Pass
Shandur Pass
Ghizer district · 3,700 m
At 3,700 m, the pass between Ghizer and Chitral, with the highest polo ground in the world on top.
Shandur is not a narrow col. The book describes a very broad plain, scattered with lakes and crossed by the Handrup river, with a total area of 518 sq km that makes up the Shandur-Hundrup National Park. It connects Ghizer to Chitral, and it is one of the most important of the many passes used by pilgrims, traders and local people.
Kind PassDistrict GhizerElevation 3,700 mPosition 36.089° N, 72.546° E
About Shandur Pass
Shandur is best known for polo. A tournament between the Gilgit and Chitral teams is held on the plain every summer, and it draws spectators from across Pakistan and abroad. Warm up matches begin in each district well before the date is fixed. The book calls the tournament the Shandur Polo Festival, and gives June. Our own notes give July. The dates move a little from year to year, so confirm them when you plan.
Polo here is a lively, traditional version of the game. Teams have five or six players, the same ponies are used throughout, and there are few rules. Musicians play a particular tune for each player, a custom with very old roots. In older days a match was a sign of good weather and a good harvest, and had shamanistic meanings. It is a joy to watch.
Come for the polo and stay for the plain itself, with its lakes, wide sky and mountain edge. A trip to Shandur is something you will tell your friends about.
Elsewhere in Ghizer
Swipe along the district, from the valley floor to the summits.
- 1,800 m
Town or village
Gahkuch
The district headquarters of Ghizer, on the Gilgit river, and the turn for the Ishkoman valley.
- 2,400 m
Town or village
Ishkoman
A valley where nine languages are spoken in Immit village alone, and the base for treks to Yasin, Naltar and Chapursan.
- 4,272 m
Lake or water
Qurumbar Lake
At 4,272 m, a perennial lake at the head of Ishkoman, inside Pakistan's first wetlands national park.
- 2,200 m
Town or village
Gupis
Where the Yasin river joins the Gilgit, and where the road divides for Yasin and Shandur.
- 2,250 m
Lake or water
Khalti Lake
Trout water below Gupis, frozen hard enough to walk on by January.
- 2,300 m
Town or village
Yasin
A Burushaski speaking valley, once a powerful independent kingdom and the gateway between the Oxus and the Indus.
- 2,800 m
Town or village
Darkot
The last village on the road north of Yasin, and the base for treks over the Darkot Pass into Chapursan.
Lake or water · 2,900 m
Phunder
The river braids into blue pools below the village: trout, poplars and a polo ground, on the road to Shandur.