2 Days Karachi & Makli

Makli

The Makli Necropolis, on a low ridge just outside Thatta and about 100 km east of Karachi, is one of the largest funerary sites in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its carved sandstone and tiled tombs record four centuries of Sindh's rulers, from the Samma kings to the Mughal governors.

Why visit the Makli necropolis

Makli graveyard covers about 10 square kilometres of hillside near Thatta. Estimates of the number of graves run from half a million to a million, built over roughly 400 years between the 14th and 18th centuries. UNESCO inscribed it in 1981 as the Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta.

The appeal is the variety. Builders here blended Muslim, Hindu, Persian, Gujarati and Mughal ideas, so a tomb of richly carved yellow sandstone may stand beside a brick dome covered in blue and turquoise tiles.

Makli graveyard history

The necropolis grew alongside Thatta, the capital of lower Sindh for several dynasties. The Samma rulers, from the 14th century, left the oldest major monuments. The Arghun and Tarkhan dynasties followed in the 16th century, and Mughal governors added some of the finest tombs between about 1570 and 1640.

Tombs to see at Makli

  • Jam Nizamuddin II: a square sandstone tomb completed in 1510, with 14 carved bands and a Gujarati-style balcony that makes it look almost like a temple. Its dome was never built.
  • Isa Khan Tarkhan II: a two-storey stone tomb with cupolas and balconies. Local legend says the ruler had the craftsmen's hands cut off so they could never build a rival.
  • Jan Beg Tarkhan: an octagonal brick tomb whose dome is faced with glazed blue and turquoise tiles.
  • Darya Khan: the tomb of a leading Samma-era commander, built in the early 16th century.

How to reach Makli from Karachi

Makli is about 98 km east of Karachi on the National Highway, roughly two hours by car, and around 6 km from the centre of Thatta. That makes it an easy day out from the city, and most visitors combine it with the Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta.

Our 2 Days Karachi & Makli tour builds this in with a guided walk among the tombs. Makli is also a stop on the 15D 14N Cultural And Heritage Expedition Across Civilizations in Pakistan.

Tips for visiting Makli

  • Season: November to February is the most comfortable time, as the ridge has little shade.
  • Timing: arrive early in the day for softer light on the stone and cooler walking.
  • Footwear: paths between the tombs are uneven, so wear sturdy shoes.
  • Guide: a local guide helps you tell the dynasties and building styles apart.

Plan your visit to Makli

Choose a tour above, or tell us your dates and we will plan a private day trip or a longer Sindh heritage route with a driver and guide.