Ranikot, located around 250 km from Karachi, is supposedly the world's largest fortification and the second largest wall after the Great Wall of China.
The sight is located at the brink of the Kirthar ranges, a natural reserve for wildlife, almost in the wilderness and can be done as a long day trip from Karachi.

Structure of the fort itself is not that impressive, especially when compared to those of Mugul era castles, and there is no certainty as who and when built these extensive walls. This actually makes the place a bit less interesting and only suits to hardcore traveler type.
Good thing is that there is a 30 km paved road from the highway right till the entrance of the fort. The road in fact continues inside and ends up at a smaller in-house fort, Mirikot, which is located uphill overlooking the surrounding valley.
There is a water channel right in the middle of the fort emanating from a fresh spring which can easily make up for the disappointment.

This huge arena houses only a handful villagers belonging to the Gabol tribe of Baloch people who survive on the limited irrigation opportunity.

it would be wise not to visit the place in summers because of the scorching heat and the risk of getting dehydrated, therefore, the best time for this excursion would be November to March.


 

We trekked along the stream and reached to a formation of ponds, one of which is famous among locals as the Fairy Pond. Some ponds are really deep, as much as 65 feet, so it requires a lot of care and local support as there are no facilities around. The most special thing about these natural pools is a variety of small fish that eats up the dead skin of the human body. You may call that Fish Massage which I found really relaxing and unique!

The original purpose and architects of Ranikot Fort are unknown. Some archaeologists attribute it to Arabs, or possibly built by a Persian noble under the Abbasids by Imran Bin Musa Barmaki who was the Governor of Sindhin 836. Others have suggested a much earlier period of construction attributing to at times the SassaniansPersians and at times to the Greeks. Despite the fact that a prehistoric site of Amri is nearby, there is no trace of any old city inside the fort and the present structure has little evidence of prehistoric origins.Archaeologists point to 17th century as its time of first construction.

Despite the fact that a prehistoric site of Amri is nearby, there is no trace of any old city inside the fort and the present structure has little evidence of prehistoric origins.Archaeologists point to 17th century as its time of first construction