Revisit: Freshwater Ponds of Ranikot

Ranikot - A Cool Day Escape from Karachi

Located ~ 250km from Karachi, Ranikot is termed as the largest fort in the world and the second longest wall after the Great Wall of China. However, neither of these facts was the reason why I visited the place for the second time!

During thefirst Ranikot expedition, courtesy my inspiring friend Haris Mehmood, we explored and trekked along the freshwater stream running inside the fortification. This watercourse, which emanates from the Kirthar Mountains, casts an interesting greenish contrast to the otherwise monotonous landscape, and was the motive behind the repeat visit; this time with the family.

While sitting besides one of the ponds, it feels like you are in Swat Valley! The water is cool and crystalline, the air fresh and unpolluted, the sunlight full of Vitamin D yet comforting, and the sound echoes. The peeping towers high above the surrounding hills also add to the ambiance and give a feeling as if someone is watching you. 

However, the climax is still to come; a surprise which makes the place a must-see.

This is Doctor Fish – abundant in these ponds and famous for its body cleansing therapy. The miniature marine variety gently eats up all the dead skin and makes it all fresh, once again!. An experience in its own, for which you might be expected to pay a hefty sum in one of Karachi’s a bourgeois spas!

A Trip to Ranikot is Incomplete Without Visiting the Freshwater Stream

Presence of Such a Scenic Spot Near Karachi is Amazing

One of the Ponds Along the Ranikot Stream

Water in these Ponds is Crystal Clear

So Clear that It Looks Like an Aquarium

Doctor Fish!

Villagers Use This Water for Drinking and Irrigation

Road to the Fort

View Larger Map Googlemaps

Entrance of the Fort

We Reached Ranikot Around Sunrise

And Continued Inside Until the Road Discontinued

Under Construction!

Luckily, We Found the Alternate Route to Our Destination: Mirikot

Inside Mirikot; A Small Fort Within Ranikot

Stairs to Mirikot's Roof

Yet Another Fort Can be Seen from Mirikot

But It Was Too Far!

Railway Track Near the Fort

Timeline

04:00     Left Home

04:30     Karachi Toll Plaza

06:45     Jamshoro

07:00     Ranikot

08:00     Mirikot

10:00     Pond

13:00     Return Journey

17:00     Reached Karachi

Other Useful Links

My First Trip: Mysteries of Ranikot

A Friend’s Recent Experience at PakWheels

Ranikot at Wikipedia

An Insightful Slideshow: The Great Wall of Sind

Trip Report: Camping at Ranikot

UNESCO World Heritage Site – Tentative List