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The 161 kms long landscape of the Kaghan
Valley with its towering Himalayan peaks,
peaceful lakes, majestic glaciers and splashing
waterfalls is a scenic wonderland, ending
northwards in the 4148 meters (13,600 ft) high
Babusar Pass, jeep service is available in the
valley during summer, while motels and
rest-houses offer comfortable accommodation.
There is a PTDC stopover Motel in Bellyached and
a big tourist resort in Naran which provides
excellent accommodation with meals at reasonable
rates. It is an ideal area for trekking and
trout fishing. The adventure begins in
Bellyached, a charming mountain village, from
where a road climbs 34 kms up to Shogran. At a
height of 2,362 meters, Shogran has thickly
forested slopes and grassy meadows, which
present an ideal setting for your first
stopover.
The raging Kunhar river accompanies the steep
winding road which leads to the Kaghan village.
This little village, after which the valley has
been named, is only 61 kms from Bellyached.
Between Kaghan and Naran there is a distance of
25 kms. Naran serves as the base-camp for
excursions to other valleys, lakes and peaks.
10 kms from Naran, this lake is 3200 meters
high, providing an awe-inspiring view of Malika
Parbat (Queen of
 the
Mountains) 5,260 meters high. You can go boating
on the lake and hear the local legend about
Prince Saif-ul-Muluk who fell in love with
fairy.
Babusar Pass 4146 meters high, this is the
gateway to the Gilgit valley. On a clear day,
you can catch a glimpse of the towering Nanga
Parbat, 8126 meters high. This is the highest
point, and marks the end of the Kaghan
expedition.
On the way to the Pass there are many quaint
villages, such as Battakundi, Burawai, Besal and
Gittidas, where you can rest. If you have the
time, the enchanting Lalazar plateau near
Batakundi and Lulusar lake near the Babusar Pass
are worth visiting.
 See Also:
Dudipatsar Lake - Naran - Besal - Lulusar Lake
Pictures
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 Fishing
The Kunhar River and the various lakes offer
plenty of fishing opportunities. Both the brown
and rainbow trout and the mahasheer are found in
abundance. A fishing permit may be obtained from
either the Fisheries Department at Naran, or the
Trout Hatchery at Shinu. Fishing rods are
available at Naran on hire. Guides are also
available at Naran.
The Chitral valley at an elevation of 1127.76
meters (3,700 feet) is favorite with
mountaineers, anglers, hunters, hikers,
naturalists and anthropologists. The 7787.64
meters (25,550 feet) Trichmir, the highest peak
of the Hindu Kush mountain dominates this 321.87
kms (200 miles) long exotic valley.
Chitral district has Afghanistan on its
north, south and west. A narrow strip of Afghan
territory, Wakhan separates it from the Soviet
Union. The tourist season in Chitral is from
June to September.
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Kafir-Kalash
Tribe
One of the major attractions of Chitral are
the Kalash valleys - the home of the
Kafir-Kalash or 'Wearers of the Black Robe', a
primitive pagan tribe. Their ancestry is
shrouded in mystery. A legend has it that some
soldiers of the legions of Alexander of
Macedonia settled down in Chitral and the preset
Kafir-Kalash are their off-springs.
The 3,000 strong Kafir-Kalash live in the
valleys of Birir, Bumburet and Rambur in the
south. Bumburet, the largest and the most
picturesque valley of the Kafir-Kalash, is 40
kms (25 miles) from Chitral and is connected by
a jeepable road. Birir, 34 kms (21 miles) away,
is accessible by a jeepable road. Rambur is 32
kms (20 miles) from Chitral. the road is
jeepable up to Ayun and the remaining 16 kms (10
miles) have to be travelled on foot.
The Kalash women wear black gowns of coarse
cloth in summer and hand-spun wool dyed in black
in winter.
Their picturesque headgear is made of woolen
black material studded with cowries shells,
buttons and crowned with a large colored
feather. The Kalash are gay people and love
music and dancing particularly on occasions of
their religious festivals like Joshi Chilimjusht
(14th & 15th May - Spring), Phool (20th-25th
September) and Chowas (18th to 21st December).
Foreign tourists require special permits to
visit the Kalash valleys. Permits are issued
free of cost by the Deputy Commissioner ,
Chitral.
Elevation: 1859 meters (6,100 feet).
Distance: 45 km (28 miles) north-west of Chitral.
By jeep 3 hours. This unspoiled enchanting
valley of orchards, verdant fields and snow clad
peaks is renowned for its boiling sulphur
springs which are famous for healing effect on
skin diseases, gout, rheumatism and chronic
headaches. For the convenience of tourists "humams"
(baths) have been constructed near the springs.
Foreign tourists are requested to pay a toll tax
of Rs. 25.00 per
person.
Elevation: 2743
meters (9,900 feet). distance: 15 km (9 miles).
