The Broghil festival is a multi-day sports and culture event held in the Broghil valley, at the far northern tip of Chitral near the border with Afghanistan's Wakhan corridor. Past editions have run for two or three days in early September, organised by the district administration, though exact dates move from year to year and should be confirmed locally. Getting there is most of the challenge: the valley sits at the end of one of the longest and roughest roads in Chitral.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Location | Broghil valley, Upper Chitral, near the Wakhan border |
| Yak polo altitude | About 4,150 m (13,600 ft) |
| Typical timing | Early September, dates vary each year |
| Duration | Usually two to three days |
| Getting there | Long jeep road via Mastuj and the Yarkhun valley, open roughly June to early October |
What happens at the festival
The Broghil festival centres on games rarely seen elsewhere in Pakistan: yak polo, played on yaks rather than horses, alongside horse polo, buzkashi, and donkey polo, plus horse and yak races. Past editions have also included a livestock show with yaks, sheep, goats and cattle, wrestling and tug-of-war, and stalls where Wakhi women sell handicrafts and traditional food. Wakhi musical performances and dancing typically run alongside the sporting events.
It is organised by the Upper Chitral district administration, sometimes with support from provincial tourism bodies, largely to draw visitors and income to one of the district's most remote and least-visited valleys.
Yak polo and Wakhi culture
Yak polo is the festival's signature event and is played at around 4,150 metres, making it one of the highest-altitude organised sports anywhere. It is a slower, heavier game than horse polo, and watching two teams manoeuvre yaks around a rough pitch at that altitude is unlike anything else on Pakistan's festival calendar.
Broghil is home to Wakhi communities, an ethnic and linguistic group also found across the border in Afghanistan's Wakhan corridor and in Tajikistan. The festival is as much a showcase of Wakhi language, music, dress and food as it is a sports event, and it draws Wakhi families from villages along the valley who would otherwise rarely gather in one place.
When is it held?
Recent editions have run in early September, typically over two or three days, but this is not a fixed annual date and it has shifted in past years. Confirm the current year's dates with Chitral's district tourism office or a Chitral-based trekking operator before planning a trip around it, since the road alone takes real commitment and you do not want to arrive on the wrong week.
Getting there
Broghil valley lies roughly 250 km from Chitral town, reached by a long jeep road that runs up through Mastuj and the Yarkhun valley. It is a slow, rough route, typically taking two full days of driving from Chitral rather than one, and it is only open from around June to early October before winter closes it. Our guide to Broghil Valley covers the route, permits and what else to see in the valley in more detail; this post focuses on the festival itself.
A high-clearance 4x4 is necessary for the whole route, and travelling with a driver who knows the Yarkhun valley road is strongly advisable given how remote the area is and how little support exists along the way.
What to pack
Even in September, nights at this altitude are cold, and facilities in the valley are basic. Bring warm layers for evenings, a sleeping bag if you are camping rather than staying in a village guesthouse, sun protection, and cash, since there is no reliable banking this far from Chitral town. Mobile signal is patchy to non-existent for most of the drive and in the valley itself.
Is it worth the journey?
For most travellers, the Broghil festival is a specialist trip rather than an easy add-on: the road there is one of the longest and roughest in Chitral, and the festival itself is small and unpolished compared with Shandur's polo tournament. It suits people who specifically want to see Wakhi culture and yak polo and who are prepared for two days of rough driving each way. If your time in Chitral is limited, the Shandur Polo Festival is a more accessible version of a similar experience, and our trip planning notes can help you weigh up how much time a trip like this needs.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Broghil festival held?
Recent editions have taken place in early September, usually over two or three days, but the date is set by the district administration each year and should be confirmed locally before you travel.
How do I get to the Broghil festival?
By jeep from Chitral town, via Mastuj and the Yarkhun valley, a slow route of around 250 km that typically takes two days of driving each way.
Is the road to Broghil open all year?
No. It is generally open from around June to early October and closed by snow and river conditions the rest of the year.
What is yak polo?
A version of polo played on yaks instead of horses, staged at the festival at around 4,150 metres, one of the signature events alongside buzkashi and horse racing.
Do I need a permit to attend the Broghil festival?
Broghil sits within a national park near the Afghan border, so check current entry and permit requirements with Chitral's district administration before travelling, as rules for this area can change.
Is Chitral safe for overseas visitors?
Pakistani tourists visit Chitral throughout the season, but as of September 2026 the UK government advises against all travel on the N45 from Mardan to Chitral city, which is the main road in through Dir and the Lowari Tunnel, and within 10 miles of the Afghan border. If you hold a foreign passport, check your own government's advice before you go, because travelling against it can void your insurance. Everyone should check local news and current police advice before setting out.
