.
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