Worth visiting is the fairy-tale summer palace
of the ex-ruler perched at a height of 2743
meters (9,000 feet). It offers awe-inspiring
views of Trichmir and panoramic vistas of
valleys below. The fort is approachable on foot
only.
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History
of Polo
Polo is an equestrian sport with its origin
embedded in Central Asia dating as far back as
sixth century BC. At first it was training game
for Cavalry Units for the King's guards or other
elite troops. To the warlike tribesmen who
played polo with as many as 100 players to a
side it was a miniature battle.
Polo became a Persian national sport played
extensively by men as well as women in the sixth
century AD. Usually played in front of royal
palaces, marble goal posts still stand in front
of the palace in Teheran. From Persia the game
spread to Arabia, then to Tibet, China and
Japan. In China, in the year 910, the death of a
favorite relative in a game prompted Emperor A-PAO-CHI
to order the beheading of all players.
In the sub-continent polo was introduced by the
Muslim conquerors in the thirteenth century. the
English work Polo is the Balti word meaning
'Ball'.
There are four players to a side but this is
by no means a rule in local polo games. In the
past there was no limit to the number of players
on each side and no time-limit either. Whichever
team scored nine goals first was the winner in
all official tournaments. The present game with
a team of six players in a side lasts one hour
with a ten-minute break.
Gilgit, Chitral and Baltistan have always
played the game of polo closest to its original
form. In the past the local Rajas, Mirs and
Mehtars were the patrons of the game. At times
more than 50% of the annual budget of their
principalities would be spent on supporting the
game of polo.
The first time a polo tournament took place at
the Shandur Top was in 1936. A British Political
Agent, Major Cobb, who was fond of playing polo
under a full moon had the polo ground near
Shandur named 'Moony Polo Ground'.
Calendar
of Polo Tournaments
- Nauroze Polo Tournament, Gilgit (1-7
November every year)
- Shandur Polo Tournament (second week of
July) every year)
- Chitral Polo Tournament (...?...)
- Skarud and Khaplu Polo tournament (5-10
September every year)
The most exciting polo tournament of the
entire Northern Areas is played on top of the
Shandur Pass, almost 4000 meters above sea
level, a place unique and exotic in itself
surrounded by some of the most spectacular
mountain scenery in the world. the event marks
the annual rivalry between the polo teams of
Gilgit and Chitral.
The Shandur Polo Tournament also has some
added attractions for the visitors. These
include a Golf tournament at the Shandur Golf
ground, also reputedly the highest golf ground
in the world; a trout fishing competition as the
neighboring streams and takes abound with trout;
other equestrian events and a festival of folk
dances of the Northern Areas. The Shandur Polo
Tournament offers much more than an ordinary
festival stretching over five days and four
nights.
The highlight of all festivals of course
remains the final match between the Gilgit and
Chitral polo teams. Polo is played here in its
original state with a minimum of rules and
provides a most colorful spectacle. Supporters
of both sides travel long distances from the
remote parts of Chitral and Gilgit areas in
order to be present at the thrilling Shandur
Polo Tournament. The event, as such, provides a
fascinating insight into the lifestyle of the
ordinary people of these regions. Their culture
and indigenous customs are a delight to behold
for the visitors.
Shandur offers crystal clear lakes, snow
covered mountains and alpine flowers amidst vast
stretches of green grass. A tourist village
comprising tents and restaurant springs up
during the tournament. Merchants from Chitral
and Gilgit set up Souvenir and Folk craft shops.
The tournament offers visitors an opportunity to
mix with the locals of these areas.
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How
to reach Shandur Polo
The Shandur Top lies mid-way between Chitral
and Gilgit on an unmetalled road travelling on
which a adventurous, to say the least. The
distance from either side, Chitral or Gilgit, to
the Shandur Pass is approximately 168 km (105
miles).
Getting to Chitral or Gilgit is possible by
air on PIA Foker operated flights from Peshawar
and Islamabad. There are daily flights but are
subject to weather and tourists planning Togo by
air must make allowance of at least a couple of
days in their itineraries just in case the
weather does not permit flights to operate.
Access
to Chitral by Road
Access to Chitral by road is either from
Peshawar or from Islamabad. Both these routes
join up in Swat from where you proceed via Dir
over the 3200 meter high Lowari Pass and on to
Chitral. Jeep can be hired both at Chitral and
Gilgit to finally end up at the Shandur Top.
Whether you decide to go through Chitral or
through Gilgit you will encounter superb
mountain scenery complete with crystal clear
waters of Northern Area rivers. From the Chitral
side it is certainly worthwhile for travelers to
stop at Mastuj for the night. From Gilgit side
travelers can stop for the right at Gupis.
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Pakistan : NWFP - Peshawar |
Pakistan :
Swat valley - Kalam
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