Adventure non touristic camel safari

The desert gets better after sunset. This two-day camel safari takes you beyond Jaisalmer for village visits, a peaceful camel ride, vegetarian food, a campfire, and a night beneath the stars. At $24.88 per person, it offers a lot for the price, especially if you want time away from the city rather than another quick photo stop.

I like the visit to Kuldhara, an abandoned village with a strong sense of place, and the simple rhythm of the desert evening: camel ride, chai, vegetable pakoda, dinner, and stars. I also like that this is a private activity, so your group receives more personal attention instead of being folded into a large excursion.

The main consideration is comfort. This is a basic overnight outing in the desert, not a polished resort stay. The camel riding is also limited rather than an all-day trek, and the published details describe the evening ride as roughly one hour in one place and around 90 minutes elsewhere. That matters if you are seeking a serious riding expedition.

Four details that define this desert night

• Kuldhara gives the afternoon a historic stop: You spend about 30 minutes at the abandoned village before reaching the open desert.

• Jiyai adds an unusual water stop: This natural lake sits in the desert and provides a calm place for photos and a short break.

• Sunset comes with chai and pakoda: Evening tea, coffee, vegetable pakoda, and snacks are served around the camel ride and sunset.

• The camel ride is part of a wider evening: You ride from the camel point, then eat dinner, sit by a bonfire, and sleep under the stars.

• Sunrise starts the second day: You wake early for the morning light, eat breakfast, and ride back toward Jaisalmer.

• The private format keeps the outing personal: Only your own group participates, with pickup offered from the meeting point on Shiv Road.

Leaving Jaisalmer at 2pm

The outing begins at 2pm from Shiv Road in Jaisalmer, near Dhibba Para, Manak Chowk, and Amar Sagar Pol. Pickup is offered, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. The schedule gives you a full afternoon and night outside the city without taking up an entire extra day.

That start time is sensible. The heat of the day has begun to ease, and you still have enough daylight for the stops at Kuldhara and Jiyai. I would plan to arrive ready to leave, since an afternoon departure leaves little room for a late start if you want to reach the desert in good time.

The drive out is part of the experience. You leave Jaisalmer’s streets behind and pass through rural areas before reaching the camel point. A village visit is included along the way, where you can see local life before the desert becomes the main event. The exact length of each transfer is not given, so do not expect a minute-by-minute schedule.

The private setup is useful here. You are not joining a large group with several hotel pickups, and the operator can give your group more direct attention. The activity is also listed as suitable for most people, with service animals allowed.

Kuldhara, an abandoned village with a strong atmosphere

The first named stop is Kuldhara, about 30 minutes with admission included. The village was established around the 13th century and was once home to Paliwal Brahmins. It was abandoned in the early 19th century, leaving behind an evocative collection of old structures in the Jaisalmer district.

You should think of this as a short atmospheric stop, not a full archaeological tour. The available details do not promise a long guided explanation, so the value comes from walking through the abandoned setting and seeing a different side of Rajasthan before your camel ride begins.

I like this stop because it gives the day some variety. You are not rushed directly from the city to a camel and a meal. Kuldhara adds a sense of place and helps connect the desert outing with the human history of the region.

Thirty minutes is enough to look around, take photographs, and absorb the quiet. It is not enough for a long exploration, so keep your expectations in check. If you want a detailed history lesson, ask the operator what explanation will be provided before you go.

Jiyai and the desert lake

The next stop is Jiyai, described as a natural lake in the middle of the desert. You spend about 30 minutes there, with time to enjoy the setting and take photographs.

A lake in this dry region makes a welcome contrast to the sandy surroundings. It also breaks up the drive and gives you a pause before the main camel safari. The stop sounds simple, but that is part of its appeal. You are not being pushed from one major attraction to another. The afternoon has room for quiet views and photographs.

The description does not specify facilities at Jiyai, so bring anything you personally need for a short outdoor stop. Water is included with the meal service, but carrying your own supply is still sensible for the road and the ride.

One hour on a camel as the sun drops

At the camel point, you meet the camels and begin the ride into the Thar Desert. The inclusion details describe one hour of camel safari, while the broader description says you ride for around 90 minutes into the sunset. Treat it as a roughly one-hour-plus experience rather than a full afternoon trek.

That limited riding time may suit you if you want to try a camel without committing to a long, uncomfortable journey. Camel saddles can take some getting used to, and a shorter ride leaves more time for the other parts of the evening. If you are an experienced rider hoping for several hours in the saddle, this excursion may feel modest.

The ride is designed around the sunset. The desert becomes quieter as the light changes, and the pace gives you time to look around rather than hurry between sights. The strongest part of the experience is likely the combination of the camel, open desert, and fading daylight, not technical riding or distance covered.

You may want to wear practical clothing for the saddle and bring a layer for later in the evening. The desert can feel very different after dark. The supplied details do not state whether protective headwear is provided, so ask ahead if that is important to you.

Chai, pakoda, and a bonfire after dark

After the ride, tea, coffee, vegetable pakoda, and snacks are provided as you enjoy the sunset. This is the point where the safari shifts from transport and sightseeing to a slower overnight experience.

I especially like this food detail because it gives the evening a local, uncomplicated feel. Hot chai and fresh vegetable pakoda make more sense here than a formal restaurant meal. You can sit, watch the light disappear, and let the desert become quiet around you.

A bonfire follows, subject to the practical conditions of the evening. The meal is mixed vegetarian food, with rice, chapati, dal, vegetable dishes, pakoda, chai, and bottled water included. Non-vegetarian food can be arranged for an extra fee, so mention that when booking if you need it.

