Pakistan · UNESCO Heritage Sites

11-Day Southern Pakistan Heritage Tour from Karachi to Islamabad

11 Days Round trip from Karachi Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Pay respects at the revered shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi in Karachi
  • 02 Explore Makli Hill and the Shah Jahan Mosque at Thatta, landmarks of Sindh's heritage
  • 03 Visit Harappa and discover the remains of a Bronze Age fortified city dating to 2600 BC
  • 04 Witness the dramatic flag-lowering ceremony at the Wagah Border
  • 05 Explore Derawar Fort and the royal tombs of the Bahawalpur Nawabs
  • 06 Visit Rohtas Fort and a 400-year-old Hindu temple near Islamabad

See the best of Southern Pakistan from Karachi on an 11-day journey through historic cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Sufi shrines, forts, museums, temples, and mosques. Travel across Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, Bahawalpur, Multan, Lahore, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad, visiting major attractions such as Makli Hill, Mohenjo-daro, Derawar Fort, Harappa, the Lahore Museum, Rohtas Fort, and Faisal Mosque. The tour also offers opportunities to experience Pakistan's rich spiritual heritage, Mughal architecture, archaeological treasures, and vibrant local bazaars.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Makli Hill and the Shah Jahan Mosque at Thatta, built during the golden age of Mughal architecture.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 11 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Easy
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Yes
Cities Islamabad, Peshawar, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Bahawalpur, Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Thatta, Sehwan Sharif
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Karachi City Tour and Sacred Landmarks

  • Begin the city tour in the afternoon with a visit to the Shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi, widely revered throughout Pakistan as a patron saint.
  • Then visit Clifton Beach, the National Museum, and the Mausoleum of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
2
Day 02

Karachi to Hyderabad via Thatta

  • Depart from Karachi after breakfast in the morning and drive to the city of Hyderabad.
  • Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Makli Hill and the Shah Jahan Mosque at Thatta, built during the golden age of Mughal architecture.
  • If time permits, we can also make brief stops at the Chaukhandi tombs and the ancient port city of Bhanbore.
3
Day 03

Hyderabad to Larkana through Sindh

  • Continue through the northwestern regions of Sindh province towards the historic city of Larkana.
  • Stop en route at the shrines of the famous Sufi saints Lal Shahbaz Qalander and Abdul Latif Bhittai, which provide a chance to discover more about these revered mystics, philosophers, and poets.
  • Halt for our overnight stay in Larkana, on the banks of the River Indus.
4
Day 04

Larkana, Kot Diji Fort and Sukkur

  • Visit the impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site at Larkana.
  • Continue from the village of Ranipur to the archaeological and historical site of Kot Diji Fort, formally known as Fort Ahmadabad, in the afternoon.
  • Also admire the impressive Sukkur Barrage, an engineering marvel of this region, as we reach Sukkur.

Overnight stay at the hotel.

5
Day 05

Sukkur to Bahawalpur via Uch

  • Drive north to Bahawalpur for the full day.
  • Stop to visit the beautiful tomb of Bibi Jawindi, one of the five monuments in Uch village, which today is a pilgrimage site for Muslims visiting Sufi shrines.
  • Complete the journey to Bahawalpur and resume sightseeing.
  • Transfer back to the hotel for an overnight stay in Bahawalpur.
6
Day 06

Cholistan Desert and Derawar Fort

  • Drive into the remote landscapes of the Cholistan Desert after breakfast to visit the imposing setting of Derawar Fort.
  • Explore Derawar Fort and the royal tombs of the Bahawalpur Nawabs.
  • Continue to visit a local village and a bustling market before returning to Bahawalpur for a second night's stay.
7
Day 07

Bahawalpur City Tour and Transfer to Multan

  • Embark on a morning city tour of Bahawalpur and get an opportunity to discover some of its historical and cultural highlights relating to the local Nawabs, along with the modern-day local market.
  • After the visit, head towards Multan, located on the banks of the Chenab River. Multan, or Madinat-ul-Auliya, is known as the City of the Sufis, or the City of the Saints, due primarily to the abundant number of Sufi shrines scattered across the city.
  • Visit the shrines of Shah Rukn-i-Alam, Bhahuddin Zikria, and Shams Tabriz.
  • We will also have an opportunity to spend some time exploring the Old Bazaar.
8
Day 08

