Shandur Top - Gilgit Baltistan Pakistan
Shandur Top, flat plateau, is located in Ghizer district, Gilgit Baltistan, at an altitude of 12,200 feet at the distance of 212km from Gilgit via Shandur-Gilgit Road, or at the distance of 150km from Chitral via chital-Mastuj Road. It is surrounded by high altitude snow-capped mountains covered with snow all over the year. It is a major connection point between Gilgit-Baltistan and Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa.
One of the famous event held in the month of July is the Shandur Festival. It is normally held there every year in the month of July. It has an international recognition, number of foreign tourists visit Shandur to end this event. At that festival, different cultural and traditional events are organized, which are the main attraction of this festival for tourists. One of the main event of Shandur Festival is the polo competition between different teams from Chitral and Ghizer.
Shandur Pass connects Gilgit with the Chitral district, and normally can be used to travel between April to November. In the months of winter, it is blocked due to heavy snow in the area.
Shandur Lake is another major attraction near Shandur Pass. It is the main source of the Shandur River or Ghizer River.
Shandur Top Travel Guide
A complete travel guide for Shandur Top is given free of cost to travel or explore Shandur Top. Travel guide provides all of the available visiting spots in the area and various types of expeditions in Shandur Top and its roundabout. Shandur Top Travel guide includes online map of the area as well as printed map on request, important information about the location, and how to organize and plan a tour to visit Shandur Top. high quality pictures describing the beauty of Shandur Top to increase interest to set a tour for it by relying on the Shandur Top travel guide.
About Chitral
Chitral, a beautiful valley in the Hindukush Range, is located on the western bank of the Chitral River, in the Northwest of Pakistan at the far end border with Afghanistan. Chitral is famous for the scenic beauty of Tirich Mir mountain, which is the highest peak in the Hindukush Range, at the height of 25,289 feet and Chitral is also famous for experiencing mountaineering expeditions in Hindu Kush Range.
Before independence of Pakistan, Chitral was a princely state in the British India. Chitral was the capital of Chitral princely state. After independence of Pakistan on 14 August 1947, the Mehtar of Chitral acceded to Pakistan as a princely state of Pakistan. Then in 1969, it was integrated into Pakistan as district of Chitral.
Chitral is one of the highest regions of the World, ranging from 1,094 meters to 7,726 meters. There are more than 40 peaks having height of more than six thousands meters.
Chitral is accessed from Dir via Lowari Pass as well as from Gilgit via Shandur Pass. In winter season, both of the passes are closed, but Lowari Tunnel is opened for ten hours in a day. There are number of other passes such as Arandu Pass, Broghol Pass, and Dorah Pass to access the Chitral Valley from Afghanistan side.
Chitral has warm and dry summers and extreme cold in winter season due to heavy snowfall in Chitral Valley.
The Kalash, is an Indo-Aryan from a Dardic family, residing in the Chitral city. They are totally unique and different among the peoples of Pakistan and also considered the smallest religious community in Pakistan, having their own cultural traditions. The Kalash Valleys are three valleys Bumburet, Birir Valley, and Rumbur Valley. The Chilam Joshi is the main festival of the Kalash people in the middle of May. Tourists visit Kalash valley during this festival to observe the traditions and cultures of the Kalash Peoples.
The Chitral River, also known as Kunar or Mastuj River, is originated from the Eastern Afghanistan and enters into Pakistan from the south of the Broghil Pass in Chitral district.
Tirich Mir, 25,289 ft, is the highest mountain in the Chitral Valley in the Hindu Kush range. It's peak can be easily seen from the main bazaar of Chitral. To get the more closest view of the Tirich Mir, one must visit Tirich village.
Garam Chashma, the highest residing area in the Hindukush Range, is the most beautiful location in Chitral and famous for its trout fish and beautiful atmosphere.
Shandur Top is famous for the Shandur festival between the people of Chitral and Gilgit. A polo match is also played between the Chitral and Gilgit polo teams. There are also number of other traditional and cultural activities there. People from all over the World participate in this festival to enjoy the culture of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan.
