Shandur - Pakistan

[K.Haroon]

Shandur Top (elev. 12,200 ft.) is a high mountain pass that connects Chitral to the Gilgit in Pakistan. The top is flat, a plateau and can be crossed between late April and early November. The gradient is very gradual, and the area is crossed by small streams of trout. Every year there is a polo match played on Shandur Top between a team from Chitral and a team from Gilgit. Shandur Top is one of the four major mountain passes to enter Chitral. Cannot forget my July 2005 visit when I thought I could survive the night with just the air mattress and without a sleeping bag considering summers and hot temperature in the day but the night surprised me like hell! Couldn't believe it could get freezing cold at night. Had to borrow a sleeping bag from my friend the next day.


Photo Source: wikimedia.org