Chitral

Chitral

Chitral, in the far north of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, is a Hindu Kush valley beneath Tirich Mir, and a Chitral tour links its riverside fort and royal mosque with the Kalash valleys and the road to Shandur Pass. Go for the Kalash spring festival, the summer polo season or the clear days of autumn.

Why visit Chitral

Chitral is the northernmost part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bordering Afghanistan and Gilgit-Baltistan. Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush at 7,708 metres, rises above the valley, and the Chitral River runs through its heart. Most people speak Khowar, and the region is famous for its polo, music and hospitality. It is also the way in to the Kalash valleys, whose people keep their own language, beliefs and festivals.

Things to do in Chitral

  • Chitral Fort and Shahi Mosque: the old fort by the river, besieged in 1895, and the mosque beside it, built in 1924 for the ruler Shuja ul-Mulk.
  • Kalash valleys: Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir, a couple of hours by jeep south of town. Read more about Kalash.
  • Chitral Gol National Park: steep slopes above the river that hold the world's largest population of markhor, Pakistan's national animal.
  • Garam Chashma: the hot springs that give this side valley its name.
  • Shandur Pass: the high polo ground on the road to Gilgit, reached through Mastuj and the Laspur valley.

Best time to visit Chitral

  • May: Chilam Joshi, the Kalash spring festival, held in mid-May.
  • June and July: the Shandur Polo Festival between Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan. It was held in June in both 2025 and 2026.
  • August: Uchal, the Kalash summer harvest festival.
  • September and October: cooler days, fewer visitors and good light on Tirich Mir.
  • December: Chawmos, the Kalash winter festival, for travellers ready for the cold.

How to reach Chitral from Islamabad

By road Chitral is roughly 350 km from Islamabad and takes 10 to 12 hours. The route follows the motorway to Chakdara, then climbs through Dir to the 8.5 km Lowari Tunnel, which keeps Chitral connected by road through the year. Flights between Islamabad and Chitral run on a limited schedule and depend on the weather, so the drive is the more reliable option.

Chitral tours

Chitral is part of our 12D 11N Shandur Polo Festival Tour, which pairs the valley with the polo tournament on the pass. For Kalash festival trips and other events across the north, browse our seasonal and festival tours.

Plan your trip to Chitral

Choose a tour above, or tell us your dates and we will plan a private Chitral itinerary around the festival calendar, with a driver who knows the Lowari road and stays in Chitral town and the Kalash valleys.