Away With The Steiners

Day trip from Karachi to Thatta and Makli UNESCO Pakistan sites.

Sarah Steiner

There is so much history in the Sindh province.  Karachi is the largest city in Pakistan and has plenty of entertaining, tasty and historic points of interest. But there is nothing quite like a day trip to escape the colourfully chaotic metropolis; and especially when the daytrip is from Karachi to Thatta and the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Makli and Thatta. 

About the southern Pakistani province of Sindh

Karachi is the capital city of the southern Pakistani province of Sindh.  It is the largest city in Pakistan and the 12th most populous city in the world with more than 22,000,000 inhabitants.   

I’d describe it as a chaotic but loveable megacity of Pakistan. 

While it is the main seaport and financial centre of the country, Karachi hasn’t always had the best standing for travelers.  

It is fondly (or not so) known as the City of Lights and has a somewhat outdated reputation as a dangerous city destination. Albeit it is huge.  But the reality is now with a trickle stream of adventure travelers, views of Karachi and the south of Pakistan is changing. 

Taking a day trip from Karachi to Thatta 

There are undeniably plenty of things to do in Karachi as a visitor.  But we reckon that one of the best things we did in Sindh on our first visit to Pakistan was taking a day trip from Karachi to Thatta.  

It still grates me internally to confess I didn’t realize the historic or recognized significance of Thatta and Makli before our day trip to visit.  

It really is an incredible part of the country, and the significance is huge for Pakistan. 

Day trip from Karachi to Thatta Shah Jahan Mosque.
The incredible Shah Jahan Masjid in Thatta is one of the most beautiful mosques of South Asia.

What is Thatta? 

Thatta is a city in the Pakistani province of Sindh.  It was once the medieval capital or Sindh and has a history of successive dynasties and changes of power.  

The modern city of Thatta is the capital of the Thatta district.  Though the city itself has little evidence of the rich cultural heritage of the region. 

That is, except for the magnificent Shah Jahan Thatta Mosque and the Makli Necropolis located just on the outskirts of the modern city… 

And Makli?

Makli Necropolis a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest funerary sites in the world.  The site has around half a million tombs and graves in an area that is around 10 square kilometres in size.

I cringe every time knowing we arrived without realizing how massive this is.  

Pakistan has six UNESCO sites of which the Makli Necropolis at Thatta is one. 

Where is Thatta?

The drive from Karachi to Thatta and Makli takes about 2 hours. 

Albeit Google Maps offers an optimistic time of less than that.  Though in reality getting out of the traffic from Karachi takes longer and more patience than is listed. 

Another 3 – 4 hours are needed from Karachi in Thatta and Makli to explore the sites thoroughly.  

What is the best way to get from Karachi to Thatta and Makli? 

There are several ways to get from Karachi to Thatta. 

By public transport it is possible to catch a minivan or bus from Karachi to Thatta.  However, the buses leave sporadically from an apparently unmarked bus stop somewhere near the Teen Hatti Flyover.  

Check the details for the bus from Karachi to Thatta before setting out.  We went the easier route and travelled with a private driver and we were with local friends from Karachi.

I think unless you are already travelling on a guided tour in Sindh, the easiest way to get from Karachi to Thatta and Makli and then between the sites is to make a day trip of it and book a car and driver. 

Stopped on the way for a morning chai in the busy town of Gharo.

Karachi to Thatta and Makli 

The drive from Karachi to Thatta is mostly on the Karachi Thatta Dual Carriageway once out of the city.  

We stopped for breakfast and chai in Gharo. 

It took us a while to get out of the city but once out the drive from the outskirts of Karachi to Thatta took under two hours. 

Within the Thatta district it is not far from Thatta Jama Masjid to the Makli Hill Necropolis.

Time for chai (and a few more stares).

Do you need a security escort from Karachi to Thatta or Makli? 

The Pakistani government is keen to protect the nation’s tourism industry, and there are areas and destinations in Pakistan where officials will insist tourists visit with an armed guard.  We had to have an escort in Multan as well.

Albeit you don’t have to pay for these guards.  Their presence is usually just a precaution.  But the use of their services is mandatory in the prescribed areas.

We were assigned a guard while we visited Makli on our day trip from Karachi to Thatta. 

The guard was friendly and followed us around the site.  Though security officials near the entrance made it clear we couldn’t visit the site without a guard.  

At Makli Necropolis with our assigned security guard.

Things to do and see in Thatta and Makli 

The primary attractions of the Thatta district are the Makli Necropolis and Shah Jahan Masjid.  

Makli Necropolis

Makli is an area in the Thatta district boasting the fascinatingly historic graveyard of the Makli Hills.  

The necropolis was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 and is described as a testament of the glorious Sindhi culture between the 14th and 18th centuries.

The necropolis site houses tombs, graves and monuments that were constructed for various royals, Sufi saints and distinguished scholars of the era. 

Makli necropolis is spread over a 10-kilometre square area of land where, over 400 years, some 500,000 to 1 million tombs were built. 

The tombs are designed and carved with the symbols and designs of Islamic, Hindu, Persian, Mughal, and Gujarati influences.  

Inside the courtyard and Tomb of Isa Tarkhan II at Makli.
The blue brick work is still stunning on the Tomb of Shurfa Kahn.
Views over the plains of Thatta from the Makli Hill.

Shah Jahan Mosque / Thatta Jama Masjid 

The incredible Mansoor Jahan Mosque is also known as Jama Masjid and serves as the central mosque of Thatta. 

It is a stunning 17th century mosque commissioned during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.  

According to the stories, Shah Jahan sought refuge in Thatta from his father, the Emperor Jahangir after he had rebelled against him.  Shah Jahan was impressed by the hospitality he received by the Sindhi people and ordered construction of the mosque as a token of gratitude.  

Thatta mosque is most famous for the beautiful blue brickwork in a similar style to mosques of the same era on the Silk Road.  

The geometric style of brick work is considered the most elaborate display of tile work in South Asia. 

The very grand courtyard of Shah Jahan Masjid in Thatta.
Inside the Masjid prayer hall.

Is it worth the day trip from Karachi to Thatta? 

Absolutely.  

We didn’t know quite what we were in for setting out from Karachi to Thatta but it turned out to be a fantastic day out packed full of history, magnificent architecture and delicious Sindhi chai.  

Accommodation in Karachi 

Pretty much all the limited accommodation near Makli is not allowed to accept foreigners to stay.  Therefore, the best way to visit is on a day trip from Karachi to Thatta while based in accommodation in Karachi. 

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