2 Days Karachi & Makli

Thatta

Thatta, about 100 km east of Karachi, was the capital of lower Sindh for centuries and once a busy Indus port and weaving town. The top places to visit in Thatta are the tiled Shah Jahan Mosque with its 93 domes, the old town bazaar and Keenjhar Lake, a freshwater lake and wildlife sanctuary north of town.

Why visit Thatta

Thatta's golden age came under the Samma dynasty, which made it their capital from the 14th century, and later under the Mughals, who ran a province from here. In the 1650s the town had around 2,000 looms making cloth for export, until the Indus silted up and its port trade faded later that century.

Today it is a quiet market town of about 50,000 people. Its monuments are the reason to come, and the Makli necropolis sits right on its outskirts.

Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta

The Mughal emperor Shah Jahan had this mosque built between 1644 and 1647, by tradition as thanks for the welcome he once received in Sindh. An eastern extension followed in 1659 under Aurangzeb.

  • Domes: 93 in total, more than any other building in Pakistan.
  • Tilework: cobalt blue, turquoise and white tiles in star patterns, often described as the most elaborate tile display in South Asia.
  • Acoustics: the domes carry sound, so a strong voice at one end of the prayer hall can be heard at the other.
  • Heritage status: on UNESCO's tentative World Heritage list since 1993.

Keenjhar Lake

About 36 km from Thatta, Keenjhar Lake stretches for roughly 24 km and is one of the main sources of drinking water for Karachi. It has been a Ramsar wetland since 1976, and in winter it draws ducks, geese, flamingos and other migrants. A shrine to Noori, the fisherwoman of the Noori Jam Tamachi legend, stands in the water, and families come for boating and picnics.

Thatta distance from Karachi

Thatta is roughly 100 km from Karachi by the National Highway, about two hours by car. The Makli necropolis lies about 6 km from the town centre, so one day covers the tombs, the mosque and lunch in town. Add Keenjhar Lake and it becomes a comfortable two-day trip.

Our 2 Days Karachi & Makli tour covers this area, and Thatta also features on the 15D 14N Cultural And Heritage Expedition Across Civilizations in Pakistan.

Best time to visit Thatta

November to February brings mild, dry weather and the best birdwatching at Keenjhar. From April to September the heat is intense, so plan visits for early morning if you travel then.

Plan your Thatta trip

Choose a tour above, or tell us your dates and we will build a Thatta day trip or a longer Sindh itinerary with a driver and guide.