The Cholistan Desert Festival, built around the famous TDCP International Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally, is the biggest annual event in the Saraiki Belt. Every February, the dunes around Derawar Fort come alive with off-road racing, camel races, folk music and a tent city of visitors from across Pakistan and abroad.
About the Festival
Cholistan Desert Festival The rally was introduced in 2005 by the Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) and is run under the Government of Punjab. It has grown into one of South Asia’s premier winter tourism events: more than a hundred drivers compete in Stock, Prepared, Women’s, dirt-bike, quad and truck categories over a route of roughly 500 kilometres that sweeps past the desert forts of Cholistan, including Derawar and Jamgarh.
More Than a Race
Around the racing, the Cholistan Desert Festival celebrates Cholistani and Saraiki culture: cultural nights with folk singers, camel races and camel decoration, handicraft and food stalls, fireworks and desert camping. For the semi-nomadic communities of the Rohi (as locals call Cholistan), the festival is a major boost to livelihoods and a showcase of their heritage.
When and Where
Held every February near Derawar Fort in Ahmadpur East Tehsil, about 95 km south of Bahawalpur. The 21st edition took place on 11–15 February 2026. Dates are announced each year by TDCP.
Visiting
TDCP offers rally-season tours with desert safari, cultural night and camping. Combine the trip with Noor Mahal in Bahawalpur and the Derawar Fort complex — see our tourism guide.
References
- Cholistan Desert Rally — Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab — cdr.tdcp.gop.pk
- Cholistan Desert Rally — Tourism, Archaeology & Museums Dept, Punjab — tourism.punjab.gov.pk
- Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally — Wikipedia — en.wikipedia.org