Sindh is one of South Asia’s great crossroads—home to the Bronze Age Indus Valley Civilization, medieval river trade, and vibrant Sufi traditions that still anchor daily life. Base yourself in Sukkur for Pir Jo Goth, the date orchards of Khairpur, and storied bridges spanning the Indus. Add Larkana for Mohenjo-daro’s sun-baked brick cities and ancestral stories carved in fired clay.

Expect long golden hours on the river, shrine music that spills into the street, and food that is fragrant, fiery, and generous. In Karachi, taste the city’s famed street food before heading upcountry by flight or rail. Along the way, you’ll meet artisans, caretakers of shrines, and guides who keep Sindh’s many layers alive.

Practical notes: Summers get very hot—plan outdoor visits for early morning and late afternoon, carry water, and dress modestly for shrines. Road distances are manageable (Sukkur–Larkana ~1.5–2 hours). For nationwide transport, use flights or trains and confirm local conditions before day trips in rural areas.

Karachi

Pakistan’s largest city is a restless port where British Raj architecture meets art deco storefronts, sprawling markets, and an ever-evolving food scene. Use Karachi as your arrival hub to reset your clock, taste the country’s best street eats, and explore key landmarks before heading to Sindh’s interior.

• Top sights: Mazar-e-Quaid (the founder’s mausoleum), Frere Hall lawns and Sunday book bazaar, Pakistan Air Force Museum, Empress Market, Clifton Beach at sunset.
• Why it’s great: Karachi is your most reliable gateway for flights and trains, with great guides and food to match—think bun kebab, nihari, kebabs, and kulfi.

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Karachi | Hotels.com Karachi

Getting there and around: Search flights to Karachi on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Within the city, use ride-hailing apps or registered taxis.

Day 1 — Karachi Arrival and Taste of the City

Afternoon: Land in Karachi and transfer to your hotel. Stretch your legs at leafy Frere Hall to admire its neo-Gothic facade and weekly book stalls if it’s a weekend. Pop into the PAF Museum for classic aircraft, then head toward the sea breeze.

Evening: Start your street-food education around Burns Road: try bun kebab, kata-kat (chopped offal on a sizzling griddle), and rabri for dessert. For sit-down options, look to Clifton’s stalwarts—BBQ platters at BBQ Tonight or contemporary Pakistani plates at Cafe Aylanto. Coffee and a sweet finish at Butlers Chocolate Cafe or a late cappuccino at Espresso.

Night: Walk the promenade at Clifton Beach; the Arabian Sea sunset is Karachi’s nightly ritual. Turn in early—tomorrow’s a big day.

Day 2 — Karachi Landmarks (Guided)

Let a local expert lead the way through the city’s headline sites, markets, and food corners.

Book: Full Day Private City Tour of Karachi (Viator)

You’ll cover Mazar-e-Quaid, colonial cores near Saddar, the color and clamor of Empress Market, and coastal viewpoints. Ask your guide for a stop at a traditional halwa puri spot in the morning and a quick kulfi break in the afternoon.

Day 3 — UNESCO Day Trip to Thatta and Makli

Step back to the 16th–18th centuries amid sandstone mausoleums and tilework.

Book: Full Day Karachi to Thatta UNESCO Sites Tour (Viator)

Highlights include the intricately carved Chaukhandi Tombs, the vast Makli Necropolis (UNESCO), and the brick-and-blue Shah Jahan Mosque famed for its echoing domes. Return to Karachi for dinner—try seaside grills at Kolachi or kebabs with sheermal at a Clifton favorite.

Sukkur (Gateway to Pir Jo Goth & Khairpur)

Sukkur sits astride the Indus, stitched together by the ochre arches of Lansdowne and the steel sweep of Ayub Bridge. It’s the right base for Pir Jo Goth and the Khairpur district—think date orchards, Talpur-era forts, and riverfront evenings at Lab-e-Mehran Park.

• Top sights: Lab-e-Mehran riverside promenade, Sadhu Belo Temple (island shrine; access varies), Sukkur Barrage, Lansdowne & Ayub Bridges, Masoom Shah Minaret in the old quarter.
• Local flavor: Seasonal pallo (hilsa) fish from the Indus, Sindhi biryani, chaat and falooda near bazaars, date sweets from Khairpur.

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Sukkur | Hotels.com Sukkur

Getting there from Karachi: Fly (~1 hr; often $50–$120 one way) into Sukkur (SKZ) via Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. Trains run Karachi↔Rohri Junction (~7–8 hrs; AC from ~$12–25); check schedules on Trip.com (trains). Intercity coaches (e.g., Faisal Movers, Daewoo) take ~8–10 hrs.

Day 4 — Karachi to Sukkur; Riverfront Sukkur

Morning: Depart Karachi after breakfast. Aim for a morning flight to Sukkur or an overnight train to Rohri Junction to arrive by late morning.

