Rajasthan Desert & Camel Safari Guide | Jaisalmer

Rajasthan Desert Camel Safari is one of the great Rajasthan experiences: a camel ride out over the dunes, sunset over an empty horizon, dinner and folk music by a fire, and a sky full of stars. Most desert safaris run from Jaisalmer, the golden fort city in the far west of Rajasthan. This guide covers what a camel safari is really like, the choice between a short ride and an overnight camp, when to go, and how to fit the desert into a wider Rajasthan trip.

Where the desert safari happens

The classic base is Jaisalmer, whose sandstone fort glows gold at sunset and sits on the edge of the Thar desert. The dunes at Sam and Khuri, a short drive from the city, are where most camel safaris and desert camps are set up. Bikaner, further north, offers a quieter, less touristy desert experience for travellers who want to avoid the busier Sam dunes. Either way, the desert is the natural western end of a Rajasthan tour.

What to expect on a camel safari

A typical safari starts in the late afternoon, when the heat has dropped. You meet your camel and handler and ride out over the dunes for an hour or two, stopping to watch the sun set over the sand. At an overnight camp you then settle in for dinner, often with Rajasthani folk music and dance around a fire, and sleep in a tent that can range from simple to genuinely luxurious. You wake for a quiet desert sunrise before heading back. It is slower and calmer than people expect, and the silence of the desert at night is the part most travellers remember.

Day ride vs overnight camp

If your schedule allows, the overnight camp is worth it: the desert after dark, away from the day crowds, is a completely different place. We can match the camp to your comfort level, from simple to five-star tented.

Best time to go

October to March is the season. The desert days are pleasant and the nights are cool, sometimes genuinely cold in December and January, so bring a warm layer for the evening. April to June is very hot, often over 40 degrees, which makes daytime in the desert punishing, though early mornings and evenings are still possible. The monsoon months bring little rain out here but high heat. For most visitors, the winter window is the comfortable choice, and it lines up with the best time to visit India for the rest of Rajasthan.

How to add it to a Rajasthan trip

The desert sits naturally at the western end of a Rajasthan circuit, after Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur. Our Rajasthan tours build in Jaisalmer and a night in the desert, and your own private driver gets you between the cities and out to the dunes. Couples often extend the trip into a honeymoon in India. See the range on our Rajasthan tour packages page. If you want to time it to a festival, our Rajasthan tour with the Jaisalmer Desert Festival pairs the dunes with three days of folk music and camel contests.

Frequently asked questions