2-Day Tour of World Heritage sites and Historic Karachi

In 2010, Lonely Planet termed Pakistan as being "...tourism's ‘next big thing’ for more years than we care to remember. In 2018, the British Backpacker Society ranked Pakistan as the world's top adventure travel destination, describing the country as "one of the friendliest countries on earth…." The country is geographically and ethnically diverse, and has a number of historical and cultural heritage sites.

About Karachi

Karachi is the capital of the Pakistani province of Sindh. It is the largest city in Pakistan, and seventh largest city proper in the world. Ranked as a beta-global city, the city is Pakistan's premier industrial and financial centre, with an
estimated GDP of $164 billion as of 2019.

Located on the coast of the Arabian Sea, north-west of the Indus River Delta, the mega city is the largest city, original capital and cultural, economical, philanthropic, educational, and political hub, as well as the largest port, of the country.

The metropolitan area along with its suburbs comprises the world's second most populated city, spread over 3,530 square kilometers. The city credits its growth to the mixed populations of economic and political migrants and refugees from different national, provincial, linguistic and religious origins who have largely come to settle here permanently.

It is locally termed as the City of Lights for its liveliness and the City of The Quaid, for not only being both the birth and death place of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah the founder of Pakistan but also his home after 1947. Residents and those born in the city are called "Karachiites".

UNESCO Archaeological sites tour

There are three UNESCO World Heritage Sites at the outskirts of Karachi about 100 kilometers drive. First one the Chaukhandi Tombs about 29 kilometers east of Karachi were built between the 15th and 18th centuries.  The Chaukhandi Tombs now form a remarkably well-preserved necropolis that often attracts curious visitors and
archaeologists and photographers alike.

Second on the list of UNESCO site is Makli Necropolis further east covering more than 10 sqkm ,is one of the world’s largest necropolises, acting as the final resting place of more than half a million people, including kings, queens, saints and scholars.  The necropolis rose to importance as a burial site between 1352 and 1524, when the Samma Dynasty made Thatta their capital . Third on the list is Shah Jahan Mosque of Thatta built in the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.  The combination of red bricks and blue-colored tiles, the mosque has 93 domes and 33 arches.  The foundation of the mosque was laid in the year 1644.

(Courtesy: PTDC & Syed Tabarak, The Tribune, Wikepedia)

Highlights of the tour:

• Visit to Chaukandi Tombs necropolis of 15th century;

• Visit to world’s biggest necropolis, Makli in Thatta, near Karachi.
• Visit to the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan’s mosque in Thatta
  
• Visit to Keenjhar Lake, Pakistan’s 2nd biggest lake, a sanctuary of migrant birds
  
• Night Stay at Sindh Tourism’s guesthouse
  
• Visit to Haleji Lake
  
• Visit to Historic Karachi including Quaid’s mausoleum, Empress Market, Frere Hall, Sadiquain Art Gallery, Lover’s Bridge, Mohatta Palace, Barahdari – Jehangir Kothari Parade
  
• Dolmen Mall for shopping and ending with Boating Basic Food Street

Day 1:  Karachi to Thatta (Sindh) for UNESCO World Heritage Tour

Morning: After breakfast, pickup from your hotel and drive to Chaukandi tombs within the limits of Karachi. 
(about 30 kms in 1h15 minutes). After the visit, drive further East in the direction of Thatta to reach the magnificent Makli necropolis. The place has recently been uplifted by the Sindh Culture and Heritage department to make it more attractive for the tourists.

After the visit return back to Café Imran (the best hotel of the region) for your lunch. (40 kms in 1 hour)

After lunch and some rest, drive again towards East to reach Shah Jahan mosque, Thatta.  Visit the impressive mosque and appreciate the Mughal architecture.

After the visit, drive north east towards the beautiful Keenjhar Lake.  Dinner and night stay at ‘Sindh Tourism Dev
Corporation Rest House’ overlooking the lake.  Boating facilities also available.
(Meals: lunch)

Day 2: Thatta to Karachi (Keenjhar Lake and Historic Karachi)

Keenjhar Lake: is located in Thatta District about 36 kilometres from the city of Thatta. It is the second-largest fresh water lake in Pakistan and an important source of drinking water for Karachi city. Through the construction of a bund on the eastern side, it is said that the lake was formed by the union of two lakes: Sonehri and Keenjhar.

Keenjhar Lake has been declared a ramsar site and a wildlife sanctuary. It provides a favorable habitat of winter
migratory birds like ducks, geese, flamingos, cormorants, waders, herons, egrets, ibises, terns, coots and gulls. It has been observed as a breeding area of the black-crowned night heron, the cotton pygmy goose, purple swamphen, and pheasant-tailed jacana.

Keenjhar Lake is a popular tourist resort. Many people from Karachi, Hyderabad and Thatta visit to enjoy picnics,
swimming, fishing, and boating.

The famous folklore of Noori Jam Tamachi who was a fisherwoman, is connected to the lake. There is a shrine
in the middle of the lake marking Noori's grave, which is visited by devotees.

Haleji Lake: Haleji Lake was a saline lagoon until the 1930s and was converted into a reservoir to provide additional water to Karachi. During World War II, additional water was required for troops stationed at Karachi. The then-British
Government of Sindh Province decided to increase the capacity of the lake by introducing a feeder canal from the Indus River. Salt water was drained out and an embankment was constructed around the lake which was fed with fresh water through a canal. The work was placed on a war footing and was completed within 24 months.

Fauna: Haleji Lake is a wintering site for waterfowl such as cotton teal, spot-billed duck, purple moorhen and pheasant-tailed jacana. It is also a breeding site for egrets and herons.

08:00 a.m. Wakeup early and take a boat to visit the historic folkloric tomb of Noori Jam Tamachi in the center of the Lake. After breakfast, return back from Keenjhar Lake and stop at Haleji Lake. (50 kms in 1 hour).  Visit this small lake which also houses a rest house constructed by Sindh Tourism Dev Corp.

On way back stop at Mazar e Quaid (the beautiful mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan) about 90 kms in 2 hours.  Then stop at Empress Market a British era structure, about 4 kms in 10 minutes.  You will find different spices, dry fruits, fresh fruits, vegetables and a pets market here. Then go to Student’s Biryani for a spicy biryani lunch.

After lunch, visit the British era Frere Hall (3 kms in 10 minutes).  Also visit the Sadiquain Art gallery inside the hall.  Then move towards the Baradari of Clifton crossing Lover’s Bridge and Iranian Cultural Center and Mohatta
Palace. Barah Dari – Jehangi Kothari Parade (Clifton beach) about 6kms in 10 minutes.  After the visit move to Food
street of Boating Basin for sumptuous barbecue dinner.  You can also go for shopping at the nearby Dolmen Mall.

Drop off to your hotel/residence in Karachi.
(Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner)

**** End of tour ****

NOTE: Supplementary price if each participant needs separate room:
For 2 Persons, add $50; For 3 persons, add same $50; For 4 persons, add $100.

Price includes

a)   2-days’ tour with pickup and drop-off in Karachi
b)   1 night’s stay at STDC Resort, Keenjhar Lake on sharing basis
c)   1 breakfast, 2 lunch and 1 dinner included
d)   Transport in air-conditioned vehicle with driver and fuel
e)   Driver’s accommodation and meals

Not included: Medical services, individual insurance, tips, meals & other drinks and other things not listed in the
itinerary. Boating, Parking fee and visitors’ tickets at different parks and historical sites also not included.