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Makli Necropolis near Thatta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
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Makli Necropolis, Thatta: The Complete Travel Guide

Makli Necropolis spreads across a ridge above Thatta with hundreds of thousands of graves and some of the finest stone tombs in South Asia, all within a day trip of Karachi.

Updated October 2026By The Golden Adventure team
Photo: Usman.pg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 (source)

Makli Necropolis at a Glance

Makli Necropolis is one of the largest burial grounds in the world, covering about 10 km² of Makli Hill near Thatta in southern Sindh. Its tombs span the 14th to 18th centuries and record the Samma, Arghun, Tarkhan and Mughal eras in carved stone and glazed tile. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.

LocationMakli Hill, about 6 km from Thatta, Sindh
AltitudeLow plateau above the Indus delta plain
Best time to visitNovember to February
Getting thereAbout 100 km east of Karachi; roughly 2 hours by road
Top sightsTombs of Jam Nizamuddin II, Isa Khan Tarkhan II, Jan Beg Tarkhan and Nawab Shurfa Khan; Shah Jahan Mosque
Known forUp to a million graves, stone carving and blue tilework, UNESCO status

Where Is the Makli Necropolis?

The necropolis sits on Makli Hill, a plateau about 6.5 km long that rises just outside Thatta, in Thatta District of southern Sindh. It is around 100 km east of Karachi along the National Highway (N-5), which makes it the easiest UNESCO site to reach from the city.

Thatta itself was once a capital and a celebrated centre of Islamic learning in the lower Indus. The town and its great Mughal mosque lie at the foot of the hill, so most visitors see both in one outing.

History of the Makli Necropolis

Burials on Makli Hill go back to at least the 14th century. The oldest major group, in the north, belongs to the Samma dynasty, whose rulers governed lower Sindh from Thatta. Later the Arghun and Tarkhan rulers, and then Mughal governors, added ever grander tombs. The most important monuments date from about 1570 to 1640.

The result is a 10 km² field of graves estimated at half a million to more than a million, ranging from simple stone markers to domed mausoleums. Their style mixes Islamic, Persian, Mughal and Gujarati influences, with carved sandstone that sometimes echoes temple craftsmanship.

UNESCO inscribed the site in 1981 (World Heritage listing). Encroachment, vandalism, waste and the 2010 floods have all taken their toll, and conservation remains an ongoing effort.

MUST-SEE EXPERIENCES

Top 9 Things to Do in Makli Necropolis

Most visitors spend two to three hours on the hill and another hour in Thatta town.

  1. 01
    History

    Tomb of Jam Nizamuddin II

    Completed in 1510, this square sandstone tomb, about 11.4 m per side, is covered in carved bands and has a Gujarati-style balcony. It is the masterpiece of the Samma period.

  2. 02
    History

    Tomb of Isa Khan Tarkhan II

    A two-storey stone mausoleum with cupolas and balconies for a ruler who died in 1651. Its galleries and carved screens make it the most photographed tomb on the hill.

  3. 03
    History

    Tomb of Jan Beg Tarkhan

    An octagonal brick tomb from around 1600, glazed with blue and turquoise tiles that glow in late afternoon sun.

  4. 04
    History

    Tomb of Nawab Shurfa Khan

    A Mughal-era brick tomb known for its blue-glazed decoration, one of the most striking examples of tilework on the hill.

  5. 05
    History

    Mirza Baqi Tarkhan Enclosure

    A walled enclosure of Tarkhan-period graves with finely carved stone cenotaphs, quieter than the headline tombs.

  6. 06
    Culture

    Tomb of Isa Khan Tarkhan I

    An open, cenotaph-style tomb of the ruler who held Thatta from 1554 to 1565, its stones carved with Quranic inscriptions.

  7. 07
    Viewpoint

    Views over the Thatta Plain

    From the edge of the plateau you look across the flat Indus delta towards Thatta. It is especially beautiful near sunset.

  8. 08
    Culture

    Shah Jahan Mosque, Thatta

    Built in 1644–1647 under Emperor Shah Jahan, this mosque has 93 domes, no minarets and some of the most elaborate tilework in South Asia. Speak softly: the acoustics carry sound across the prayer hall.

  9. 09
    Food

    Breakfast at Gharo

    The highway town of Gharo, on the way from Karachi, is a popular stop for chai and a hearty roadside breakfast.

Best Time to Visit the Makli Necropolis

November to February brings the mildest weather and clear, golden light for photographs. From April the hill becomes extremely hot, with almost no shade between tombs, and the US State Department lists Sindh among regions affected by extreme heatwaves. In summer, go at first light and be done by mid-morning.

How to Get to the Makli Necropolis

The simplest approach is a private car from Karachi along the dual carriageway to Thatta. The distance is about 100 km, but getting out of Karachi traffic usually makes it closer to two hours. Foreigners should expect to show their passport and visa at checkpoints along the way.

FromRouteApprox. time
KarachiN-5 via Gharo to Thatta and MakliAbout 1 hour 45 minutes – 2 hours
Thatta townShort drive up Makli Hill (about 6 km)10–15 minutes
Keenjhar LakeRoad north from Thatta (about 36 km)Under 1 hour
HyderabadVia the Thatta roadAllow 2 hours or more

Road works on the Karachi–Thatta route can narrow traffic to one lane in places; travel with an experienced driver.

