Cholistan Desert During The Days of Jeep Rally

[Xoofi]

Hello All,

We are about 8-10 friends who want to visit Cholistan Desert during the dates of Jeep Rally (i.e. 15th, 16th & 17th Feb 2013).

Will it be advisable to plan our own trip instead of going with TDCP because their packages are a bit costly and we also want a bit of liberty in planning.

We are not participating in jeep rally but just want to be in audience to have some fun.

Things We want to try:

1. Night Camping and BBQ at Cholistan Desert (We have the equipment, just want to know how feasible it is in terms of security and permissions)
2. Derawar Fort Visit (Someone told me that only TDCP tour parties are allowed to visit it during the dates of Jeep rally, is it true?)

Thanks for any help

[HanifBhatti]

1. Night Camping and BBQ at Cholistan Desert (We have the equipment, just want to know how feasible it is in terms of security and permissions)

You can camp where ever you want, no security issues.

1. Derawar Fort Visit (Someone told me that only TDCP tour parties are allowed to visit it during the dates of Jeep rally, is it true?)

The Fort is open for all visitors.

[Xoofi]

Thank you Libra for your fast response. I want to know that camping area is near to Derawar Fort or is it in Derawar Village? And how far both of these places from each other.

[HanifBhatti]

Thank you Libra for your fast response. I want to know that camping area is near to Derawar Fort or is it in Derawar Village? And how far both of these places from each other.

You can camp where ever you want, The start point is about 1 km from the fort, some camp near the fort some near the start point and some few kms away. My last trip I camped about 2 kms from the fort. On this trip i might camp 10 kms from the fort to avoid the dust... its too dusty near the fort and the start point, visibility is reduce to less than 200 meters.

[HanifBhatti]

Please check these topic.. https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/road-trips-vacations/186900-7th-tdcp-cholistan-rally-trip-libra

https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/road-trips-vacations/130855-karachi-cholistan-lahore-islamabad-murree-libra#post2101025

https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/road-trips-vacations/66550-karachi-members-trip-cholistan-desert

https://www.pakwheels.com/forums/road-trips-vacations/148743-my-gtg-road-trip-libra-61#post2468555

[Xoofi]

Thank you so much Libra, you have been an excellent help. After watching your pictures, I have one more question.

I see that you guys have visited on your 4x4 vehicles. We do not have this facility. We wanted to hire an HI-Roof or something similar (low to medium cost) for 2 days (16th & 17th) from Bahawalpur. Will it be a good option there?

[ehalin]

No safety issues. This area is fortunately safer as compared to other areas of Pakistan.

Camping can be done anywhere around the fort. Your only enemy will be probably the "dust" and there will be a lot of it. Anyway do check weather forecast and prepare for it. In dry weather there is lot of dust due to lot of traffic and if rain then there will be lot of mud as well. Also you will have to be self suficient in everything. Bring all necessities including food, water, lighting, medicines, toileteries, fuel etc. with you. These are normally not available and even if available are not of a good quality.

There is a lot of hussle bussle during the rally and people are in festive mood. You will enjoy that. But don't expect a soliatry desert at least within 10~15kms around the fort.

Hello All,

We are about 8-10 friends who want to visit Cholistan Desert during the dates of Jeep Rally (i.e. 15th, 16th & 17th Feb 2013).

Will it be advisable to plan our own trip instead of going with TDCP because their packages are a bit costly and we also want a bit of liberty in planning.

We are not participating in jeep rally but just want to be in audience to have some fun.

Things We want to try:

1. Night Camping and BBQ at Cholistan Desert (We have the equipment, just want to know how feasible it is in terms of security and permissions)
2. Derawar Fort Visit (Someone told me that only TDCP tour parties are allowed to visit it during the dates of Jeep rally, is it true?)

Thanks for any help

[ehalin]

No. For camping you will probably need to venture into the desert and 4x4 is preferable. Otherwise for travelling upto the fort is no problem on any car although the road is not good. Also I saw a huge traffic jam as well on the last day of the rally. The traffic was packed for miles on the road to the fort. I luckily had a 4x4 so took lot of detours into the loose sand but even then it took a couple of hours to clear the initial stretch coming back from the fort. I suggest you to avoid travelling at the time when rally is finished.

Thank you so much Libra, you have been an excellent help. After watching your pictures, I have one more question.

I see that you guys have visited on your 4x4 vehicles. We do not have this facility. We wanted to hire an HI-Roof or something similar (low to medium cost) for 2 days (16th & 17th) from Bahawalpur. Will it be a good option there?

[HanifBhatti]

Thank you so much Libra, you have been an excellent help. After watching your pictures, I have one more question.

