Mirpurkhas is the South eastern city of Pakistan and Sindh Province. Its fertile and very popular for it mangoes. The city is built on or may be just beside an old Buddhist metropolis of 4th century AD. There are remains of an Stupa from 4th century near Mirpurkhas known as “Kahoo o Daro”, Mirpurkhas is only 70 Kilometers from Hyderabad and has a quint little bazaar which sells traditional garments and modern crockery etc.
The city also has a Satellite town which is considered a posh area. The city is considerably clean and has many places to hang around like Parks museum Tea shops and a very famous Fruit & Horticulture research Institute & Farm.
Most people speak Sindhi but there is a substantial number of Urdu Speaking New Shindhis or the immigrants from India, who came in 1947.
There are about 60% Muslims and 40% Hindus in the city & Surroundings.
Hotels:
There no high standard or even tourist standard hotels in the city but there are 2 small hotels in the main bazaar and numerous Musafir khanas where one can rent a cot (Bed).
Full day Tour of Mirpurkhas & Umerkot. Best taken from Hyderabad
This is little hop in the Thar desert. You drive early in the morning to Mirpurkhas via a very green & Fertile land. At Mirpurkhas you visit the Locomotive Shed where Old steam engines were repaired and used for Mirpurkhas – Chor Service. We then drive via small villages to Umerkot (80 Kms.) At Umerkot you will visit the famous Umerkot fort the Museum and a typical Desert bazaar You will see several different faces and typical colorful dresses of men & women in the bazaar. Lunch at a local restaurant. Late Afternoon return to Hyderabad.
THAR DESERT (Click to for a detailed page)
Beyond Mirpurkhas land has been badly hit by the salinity and rise of water table hence the desert starts right after Mirpurkhas after 45 minute you start seeing the straw / Cone hoses of the desert dwellers. Until you reach Umerkot which is the largest town in Thar desert. The Bazaar of the town is most interesting as people come here from different villages & towns of the desert to do the purchasing. You can see many colorful dresses of different Hindu & Muslim tribes of the Thar desert. The sandy desert actually starts after Umerkot. There are several villages and town in east of Umerkot But there are no hotels etc. The only accommodation is to live in the villages with locals or get the tents. Camp site should also be close to the villages near temples or Mosques.
Mean of transport is Big trucks with open Decks or Camels. One can do mix of both these and can get most of their travel.
Getting there:
You can reach Umerkot by a private car or Coach or can also take a steam train from Mirpurkhas leaving for Chor Daily at 1500 Hrs. From Chor one can continue the tour in desert or can drive to Umerkot (35 Kms.)
Hotels In Thar : There are no hotels of good standard in Thar you can either camp or travel & Culture services an organize for you a small House / Room in the villages in the desert. Travel & Culture Services provides camping facilities with its tours.
Travel & Culture Services (Pvt.) Limited Pakistan
702 Panorama center Fatima Jinnah Road Karachi
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