How to Visit the Chaukhandi Tombs

If you didn’t know the Chaukhandi Tombs were there, then you’d miss them completely.  They’re on the eastern outskirts of Karachi, and this atmospheric and historic site is well worth stopping off at.  Some of the guided tours from Karachi miss them altogether, but you shouldn’t.  You can easily visit the site in 20 minutes, and it’s a stunning and interesting place to come to.  This early Islamic cemetery is known for its intricately carved sandstone tombs, and you’re unlikely to bump into people while you’re here, which makes it all the more impressive.  The chances are you’re going to head to the Makli Necropolis, and so as the road there passes right by the entrance to the Chaukhandi Tombs, you should stop.  In this guide, I’ll cover what to see at the Chaukhandi Tombs, where they’re located, and how to visit the Chaukhandi Tombs safely and easily, whether you’re coming independently or as part of a tour.

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There’s no visitor center here; the entrance road comes through a slum and past a site where trucks are reengineered.  There’s also little to no signage here; if you’re lucky, the caretaker will be here and will show you to the most intricate tombs and best carvings.  But there are no crowds, if indeed there is anyone here at all when you visit. 

However, you can’t just jump on a bus, but you could hop in a taxi to visit.  The tombs sit well outside central Karachi, and the final approach is along a rough road that doesn’t exactly inspire confidence at first glance. Don’t let that put you off. My guide to visiting the Chaukhandi Tombs will help you understand what to expect, how long to spend here, and why this quiet site holds such cultural and historical importance.

Why visit the Chaukhandi Tombs?

The Chaukhandi Tombs stand out for several reasons, even among the historic burial sites in Sindh. One of the most striking features is the orientation of the graves, which are buried north to south. This is highly unusual for the period and region, and it immediately sets this site apart from other Islamic burial grounds. It is an Islamic custom that the dead are laid facing Mecca, resting on their right shoulder. 

The Chaukhandi Tombs were submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in 1993

The carvings themselves are another major reason for coming. Many of the tombstones are richly decorated with deeply incised patterns that depict swords, shields, horseback riders, jewelry, and ornamental designs, providing insight into the social status and identity of those buried here.  It’s hard to believe that when you get here, this place survives despite the spread of Karachi.  Come first thing in the morning for super light on the carved tombs, and you’ll feel a million miles away from the noise and bustle of Karachi.

Where are the Chaukhandi Tombs?

The Chaukhandi Tombs are to the east of Karachi, near the National Highway that leads toward Thatta (where you’ll find the Makli Necropolis and the Shah Jahan Mosque).  They’re 29 kilometers (18 miles) from the city, which can, depending on traffic, take some significant time to reach.  The Google Maps location (here) is correct, so you can use it to navigate.  As you pull off the main road, there’s a sign pointing towards the entrance.

They are well outside the main city center and far from the areas that most people visit in Karachi. As I mentioned before, you won’t stumble upon this place accidentally. Their location is part of what has kept them relatively untouched, but it also means you’ll need to plan transport rather than relying on casual taxis or public transport.  You can take a taxi, an Indrive, or a Careem here, but if this is your plan, I’d advise you to ask them to wait while you visit and then either take you back to your hotel or onto your next location. 

https://www.viator.com/tours/Karachi/UNESCO-World-Heritage-Tour-Near-Karachi/d50447-106386P4?pid=P00128143&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=chaukfeature

How to Get to the Chaukhandi Tombs

There’s no practical public transport option to reach the site, so you’ll need to either join a tour, hire a car with a driver, or take an Indrive or Careem.  You can read about Indrive and Careem in my guide to independent travel to Pakistan here.

Take a tour of the Chaukhandi Tombs.

Joining a guided tour is the easiest and most straightforward way to visit. Some tours combine the Chaukhandi Tombs with other major historic sites in Sindh, particularly Makli Necropolis and the Shah Jahan Mosque in Thatta. These tours can be prepaid online, include transport, and remove the hassle of navigating unfamiliar roads. Viator and local operators like Karachi Travellers both offer full-day options that work well if you want context and commentary alongside the visit.

This tour, bookable via Viator, includes the Chaukhandi Tombs, the Makli Necropolis, and the Shan Jahan Mosque in Thatta.  You can book it online – and pay in advance with a card.  The full-day tour is designed to get you around several of Sindh’s most important historic sites in one well-organized day. It’s a long day, butcombines archaeology, architecture, and history, with time at each stop to explore and take photos.

Typical day agenda:

• Morning pickup from Karachi
• Visit to the Chaukhandi Tombs
• Drive to Thatta
• Explore Makli Necropolis
• Visit the Shah Jahan Mosque
• Return journey to Karachi in the evening

You can also book a trip with the Karachi Travellers group – there’s no minimum number of people, as you pay by the car. Transport is arranged from Karachi, and the focus is on Sindh’s funerary and Mughal-era heritage. This is a solid choice if you’re already in Karachi and want a straightforward, locally guided day out.  You’ll need to pay a deposit in advance (cash, but they will collect it from your hotel) and then pay the remainder of the costs either in cash or via bank transfer on the day.  They’re great at communications and have a fabulous team.  This tour includes a visit to the Bhambore Ruins as well as Chaukhandi Tombs, Makli Necropolis, and the Shah Jahan Mosque.  Our experience with the KTG group was excellent, with a fabulous English-speaking driver and guide (one of the co-founders of the company), and the tour was perfectly paced for us.

