Famous Deserts in Pakistan
Traveling in deserts is adventurous and challenging. Unlike other tourist spots, you won’t find exquisite housing or fine dining, yet many are fascinated by the vastness and history of deserts. Pakistan is a blessed country that is not only rich with natural and scenic views but also has plentiful mountain ranges, wonderful hill stations, and tourist charms.
Ranked as a top tourist destination in 2020, the country is home to vast desert regions. These deserts have significant agricultural potential due to ground-breaking irrigation methods that allow the farming of wheat, cotton, and vegetables. With their distinctive features and history, these deserts provide attractive prospects for study and tourism. This promises to be an exciting journey for individuals interested in traveling the deserts of Pakistan and experiencing its vibrant culture and customs.
Pakistan is the home of 5 major deserts, including:
- Thar Desert
- Thal Desert
- Cholistan Desert
- Kharan Desert
- Katpana Desert (Cold Desert)
Thar Desert
The Thar Desert is the largest in Pakistan and is famous as the Great Indian Desert, where over 30 million people live. It is a subtropical desert covering an area of 175,000 square km and extends above Indian Punjab, Gujarat, and Sindh, Pakistan. Of this area, 85% is in India, and the rest is in Pakistan.
Its glorious features make it the largest unique desert in Pakistan. Despite deserts often encountering harsh climates and stimulating living conditions, this desert welcomes many inhabitants, making it Pakistan’s friendly desert.
The Thar has Muslims and Hindus who celebrate their rich and varied, colorful events throughout the year. The Thar is mainly occupied by nomadic societies that raise animals and earn income through agriculture.
Thal Desert
The Thal Desert is located near the Pothohar Plateau and is part of the Indomalayan biogeographic area. It extends around 190 miles (306 km) in length and 70 miles (113 km) in width. To the north, it is surrounded by the Piedmont region of the Salt Range, while the floodplains of the Jhelum and Chenab rivers lie to the east.
As a subtropical sandy desert similar to Thar, the area is famous for its shifting and rolling dunes, meager rainfall, noteworthy temperature variations between day and night, and strong winds. Due to the harsh weather conditions, vegetation is not possible, but some species of drought-tolerant grass, shrubs, and trees. The inhabitants relish the Thal Canal, which is used for daily chores, irrigation, and cattle feeding.
The locals in the region speak Urdu, Saraiki, and Thalochi, and agriculture and cattle farming are the primary sources of income.
Cholistan Desert
The Cholistan Desert, also known as the Rohi Desert, is famous for its distinctive culture, energetic festivals, and traditional routine. Covering 25,800 km2 (10,000 square miles), this desert is a noteworthy part of the region’s cultural heritage. The desert has a rich history dates back thousands of years to the Indus Valley Civilization. However, you can still see the Archaeological sites and artifacts today.
Despite the harsh environment, it is a home for wildlife and flora. Multiple forts and monuments, including Derawar Fort, Jamgarh Fort, Islamgarh Fort, and Nawab Din Fort, make this desert unique and have their own stories.
The region has a rich artistic history that can create thorough embroidery, mirrors on clothes, and camel leather products representing the desert’s colorful and unique designs. The Desert locals generate income from cultivation, cattle, cotton, wool, and textiles.
Kharan Desert
The Kharan Desert is sandy and situated in the northeast part of Balochistan province. It covers a region of around 20,000 square km and is encircled by an empty basin. The desert includes sandy dunes and hilly areas.
On May 30, 1998, the Pakistan military conducted a second nuclear test, Chagai-II, in this desert. In the fourth century BC, Alexander the Great entered India through the Khyber Pass and defeated King Porus. On his return, he crossed the Kharan Desert, pursuing to compare himself to Cyrus the Great, who had also traveled through that area.
The landscape is dry, gray-brown sand that does not allow crops to grow because there is less water for irrigation. Multiple communities live there, but the most famous culture is Balochi. The locals prioritize their culture and have particular food preferences, including rice, Saji, lassi, dates, lamb, wheat, millet, and camel meat. People wear shalwar kurtas, and women’s dresses are designed with lovely artwork of small mirrors and embroidery. Still, some people live in mud houses.
Katpana Desert (Cold Desert)
The Katpana Desert (Cold Desert) is one of the famous deserts in the Skardu district of Gilgit-Baltistan. It is located at a height of around 2,226 meters above sea level and extends over 25 kilometers (15.5 miles). Towering mountains, including the popular Karakoram Range, surround this cold desert.
Unlike traditional deserts, the Katpana Desert is high and experiences bad weather conditions. During winter, it turns into a frosty wonderland, while summer brings mild temperatures, making it an ideal spot for tourists. This desert offers fascinating and wonderful sandy scenery at night, transforming it into a royal site to explore. Every year, people turn their heads towards Skardu and Shigar Valley, a vast segment of the Katpana Desert. The temperature range is from 8 °C (46 °F) to 27 °C (81 °F), but particularly in December and January, temperatures can drop to −17 °C (1°F).
Bottom Line
Pakistan is gathering the attention of national and international tourists. People explore the renowned deserts that provide an extraordinary mixture of natural beauty, cultural diversity, and adventurous experiences. From the captivating dunes of the Thar Desert to the low light pollution and fabulous scenery of the Katpana Desert, every desert has its attractive appeal. You can explore these deserts and relish the raw beauty of nature, engage in culture, and embark on exciting journeys. Pakistan’s famous deserts are evidence of the country’s diverse landscapes and deliver a memorable trip for individuals seeking to roam off the beaten path.