I see that you guys have visited on your 4x4 vehicles. We do not have this facility. We wanted to hire an HI-Roof or something similar (low to medium cost) for 2 days (16th & 17th) from Bahawalpur. Will it be a good option there?

If Hi-Roof then you have to camp somewhere near the starting point ,,check these picture.

[Xoofi]

No safety issues. This area is fortunately safer as compared to other areas of Pakistan.

Camping can be done anywhere around the fort. Your only enemy will be probably the "dust" and there will be a lot of it. Anyway do check weather forecast and prepare for it. In dry weather there is lot of dust due to lot of traffic and if rain then there will be lot of mud as well. Also you will have to be self suficient in everything. Bring all necessities including food, water, lighting, medicines, toileteries, fuel etc. with you. These are normally not available and even if available are not of a good quality.

There is a lot of hussle bussle during the rally and people are in festive mood. You will enjoy that. But don't expect a soliatry desert at least within 10~15kms around the fort.

Thank you so much. Yes, we should keep in mind about the necessary items. Lighting should be taken with us (like portable generator) or batteries would suffice?

No. For camping you will probably need to venture into the desert and 4x4 is preferable. Otherwise for travelling upto the fort is no problem on any car although the road is not good. Also I saw a huge traffic jam as well on the last day of the rally. The traffic was packed for miles on the road to the fort. I luckily had a 4x4 so took lot of detours into the loose sand but even then it took a couple of hours to clear the initial stretch coming back from the fort. I suggest you to avoid travelling at the time when rally is finished.

Thanks once again. Do you have any idea if 4x4 is available easily on rent in Bahawalpur? How costly it is? We are about 8-10 people so will we have to hire two vehicles? Any contact numbers would really help in this regard.

Furthermore, how much time it could take in traffic jams. What if we leave on Sunday 17th at 2 PM, will there still be rush? Also, if we leave that much early, will we miss the fun on final results etc. Btw, We are thinking to catch Shalimar Express train from Bahawalpur (to Lahore) which leaves at 5:45 PM.

If Hi-Roof then you have to camp somewhere near the starting point ,,check these picture.

Thank you Libra once again. Please answer me the above question if possible

[ehalin]

Portable generators are definitely better. People who routinely go there for camping take portable generators. Desert nights are lilterally very dark. I don't know if there is full moon during those days but if it is it will help. Camping in desert is different than camping in northern areas. But for last couple of years I have seen people arranging camps commercially as well. Maybe someone on PW will help you in finding a local contact. I am from Multan. If I go with my friends then we make all arrangements from Multan even wood for bonfire or bar b q.

4x4's are normally not available on rent in these areas. But you can check with some rent-a-car company in Bahawalpur may be they have a 4x4 available. I guess it would be expensive as well since it would be most probably a late model car. Don't expect to find here any CJ-3's like in northern areas. Apart from camping, you will need a 4x4 also to observe the rally from different locations. If you don't have a 4x4 then you will be stuck at the launching or start venue only and will miss 90% of the fun, in my opinion.

Nobody can predict traffic jams accurately. It depends upon how the event is managed as weill. If authourities make a better traffic plan this time, maybe there is no traffic jam at all this year. I cautioned you about something which happened previously. I don't think you will miss something if you leave early unless you are interested in the prize distribution and results.

Thank you so much. Yes, we should keep in mind about the necessary items. Lighting should be taken with us (like portable generator) or batteries would suffice?

Thanks once again. Do you have any idea if 4x4 is available easily on rent in Bahawalpur? How costly it is? We are about 8-10 people so will we have to hire two vehicles? Any contact numbers would really help in this regard.

Furthermore, how much time it could take in traffic jams. What if we leave on Sunday 17th at 2 PM, will there still be rush? Also, if we leave that much early, will we miss the fun on final results etc. Btw, We are thinking to catch Shalimar Express train from Bahawalpur (to Lahore) which leaves at 5:45 PM.

Thank you Libra once again. Please answer me the above question if possible

[Xoofi]

Portable generators are definitely better. People who routinely go there for camping take portable generators. Desert nights are lilterally very dark. I don't know if there is full moon during those days but if it is it will help. Camping in desert is different than camping in northern areas. But for last couple of years I have seen people arranging camps commercially as well. Maybe someone on PW will help you in finding a local contact. I am from Multan. If I go with my friends then we make all arrangements from Multan even wood for bonfire or bar b q.

