An exhaustive Sindh travel guide on traveling to one of the least visited regions of Pakistan with the best places to visit in Sindh – an area of dacoits for many, the land of culture and saints for me…
But why are you so keen on traveling to Sindh?
I was bombarded with such absurd questions when I shared with my friends about my plans of traveling to Sindh. With that being said, all those people weren’t exactly wrong. Sindh, the southernmost province of Pakistan is notoriously famous for all the wrong reasons. For years, bad governance has led the otherwise culturally rich part of the country to extreme poverty, famine, and lack of urban infrastructure. These issues have resulted in the rise of dacoits who made it almost impossible to travel in Sindh for decades, barring a few metropolitan cities.
But that is just one side of the coin… there is so much good about traveling to Sindh and in this Sindh Travel guide, I’ll cover everything from good to bad and great to worse about traveling in Sindh.
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Why Travel to Sindh?
The province of Sindh is one of the oldest regions to exist in Pakistan. It is home to the shrines of many Sufi saints who passed through South Asia centuries ago. The 5000 years old city of Mohenjo Daru from the Indus Valley Civilization is in Sindh among other places like the archeological city of Bhambhore, where Alexander the Great stepped foot on the Indian Sub-continent for the first time. The historic and cultural significance in the province makes it one of the top places to visit in Pakistan, however, sadly most tourists choose to visit the mountains in the north over even considering exploring the beauty of Southern Pakistan. Sindh is also a melting pot of religious diversity in Pakistan – Christians, Hindus, Jains, Parsi, a majority of non-Muslims in Pakistan are based in Sindh.
Best Time To Visit Sindh
Situated on the southern tip of the country, it is best to travel to Sindh during the cooler months from November to February. During this time, the temperature drops down and the weather becomes mildly cold, which is apt to explore all the outdoor places in Sindh. The summer months are incredibly hot and by no means I would suggest anyone to visit the province for tourism purposes in the summers, especially during May to September.
Related: An adventurous 6-day travel guide to Hunza Valley in Pakistan
How To Travel To Sindh
This is one of the most commonly asked questions when it comes to planning a trip to Sindh. Traveling in Sindh can get really tricky if you plan to go independently without the assistance of any local. Unlike, northern Pakistan, there is no tourism infrastructure on the southern side of the country. I traveled to Sindh with a bunch of friends who were very well acquainted with the places we visited so I didn’t face any troubles whatsoever. It is highly unlikely to independently travel in the province. Here are some of the traveling in Sindh options to be considered.
- Book a tour with a tour agency – There are plenty of companies running regular tours to some of the main tourist sites in Sindh (keep reading to know more about them). The trips are all-inclusive and take away the headache of planning anything at all. On the downside, these group tours only go to a few popular places and skip many of the unique and lesser-known places.
- Rent a car from Karachi – Every trip to Sindh starts from Karachi where there are plenty of car rental options. Having your own ride gives you the freedom to explore the places at your own pace. The only drawback is that you have to figure out everything on your own and the internet wouldn’t be of much help as there is hardly any practical information on traveling to Sindh on the web.
Visiting Sindh – Solo or Not Solo?
For all the not-so-good aspects of traveling in Sindh I have discussed so far, it is pretty evident that Sindh is NOT a solo traveler haven. For guys, traveling solo in Sindh is still a doable feat minus the constant and curious stares from the locals, but for the solo traveler ladies in the house, traveling alone in Sindh is a big NO! Do not even consider attempting this in the name of adventure. Security threats still exist in the region and the tourist sites in Sindh are far and deserted so it is better to keep some good local company in such places. Everything aside, no one can beat the Sindhi dudes when it comes to starring. Though the stares are mostly curious without any ill-intentions, they’re still strong enough to make you feel uncomfortable!
P.S: Men & women – please dress up as modest as possible to avoid all the stares and unwanted attention!
Must Read: How To Travel As A Foreign Woman In Pakistan
Now that we have covered all the general information on traveling to Sindh, here is a list of all the places I was able to visit during my trip to the ‘Land of Saints’.
Top Places to Visit in Sindh
Karachi
The capital city of Sindh and the official ‘City of Lights’, Karachi is the heart of Pakistan. The city has a rich history of being an important trade center when the Brits ruled the Indian sub-continent. Since then, people from all around Pakistan flocked to Karachi seeking work, which has now made the city, the most diverse city in the entire country. From different religions to ethnicities – Karachi is the melting pot of culture in Pakistan.
Thatta & Makli Necropolis
Just a few hours’ drive away from the hustle-bustle of Karachi is the Makli Necropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Pakistan and one of the largest well-restored graveyards in the world. You may ask what is so fancy about a graveyard? Well, this isn’t any ordinary graveyard. The tombs are built surrounded by huge stunning dome-shaped structures over ten kilometers. The necropolis is home to approximately five hundred thousand to one million tombs built over 500 years.
