Royal Tour of the Shandur
Polo Festival 2026
9 Days | 7-15 June 2026
What to Expect
We invite you to join us and experience a traditional polo tournament which has been held annually since 1936; between the polo teams of Chitral and Gilgit. The tournament is held at Shandur Top, the highest polo field in the world at 3,700 meters (the pass itself is at 3,800 meters). The festival includes folk music and dancing … and our private glampsite of polo enthusiasts, adventurers and supporters adds to the atmosphere of the tournament.
- Specially arranged luxury polo and adventure trip with VIP seats and insider access
- Hosted by Princess Zainab of the Royal Family of Chitral and former Pakistan Polo Captain Shah Qubilai Alam
- View the splendor of the Milky Way from a private glamp site setup just for the tour
- Delight in daily menus curated and prepared by celebrity chef Natasha Qizilbash @if.natcancook
- Ride a polo pony, go for walks & swims, watch freestyle local polo, and enjoy nightly sunset happy hours
- A massage therapist and bartender travels along with the group
Itinerary in Detail
Day 1 | Arrive to Islamabad
- You will be personally received by a member of our team
- Transfer to the Serena Islamabad Hotel for your first night’s stay
Serena Islamabad Hotel
Day 2 | Chitral
- Breakfast at the hotel
- 8am depart for Chitral in SUVs (9 hour drive)
- Lunch enroute
- 5pm arrival & settle in at Hindukush Heights
- 7pm welcome drinks by the pool
- 8:30pm dinner
Hindukush Heights Hotel
Day 3 | Sightseeing in Chitral
- Breakfast
- Explore the property, relax by the pool
- Lunch at the hotel
- Drive to Chitral town to visit the fort, museum & bazaar
- Guided by a forest ranger, take a trip to the riverside to see a herd of local Markhor mountain goats, an endangered species, descending the slopes for grazing and drinking water. The Markhor is the national animal of Pakistan
- Happy hour by the pool
- Dinner at the hotel
Hindukush Heights Hotel
- Breakfast
- 10am depart for Mastuj Fort – a majestic four-hour drive along the Mastuj River
- Lunch enroute
- 3pm arrive at Mastuj Fort and settle into your wooden chalet set within a walnut and apricot orchard
- Take an evening walk through Mastuj village
- Happy Hour in the orchard
- Dinner in the orchard
Mastuj Fort
Day 5 | Shandur Private Glampsite
- Sunrise hike (optional)
- Breakfast
- Spend the morning relaxing within the orchard with a book, wandering around the village, or book a massage
- Lunch at Mastuj Fort
- 2pm depart on a scenic 2.5 hour drive to Shandur Top
- Arrive and settle in at our private luxury glampsite
- Happy Hour at the glampsite
- Join an evening of entertainment hosted by the Gilgit Polo Team
- Dinner at the campsite
Shandur Glampsite
- Breakfast
- Witness the exhilarating polo match between the Chitral and Gilgit “B” & “C” teams in priority seating
- Lunch back at the glampsite
- Explore Shandur on horseback
- Happy hour at the glampsite
- Sit around the campfire with Shandur legend and king of freestyle polo Prince Sikander Ulmulk
- Dinner at the glampsite
Shandur Glampsite
- Breakfast
- Witness the Shandur Polo Final between the Chitral and Gilgit “A” teams in priority seating
- Return drive to Mastuj Fort
- Lunch at Mastuj Fort
- Relaxing me-time or book a massage
- Happy hour within the orchard
- Dinner at Mastuj Fort
Mastuj Fort
- Breakfast
- 10am depart for Chitral
- Lunch at Fokker Friendship Restaurant
- Check-in at Hindukush Heights
- Farewell drinks & barbecue
Hindukush Heights Hotel
Day 9 | Depart Islamabad
- Breakfast
- Spend the morning by the pool
- 10am depart for Islamabad
- Lunch enroute
- 7pm arrival at Islamabad International Airport
Where you Will Stay
Shandur Top Tent Village
Private luxury campsite
Islamabad Serena Hotel
Pakistan’s top 5-star hotel
Mastuj Fort
Chalets & glamping
Hindukush Heights
Eco-friendly boutique hotel
Your Hosts
Zainab Ulmulk
Co-founder of Hindukush Holidays, horse safari pioneer in Pakistan, and Princess of the Royal Family of Chitral.
Shah Qubilai Alam
Co-founder of Hindukush Holidays, former Pakistan Polo Team captain.
Shah Changez “Chango” Alam
Polo player, studied hotel management & tourism at prestigious Les Roches Marbella.
Zainab Ulmulk
Shah Qubilai Alam
Shah Changez “Chango” Alam
Upcoming Dates & Prices
*Minimum age to join in 16 | Prices are in USD.
7-15 June 2026
US$7,200 per person for double room / 2 guests
US$7,400 for single room / 1 guest
Booking & Payment
A deposit of US$1,500 holds your spot, Balance due by 1 April 2026.
Cancellations 60 days prior to departure entitled to full refund minus deposit & bank charges.
Cancellations 30 days prior to departure entitled to 50% refund minus bank charges.
No refund for cancellations within 30 days prior to departure.
What you Get
Included in this tour
- 1N Serena Islamabad Hotel
- 3N Hindukush Heights Hotel
- 2N Mastuj Fort Chalets & Glamp
- 2N Private Glamp (rustic luxury)
- All meals & evening happy hour
- Shandur Polo Festival (premium access)
- Shoulder & foot massages
- Transportation during trip
- RT transfer from Islamabad
Additional (not included)
- Full body massage treatments (recommend pre-booking)
- Extra snacks and drinks in Chitral & Mastuj
- Laundry service (only in Chitral)
- Gratuities