World Heritage sites and Karachi 2 Days
Day 01: Karachi to Thatta (Sindh) for UNESCO World Heritage Tour
After enjoying your breakfast, get ready for an exciting day as you'll be picked up from your hotel in Karachi. Then, embark on a drive to the Chaukandi tombs, which are situated within the limits of Karachi, just about 30 kilometers away and will take around 1 hour and 15 minutes to reach. Once you've explored the tombs, continue driving further East towards Thatta to arrive at the magnificent Makli necropolis. The Sindh Culture and Heritage department has recently enhanced this place to make it even more appealing to tourists. After your visit to the necropolis, make your way back to Café Imran, which is renowned as the best hotel in the region, for a delicious lunch. The return journey covers a distance of 40 kilometers and takes approximately 1 hour.
After having lunch and taking some time to rest, drive East once again, this time to reach the Shah Jahan mosque in Thatta. Explore this impressive mosque and take in the grandeur of its Mughal architecture. Following the visit to the mosque, head northeast towards the picturesque Keenjhar Lake. Enjoy a delicious dinner and spend the night at the ‘Sindh Tourism Dev Corporation Rest House’, which offers a stunning view of the lake. Boating facilities are also available here for you to enjoy. On this day, you'll get to experience the rich cultural heritage of the region, from the historical tombs and necropolis to the architectural marvel of the mosque, and end the day in the tranquil setting of Keenjhar Lake. Meals included: lunch.
Day 02: Thatta to Karachi (Keenjhar Lake and Historic Karachi)
Wake up early at 08:00 a.m. and take a boat to visit the historic folkloric tomb of Noori Jam Tamachi, which is located in the center of Keenjhar Lake. Keenjhar Lake, situated in Thatta District about 36 kilometers from the city of Thatta, is the second-largest fresh water lake in Pakistan and an important source of drinking water for Karachi. It has been declared a Ramsar site and a wildlife sanctuary, providing a habitat for a variety of winter migratory birds and serving as a breeding area for several species. The lake is also popular for picnics, swimming, fishing, and boating, and is connected to the famous folklore of Noori Jam Tamachi, with a shrine marking her grave in the middle of the lake. After breakfast, leave Keenjhar Lake and make a stop at Haleji Lake, which is about 50 kilometers away and will take around 1 hour to reach. Haleji Lake was once a saline lagoon but was converted into a reservoir in the 1930s to supply additional water to Karachi. It is now a wintering site for various waterfowl and a breeding site for egrets and herons. There is also a rest house constructed by the Sindh Tourism Dev Corp here.
On your way back to Karachi, stop at Mazar e Quaid, the beautiful mausoleum of the founder of Pakistan, which is about 90 kilometers away and will take 2 hours to reach. Then, make a stop at Empress Market, a British era structure located just about 4 kilometers away and reachable in 10 minutes. Here, you can explore different spices, dry fruits, fresh fruits, vegetables, and even visit a pets market. Next, head to Student’s Biryani for a spicy biryani lunch.
After lunch, visit the British era Frere Hall, which is only 3 kilometers away and will take 10 minutes to reach. Inside the hall, you can also visit the Sadiquain Art gallery. Then, make your way towards the Baradari of Clifton, crossing Lover’s Bridge and passing by the Iranian Cultural Center and Mohatta Palace. The Barah Dari – Jehangi Kothari Parade (Clifton beach) is about 6 kilometers away and will take 10 minutes to reach. After exploring the area, move to the Food street of Boating Basin for a sumptuous barbecue dinner. You can also indulge in some shopping at the nearby Dolmen Mall. Finally, you'll be dropped off at your hotel or residence in Karachi. This day is filled with a mix of natural beauty at the lakes, historical and cultural exploration at the various landmarks, and a taste of local cuisine and shopping experiences in Karachi.
