Chitral Valley

Chitral forms Pakistan's northwestern border with Afghanistan, and is home to the precipitous mountains of the Hindkush. This range is different from the Himalayas and Karakorams, and since there are no 8000-meter peaks here, it is not as well known. However, Tirich Mir at 7708m and its accompanying peaks, Noshaq (7492m), Istoro Nal (7403m) and Saraghrar (7338m) command respect. Alexander the Great's troops had to battle through the snows on their passage from Afghanistan to Pakistan, and called the Hindu Kush 'Parapamisus' meaning mountains over which no eagle can fly. The beauty of Chitral lies as much in its rustic, mountainous terrain, as in its warmhearted and friendly inhabitants.

Language : 'Khowar' (Chitrali), Urdu

Climate : Summers are generally pleasant but the winters are extremely cold. Chitral has unpredictable weather during spring with frequent rains and snowfall. The best weather for many may be autumn when it is pleasant with mild temperatures.

Traditional Dresses : The women wear 'shalwar-kameez' (long shirts with baggy trousers) and 'dupattas' (flimsy scarves draped round the shoulders), in winter the men wear 'shuqa', loose, long woolen gowns with long sleeves, the popular headdress is 'pool' which is alsoof woolen material.

Best Time to Visit : Ideal time for visiting Chitral is from June to September.

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:

It is 32 kms (20 miles) from Chitral. 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 cowry shells, buttons and crowned with a large colored feather.

Garam Chashma (Hot Springs):

Elevation: 1859 meters (6,100 feet). Distance: 45-km (28 miles) northwest 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, "humans" (baths) have been constructed near the springs. Foreign tourists are requested to pay a toll tax of Rs. 5.00 per person.

Birmoghalasht:

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 metros (9,000 feet). It offers awe-inspiring views of Trichmir and panoramic vistas of valleys below.

Broghil:

Broghil is a small valley at upper Chitral district. It is near Wakhan Border.This valley is very beautiful. There is Yaar Khun river flows from this valley. Chikar and Arshad Gaas are small valley there. There is a lake also. There are lots of Yalks there.

Lowari Top:

Lowari Top is entry point in Chitral from Dir district. It is a high pass which is off six month per year due to heavy snow. Now a tunel is in progress to aviod this problem.

Mastuj:

Mastuj is on a way to Shandor Top. Mastuj is very silent and beautiful place to visit.

Tirich Mir :

The Tirich Valley is populated with several small villages, separated by groves of apricot trees. The valley is very fertile, and the resulting verdant floor is in breathtaking contrast to the orange and yellow apricots, especially in late summer. After driving to Uthul, trek acros Zani Pass (3886m) to Shagram village.

Shandur Pass:

through some of the remotest mountain villages to Shandur pass 12000 feet. Spend some time at the pass and stop bye at some villages later drive back to Chitral.

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.