Events / September - October
Birir Valley · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pul Festival
The autumn festival celebrated only in Birir, the smallest and most secluded of the three Kalasha valleys.
Pul (also Pho) closes the agricultural year in Birir with rituals led by community elders.
- When to plan
- September or early October; Birir sees the fewest visitors of the three Kalasha valleys.
- Getting there
- Reach Birir via Chitral, allow a multi-day itinerary covering Rumbur and Bumburet rather than a single-day dash.
Birir only
Pul is not celebrated in Bumburet or Rumbur. Travellers who reach Birir see the most secluded of the three valleys and a festival tied entirely to local elders' calendar.
Multi-valley pacing
Plan at least four nights in the Chitral region to do justice to Birir, Rumbur, and Bumburet without rushing sacred days.
More in Birir Valley · Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Region guide →
May
Chilam Joshi (Joshi)
The Kalasha spring festival, milk stored for days, processions, and group dancing at the Charso grounds in Bumburet.
June - July
Shandur Polo Festival
The world's highest polo ground, Chitral and Gilgit teams meet on a plateau above the clouds.
Late August
Uchal (Uchau)
Kalasha harvest thanksgiving, cheese, bread, and rituals marking the end of the high pasture season.
