Polo in Pakistan

Polo in Pakistan
Share this:

What is your idea of a regular polo game?
Probably perfectly maintained green field, elegant horses along with properly equipped riders and public consisting of lords, counts etc.
In certain places it definitely goes that way, but that’s not the situation in all 16 countries where polo is considered to be an official sport.
China, India, Iran, Mongolia and Pakistan they all claim to be the birthplace of polo.
But let’s focus on Pakistan. If you happen to roam the streets of Gilgit in spring or fall and if you feel like digging deeper into local’s ways of entertainment, buy yourself a ticket for a polo game and head directly to the pitch. Seating there is up to you. There are VIP sits on first row, but have in mind that they come with the extra risk of being run over by a horse.
Once the game begins the horses are raced into furious battle. Polo sticks are used to hit both opponents and the ball. Players would literally do anything to drive the ball forward. They regularly fall over their horses when they collide with an opponent. It’s an authentic, tense and dusty battle, not always appealing to the weak hearted, but for sure worth seeing as Gilgit’s locals are considered to be some of the fiercest and finest Polo players.

If you wish to explorer more of what Pakistan has to offer, check our tour:

Karakoram Highway and Hunza Shangri-La, Pakistan

Senegal and The Gambia: A Cultural and Wildlife Odyssey 1350 , 10 Days

Senegal and The Gambia: A Cultural and Wildlife Odyssey

Desert lands, tropical forests and magnificent coasts. On this unique holiday in West Africa...
Caucasus Explorer - Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan 1290 , 11 Days

Caucasus Explorer - Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan

The Caucasus - the region where Europe meets Asia, where dramatic nature landscapes meet...
Balkan Kaleidoscope - 8 Balkan Countries in 14 Days 1390 , 14 Days

Balkan Kaleidoscope - 8 Balkan Countries in 14 Days

Once upon a time people said that the Balkans were the “powder-keg of Europe”. Indeed,...

View all» What people say about us

Great
Penguin Travel on Trust Pilot
Based on 86 reviews
Trust Pilot
Binky's Review Verified review Verified
Great caucus Explorer trip
Caucus Explorer( Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan ) was a great trip . Even though our Van is fully...
Beth, 5 May
Daniel's review Verified review Verified
8 day Caucasus trip
5/5 for the Caucasus trip in apr/may 2024. Everything was well planned and executed.
Haris, 3 May
Maribeth's review Verified review Verified
Excellent and Amazing Tour
Excellent tour. My highlight of the tour is Sarajevo, Mostar, Ohrid and more places. I like the itinerary...
Arnold, 6 April
View all»

Blog

14.02.2025 11:50

Everything you need to know about travelling to Cameroon and Central African Republic: Essential travel information (Q&A with our tour leader)

We just got back from an unforgettable journey through Cameroon and the Central African Republic, and we’re still buzzing from the experience. It was an adventure in the truest sense - bouncing along remote dirt roads in sturdy 4x4s, deep in the Central African rainforest, where every turn reveals something incredible—lush green landscapes, curious children running out to greet us,...


12.02.2025 07:47

Into the Heart of Africa: A Journey Through the Central African Republic

Some places pull you in with their beauty, others with their mystery. The Central African Republic (CAR) does both. It’s not a country you stumble into—it’s a place you choose, a place that challenges and rewards in equal measure. Our journey took us through its bustling capital, deep into the jungle, across colonial relics, and to breathtaking waterfalls, but more than...


24.01.2025 06:56

Îles du Salut, French Guiana: Paradise with a Past (What You Need to Know About Visitng the Islands)

Just off the coast of French Guiana, the Îles du Salut (Salvation Islands) shimmer like emerald jewels in the Atlantic, enticing travelers with their beauty and enigmatic past. The name might suggest refuge, but for most who came here, salvation was the furthest thing from reality. The islands were so named because they offered a safe haven from the deadly diseases that ravaged French Guiana's...


22.01.2025 08:09

Kaieteur Falls: Exploring Guyana’s Majestic Wonder (Facts, Legends and Practical Information for Visiting the Falls)

Nestled deep in the pristine rainforest of Guyana, Kaieteur Falls is one of the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world. Cascading 741 feet (226 meters) from the Potaro River into a gorge below, it’s not only one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls globally but also one of the most mesmerizing. Whether you're drawn by its sheer scale, lush surroundings, or the sense of untouched...