Valley · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Chitral is a district and town in the Hindu Kush of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, at about 1,500 metres on the Chitral river. It is dominated by Tirich Mir, the highest peak of the Hindu Kush at 7,708 metres, and contains the three Kalash valleys of Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir, home to the Kalash people.
Chitral was a princely state under the Mehtar until 1969. It is reached from Peshawar through the Lowari Tunnel, opened to traffic in 2017, which replaced the 3,118 metre Lowari Pass and made winter access possible. Khowar is the main language. The Shandur Pass at 3,700 metres, on the route to Gilgit, hosts the Shandur polo tournament each July between Chitral and Gilgit teams.
Three valleys holding Pakistan's smallest recognised religious minority.
River-side fort of the Mehtars, beside the Shahi Masjid of 1924.
The Hindu Kush high point, visible from the town on clear days.
Venue of the July polo festival on the world's highest polo ground.
A 7,750 hectare park with one of the strongest markhor populations.
The highest peak of the Hindu Kush at 7,708 m.
3,700 m polo ground between Chitral and Gilgit.
Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir, cut into the Hindu Kush.
Trout water from Kalam down to Mingora.
Glacial lake above Naran at 3,224 m, frozen much of the year.
Runs the length of Kaghan into the Jhelum.
Flat minced-beef kebab with tomato and coriander seed, from Mardan.
Rice with lamb, carrot and raisin, a Peshawar staple.
Qehwa with cardamom, poured all day in the bazaars.
UNESCO listed Buddhist monastery, first century CE.
One of the world's largest Gandharan sculpture collections.
Bumburet, Rumbur and Birir, with their own calendar and festivals.
Chilam Joshi in May, Uchal in August, Choimus at the winter solstice.
Free-style polo played each July at the highest ground in the world.
Six-string lute at the centre of local music.
Chitral Gol National Park holds one of the strongest populations.
High ridges above Chitral and upper Swat.
Recorded in Chitral's high side valleys.
May to October; the Shandur road is open roughly June to September.
About 10 to 12 hours by road from Islamabad via Dir and the Lowari Tunnel, or by flight to Chitral airport.
The Kalash are an indigenous community of roughly 4,000 people living in three Chitral valleys, with their own language, calendar and festivals.
Yes. Since the Lowari Tunnel opened in 2017, road access from Dir is possible year-round, though snow can still close sections.
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