Southern Punjab Heritage & Sufi Trails

4 Days 3 Nights

Travel Style: Sight Seeing

Preffered Time: Novembor to March

Travel: By Road

Description

This journey through Southern Punjab unveils the soul of Pakistan’s spiritual and historical landscape. From the 5,000-year-old ruins of Harappa to the blue-tiled shrines of Multan and the desert bastions of Bahawalpur, the route traces a timeless connection between civilization, mysticism, and art. Travelers experience the transition from ancient Indus Valley settlements to Sufi heritage and princely grandeur, set amidst the vast sands of the Cholistan Desert.

Perfect for culture lovers, historians, and explorers, this trip offers a rare combination of archaeology, architecture, and spirituality—where every stop tells a story of devotion, craftsmanship, and time itself.

  • Visit the ancient Harappa ruins, a key Indus Valley Civilization site
  • Explore Multan’s Sufi shrines and colorful bazaars
  • Experience the grandeur of Bahawalpur and Derawar Fort in the Cholistan Desert
  • Discover royal architecture at Noor Mahal
  • Visit Uch Sharif’s majestic tombs and spiritual landmarks

Depart Lahore and journey south to explore the ancient city of Harappa, one of the key urban centers of the Indus Valley Civilization. Wander through this 5,000-year-old archaeological site, exploring remnants of granaries, drainage systems, and paved streets. The adjacent Harappa Museum displays seals, pottery, and figurines that shed light on early human settlement in South Asia. Continue your journey to Multan, the “City of Saints,” and arrive by evening. Known for its mysticism, craftsmanship, and vibrant bazaars, Multan offers a more spiritual and soulful rhythm of Punjab.

Begin the day exploring Multan’s spiritual heart, visiting the Shrine of Shah Rukn-e-Alam, a magnificent example of pre-Mughal architecture adorned with blue tiles and calligraphy. Continue to the Shrine of Shams Tabraiz, dedicated to the Persian poet and mentor of Rumi. Stroll through Hussain Agahi Bazaar, filled with pottery, ajrak fabric, and camel-skin lamps. Later, drive south to Bahawalpur, a city once ruled by nawabs and filled with palaces, gardens, and stories of royal legacy. This leg of your journey reveals Punjab’s Sufi traditions and rich cultural transformation.

Set off into the golden expanse of the Cholistan Desert, where the towering Derawar Fort emerges like a mirage on the horizon. With its 40 bastions and majestic desert views, it stands as one of Pakistan’s most iconic forts. Enjoy a light picnic in the desert before heading back to Bahawalpur. In the evening, visit the illuminated Noor Mahal, a neoclassical palace echoing tales of princely opulence. The day captures the essence of Punjab’s wilderness, history, and architectural grandeur.

Conclude your journey with a visit to Uch Sharif, a spiritual town famed for its ancient tombs and shrines. The Shrine of Bibi Jawindi, with its intricate blue tiles and domed structure, stands as an emblem of medieval Islamic art. Wander through this sacred site surrounded by sand dunes, absorbing the serene and poetic aura of the place. After lunch, drive back to Lahore, where your Travan Pakistan team will bid you farewell. You leave with the rhythm of Punjab engraved in memory—its Sufi chants, royal forts, and enduring stories of devotion.

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Southern Punjab Heritage & Sufi Trails