Getting Around the Hill

The necropolis is too big to cover fully on foot in the heat. Golf carts wait at the entrance (a 2023 visitor report gave 100 rupees per person) and run along the main track between the key tombs. From each stop you walk short distances over rough, stony ground.

Where to Stay

There is little accommodation in Thatta suitable for foreign visitors, and most travellers return to Karachi the same evening. If you are continuing north towards Hyderabad or Ranikot, plan the night with us in advance, as many Sindh hotels need police clearance before accepting foreigners.

Suggested Itineraries

Day trip from Karachi

Leave by 7am, breakfast at Gharo, spend the morning on Makli Hill, visit the Shah Jahan Mosque around midday and return to Karachi by late afternoon.

Two days: Thatta and Keenjhar

Add Keenjhar Lake, a Ramsar-listed wetland about 36 km from Thatta, with its island shrine of Noori Jam Tamachi and winter birdlife, and stay the night en route to Hyderabad.

Sindh UNESCO circuit

Link Makli with Ranikot and Mohenjo-daro on our Sindh UNESCO Tour.

What to Pack

  • Sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen
  • Plenty of water and snacks; facilities on the hill are basic
  • Closed shoes for stony paths
  • Modest clothing; a scarf for women to enter the mosque
  • Passport and visa copies for checkpoints
  • Small rupee notes for the cart, caretakers and tips

Combine the Makli Necropolis with Nearby Destinations

Thatta’s Shah Jahan Mosque is a must on the same day. Keenjhar Lake makes a peaceful afternoon detour, and the Chaukundi tombs on the outskirts of Karachi are a good stop on the drive back.

Further afield, the walls of Ranikot Fort, the Indus city of Mohenjo-daro and the villages and temples of the Thar Desert make Thatta the start of a longer Sindh journey. See all of Pakistan’s World Heritage Sites in our UNESCO sites guide.

Culture & Etiquette

Many graves are still visited by families and devotees, so walk respectfully and never stand on tombs or cenotaphs. Dress modestly, remove shoes inside shrines and the mosque, and ask before photographing people.

You will meet beggars near the entrance and snake charmers offering performances. A firm, polite “no thank you” is fine; if you do want a show, agree the price first.

Practical Travel Tips for the Makli Necropolis

Safety and advisories: Thatta lies south of Nawabshah, so it is outside the area of Sindh where the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel (FCDO advice). The US State Department rates Pakistan overall at Level 3, “Reconsider travel”, and notes past attacks in Karachi. Visitor reports from 2024 describe foreigners being given an armed police escort at the Makli entrance; it is usually free, but be prepared for it.

Entry and fees: no general entry fee has been reported in recent visitor accounts, though carts and guides are paid separately. Confirm details with us before travelling.

Visas and money: a Pakistan visa is required (see our visa guide) and every TGA tour includes a free Letter of Invitation. Bring cash; ATMs are more reliable in Karachi than in Thatta.

Local tip: do the hill first and the Shah Jahan Mosque second. The mosque’s tiled interior stays cool at midday, just when Makli Hill is at its hottest.

MAKLI NECROPOLIS TRAVEL

Makli Necropolis Highlights at a Glance

Carved Samma sandstone, Tarkhan galleries and Mughal blue tiles spread across a ridge outside Thatta: centuries of Sindh’s history written in tombs.

An easy day trip from Karachi, best enjoyed in winter with an early start, a cart ride between the tombs and lunch in Thatta.

For UNESCO’s own description of the monuments, read the Historical Monuments at Makli, Thatta listing.

Plan your Makli Necropolis trip

Makli Necropolis Tours with The Golden Adventure

Makli is a highlight of our Sindh UNESCO Tour, which continues to Ranikot and Mohenjo-daro. If you have a free day in Karachi, ask us about a private day trip to the necropolis and Thatta.

Plan your Makli Necropolis trip

Tell us your dates and interests and our team in Gilgit will design a private trip and send your free Letter of Invitation.

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Makli Necropolis FAQs

How far is Makli from Karachi?

About 100 km east of Karachi. Allow roughly two hours each way by car because of city traffic.

How many graves are at Makli?

Estimates range from about half a million to more than a million, spread over roughly 10 km² of Makli Hill.

Is it safe to visit Makli?

Thatta is outside the UK FCDO’s advise-against zone in Sindh, but the US rates Pakistan overall at Level 3 (Reconsider travel). Foreigners are often given a police escort at the site. Check both advisories before you travel.

Is there an entry fee?

Recent visitor reports mention no general entry fee, but golf carts (around 100 rupees per person in 2023) and guides are extra. Confirm current costs before you go.

What is the most famous tomb?

The carved sandstone tomb of Jam Nizamuddin II (1510) and the two-storey tomb of Isa Khan Tarkhan II are the best known.

When is the best time to visit?

November to February, starting early in the day. Summer heat on the shadeless hill is intense.

Can I visit the Shah Jahan Mosque on the same day?

Yes. It is in Thatta at the foot of the hill and most day trips include it.

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