Cholistan Desert Camel Safari
Five days of desert and history — camel rides among Cholistan’s nomad camps, nights in tents below Derawar Fort, and the shrines of Uch and Multan.
Adventure and culture in the desert
This trip combines adventure and culture: some of the most important historic cities of Pakistan, along with the remote villages and nomad camps of the Cholistan desert, which stretches across the border into the Thar.
In Cholistan you share the life of the nomads as you travel by camel around Derawar Fort, built in the 9th century by a prince of Jaisalmer on the edge of the desert. Nights are spent in comfortable Mughal-style tents under the open desert sky, with dinner accompanied by local music and dance.
From Derawar we drive out of the desert to Uch Sharif, a centre of Islamic learning in the 13th century and resting place of many scholars and saints, whose tombs are decorated with blue glazed tiles in a Central Asian style. Then on to Multan, a city every invader from Alexander to the Mughals and the British fought to control, with its colourful bazaars and the octagonal tombs of Bahauddin Zakariya and Shah Rukn-e-Alam.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
Bahawalpur
Morning flight to Bahawalpur. In the afternoon, visit the Bahawalpur Museum, colourful bazaars and old colonial buildings. Overnight in Bahawalpur.
- Day 2
Derawar
Drive to Derawar village. In the afternoon, visit the mosque and the beautifully decorated royal graveyard inside Derawar Fort. Meals and overnight in tents.
- Day 3
Camel ride
A full day by camel, visiting villages and nomad camps to see desert life up close. Meals and overnight in tents.
- Day 4
Uch Sharif & Multan
Drive to Uch Sharif to visit the tombs of Bibi Jawindi and Jalaluddin Surkh Bukhari, then continue to Multan. Dinner and overnight at a hotel.
- Day 5
Multan & home
Morning sightseeing and shopping in Multan, then an afternoon flight home.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Derawar Fort — Fassifarooq, CC BY-SA 4.0
Let’s build your package together
Tell us about your event or holiday and we will design a program that fits your needs, interests and budget.