The Great Hindukush Ride
12 Days | 6 Days Riding
19-30 May 2026
What to Expect
Come ride across a truly wild and remote area of Pakistan and enjoy a rare opportunity to explore this region like a local. This itinerary has been curated for you to completely immerse yourself in the culture and wilderness of the Hindukush Mountains and valleys of Chitral. The trip showcases spectacular landscapes, imposing mountains and fierce rivers, including a very charming local population. The ethos of these local communities is entirely based on hospitality; guests are welcomed warmly and hosted immaculately.
- 6 days of riding excursions atop a polo pony (advanced riders only)
- Hosted by Princess Zainab of the Royal Family of Chitral and former Pakistan Polo Captain Shah Qubilai Alam
- Join in a match of freestyle polo!
- Imbibe in nightly sunset happy hours
- Rustic luxury with attention-to-detail
- Delight in daily menus curated by a celebrity chef
- Stargazing 100s of km away from city lights at our private, mobile glampsite
- A massage therapist and bartender travels along with the group
Itinerary in Detail
Day 1 | Depart Islamabad for Chitral
- A member of our team will meet you at the airport or your hotel
- Depart to Chitral in SUVs
- Lunch & sightseeing enroute (9 hour drive)
- Check-in at Hindukush Heights Hotel
- Welcome drinks by the pool & dinner
Hindukush Heights Hotel
Day 2 | Ride to Lone Ghari Camp
5-6 hours in the saddle
- Breakfast, depart Chitral
- Drive to Riri Ovir to meet & choose your first equine companion for the trip
- Ride to lunch, en route at a local home
- Settle into your roomy, furnished tent
- Happy hour & dinner served around your campfire
Lone Ghari Campsite
Day 3 | Ride to Xamuch Camp
6+ hours in the saddle
- Ride through picturesque valleys
- Visit quaint mountain villages and meet friends & fellow riders of local communities
- Watch freestyle polo (join in if you wish!)
- Picnic lunch served en route
- Enjoy your new glampsite
- Settle in for conversation, happy hour & dinner
Xamuch Campsite
Day 4 | Ride & Drive to Mastuj
5 hours in the saddle
- Gallop through Qaghlasht, an expansive 13km mountain-top plateau with 360° views of snow-capped mountains
- Picnic lunch served atop Qaghlasht
- Return your horse, drive to Mastuj
- Check-in to your mountain cabin at Mastuj Fort, enjoy a well-deserved hot shower
- Happy hour & dinner in the orchard
Mastuj Fort
Day 5 | Rest Day to Feed Your Soul
- Breakfast in the orchard
- Book a massage
- Enjoy the peacefulness of Mastuj — take a nap, read, explore the village, visit a trout farm or go for a natural cold plunge
- Lunch under 350-year-old Chinar tree
- Happy hour & dinner in the orchard
Mastuj Fort
Day 6 | Ride to Shandur Top Camp
4 hours in the saddle
- Drive to Laspur Village to meet & choose your final equine companion
- Ride to the Shandur Pass, famous for it’s polo field 12,500ft above sea level
- Lunch served en route
- Take in the beauty of your breathtaking campsite
- Happy hour & dinner served under the stars
Shandur Campsite
Day 7 | Ride to Chumarkhun Pass
6 hours in the saddle
- Ride towards Gilgit
- Start the journey to Chumarkhun Pass, crossing glacial streams & quaint villages
- Settle into your cosy tent with floor mattress & your sleeping bag
- Enjoy your final campsite happy hour & dinner around the campfire
Chumarkhun Camp
Day 8 | Ride to Mastuj
6+ hours in the saddle
- Our most challenging ride down the Chumarkhun Pass, dismounting to walk over rocks & narrow mountain paths
- Lunch served en route
- Serene ride through villages to Mastuj
- Check back in at Mastuj Fort
- Well-deserved happy hour & dinner to celebrate your successful expedition
Mastuj Fort
Day 9 | Return to Chitral
- Breakfast ... then drive to Chitral
- Lunch at Fokker Friendship restaurant
- Watch freestyle polo (join in if you wish!)
- Post-match tea before returning to hotel
- Check-in at Hindukush Heights Hotel
- Happy hour & dinner
- Book an evening massage
Hindukush Heights Hotel
Day 10 | Sightseeing in Chitral
- Relax around the property or by the pool
- Visit Chitrali fort, museum & bazaar
- A forest ranger meets you at the river to view the Markhor mountain goat
- Back in time for happy hour by the pool
- Breakfast, lunch and festive farewell happy hour & dinner
Hindukush Heights Hotel
Day 11 | Return to Islamabad
- Breakfast, then drive to Islamabad
- Lunch enroute
- Check-in to hotel
The 108 Hotel
Day 12 | Sightseeing, Depart Pakistan
- Breakfast
- OPTIONAL: depending on your flight time, you can explore Islamabad & Taxila, a nearby UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Transfer to airport for flight home
Where you Will Stay
Mastuj Fort
Chalets & glamping
Trail Campsites
Private, mobile glamp
Hindukush Heights
Eco-friendly boutique hotel
108 Hotel Islamabad
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.
Bertie Alexander
A British equestrian, adventurer & huntsman (a master of the Peshawar Vale Hunt).
Upcoming Dates & Prices
Prices are in USD
19-30 May 2026
US$7,300 per person for double occupancy / 2 guests sharing
US$7,500 for single room / 1 guest
Non-rider (twin sharing) travelling with a rider is US$5,800
Booking & Payment
A deposit of US$1,500 holds your spot, balance due 90 days prior to departure.
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.
Trip Overview And Details
Overview
- For advanced riders only
- Horses are polo ponies, hired from players who reside and play in the same mountains where you’ll ride
- Maximum 8 riders
- Minimum age to join is 14
- Weight limit for the polo ponies is 90kg (198lbs)
- Non-riders may accompany riders
Included
- Polo pony
- Expert guide
- Breakfast + all meals & happy hours mentioned in itinerary
- Neck, shoulder & foot massages on tap
- Accommodations
- Transportation during trip in SUVs
- Personal pickup & drop-off to airport
Additional (not included)
- Mandatory travel insurance
- Full body massage treatments (recommend pre-booking)
- Extra snacks & drinks
- Laundry service (available only in Chitral)
- Gratuities (optional but appreciated)