Inspire Adventure | Shandur Polo Festival and The Night Episode with Worldie
Written By: Javeria Akbar” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Eagle%20Lake%3Aregular|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css_animation=”lightSpeedIn”][vc_column_text]Incredible mountain hikes, immersion into tradition and heritage, unforgettable encounters and unexpected surprises… Worldie, for the very first time, is taking you to the Roof of The World, Shandur, for the ultimate travel experience. The Shandur Polo Festival coupled with ‘The Night Episode’ at the land of beauty, Phander Valley, is a five day and four nights’ trip. Heavenly landscapes, exotic experiences, and the vast wealth of our heritage await.
The itinerary starts from Lahore and Islamabad and takes you up into the highlands of Shandur and Phander valley. However, people from other cities can join Worldie if they manage to hit the two metropolis’ well on time. This is a once in a lifetime journey…[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInRight”]
DAY 1: Lahore to Chilas
[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_slide” interval=”0″ images=”2766,2748″ img_size=”large” onclick=”” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text]You will begin your journey from Lahore all the way to Chilas. It’s a lengthy road trip for starters, but the mesmerizing beauty of Chilas is worth the wait and patience. It’s a small town situated along the river Indus some 4,150 feet above sea level and is connected via the Karakarom Highway and National Highway to Hazara, Malakand and KP division.Your first destination is the Hotel Shangri La.[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2757,2761″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInLeft”]
DAY 2: Chilas to Phander
[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2754,2763″ img_size=”large” onclick=”” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text]The very next day, you’ll leave for the second heavenly destination, the Phander Valley, commonly called the Land of Beauty. Stretches of serenity, lush greenery and the bluest of waters are featured in a valley that is totally out of this world. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeIn”]DAY 3: Shandur Pass – Polo on the Roof of the World
[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2765,2755,2756,2793″ img_size=”large” css_animation=”fadeInLeft”][vc_column_text]Witness the “Game of the Kings”…
One of the biggest festivals in Pakistan is at the world’s highest ground – the Shandur Polo Ground. Shandur Valley, due to its bleak weather conditions, for most of the year stays covered under blankets of snow. But come summers, it all gradually melts away to unveil the concealed beauty in all its efflorescence.
Initiated by the Balti Raja of Skardu, the Shandur Polo Festival is an 84 year old traditional sporting festival and has always been played between the teams of Gilgit and Chitral. It attracts international tourists and Pakistani’s alike, and has remained a hugely popular sporting event in Chitral despite the decline of Polo’s status in our country since the 70’s.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”2749″ img_size=”large” add_caption=”yes” alignment=”center” css_animation=”fadeInRightBig”][vc_column_text css_animation=”lightSpeedIn”]
The Night Episode
[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2769,2771″ img_size=”large” onclick=”” css_animation=”fadeInUp”][vc_column_text]With the end of an exhilarating polo match, you will be taken to Phander Valley for one of the most exciting nights of your life. Organized by Worldie, the best part of Shandur trip may be the following ‘Night Episode’ – a mysterious adventure with crazy wanderers, famous influencers, vloggers, photography enthusiasts, and vocalists sharing their experiences and telling stories over live BBQ, bakra sajji, rangeen pan (and yes, gol gappay for the chatkhara lovers)…
Worldie’s brought along some of Pakistan’s coolest adventurers and trail blazers for the ride…[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2772,2745,2781″ img_size=”large” css_animation=”fadeInDown”][vc_column_text]Hailing from Karachi, Patangeer is a couple that loves to explore undiscovered regions – whether it’s somewhere surrounding their home city or some far-flung, off beaten whereabouts. To multiply the night episode fun, these two travel junkies are coming to Shandur to share their awesome stories with you. [/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2773,2802,2803″ img_size=”large” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text]A Pakistani girl that’s been perpetually travelling the world with her green passport – Anam Hakeem will be at the Night episode to inspire us all with crazy experiences and travel stories.[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2778,2806,2808″ img_size=”large” css_animation=”fadeInDown”][vc_column_text]Areesha Khan is a visual artist, traveler, blogger and wanderer with awesome travel hacks, amazing pictures and incredible travel experiences to share at the Night Episode. [/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2776,2811″ img_size=”large” css_animation=”fadeIn”][vc_column_text]Meet Umer Hussain at the Night Episode: a textile designer by degree, an explorer and adventurer in spirit, a foodie at heart and above all the dude giving us all some serious sweet tooth cravings – yes, the founder of Pakistan’s biggest ice-cream chain, The Sweet Tooth, will be present![/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2775,2814,2815″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Who doesn’t know this super talented guy!!! Taimoor Salahuddin aka Mooroo is a Karachi-based Pakistani singer, songwriter, actor, director, video blogger, YouTuber, producer and more! He’ll be joining you at the Night Episode, and will be making the exclusive Night Episode Vlog![/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2819,2818″ img_size=”large” css_animation=”fadeInDownBig”][vc_column_text]What could be more beautiful and ethereal than a live music session right between the mountains around the Bonfire? With intense vocals, superb pitch and impeccable looks, Vahaj Hanif will set the evening afire with his melodious voice and compositions![/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2779,2835,2836″ img_size=”large” onclick=”” css_animation=”fadeInLeft”][vc_column_text]A thoughtful writer, seasoned traveller, giant foodie and super interesting Pakistani influencer with a lot of knowledge about local travel destinations and an engaging portfolio of blog articles. She covers everything from travel hacks, secret destinations, eateries, lifestyle and much more![/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2768,2821,2822″ img_size=”large” css_animation=”fadeInRight”][vc_column_text]There wouldn’t be any other chance better than this to rediscover yourself in these heavenly surroundings… and for that Worldie has also set up Yoga sessions with talented yogi Sadaf Khan. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css_animation=”fadeInLeftBig”]
DAY 4: Phander Valley to Naran
[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2753,2751″ img_size=”large” css_animation=”fadeInRight”][vc_column_text]Day 4 is a roll back to home via Naran with a chance to take in some more of the nature’s beauty and making memories with a one night stay at the Flora Inn & Equilent. [/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]DAY 5: Naran to Lahore
[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery interval=”0″ images=”2750,2767″ img_size=”large”][vc_column_text]Finally, the sixth day will have you back to destination one, with a bucket full of memories, incredible moments, extraordinary experiences and of course, a renewed spirit.The trip cost for people joining from Lahore and Islamabad with triple room sharing is Rs. 25000.
For more details on the Trip to Shandur and ‘The Night Episode’, you can visit Worldie Official Facebook page or can Call/ WhatsApp at +923248821484. For more incredible travel experiences on offer, don’t forget to check out this luxury yoga retreat in the heart of Shigar Valley.[/vc_column_text][vc_video link=”https://www.facebook.com/Worldiecommunity/videos/169525987261040/” align=”center” css_animation=”fadeIn”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
