2014-02-15

‎Eat and drink

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Revision as of 14:13, 15 February 2014

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==Get around==

 

==Get around==

 

[[File:Kirthar park view 2.jpg|thumb|Distances are vast and 4x4s are in their element.]]

 

[[File:Kirthar park view 2.jpg|thumb|Distances are vast and 4x4s are in their element.]]



The park is extremely large with more than can be seen in just a one- or two-day visit but, unfortunately, there is no public transport available in the park. Most visitors use private vehicles, usually 4x4s, to get around the park. There are several hundred kilometres of roads throughout the park, but most are transitory dirt roads and four-wheel drive is definitely needed. Road signs are poor to non-existent.

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The park is extremely large with more than can be seen in just a one- or two-day visit but, unfortunately, there is no public transport available in the park. Most visitors use private vehicles, usually 4x4s, to get around the park so bring your own if you've one otherwise the on-site visitors' centre of the [http://www.sindhforests.gov.pk Sindh Wildlife Management Board] in Karchat can arrange a vehicle rental (in the form of Jeeps) as well as guides for you.

 

 



The on-site visitors' centre of the [http://www.sindhforests.gov.pk Sindh Wildlife Management Board] in Karchat can arrange a vehicle rental (in the form of Jeeps) as well as guides for you, and are general useful and helpful in further planning your visit. They can even provide detailed information like guidance on locations of the interesting sights, the main day hikes and trail advice, where wild animals can be spotted easily, and an overview map of the park. Rangers are on hand to answer all your questions.

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There are several hundred kilometres of roads throughout the park, but most are transitory dirt roads and four-wheel drive is definitely needed. Road signs are poor to non-existent.

 

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The rangers at visitors' centre are general useful and helpful in further planning your visit and are on hand to answer all your questions. They can provide detailed information like guidance on locations of the interesting sights, the main day hikes and trail advice, wild animals spot location, and an overview map of the park.

 

 

 

==See==

 

==See==

 

[[File:Kirthar park hill and goat.jpg|thumb|Chinkara gazelles on a hill]]

 

[[File:Kirthar park hill and goat.jpg|thumb|Chinkara gazelles on a hill]]



This is a land of seemingly endless landscapes of desert with rugged lines of hilly terrain, parallel rock hills, and twisted, stony valleys.

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Kirthar National Park is a dry rangeland and a land of seemingly endless landscapes of desert with rugged lines of hilly terrain, parallel rock hills, and twisted, stony valleys. Secondarily, there's the wide variety of wildlife, and viewing wildlife is one of the main reasons visitors come here. Kirthar National Park is one of the largest wildlife reserves of this region. Sightings of many different species of birds are inevitable and the Sindh wild goat is common. Jungle and desert cats and wolf encounters can be expected if you search very hard since their numbers have decreased in recent years.



 



Secondarily, there's the wide variety of wildlife, and viewing wildlife is one of the main reasons visitors come here. Kirthar National Park is one of the largest wildlife reserves of this region. Sightings of many different species of birds are inevitable and the Sindh wild goat is common. Jungle and desert cats and wolf encounters can be expected if you search very hard since their numbers have decreased in recent years.

 

 

 

 

Kirthar National Park isn't exactly long on sights — the attraction is the park itself, and of course its wildlife, but the park's human history is worth exploring. Khirthar National Park is rich in cultural heritage and the remains of a few archaeological sites can be found here, particularly the pre-historical Koh Tarash, 18th-century Chaukundi-style tombs of Taung and, and the giant and enormous fortification of Ranikot, situated in the northeastern part of the park built on barren hills. Ranikot is believed to be one of the largest forts in the world. The Fort’s massive 10m-high walls of dressed sandstone are 30km in circumference. Seen from a distance, portions of its ramparts resemble the Great Wall of China, as they dip and turn to the contours of the hills. The Fort was built by the then-Governor of Sindh in 836AD. The Fort’s structure, encircling many hills, has a diameter of about 9km. The long and strong walls are made of Gypsum and lime-cut sandstone. It was originally constructed for bow-and-arrow warfare but it was later enlarged to withstand and cope with firearms. It can take two hours to reach Ranikot by 4x4, from the Karchat area. It's on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to its historical significance.

 

Kirthar National Park isn't exactly long on sights — the attraction is the park itself, and of course its wildlife, but the park's human history is worth exploring. Khirthar National Park is rich in cultural heritage and the remains of a few archaeological sites can be found here, particularly the pre-historical Koh Tarash, 18th-century Chaukundi-style tombs of Taung and, and the giant and enormous fortification of Ranikot, situated in the northeastern part of the park built on barren hills. Ranikot is believed to be one of the largest forts in the world. The Fort’s massive 10m-high walls of dressed sandstone are 30km in circumference. Seen from a distance, portions of its ramparts resemble the Great Wall of China, as they dip and turn to the contours of the hills. The Fort was built by the then-Governor of Sindh in 836AD. The Fort’s structure, encircling many hills, has a diameter of about 9km. The long and strong walls are made of Gypsum and lime-cut sandstone. It was originally constructed for bow-and-arrow warfare but it was later enlarged to withstand and cope with firearms. It can take two hours to reach Ranikot by 4x4, from the Karchat area. It's on the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites due to its historical significance.

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As a wilderness area, for most visitors, you'll be eating what you pack in. Bring your own food and drinks if possible. Bring plenty of water; too much is better than not enough. Thirst is a notoriously unreliable indicator of your body's water needs, so drink regularly.

 

As a wilderness area, for most visitors, you'll be eating what you pack in. Bring your own food and drinks if possible. Bring plenty of water; too much is better than not enough. Thirst is a notoriously unreliable indicator of your body's water needs, so drink regularly.

 

 



A few on-site lodgings may arrange some food for you, including delicious barbecues, but you'll have to advise them beforehand. There are numerous old villages dotted inside the park boundary where people live, and they can be helpful if you're looking for water or even something to eat. Besides, those villages are home to a multitude of hawker stalls selling standard Pakistani street food and all manner of drinks to visitors. Be aware that the food may not be very hygienic.

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A few on-site lodgings may arrange some food for you, but you'll have to advise them beforehand. There are few old villages dotted inside the park boundary where people live, and they can be helpful if you're looking for water or even something to eat but be aware that the food may not be very hygienic.

 

 

 

==Sleep==

 

==Sleep==

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