Chitral
Pakistan · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa · 1500 m
Description
Chitral lies in the Hindu Kush under Tirich Mir, the highest mountain outside the Karakoram and Himalaya, and until the Lowari tunnel opened it was cut off by snow half the year. Three side valleys south of the town, Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir, hold the Kalasha, a few thousand people who kept a pre-Islamic religion and their own calendar of festivals. Chilam Joshi in the middle of May is the one outsiders come for. The Shandur Pass east of the town holds the highest polo ground in the world and a tournament each July. Tirich Mir reaches seven thousand seven hundred and eight metres and is visible from the town.
Length of stay
Recommended length of stay: 3 to 7 days (optimal 4 days)
Travel season
Best time to visit: May – September
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Highlights
- Kalasha valleys of Bumburet and Rumbur
- Chilam Joshi spring festival (approx. May)
- Tirich Mir above the town
- Shandur Pass polo tournament (approx. July)(Multi-day trip)
- Chitral Fort on the river
- Kalasha Dur museum at Bumburet
- Birir, the quietest of the three valleys
- Garam Chashma hot springs
- Lowari tunnel and the road south
- Chitral Gol National Park and its markhor
- Kalasha embroidery and headdresses
Getting there
- Airports:
- CJL