Just a few minutes’ drive away from the Makli Necropolis is the Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta, which is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful mosques in Pakistan. Built white blue mosaics resembling Iranian architecture, the mosque has a huge center veranda and many hallways connecting to it. Another popular tourist spot in Thatta is Keenjhar Lake, which is the largest freshwater lake in Pakistan. It is a popular picnic spot for people from Karachi. There is a park with a restaurant built across the lake and a hotel is under construction too that will make an overnight stay easier at the lake.
Bhambhore Archeological Site
On the way from Karachi to Thatta, make a pitstop at Bhambhore and visit the Bhambhore archeological site, one of the oldest tourist sites in Sindh. The history of Bhambhore dates back to the 1st century BC. The city of Bhambore was built centuries ago across the Indus river, which has now dried up. The city is of a lot of significance in today’s Pakistan as it was the spot from where Islam started to spread in South Asia during the 8th century. It was conquered by the Arab General Mohammad Bin Qasim who defeated the Hindu king Raja Dahir while making his way in South Asia.
The Bhambhore archeological site is a well-preserved area, which is a rarity in Sindh. There is a museum at the entrance of the site and you can take a guided tour (highly recommended) for a very small fee. The site also has guest rooms, a cafeteria, and an operational public toilet for anyone who would like to stay overnight.
Hala
Just in the outskirts of Karachi, is the city of Hala, which is often only used as a short pitstop by many travelers traveling to Sindh from Karachi. I also made a small stop in Hala but found it to be the best place to shop Sindhi ornaments and cultural dresses at a dirt-cheap price which is impossible to find in big cities like Karachi or Hyderabad. So, for all your shopping needs, add Hala to your Sindh bucket list!
Ranikot Fort
Towards the city of Jamshoro in Sindh is the Ranikot Fort also known as ‘The Great Wall of Sindh’. The fort is built over a distance of 31km with a high resemblance to the Great Wall of China. There are three different gates to the fort, the most commonly used one is the Sann gate. Any real information on why the fort was built or who built it is still unknown, however, the local archeologists believe that it was built during the 17th or the 18th century. Though in a good condition, the walls of the fort are deteriorating in some parts. There is a short trek from the Ranikot fort to a pond called ‘Pariyoon Jo Thar’, which according to the local myth was the meeting point of the fairies, back in the day!
Miri Kot Fort
Just five kilometers away from the Ranikot Fort is the Miri Kot Fort, one of the tourist spots in Sindh that is often overlooked by many people. It was built as an administrative center and the royal residence of the ruling tribe of the area, the Talpurs. The fort has two sandstone arched vaults with beautiful carvings of peacocks and sunflowers. Three of the rooms in the fort were built for the Brits during colonial times. The five bastions in the fort offer a spectacular 360 degrees view of the surrounding deserted small villages.
Sehwan Sharif
Sehwan is a historic city in Sindh, which is popular for the shrine of Lal Shabaz Qalandar, a Sufi saint around whose tomb a shrine is built. Many people consider the shrine to be a religious site and scenes such as people bowing down to the tomb and crying and praying surrounding it can be seen at the shrine. Every Thursday evening, there is a dhamaal ceremony at the shrine where devotees dance in circles on the beats of huge drums. It is truly a sight a behold and a very unique experience to witness.
Gorekh Hill Station
A hill station in the dry and barren land of Sindh, you must be wondering! Yes, though being one of the hottest places in Pakistan, Sindh is home to a hill station, which is a sign of relief for the travelers from the hot weather during the summer months. Lying at the border of the province of Sindh and Baluchistan, the Gorekh Hill Station is situated at an altitude of 1,734m in the Kirthar mountain range about 8 hours’ drive away from Karachi. The temperature at Gorekh remains mildly warm during the summers to sub-zero during the winter months of December and January. While traveling in Sindh, the Gorekh Hill Station is undoubtedly the best place to spot a beautiful golden sunset and sunrise that can be seen from the ‘Benazir Point’, the highest point on the mountain.
Mohenjo Daru
A city dating back to more than 5000 years ago, Mohenjo Daru in Sindh is the historic UNESCO World Heritage Site in Pakistan. The capital city of the Indus Valley Civilization, Mohenjo Daru is a standing example of marvelous urban planning that was done centuries ago. The archeological site is spread over a large area with only a small portion of it open to the public. A guided tour of the historic city is highly recommended as it will educate you about the unique city planning that was done by the people of Mohenjo Daru and how ahead of their time they were. The sewage waterways built by the people thousands of years ago are still functional and drains the rainwater to date! The population of the entire city disappeared mysteriously, while archeologists suggest that the people died due to famine or flooding.
Mohenjo Daru is deteriorating due to the harsh weather and lack of renovation from the administration. The Sindh government has recently built a huge complex around the archeological site, with a museum, children’s play area, and restaurants to attract more tourists to visit it that will help in maintaining such a unique and historic place.
Kot Diji Fort
Situated in the Khairpur district in Sindh, the Kot Diji Fort is an 18th-century fort built by the Talpur Dynasty – the ruling family of the area. The fort sits high on the Rohri Hills and can be seen from a far distance. The fort consists of three 50 feet towers that give a complete panoramic view of Kot Diji city. The fort contains several sites for cannon placement and numerous inner passages for protection. The fort also contains a water reservoir, storage area, prison, courtroom, numerous cells for security personnel, and a small regal residence.
