Indus Valley Civilization Tour
The Indus Valley Civilization Tour is a 10-day journey from Lahore to Karachi to the great cities of one of the world's oldest civilizations, including Harappa and Mohenjo-daro, built more than 4,500 years ago.
- Duration10 Days
- PaceEasy
- RegionsPunjab & Sindh
- Best SeasonNovember – February
- GroupPrivate, 2+
The Cities of One of the World's First Civilizations
More than 4,500 years ago, the plains of the Indus River were home to one of the world's first great civilizations, with planned cities, brick drains, public baths and a script that has still not been read. The Indus Valley Civilization Tour follows the river from Punjab to Sindh to visit its most important sites.
We begin at the Lahore Museum and Harappa, then travel through the Sufi city of Multan to Sukkur, our base for Mohenjo-daro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the fortified site of Kot Diji. The tour ends in Karachi with the National Museum and the vast necropolis of Makli.
Trip Highlights
- Walk the streets of Mohenjo-daro, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Visit Harappa, the site that gave the civilization its name
- See the Kot Diji site and the Kot Diji Fort
- The Sufi shrines and old city of Multan
- The Makli necropolis near Thatta, another UNESCO site
- Expert cultural guide and all logistics handled by TGA
Itinerary
Day 1Arrive in Lahore
Our team meets you at Lahore airport and transfers you to your hotel. Evening welcome briefing.
Overnight: HotelDay 2Lahore Museum and old city
Visit the Lahore Museum and its Indus Valley gallery, then the Lahore Fort and Badshahi Mosque.
Overnight: HotelDay 3Harappa to Multan
Drive to Harappa (about 3 hours) to explore the site and museum, then continue to Multan.
Overnight: HotelDay 4Multan
Visit the shrines of Shah Rukn-e-Alam and Bahauddin Zakariya and the blue-tiled old city.
Overnight: HotelDay 5Drive to Sukkur
About 6 hours along the motorway to Sukkur on the Indus. Evening view of the Sukkur Barrage.
Overnight: HotelDay 6Mohenjo-daro
Full-day visit to Mohenjo-daro: the Great Bath, the citadel, the granary and the museum.
Overnight: HotelDay 7Kot Diji and Sukkur
Visit the Kot Diji archaeological site and fort, then the Sadh Belo temple island in Sukkur.
Overnight: HotelDay 8Fly to Karachi
Flight to Karachi (or drive via the motorway). Afternoon at the National Museum of Pakistan.
Overnight: HotelDay 9Makli and Thatta
Day trip to the Makli necropolis and the Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta.
Overnight: HotelDay 10Depart
Transfer to Karachi airport for your flight home.
Overnight: —Itineraries can change with weather, flights, road conditions and festival dates. Your guide will always put safety first.
What's Included
Included
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Hotels in Lahore, Multan, Sukkur and Karachi
- Domestic flight Sukkur–Karachi, or road transport
- Daily breakfast and the meals listed in the itinerary
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with an experienced driver
- English-speaking cultural guide throughout
- Entry fees to all monuments and museums in the itinerary
- Letter of invitation (LOI) for your Pakistan visa
Not Included
- International flights to and from Pakistan
- Pakistan visa fee
- Travel insurance
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Tips for guides and drivers
- Personal expenses such as shopping, laundry and phone calls
- Anything not listed under "Included"
Moments from the Trail
Why Choose the Indus Valley Civilization Tour?
The Indus Valley Civilization Tour is a rare chance to stand in cities that were thriving when the pyramids of Egypt were being built. Few visitors reach Mohenjo-daro or Kot Diji, so you often have the sites almost to yourself.
It suits history lovers and curious travellers who enjoy museums and archaeology. Add the Gandhara Heritage Tour in the north, or the Sufi Shrines Tour for more of Punjab and Sindh.
Before you travel, read our Pakistan visa guide and our advice on travel insurance, or browse all our culture tours in Pakistan.
Plan the rest of your trip
Good to Know
Pace & Comfort
This is an easy, comfortable tour with short drives, good hotels and plenty of time at each site. It suits travellers of all ages.
Dress & Etiquette
Dress modestly, with arms and legs covered. Women should carry a scarf to cover their hair when visiting mosques and shrines, and shoes are removed at the entrance.
Permits & Safety
Foreigners register at police checkpoints in Sindh, and some routes need a police escort. Our team arranges this and follows current security advice.
When to Go
November to February is the best time for the Indus Valley Civilization Tour. Sindh and southern Punjab are very hot from April to September. Read our guide to the best time to visit Pakistan.
Reserve Your Place on the Tour
Message us with your preferred dates and group size, and our team will send you full details and a quote for your Indus Valley journey.