4x4's are normally not available on rent in these areas. But you can check with some rent-a-car company in Bahawalpur may be they have a 4x4 available. I guess it would be expensive as well since it would be most probably a late model car. Don't expect to find here any CJ-3's like in northern areas. Apart from camping, you will need a 4x4 also to observe the rally from different locations. If you don't have a 4x4 then you will be stuck at the launching or start venue only and will miss 90% of the fun, in my opinion.

Nobody can predict traffic jams accurately. It depends upon how the event is managed as weill. If authourities make a better traffic plan this time, maybe there is no traffic jam at all this year. I cautioned you about something which happened previously. I don't think you will miss something if you leave early unless you are interested in the prize distribution and results.

Thank you. We aren't interested in Results or Prize distribution but only in the fun associated to the race.

In that case, we will probably leave very early on Sunday and might visit Uch & Head Panjanad. Is it a place worth visiting?

[ehalin]

I suggest not to plan visiting Uch or Panjnad, if you have to catch a train at 5:45pm form Bahawalpur the same day. But personally I prefer Uch if given a choice. I haven't seen the rally plan for this year. But there will be probably qualifying runs on 16th and actual rally on 17th. Both are fun to watch. Also there will be many activities during the night. Some people just don't do camping and neither sleep during the night. I have seen people taking naps in their cars:P.

Thank you. We aren't interested in Results or Prize distribution but only in the fun associated to the race.

In that case, we will probably leave very early on Sunday and might visit Uch & Head Panjanad. Is it a place worth visiting?

[Xoofi]

I suggest not to plan visiting Uch or Panjnad, if you have to catch a train at 5:45pm form Bahawalpur the same day. But personally I prefer Uch if given a choice. I haven't seen the rally plan for this year. But there will be probably qualifying runs on 16th and actual rally on 17th. Both are fun to watch. Also there will be many activities during the night. Some people just don't do camping and neither sleep during the night. I have seen people taking naps in their cars:P.

Well in this case, we can visit Uch & Panjanad on 16th leaving very early from Bahawalpur and then reach Derawar by early evening for camping. How much time do u think it will take if we leave Bahawalpur at 8 AM and go to Uch then Panjanad & then to Derawar.

For some reason, google maps is not showing the Bahawalpur - Ahmedpur East - Uch - Alipur route. Instead its showing the route from Multan which is 251 km. Whats the condition of Bahawalpur - Ahmedpur East - Uch - Alipur road?

[ehalin]

Add about 3 hours for the detour to Uch only. If you want to visit Panjnad then add about 2 hours more depending upon duration of your stay at Panjnad. From Ahmedpur bypass coming from Bahawalpur if you turn left you to dera nawab and then onwards to derawar but from here if you turn right you go to Uch and then onwards to Panjnad. Roads here are average. I think you can easily manage this if you start early from Bahawalpur. Then you will enough time in Derawar as well to set up your camp even.

Well in this case, we can visit Uch & Panjanad on 16th leaving very early from Bahawalpur and then reach Derawar by early evening for camping. How much time do u think it will take if we leave Bahawalpur at 8 AM and go to Uch then Panjanad & then to Derawar.

For some reason, google maps is not showing the Bahawalpur - Ahmedpur East - Uch - Alipur route. Instead its showing the route from Multan which is 251 km. Whats the condition of Bahawalpur - Ahmedpur East - Uch - Alipur road?

[Xoofi]

Add about 3 hours for the detour to Uch only. If you want to visit Panjnad then add about 2 hours more depending upon duration of your stay at Panjnad. From Ahmedpur bypass coming from Bahawalpur if you turn left you to dera nawab and then onwards to derawar but from here if you turn right you go to Uch and then onwards to Panjnad. Roads here are average. I think you can easily manage this if you start early from Bahawalpur. Then you will enough time in Derawar as well to set up your camp even.

You have been a great help buddy. Thank you very much I'll keep updated in this thread regarding which itinerary is finalized.

[ehalin]

You are welcome. Maybe our paths cross at rally as well. I am getting old now but my son is fond of these races. I hope there is no cancellation or postponmnt of the rally this year.

Have a safe journey,

You have been a great help buddy. Thank you very much I'll keep updated in this thread regarding which itinerary is finalized.

[Xoofi]

You are welcome. Maybe our paths cross at rally as well. I am getting old now but my son is fond of these races. I hope there is no cancellation or postponmnt of the rally this year.

Have a safe journey,

You too have a safe journey

If our paths do cross at rally, I shall definitely meet you to pay a special thanks for all this help.

[ehalin]

@ libra bhai, I am noticing your likes on my replies. Don't make me too flattered to get a sound sleep tonight.

Anyways, thanks. Hope to meet you too at the rally.

[vickytulla]

God Grief!

visibility is reduce to less than 200 meters.