Sights
Moenjodaro – Of the 165 sites of the Indus Valley civilisation so far uncovered, the remarkable ancient city of Moenjodaro is by far the most impressive visually and archaeologically. Except for the stupa, all of the present layer of excavation is from around 2500 BC. There’s also a museum containing relics from the site, including engraved seals and terracotta toys.
Price: full – Pakistan Rupee400.00
28km from Larkana
Sindh Province
info – 480082
Open: Apr-Nov Sat-Thu 08:30-17:00, Fri 08:30-12:30 & 14:30-17:00; Dec-Mar Sat-Thu 09:00-16:00, Fri 09:00-12:30 & 14:30-16:00
Takht-i-Bahi
By far the best and most complete of the ruins of the Gandhara region, which once flourished in the remote valleys of Peshawar and Swat, are those of the 1st to 7th century AD Buddhist monastery Takht-i-Bahi, spectacularly positioned on a rocky hill. It was excavated (and stripped of statuary and friezes) from 1907 to 1913, and later reconstructed.
Price: full – Pakistan Rupee4.00
15km north of Mardan
Chaukundi
Graveyards stretch for many kilometres along the coast around Karachi, but the largest and most impressive tombs and mausoleums are concentrated at Chaukundi. The buildings are constructed of slabs of rock, stacked into oblong pyramids of cubical stone and carved with exquisite designs.
Price: free
National Hwy
27km east of Karachi
Currency
The unit of Pakistani money is the rupee (Rs), divided into 100 paisa. Paper notes come in denominations of Rs 5000, Rs 1000, Rs 500, Rs 100, Rs 50, Rs 20 and Rs 10, and there are Rs 5, Rs 2 and Rs 1 coins. Very worn or tattered notes or those with pen scribbles on them may sometimes be refused so it’s best not to accept them in the first place. The Rs 5000, Rs 1000 and Rs 500 notes can be a headache (few people seem to have change handy), so ask for smaller notes when you buy your rupees.
Exchanging money
Most major foreign currencies can be exchanged in the larger cities and towns of Pakistan. US dollars are the most widely accepted currency, followed by UK pounds and euros. It’s advisable to compare rates between banks and private moneychangers as they can vary. You usually have to present your passport whenever you change money, so carry it along. Always count notes before leaving the bank and return any ripped ones as these can be difficult to get rid of. Note that some travellers have reported difficulty in changing worn foreign notes, especially US dollars.
Getting There And Away
Most flights from European and Asian centres arrive in Karachi, though a few also go to Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and Gwadar (Balochistan). Much more interesting is the overland route. A railway links Lahore with the Indian railway system through Amritsar, and another from Quetta crosses briefly into Iran. After the Grand Trunk Road, the most famous road into Pakistan is the Karakoram Highway, over the 4730m (15,514ft) Khunjerab Pass from Kashgar in China; roads also run from India and Iran. A bus service between Delhi and Lahore is also up and running.