The greatest passion of the Gilgities is Polo, the King of games. The energetic game of Polo originated in the Northern areas is still played in Gilgit and Chitral in its original trilling form. The Friday matches are exciting, but the weeklong tournaments held at the polo ground at the Shandur Pass, are not to be missed. This polo ground is considered the world’s highest polo ground, situated at the height of approximately 3700m. And the matches are held in the months of June, August, and November, when it is the summer season.

Gilgit and Chitral are the traditional rival polo teams, struggling against each other to win the title of the best polo teams of the Northern Areas. The teams of Afghanistan and Kashgar (China) have also been invited here several times for competition.

The matches provide the best opportunity to observe the zest, vitality, and fondness for festivities in the apparently dull mountaineers, as well as the combination of cultures. The thrill of the game is doubled when accompanied with the loud music produced by clarinet and drums played by bands, and the wild involvement of dancing, singing, and shouting folk, free to encourage or jeer at the players without any formal restrictions. The different musical notes indicate the varying situations of the game, and different signal tones are assigned to different players, signaling when they have scored. This allows people especially the women, confined to their homes to follow the current situation of the game.

At the occasion, trout fishing competitions and singing contests are also held. Hunting is also liked by the locals.