Camel races and camel performances in Cholistan are staged as part of the annual Cholistan Desert Rally in February, near Derawar Fort, south of Bahawalpur. There is no separate camel race season for visitors: if you want to watch one, you go in rally week. The races sit alongside goat shows, wrestling and a food street, and a camel-mounted Rangers band has also performed there.
This guide covers what the sources say about the camel events, when they are likely to run in 2027, and how to watch them without getting in the way of the animals or their handlers. For the rally itself, with its jeep rounds and schedule, see our Cholistan jeep rally guide.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Where | Around Derawar Fort, Ahmadpur East tehsil, Bahawalpur district |
| When | February, during the Cholistan Desert Rally |
| 2026 rally | 11 to 15 February 2026 (21st edition) |
| 2027 rally | Dates not found when we checked; February is usual |
| Organiser | Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) |
| Camel events | Camel race, camel handling shows, Rangers camel band |
Are there camel races in Cholistan?
Yes, but they belong to the rally festival rather than to a village fair. Dawn's report on the 17th rally (February 2022) listed a camel race alongside a tent-pegging competition, a food street, a trade fair and a cultural night. For the 21st rally in 2026, Dawn's report on the opening named camel races, goat shows, wrestling and a food street among the activities, with Derawar Fort as the venue.
In 2024, the rally's opening festival began in Bahawalpur on 14 February with a PT show, Luddi dance and Jhoomar dance, and Dawn said camel-related activities and tug-of-war at Derawar Fort were scheduled for the last days of the festival, 23 to 25 February. The 2024 pattern suggests the camel events come near the end of the festival, but the order changes, so check the TDCP programme.
We could not find published start times, race distances or prize details for the camel race, so we will not guess them.
What is the camel dance?
The performance people describe as the camel dance is the camel band of the Pakistan Desert Rangers. Reports from the 2024 rally say it made its first appearance at the rally that year, marching and playing tunes in front of large crowds. It was photographed again at the 19th rally on 25 February 2024 (Associated Press of Pakistan).
The unit is not a folk troupe. According to Arab News, the Rangers' camel-mounted band was formed in 2014 and is based at Moj Garh, in the Cholistan desert, with around 170 camels. It plays bagpipes, and the camels have been retrained from patrol work. The riders train in acrobatic displays, and the 2015 debut was at the Pakistan Day parade in Islamabad.
If you want the traditional folk side, look for the Luddi and Jhoomar dances in the opening programme, which are performed by local groups. These are different from the camel band, which is a military display.
When to go in 2027
The rally is held every February. The 2026 edition was moved from the first announced dates and ran from 11 to 15 February, so dates can change late. We could not find 2027 dates when we checked, so wait for the TDCP announcement before booking. The rally is not tied to a lunar calendar, so moon sighting does not move it, but weather and security planning can.
Plan to arrive the day before the main event. Roads around Derawar are busy on rally days, and in 2026 the authorities deployed 1,600 security personnel and 499 traffic police to manage the event. Our Cholistan culture guide and best time to visit Cholistan explain the weather and what the desert is like in winter.
How to get there
Derawar Fort is about 95 km south of Bahawalpur, on a road that has been paved through the desert. Most visitors drive from Bahawalpur, which you can reach from Lahore by road or train. See Lahore to Derawar Fort for the drive, and our Bahawalpur itinerary for what to see on the way.
How to watch camels respectfully
Camels are working animals, and for many Cholistan families they are income. A few habits make a difference.
- Ask the owner before you touch, feed or photograph a camel, and before you pay for a ride.
- Stay behind barriers during races. Camels can bolt, and the crowd is the usual cause of an accident.
- Do not use flash close to the animals, and do not stand in front of or behind a camel that is being loaded.
- Pay agreed prices for camel rides and photographs, and settle the price before you sit on the animal.
- Do not photograph women of local families without asking.
- Carry water, a hat and cash. Desert venues offer little shade.
Where to stay and what else to see
Rally week fills rooms in Bahawalpur, so book as soon as the dates are announced. Our where to stay in Bahawalpur guide covers hotel areas, and camping in Cholistan covers the desert camps. Many visitors also go on a camel safari in the desert outside rally week, which we describe in our Cholistan desert safari guide. For other seasonal events, see our experiences page.
Is it worth going just for the camels?
Probably not on its own. The camel race is one item in a crowded programme, and the rally week is dominated by jeeps, dust and crowds, so go for the whole event and Derawar Fort. If camels are your main interest, a camel safari outside the rally gives you more time with the animals and fewer people. If you can only visit in rally week, aim for the festival days before the final jeep round.
Frequently asked questions
When is the camel race in Cholistan?
It is held during the Cholistan Desert Rally in February. The 2026 rally ran from 11 to 15 February. Dates for 2027 had not been found at the time of writing.
Where is the camel race held?
At Derawar Fort, where the rally festival is based, in Ahmadpur East tehsil in Bahawalpur district.
What is the Cholistan camel dance?
It is usually the camel band of the Pakistan Desert Rangers, which marches and plays bagpipes on camelback. Local folk dances such as Luddi and Jhoomar are separate items.
Is there an entry fee?
We did not find a published ticket price for the festival. Check with TDCP or Bahawalpur district administration before you travel.
Is Cholistan safe to visit during the rally?
The rally is a large public event with a heavy police presence. Check current local news and follow instructions at checkpoints and on desert tracks.
