Explore Sufism Tour in Pakistan

You will be picked up by our crew from Jinnah International Airport and transferred to the Movenpick Hotel, Karachi, where you will be provided with all the comforting amenities to ensure a delightful stay throughout.

Enjoy your dinner at the onsite restaurant, The Pakistani that offers a curated menu and live folk music performance to begin your Sufi journey. In line with the Mughlai tradition of Punjab we have recommended the Lachaydar Paratha served with Spring Onion Minced chicken, and hand blended lassi.

After a wholesome breakfast, we will set out to explore Karachi, a city full of historical landmarks, friendly people, and fantastic food. We will start with Saddar Bazaar, the heart of Karachi city, established by the British in 1839. Surrounded by quaint and picturesque buildings, this crowded marketplace houses Pakistan s busiest retails shops.

You might want to sit down and enjoy a glass of gannay ka rass (sugarcane juice) for an instant energy boost a classic favorite of Karachiites and observe the hustle bustle of the bazaar. Going forward we will visit Empress Market, a paradise of spices and herbs.

The sweet and overpowering aroma of spices may make your stomach rumble. You can view the impressive Mughal, Gothic style buildings while walking along with several other shops of fresh groceries, stationery items, and more. Empress Market is also famous for selling exotic pets like a macaw, falcon, and other birds. Located approximately 3 minutes away from Empress Market is Bohri Bazaar, one of the old markets of Karachi.

It offers a wide collection of utensils, hair wigs, and makeup. Try the chana chaat from Bohri Bazaar. It is a popular street food made with chickpeas, tamarind and lots of spices. Next, we will walk to Saint Patrick s Church, the very first church in Sindh built in 1845.

The interior has extraordinary details having stained glass windows and a high ceiling painted in oils. The charismatic marble statues and the ornate decor are eye-catching for all visitors. After visiting the ancient holy cathedral, we will drive you to Jinnah mausoleum and its adjoining museum. Also known as Mazar-e-Quaid, the grand mausoleum is the final resting place for Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. Surrounded by a large beautiful garden, the mausoleum fascinates the visitors with its intricate geometric design, curved arches, and copper grills set on an elevated 54-square-meter platform. Its Islamic architecture style was inspired by the Samanid Mausoleum situated in Bukhara, Uzbekistan.

Its white marble walls symbolize purity, portraying Jinnah s honest and selfless personality. We drive for approximately 15 minutes from the Jinnah mausoleum to the Tooba Mosque. Be ready to witness the world s largest single-dome mosque with a diameter of 212 feet. A simplistic mirror work makes the masjid stand unique in all its glory. The mosque has the capacity for 5,000 worshippers at a time. You will then head towards the shrine of the 8th century saint Abdullah Shah Ghazi, a giant in the world of Sufism. He is also called the savior saint as people believe that he protected Karachi from a tropical cyclone with the power of his prayers. The shrine s green and white striped dome can be seen from a distance. It is further beautified with Sindhi tilework, banners, and colorful paper decorations. Meditate and feel the spiritual liveliness through the large number of devotees who visit the shrine regularly.

The live devotional Sufi music (Qawalli) played by the locals at the shrine highlights the importance of faith in the region. Free meals are offered to the poor twice daily and the shrine is abuzz with life at any part of the day. After visiting the historic landmarks, we will drive to Kemari for a cup of karak chai (strong tea) to feel relaxed and invigorated. Our guide will tell an inspirational Sufi story about bravery and confidence of Kemari s Moruro while you enjoy the view of boats docking at Kemari Island. To end a wonderful day tour, we will unwind and relax with a delicious BBQ dinner at a famous restaurant BBQ tonight.

Pakistan has been a crossroad of great kebabs! With great centuries of Persian, Turko-Mongol, Afghan and Arab influence, the Mughlai cuisine in the past 400 years has evolved and developed its own distinct kebabs and grills. Charsi Kabab, Reshmi Kabab, Chicken Tikka and the Baloch Sajji just to name a few. Eat it and experience the difference.

After an early breakfast, we set out to Sehwan Sharif with a stopover at Ranikot Fort. Nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status in 1993, Ranikot Fort is also called the great wall of Sindh . It is made up of millions of baked bricks stretching out to 31 kilometers in length.

You will enjoy a hearty packed lunch after a trek or a jog of the wall. Later, you will explore a nearby freshwater spring known as Parion-Ja-Thar. We will drive for approximately 1 hour 28 minutes to Sehwan, a historic city in the province of Sindh to visit the shrine of the Sufi saint Lal Shahbaz Qalandar.

Lal Shahbaz Qalandar was known for teaching mystical and spiritual practices that inspired hundreds of millions of followers round the globe into spiritual enlightenment.

