Indus & Islamabad Adventure

Arrive in Karachi, clear formalities and meet our local team before we drive into the city to check in at the hotel. You have time to rest and settle in, then we set out on a guided tour, taking in the National Museum, evocative Sufi shrines and the Mohammad Ali Jinnah Mausoleum. We round off the day by the coast – at Clifton Beach or the Manghopir hot springs – watching modern life and history mingle in Pakistan’s largest city.

We leave Karachi for the exquisitely carved Chaukhandi Tombs on the outskirts, tracing early Islamic artistry in sandstone. Continuing to Thatta, we explore the Shah Jahan Mosque – famed for superb brickwork and blue tile – before driving up to Makli Hills to walk among the vast UNESCO‑listed necropolis of domes and mausoleums. Later we travel through gentle countryside to Kinjhar Lake, pausing for tranquil views and the chance to spot wetland birdlife, then continue to Hyderabad to check in after a varied day.

We drive from Hyderabad to Hala, where we visit family workshops to see ceramics, tiles and terracotta crafted in the Kashi Kari style – you can try shaping clay during a pottery session. We then continue to Bhit Shah to visit the shrine of the Sufi poet Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and learn about his deep influence on Sindhi culture, before discovering how Ajrak textiles are block printed and dyed using age‑old techniques. We return to Hyderabad, where you can unwind and reflect on the region’s rich craft heritage.

Leaving Hyderabad, we head towards the rugged hills and the immense circuit of Ranikot Fort. We explore this Great Wall of Sindh, walking sections of its ramparts for sweeping views across the arid landscape. We then continue to Sehwan and visit the shrine of Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, experiencing the powerful atmosphere of this major pilgrimage centre.

From Sehwan we drive to Manchar Lake, one of the country’s largest freshwater lakes, to spend time with members of the Mohana community and learn how lake life and fishing traditions shape their days. We then travel across the Sindh plains to Mohenjo Daro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and walk its ancient streets and public buildings to glimpse the urban planning of the Indus civilisation, before continuing to nearby Larkana for the night.

We begin at the Bhutto Family Mausoleum near Larkana to reflect on a defining political legacy. Continuing to Kot Diji on the edge of the Rohri Hills, we explore the pre‑Indus and Harappan site topped by an impressive fortification and consider its links to later Indus culture. We then drive on to Sukkur by the Indus River to check in for a well‑earned rest.

We board a boat to Sadhu Belo Island to visit its revered Hindu temples, then enjoy a scenic cruise around Sukkur, passing river islands and everyday life along the banks. We call at the Indus Dolphin Conservation Centre to learn about work to protect this rare river species, and finish by climbing Masoon Shah Jo Minaro for panoramic views over the city and river before returning to the hotel.

We depart Sukkur for Bhong Mosque, travelling through farmland and small settlements to admire its intricate decoration – a fusion of regional and international influences that earned an architectural award. We continue to Bahawalpur, the former capital of a princely state, and settle into our hotel.

We venture into the Cholistan Desert to explore Derawar Fort, circling its massive bastions and learning how it once safeguarded trade routes. We pause at the nearby Derawar Mosque, its white domes recalling Mughal aesthetics, before visiting the ornate royal graveyard of the Abbasi family. Later we drive to Uch Sharif to see the celebrated Bibi Jawindi Tomb with its blue and white tilework and hear about ongoing conservation challenges. We return to Bahawalpur for dinner – you have the evening at leisure.

We tour Bahawalpur’s highlights – including Nur Mahal, key mosques, the museum and the bustling bazaar – while learning how the city’s former rulers shaped its architecture and culture. Later we drive to Multan, the city of saints, and check in for the night.

We delve into Multan’s spiritual and craft traditions, visiting richly tiled shrines, the old city bazaar and the historic Eidgah Mosque. We watch artisans at work and absorb the city’s deeply devotional atmosphere.

We leave Multan for the archaeological site of Harappa, once a significant Indus Valley centre, and explore the remains of streets, houses and public buildings that reveal an advanced urban culture. We then continue to Lahore to check in and settle at our hotel, ready for tomorrow’s sightseeing.

We visit Lahore Fort – a UNESCO‑listed complex of palaces, courtyards and gateways – before continuing to the vast Badshahi Mosque to appreciate its red sandstone grandeur and Mughal heritage. Crossing the river, we admire the refined decoration of Emperor Jahangir’s tomb set within formal gardens. Later we explore Lahore Museum for a wider view of the region’s history, and in the evening we sample local dishes along the old city’s lively food street.

We take a walking tour through the Old Walled City, weaving past traditional bazaars and historic façades. We visit the beautifully restored Shahi Hamam – a Mughal‑era bathhouse – then continue to the exquisite Wazir Khan Mosque to admire its intricate tilework and richly painted interiors. Later we drive to the Wagah border to witness the daily flag‑lowering ceremony – a tightly choreographed ritual charged with crowd energy.

We leave Lahore along the Grand Trunk Road towards Rohtas Fort and explore this vast 16th‑century stronghold by walking its imposing gateways and ramparts. Continuing to the Khewra Salt Mine, we take a guided visit by small train into underground chambers to see coloured salt formations, carved sculptures and the unique salt‑rock mosque. We then drive on to Islamabad for an overnight stay – you have free time to relax at the hotel or explore independently.

We spend a full day with a local guide in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, beginning at Daman–e–Koh in the Margalla Hills for far‑reaching views of the capital. We continue to Shah Faisal Mosque, whose soaring minarets and vast prayer hall blend modern design with Islamic forms, then cross to Rawalpindi’s old quarters where you can browse textiles, spices and everyday goods in lively bazaars. In the afternoon we drive to Taxila to visit the museum’s Gandharan collections, then walk the hilltop ruins of Jaulian Monastery among stupas and monastic cells. We return to Islamabad, where you can relax and prepare for departure.

You have free time in Islamabad before we arrange your transfer to the international airport in good time for your flight. Depart as the journey concludes, assisted with timings and luggage, and check in for your onward or homeward travel.