Bahawalpur, Punjab · N 28.75° / E 71.33°
Cholistan Desert Jeep Rally 2027
Pakistan's biggest desert motorsport event, staged around a 40-metre fort in the Cholistan sands.
Derawar Fort rises 40 metres out of flat desert on the edge of Cholistan, a real Sahara-scale sand sea in southern Punjab most travelers never associate with Pakistan. Since 2005, it's hosted one of the country's largest motorsport events — over 100 drivers racing modified jeeps, SUVs, and bikes across a 500km desert route past a string of historic forts.
Racing isn't the whole story. The week builds around it: a driver's conference and vehicle inspection open the event, a stock-category race and cultural night follow, and the finale pairs dirt-bike racing with prize-giving and a floodlit fort as backdrop.
This is paired with time in Bahawalpur itself — Noor Mahal palace, the walled old city, and a camel safari out to Derawar — since the rally alone is a half-day event and the region rewards a longer stay.
What to expect
- ✦A full rally day at Derawar Fort with a guided viewing position
- ✦A cultural night with regional folk music and food
- ✦Time in Bahawalpur: Noor Mahal, the old city, and a camel safari to the fort
Entry requirements
- ✦Pakistan e-visa (we provide the checklist)
- ✦No special permit required — Bahawalpur and Cholistan are unrestricted travel zones
- ✦Standard fitness; no trekking involved, though desert heat requires sun precautions
Safety, specifically for this trip
- This is an established, government-run tourism event (organized by the Punjab Tourism Development Corporation) with heavy security and crowd management laid on for rally week — not an informal gathering.
- Desert heat and sun exposure are the practical risk, not security — this is February in southern Punjab, so daytime warmth with cold nights; sun protection matters more than cold-weather gear here.
- A 4x4 and local driver are essential off the paved approach road; Destiny Skies arranges this as part of the trip rather than leaving travelers to self-drive.