Pakistan's UNESCO World Heritage Sites and How to Visit Them

Mohenjo-daro

The archaeological ruins at Mohenjo-daro in Sindh, inscribed in 1980, are among the best-preserved remains of the Indus Valley Civilization, one of the world's earliest urban cultures, which flourished around 4,500 years ago. The planned streets, brick houses, drainage and the Great Bath reveal a highly organised city. Our Indus Civilization Tour visits Mohenjo-daro from Thatta and flies back to Karachi the same evening; see the Mohenjo-daro and Makli guide.

Taxila

Taxila, inscribed in 1980, near Islamabad, is a group of sites that trace more than a thousand years of history, from early settlements through the Greek, Mauryan, Kushan and later periods. It was a major centre of Gandharan Buddhist culture and learning, with remains of city sites, stupas and monasteries, and a museum full of Gandharan sculpture. It is an easy day trip from Islamabad, and several of our itineraries include it, among them the Gandhara, Indus, autumn and cherry blossom tours and the Kalash festival tour. See the Taxila guide.

Takht-i-Bahi and Sahr-i-Bahlol

The Buddhist ruins of Takht-i-Bahi and the neighbouring city remains at Sahr-i-Bahlol, inscribed in 1980, lie near Mardan, north-east of Peshawar. Takht-i-Bahi is a remarkably complete Buddhist monastic complex on a hilltop, with courtyards, stupas and monks' cells. Our Gandhara Civilization Tour visits both on the drive from Peshawar to Swat; see the Peshawar guide.

Lahore Fort and Shalimar Gardens

The Fort and the Shalamar Gardens in Lahore, inscribed in 1981, are masterpieces of the Mughal era. The fort contains palaces, halls and the famous Sheesh Mahal, or palace of mirrors, while the Shalimar Gardens, laid out in the seventeenth century under Shah Jahan, are terraced Mughal gardens with pools and fountains. Our Indus Civilization Tour includes a half-day of sightseeing in Lahore; see the Lahore guide.

Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta

Makli, inscribed in 1981, near Thatta in Sindh, is one of the largest funerary sites in the world, with thousands of tombs built over several centuries for rulers, saints and scholars. Its carved stone and glazed tile tombs show a fascinating mix of local, Islamic and Mughal styles. The Indus Civilization Tour visits Makli and Thatta before continuing to Mohenjo-daro.

Rohtas Fort

Rohtas Fort, inscribed in 1997, near Jhelum in Punjab, was built in the sixteenth century under Sher Shah Suri as a massive military stronghold, with walls several kilometres long and monumental gateways. It is not part of our published itineraries, but it lies near the main road between Islamabad and Lahore and can be added as a day excursion; ask us if you would like to include it.

Our tours that visit World Heritage sites

Programmes whose published itineraries mention Taxila, Mohenjo-daro, Takht-i-Bahi, Makli or Lahore.

Planning a heritage trip

Combining the sites

The six sites fall into three natural groups. In the north, Taxila and Takht-i-Bahi lie within reach of Islamabad and Peshawar and are easily combined with each other and with Swat. In Punjab, Lahore and Rohtas Fort lie on the same corridor and can be linked on the road between Islamabad and Lahore. In Sindh, Makli and Mohenjo-daro are visited together from Karachi, which is how our Indus Civilization Tour approaches them.

Seeing all six in one trip is possible but involves domestic flights and long drives, so most travellers choose one or two groups and spend time at each site rather than hurrying through. Tell us which interest you most and how many days you have, and we will suggest a realistic combination.

Frequently asked questions

Plan your heritage tour

Our cultural tours cover most of these sites. Our guide to planning a cultural heritage itinerary can help you combine them, or contact us through the enquiry form.