You will experience the mystical and captivating dhamaal ceremony (a dancing ritual in a meditative state) performed by the male devotees. Men gather around large drums and sway to the beats of the drum. As a way of paying respect and seeking blessings, female devotees raise glasses of water and point in the direction towards Lal Shahbaz Qalandar s necklace.

You will spend the night at Laki Shah Saddar Resthouse Sehwan Enjoy a finger-licking local dinner of mutton karhai loved by the locals. Tantalize your taste buds with this traditional Pakistani cuisine cooked with a combination of meat, tomatoes, and green chilies. Enjoy a traditional hookah smoking experience and recharge for tomorrow.

After a traditional Sindhi breakfast of daal pakwan and the sweet milk almond beverage Thadal we leave for Mirpur Khas via Nawab Shah and Sanghar. Let the charm of village life captivate you as you witness the rural environment along the way.

You will see numerous small houses made from brick and clay, livestock moving freely along the massive agricultural lands managed by the village dwellers. The city is also famous for its more than 250 variants of mangoes exported all over the world. If you plan you visit in summer you can have a go at this treat. As we arrive at Mirpur Khas, you might be lucky enough to witness a traditional Sindhi wedding.

Do not forget to keep your cameras ready to capture an extravagant, colorful ceremony which includes rituals, music, and lots of laughter. We try to capture these and other calendar based events by curating your tailored trip in advance. After a memorable experience in Mirpur Khas, you will check-in at a guest house and rest till dinner is served. Enjoy a feast of beef Nihari served with the flaky Taftan bread and the pleasant conversations that always accompany this food. Nihari is by consensus the national dish of Pakistan!

We leave at sunrise for Shahi Bazaar, the oldest market in the city. Enjoy retail therapy amidst the hustle and bustle of the city and strike enlightening conversations with the locals. Next we will visit Kahoo Jo Daroo, a 19-century Buddhist site spread over 30 acres and approximately 1 hour 30 minutes away (by car) from the bazaar.

We will also visit a dated Hindu shrine, and the graveyard monument housing the relics of the area s Muslim royalty. We will depart for our journey to Karachi via Hyderabad. We will stop at the Institute of Sindhology, a museum acknowledged for being a cultural depository.

Marvel at the massive collection of archeological artifacts like wood-work, leather-work, pottery, Jewelry, Coins, paintings, and more. Enjoy a boat ride in the River Indus near Kotri Barrage. Lunch will be served at a fresh seafood restaurant by the river where we will try the popular and unique fish of Sindh Palla.

This fish lives in both salt water and fresh water during its lifetime, perhaps the reason why its taste varies greatly from head to tail. Although it can be fried or eaten with pullao we would recommend having yours roasted with salt, wrapped in leaves, and then placed over coal for a smoky flavor. We will drive for another 150km and we will reach the Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi.

Pamper yourself with the luxurious spa treatment at the hotel. Relax and rejuvenate with scented candles, aromatherapy, and calming Sufi ghazals playing in the background. You will enjoy fine dining at the Indian Mughlai cuisine, Chandni. There will be live Qawalli music performance to help you relax and unwind while you indulge in delicious themed food and cold lassi in a pitcher.

Explore the Sufi romanticism in the metropolis of Sindh, that is, Karachi. You will be picked up early morning for a walk at Clifton beach where you can enjoy the unique experience of a camel ride on the seashore.

Next, we will go on a fusion food tasting tour in the diplomatic area of Clifton dotted with exclusive restaurants reflecting the diverse culinary scene of the city. Caf Flo offers authentic French cuisine with a welcoming atmosphere. Okra is famous for serving the best Mediterranean cuisine in Karachi. Khanji has gained popularity for its unique interior inspired by the truck art of Karachi along with the cultural heritage of Pakistan.

It offers a versatile menu that is loved by the majority. After a delicious lunch, we will head to Commune Artist Colony and TDF Ghar, a casual platform for people of all ethnicities to come together and share their cultural views. You will meet the founder of TDF Ghar and discuss the evolution and modern concepts of Sufism over a cup of tea. You will continue your mystic tour by visiting a modern Sufi underground band.

You will be able to explore how Sufism can appeal to the young and old, east and west, globally. Swoon to the soulful melodies as the band plays live for your entertainment. Head back to your hotel and relax with your complimentary spa pass to bring this journey to a close.

After a wholesome breakfast, you will depart for the airport for your homebound flight. We hope you enjoyed your palatial experiences from all over Sindh and experienced the spiritual romance of Sufism. Time to share the feeling with the world through the power of your pictures. We look forward to having you back again for another great journey. Chalo Pakistan!