Multan to Lahore via Harappa

  • Drive to Lahore from Multan.
  • Stop en route at the famous archaeological site of Harappa, where we will have a chance to discover the remains of a Bronze Age fortified city whose origins date back to 2600 BC.
9
Day 09

Lahore Heritage and Wagah Border Ceremony

  • Continue the journey in the afternoon to the city of Lahore, where we stay for the next two nights. It is the historic capital of both the Mughal and Sikh empires.
  • Visit the Lahore Museum, the Badshahi Mosque, Lahore Fort, and several local shrines and mosques.
  • Head east to the Wagah Border to witness the dramatic flag-lowering ceremony.
10
Day 10

Rohtas Fort and Islamabad Landmarks

  • Following breakfast, head towards Islamabad via the Grand Trunk Road or Motorway. En route, visit the 16th-century garrison Rohtas Fort, built by Farid Khan, later renowned as Sher Shah Suri, king of Afghanistan.
  • Drive to see the stunning modern architectural features of Faisal Masjid, with fabulous Himalayan and Margalla Hills views.
  • Visit a 400-year-old Hindu temple and the art gallery in Saidpur village, as well as the Pakistan Monument, which depicts the unity and identity of Pakistan, and the heritage museum representing the culture of the four provinces, including Gilgit Baltistan.

Overnight stay in Islamabad.

11
Day 11

Peshawar and Takht Bai Excursion

  • Proceed to Peshawar city, an important part of the Ghandhara valley and home to many historical landmarks of Ghandhara civilization, the Mughal dynasty, and Hindu and British architectural heritage.
  • Visit Bahalisar Fort, Sethi Mehla, Gantagar, Qisakhawani Bazaar, Choke Yadgar, the Gold Market Museum, and the handcraft bazaars at Ladies Market.
  • Head to the Takht Bai archaeological site and explore the Kushan Empire region dating back to the 1st century.
  • Then drive to Islamabad for your airport transfer.
Makli Hill, Shah Jahan Mosque, Derawar Fort, Harappa

Where this trip takes you

Makli Hill, Shah Jahan Mosque, Derawar Fort, Harappa

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Karachi 12 cities · 11 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Transport throughout the tour itinerary, except for flights
  • Hotel accommodation
  • Meals, including breakfast, lunch, and dinner
  • Nestle water and fresh fruits each day
  • Transport fuel
  • Professional Pakistani tour guide
  • Driver
  • Entrance fees
  • Visa support documents / invitation letter

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance
  • An emergency heli rescue bond
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Optional tours
  • Tips to the van driver

What to bring

  • Comfortable walking shoes and one pair of nicer shoes
  • Shirts (short- and long-sleeved); for ladies, a scarf
  • Socks and underwear
  • Watch
  • Pants, shorts, or jeans
  • Pyjamas
  • Bathing suit (optional)
  • Dressier outfit (reserved for a special night out)
  • Raincoat and umbrella
  • Lightweight nylon jacket or fleece rather than bulky sweatshirts
  • Reusable water bottle

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Shampoo/conditioner
  • Soap (optional)
  • Deodorant
  • Hairbrush/comb
  • Sunscreen
  • Hand sanitiser (optional)
  • Any medications, in addition to a copy of any prescription
  • Spare set of contact lenses/glasses (optional)
  • Money or ATM card
  • Personal credit card
  • At least $50 converted to the currency of PK
  • Pouch for storing money and passport under clothing

Electronics

  • An alarm clock (many hotel rooms will not have one)
  • An adaptor/converter
  • Camera with extra batteries or charger

Documents

  • Proof of a negative COVID PCR test (required)
  • Passport - required on all city tours

Carry-on bag

The backpack that every traveller receives is a perfect carry-on bag. Here's a shortlist of things travellers might need on the first day of the trip. These should be packed in your carry-on in case your checked luggage is delayed.

  • Passport
  • Money
  • Airline boarding pass
  • Toothbrush and toothpaste
  • Medication
  • Any valuables

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Karachi, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan
Tour start
Karachi, Karachi City, Sindh, Pakistan
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 11 days finish where they began, in Karachi.

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