Afternoon: Check in and stroll Lab-e-Mehran Park for river views and snacks (chaat, roasted corn). If open to visitors, arrange a boat across to Sadhu Belo Temple—be respectful, cover shoulders/knees, and confirm visiting hours locally.

Evening: Dinner along the river: order pallo (hilsa) when in season (roughly Aug–Feb), or go for chicken karahi and tandoor naan. For dessert, try falooda from a popular bazaar stall near the old city.

Day 5 — Khairpur, Kot Diji Fort, and Pir Jo Goth

Morning: Drive to Kot Diji Fort (~1 hr from Sukkur). Climb the Talpur-era ramparts for wide views of the Rohri Hills and the plains; the pre-Harappan archaeological site lies nearby. Carry water and a hat—shade is limited.

Afternoon: Continue to Khairpur’s date-processing shops to sample Aseel dates and date halva. Then head to Pir Jo Goth to visit the revered Dargah associated with the Pir Pagara lineage (subject to schedule; dress modestly and ask before photographing). Walk the town bazaar for pakoras, samosas, and syrupy jalebi with doodh patti chai.

Evening: Return to Sukkur. Sunset viewpoint: the embankment near Lansdowne Bridge catches the arches in golden light. Dinner back in town—try Sindhi biryani (more aromatic and peppery than its Karachi cousin) with raita and salad.

Larkana (Gateway to Mohenjo-daro)

Larkana is the practical springboard for the ruins of Mohenjo-daro, one of humanity’s earliest urban experiments. In town, wander Shahi Bazaar for bangles and snacks, or detour to the Bhutto family mausoleum at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh for a window into modern political history.

• Top sights: Mohenjo-daro archaeological site and museum, Garhi Khuda Bakhsh Mausoleum, Shahi Bazaar, Jinnah Park.
• Good to know: The site is exposed; plan early or late visits, bring sun protection, and respect barriers that protect fragile brickwork.

Where to stay (search and compare): VRBO Larkana | Hotels.com Larkana

Getting there: From Sukkur, it’s a 1.5–2 hr drive (approx. 85–100 km). Hire a car/driver for ~$40–70 per day. There is no need to change base by train for this leg.

Day 6 — Sukkur to Larkana; Mohenjo-daro

Morning: Drive from Sukkur to Larkana and check in. Stop for hot parathas, omelets, and chai at a roadside dhaba en route—simple, hearty, and fast.

Afternoon (Guided): Explore Mohenjo-daro with a professional guide to decode the Great Bath, granaries, and street grids that predate Rome by millennia.

Book: Journey through the Indus Valley – Mohenjo-Daro (Viator)

Visit the small on-site museum for seals, figurines, and beadwork that bring daily life into focus. Hydrate frequently; sun here is intense.

Evening: Back in Larkana, browse Shahi Bazaar for bangles and embroidered caps. Dinner: try chicken sajji (slow-roasted, spice-rubbed) with naan; end with kheer or kulfi from a popular sweet shop.

Day 7 — Garhi Khuda Bakhsh and Departure

Morning: Pay respects at the Bhutto family mausoleum in Garhi Khuda Bakhsh (dress conservatively; security screening on entry). Then drive back toward Sukkur/Rohri for your onward train or flight.

Afternoon: Depart from Sukkur (SKZ) to Karachi/Islamabad/Lahore. Search schedules and fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com; for trains via Rohri Junction, check Trip.com (trains). If you have a late departure, squeeze in a last river walk at Lab-e-Mehran and pick up date sweets for the road.

Optional Add-On (Pre-Trip or Transit via Karachi): Airport Transfers

Landing late or leaving early through Karachi? Simplify your logistics with a pre-arranged transfer.

Book: Karachi Airport Transfer (Viator)

Food & coffee cheat sheet

• Karachi breakfasts: Halwa puri with chana; or eggs-on-paratha and a flat white at a Clifton cafe (Espresso, Butlers).
• Sindhi staples inland: Sindhi biryani, saag with bajra roti, aloo tuk, pakoras, and lassi. Along the Indus, ask for seasonal pallo fish.
• Sweets: Jalebi, rabri, kheer, and date confections in Khairpur. Tea breaks are essential—order doodh patti (strong, milky chai).

Responsible travel tips

• Dress modestly for shrines and carry a scarf; remove shoes where required.
• Hydrate and avoid the midday sun; plan outdoor visits early/late.
• Always ask before photographing people, especially at religious sites.

At-a-glance transport costs (typical ranges, Mar 2025):

• Karachi→Sukkur flight: ~$50–$120 (1 hr + airport time) via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Karachi→Rohri Junction train: ~7–8 hrs, AC berths ~$12–25 via Trip.com (trains).
• Sukkur→Larkana car/driver: ~$40–70 round-trip, 1.5–2 hrs each way.

With Karachi’s energy as your launchpad, this itinerary threads the shrines and bazaars of Pir Jo Goth and Sukkur with the ancient streets of Mohenjo-daro. You’ll leave with river sunsets in your eyes, date-sweet memories on your tongue, and a deeper feel for Sindh’s layered heritage.