Thar Desert camel safari
- Private tour
- Private vehicle and guide for the desert transfer
- Reply within four hours, 9am–9pm IST
- No payment to start planning
- Wear light, loose clothing that covers your skin against sun and blowing sand, and a hat; sunglasses help in the wind.
- Closed shoes are more practical than sandals once you are off the camel and walking on the dunes.
- Carry water and sun protection even for a short ride — the desert heat and dry air are more tiring than they feel at first.
- Almost any fitness level, including families with children old enough to sit securely on a camel and older travellers, since the physical demand is minimal.
What’s included
- Camel ride with a handler
- Private vehicle transfer to and from the dunes
- The sunset viewpoint stop
- Overnight packages include dinner
- Folk entertainment and camp accommodation
What’s not included
- Alcohol at the camp unless the specific camp offers it
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Any overnight camping upgrade if you book only the sunset ride
Cancellation terms are confirmed with your written quote
- No payment is taken until you approve the itinerary.
Pickup from Jaisalmer
We collect you from your Jaisalmer hotel in the afternoon, timed so you reach the dunes with several hours of daylight left.
Drive to the dunes
A private vehicle takes you out to the Sam dunes or another dune site, depending on the package.
The camel ride
You mount up with a handler's assistance and ride out across the dunes, typically for an hour or so, towards a high point for sunset.
Sunset and the desert camp
You watch the sunset over the dunes, then move to a desert camp for folk music, dance and dinner as the temperature drops.
Return, or overnight
On a day trip, you are driven back to Jaisalmer after dinner; on an overnight package, you stay at the camp and return to Jaisalmer the following morning.
West of Jaisalmer, the Thar Desert's rippled sand dunes, most famously at Sam, are the setting for Rajasthan's classic camel safari: a ride out across the dunes, usually timed to reach a high point for sunset, followed by a desert camp with folk music and dinner. Shorter versions are a couple of hours on camelback with a sunset stop; longer versions extend into an overnight stay at a desert camp, with some operators offering multi-day safaris that include a night or more actually out in the dunes rather than at a fixed camp.
The camel does the walking, led by a handler on foot or camelback, so this is a low-effort activity to take part in even though it delivers a genuine sense of the desert.
Good for
Camel riding is generally comfortable but can feel new and slightly unsteady at first, particularly when the camel stands up or sits down; handlers assist with mounting and dismounting, and shorter rides suit anyone unsure about a longer time in the saddle.
- Wear light, loose clothing that covers your skin against sun and blowing sand, and a hat; sunglasses help in the wind.
- Closed shoes are more practical than sandals once you are off the camel and walking on the dunes.
- Carry water and sun protection even for a short ride — the desert heat and dry air are more tiring than they feel at first.
- If you are pregnant, have back or joint issues, or are travelling with very young children, mention it when booking so we can advise on ride length and whether a camel cart is a better option than riding directly.
Best season and starting point
October to March is the comfortable season, with warm days and cool desert nights. April to June is intensely hot, often beyond what most visitors find bearable for an outdoor activity, and July to September brings Rajasthan's light monsoon. Meeting point is your Jaisalmer hotel, with the private transfer out to the dunes included.
Where does the camel safari take place?
Most safaris head to the Sam sand dunes west of Jaisalmer, the best known and most accessible dune field in the area; some operators use quieter alternative dune sites depending on the day and package.
Is it suitable for children or older travellers?
Yes, generally. The camel does the walking, so physical demand is low, and handlers assist with mounting and dismounting. For very young children or anyone with mobility concerns, a camel cart is sometimes offered as an alternative to riding directly.
What is the best time of year for a desert safari?
October to March, with warm days and cool desert nights. April to June is intensely hot, and July to September brings Rajasthan's light monsoon, so both are best avoided for this activity.
Can I stay overnight in the desert?
Yes, most operators offer an overnight package with a desert camp, folk music and dinner, in addition to the shorter day or sunset-only ride.
Is camel riding comfortable?
It is generally comfortable, though the motion when a camel stands or sits can feel unsteady the first time. Handlers assist throughout, and shorter rides suit anyone unsure about spending longer in the saddle.
Reviews
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- 4 stars2
- 3 stars1
- 2 stars0
- 1 stars0
What our guests say
Lukas S
Friends · Verified trip
5/53 days agoEverything ran like clockwork. Confirmation within an hour, a named driver with a photo the day before, and a guide who genuinely loved his city. We rebooked with them for the second half of our trip.
via Google
Meera N
Couple · Verified trip
5/52 weeks agoHonest pricing with no surprises. What we were quoted is what we paid, entry tickets included, and the guide waved off the usual hangers-on at the monuments without any fuss.
via Google
Vikram S
Family · Verified trip
5/51 month agoLoved every minute. The guide was warm and well informed, the sunrise was unforgettable, and the tea afterwards at a little roadside stall was as good as any hotel breakfast.
via Tripadvisor
James H
Solo · Verified trip
4/52 months agoExcellent guide and a well-paced day. My only note is that lunch was at a fairly touristy restaurant; food was fine but we would have preferred somewhere more local. Otherwise faultless.
via Google
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