I was able to cover all the above-mentioned places on a three days trip to Sindh. Traveling to Sindh from Karachi allows covering the places like Thatta and Bhambhore in a very short time. However, there are still a few places which I wanted to visit but I couldn’t due to time constraints. Check them out and add them to your itinerary, if you fancy.
Other Places To Visit in Sindh
Khairpur
Khairpur is one of the cities in Sindh I wanted to visit really badly. The top places to visit in Khairpur includes:
- Faiz Mahal – A beautiful 18th-century palace now used for administrative purposes. A guided tour of the inside of the palace can be taken for a fee.
- Sheesh Mahal – Situated close to the Kot Diji Fort is the marvelous Sheesh Mahal ‘The Palace of Mirrors’. All the interiors of the palace from the ceiling to the walls are covered with different types and shapes of mirrors making it a very unique place to visit. (I’m not sure if it is open right now for the public so double check before visiting).
- Date Orchards – Do you know the highest cultivation in all of Sindh is done in Khairpur? You can visit one of the many Date orchard farms in Khairpur or admire them from a distance while driving on the National Highway towards the city.
Shrine of Shah Abdul Lateef Bhittai
Shah Abdul Lateef Bhittai is a prominent Sufi saint in Sindh and his shrine attracts more than five hundred thousand devotees from all over the country during the annual ceremony held at the shrine. The shrine itself is a beautiful structure built with blue mosaics. If you’re lucky, you can also see a Sindhi folk music performance at the shrine. The shrine is visited by Muslim and Hindu devotees.
Mehrano Wildlife Sanctuary
The Mehrano Wildlife Sanctuary is a privately owned forest by the Talpur Mir Royal family, however, a small part of the wildlife sanctuary is opened for the public. The Mehrano forest is home to rare species of blackbuck, Indian gazelle, hog deer, and wild boars in Pakistan. It is also a resting spot for the migratory birds from Siberia. The Mehrano forest extends towards the South and connects with the Cholistan desert in south Punjab.
Also Read: All About Visiting The Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally in Pakistan
Shrine of Sachal Sarmast
Sachal Sarmast is a famous Sindhi poet who used his poetry to spread the message of love and humanity. He is one of the most celebrated poets in the province. He is referred to as ‘Shair-e-Haft Zaban’, meaning, the poet of seven languages. The shrine of Sachal Sarmat is a grand dome-shaped monument built with the iconic yellow and blue mosaics, the depiction of Sindhi architecture that can be seen at many shrines across Sindh and South Punjab.
Sukkar
Lying at the border of Sindh and Punjab, Sukkar is one of the largest cities in Sindh. While traveling to Sindh from Punjab, Sukkar is the first stop in the province. Some of the tourist spots in Sukkur include the Sukkur Barrage built over the river Indus, the Tomb of Seven Sisters, and Masoom Shah Jo Minaro, another beautiful tomb built in an enchanted monument with a minaret.
Tharparkar
Otherwise known as ‘Thar’, the Tharparkar district is the largest district of Sindh. ‘Nagar’ is the largest town in Tharparkar. The Thar desert spans over 175,000 square kilometers and stretches to India towards the East. Tharparkar is one of the poorest regions in all of Pakistan with famine being the reason for the most deaths. Thar is predominately populated by the Hindus.
Sindh Trip Itinerary Options
I completely understand that it is not easy to plan a trip to Sindh due to a lack of practical information online, so here are some sample itineraries you can follow, which will help you in covering most of the places in this Sindh travel guide:
- Bhambhore & Thatta – Half day trip from Karachi
- Ranikot, Miri Kot & Sehwan Shareef – Full day trip from Karachi
- Gorekh hills station & Sehwan Shareef – Full day trip from Karachi
- Khairpur, Kot Diji Fort, Mehrano Wildlife Sanctuary, Shrine of Shah Abdul & Mohenjo Daru – Multiday trip from Karachi
- Tharparkar – Multiday trip from Karachi
- Sukkar & Sachal Sarmast Shrine – Full day or multiday trip from Karachi
Booking accommodation in Sindh can get tricky! Check and compare the hotel prices
Booking.comPhewww! If you’ve made your way till here, I’m sure you must be awe-inspired by the historic and cultural diversity of Sindh. Traveling in Sindh is by no means a straightforward task, it can be daunting and confusing due to a lack of information and signages while on the road but if you’re able to pull it off, it is going to be one of the most memorable journeys of your life! As a parting note, do forget to buy the Sindhi Ajrak shawl and Sindhi Topi on your trip!
Looking For More Information on Traveling in Pakistan? Check out my other Pakistan Travel Guides
- A Photo Guide of Cherry Blossom in Hunza
- From Terrorism to Tourism – Best Things To Do in Swat
- A Photo-Heavy Guide on What To Do in Skardu
- Things To Do & Day Trips To Take from Bahawalpur
I had no idea that this area had such a bad reputation. I’m glad I was able to read a bit more about it through your post.
I would absolutely love to visit Pakistan. Definitely saving this article for later!