Take a Private Taxi to the Chaukhandi Tombs

If you prefer to travel independently, hiring a private taxi from Karachi is also a good option. Most drivers will be happy to make this part of a longer day trip to Thatta and Makli Necropolis. The best way to find a taxi driver that you’re happy with is to ask at your hotel, or, if you’ve taken a Metro Cab from the airport and like him, take his number.  My guide to traveling from Karachi Airport to the city is here.  If you’re using a taxi or ride-hailing app, it’s best to arrange for the driver to wait, as finding a return ride from the site is difficult. From the center of Karachi to go and come back to the Chaukhandi Tombs, expect to pay around 3,500 PKR ($20 USD).

Bear in mind that the caretaker here at the Chaukhandi Tombs speaks very little English.  He’ll point out the main tombs, but unless you speak Urdu or Sindhi, you’re not going to get a “guided” tour as such from him. 

What to see at the Chaukhandi Tombs

If you’re not visiting as part of a guided tour, I strongly recommend saying hello to the caretaker when you arrive. There are no official guides here, but the caretaker knows which tombs are the most significant and can point out important carvings and inscriptions that you’d likely miss on your own. This small bit of local insight adds a lot to the visit and, of course, gets you the photos that you’ll want of the main tombs.

https://www.viator.com/tours/Karachi/UNESCO-World-Heritage-Tour-Near-Karachi/d50447-106386P4?pid=P00128143&mcid=42383&medium=link&campaign=chaukfeature

If he’s not around or you miss him, then there’s also a signboard with some pertinent information as you enter the site.

The main cluster of tombs can easily be explored in about 20 minutes. While the wider burial area stretches for around 5 kilometers (about 3 miles), it’s not advised to wander beyond the area marked by white-painted stones. There’s plenty to see in this area.  And you can’t miss the enormous black kites (the birds) that haunt this area.  The site is said to be haunted by spectral visitors, too.

The tombs themselves are built from stacked sandstone slabs, forming stepped structures topped with carved headstones. Many feature remarkably detailed relief work, including depictions of weapons that suggest warrior status, as well as decorative patterns that hint at tribal identity and social rank.

There are about 1500 tombs here, but only 5-600 of them remain intact.

The tombs here were built between the 15^th and 18^th centuries and are mainly from the Jokhio (also Jokhiya) Sindhi tribe.  There are also members of the Jakhra, Shaikh, Burfat, and Baloch tribes buried here.  The tombs were mainly built during the Mughal era, when Islam became dominant in Pakistan.

The graves are formed of sandstone slabs with incredibly delicate carved features.  Tombs for males show shields, swords, arrows, and bows.  Some have what looks like a crown or a turban on the topmost point.  Female tombs include symbols such as a necklace or bracelet.  The detail that remains centuries later is stunning, and can be mostly attributed to the fact that this is primarily a dry arid area.

The graves here are all on raised platforms – indicating an above-ground burial, with two groupings under stone canopies.  Some tombs are single, others are in groups, with a maximum of eight graves in a single group.

Don’t miss the tomb of Jam Mureed Bin Haji, which contains a carving of the name Chaukhandi.

A typical grave has six vertical slabs – two long slabs indicating the body length, with a slab at the foot and head end.  On top of this is a second, almost box shape with similar slabs, but smaller in size than the lower one, giving the appearance of a stepped pyramid.  

Only one of the graves has a date on it (AD 1756)

There is debate about where the name Chaukhandi comes from, with no specific agreement.  It’s said to be

• The name of a place
• An architectural term (Chaw in Sindhi means four, Khundi means corner pillar) – but the tombs that have canopies at Chaukhandi have more than four pillars.

Practical Tips for Visiting the Chaukhandi Tombs

The final road leading to the entrance is rough and unpaved, but don’t let that discourage you. Bring water, especially in warmer months, as there are no facilities on site. A sun hat and sunglasses are essential, and while the walk is short, sturdy walking shoes are recommended due to uneven ground. If you arrive by car, don’t leave valuables inside. When using a taxi, Indrive, or Yango, make sure the driver agrees to wait or to return for pickup, as arranging transport back can be difficult.

How long do you need to visit the Chaukhandi Tombs?

You’ll only need 20 minutes or so to visit the Chaukhandi Tombs.

Entrance Fees for the Chaukhandi Tombs

There is no official entrance fee to visit the Chaukhandi Tombs. However, it’s customary to tip the caretaker who shows you the main tombs and inscriptions. A tip of around 500 PKR is recommended and will be appreciated.

Opening Hours of the Chaukhandi Tombs

Winter opening hours are generally from 08:30 to 17:00. In summer, hours usually extend from 07:00 to 19:00. These times can vary, so it’s best to check locally or arrive earlier in the day to avoid disappointment.

Final Words on Visiting the Chaukhandi Tombs

There’s no entrance fee to visit the Chaukhandi Tombs, and you won’t find a legion of guides waiting to show you around, but this is worthy of a stop if you’re making trips outside Karachi.  You don’t need much time here, 20 minutes or so, but the stunning craftsmanship on these sandstone tombs is well worth it.  This is easy to tag onto a visit to Makli Necropolis or Thatta to gain a little more understanding of the Sindh area’s past.

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