Dinner and breakfast are included. The inclusion section refers to breakfast twice, while the day-by-day plan clearly describes breakfast on the second morning. I would confirm the exact meal schedule with the operator before departure, particularly if your booking confirmation uses different wording.

Do not expect a city-style menu or a wide choice of dishes. The value here is a hot, filling meal in an isolated setting. If you have strict dietary needs, ask what can be prepared rather than assuming every preference can be met.

Sleeping under the stars in the Thar Desert

The overnight stay is the heart of the activity. After dinner and the bonfire, you camp in the desert beneath the night sky. The exact bedding and shelter arrangements are not specified, so ask whether the setup uses open-air bedding, tents, or another arrangement.

That missing detail is the main practical gap in the description. A night under the stars sounds memorable, and it is one of the most praised parts of the experience, but your comfort depends heavily on what is supplied. Ask about blankets, mattresses, toilets, and the sleeping arrangement before you commit.

The reward is the quiet. Away from Jaisalmer, you have a chance to look at the stars without city noise and lights competing for attention. One of the most appealing features is the simple sequence of sunset, food, fire, and sky. It is not a luxury camp, and it is better approached as a basic desert night with a memorable setting.

I would pack lightly but thoughtfully. A warm layer, comfortable clothes, personal toiletries, and any required medication are sensible. Keep valuables secure and avoid bringing more luggage than you can manage during the transfer and camel portion.

Sunrise, breakfast, and the morning ride back

The second day starts before dawn. You watch the sunrise, eat breakfast, and ride the camels again as you return toward the hotel or meeting point. The morning desert is likely to feel cooler and calmer than the previous afternoon, making it a pleasant time for the final ride.

The plan gives three hours to the morning desert section, including sunrise, breakfast, and camel riding. That is longer than the stated evening ride, but it does not mean you will spend all three hours continuously on a camel. Expect the time to include the full morning routine and the return process.

The second ride gives you another chance to become comfortable on the camel. It also means the safari is not reduced to one sunset photograph followed by dinner. You get a morning view of the same desert, with a different light and mood.

Once the desert portion is complete, the activity returns to the meeting point in Jaisalmer. The tour is therefore easy to fit into a wider Rajasthan route, provided you can reach the starting point by 2pm and keep the following morning free until the return.

What the $24.88 price really offers

At $24.88 per person, this is a low-cost overnight experience. The price includes the camel safari, village visits, dinner, breakfast, tea, coffee, snacks, vegetarian food, bottled water, and transport arrangements connected with the activity. That is strong value if the basic camping conditions suit you.

The price is especially attractive for anyone who wants more than a short camel ride. A sunset outing alone would give you the animal experience, but this package adds a night in the desert, a sunrise, two meals, and stops at Kuldhara and Jiyai.

The tradeoff is that the low price does not suggest a luxury camp. You should not book it expecting private rooms, elaborate facilities, or a restaurant-style meal. The private format means your group is alone in the activity, but it does not turn the desert camp into a high-end property.

The experience has a 5 out of 5 rating and a 99 percent recommendation rate from 300 reviews. The praise focuses on peace, star-gazing, sunsets, sunrise, tasty food, and careful attention. Sandi is specifically praised as a brilliant guide who made the group feel well looked after, though you should confirm who will guide your departure.

Who will enjoy this safari most

I would choose this activity if you want a quiet desert experience with a personal feel. It suits people who value open space, simple food, animals, and time outdoors more than polished facilities.

It is also a good fit for animal enthusiasts who want to meet camels and ride them without signing up for a long expedition. The private group format is helpful for couples, families, or small groups that prefer not to share the experience with strangers.

You may want to choose another option if you need detailed cultural interpretation, guaranteed luxury bedding, a long camel trek, or a non-vegetarian meal included in the price. The operator can provide non-vegetarian food for an extra fee, but the standard meal is vegetarian.

The activity requires good weather and a minimum number of participants. If poor weather or insufficient numbers causes cancellation, you are offered another date or a full refund. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time, but changes or cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted.

Is this Jaisalmer camel safari worth booking?

Yes, I would recommend it if you want value, quiet, and a real night outside Jaisalmer. The strongest reasons to book are the low price, private format, sunset and sunrise combination, vegetarian dinner, and the chance to sit under the stars far from the city.

Before paying, confirm the sleeping setup, the exact camel riding time, and whether breakfast is provided once or twice. If you are happy with a basic camp and a shorter ride, this is a very appealing way to experience the Thar Desert without spending heavily.

FAQ

Where does the camel safari start?

The activity starts at Shiv Road, Dhibba Para, Manak Chowk, Amar Sagar Pol, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 345001, India.

What time does the safari begin?

The stated start time is 2pm.

Does the activity include pickup?

Yes. Pickup is offered, and the activity ends back at the meeting point in Jaisalmer.

How long does the experience last?

The experience lasts approximately two days. The first day includes the afternoon stops, camel ride, dinner, bonfire, and overnight stay. The second day includes sunrise, breakfast, another camel ride, and the return.

Is dinner included?

Yes. Dinner is included and consists of mixed vegetarian food, including rice, chapati, dal, vegetables, vegetable pakoda, chai, and bottled water.

Is breakfast included?

Yes. Breakfast is included in the package. The supplied details refer to breakfast twice, while the itinerary specifically describes breakfast on the second morning, so confirm the exact arrangement when booking.

Can I request non-vegetarian food?

Yes. Non-vegetarian food can be provided for an additional fee.

What is the cancellation policy?

You receive a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and poor weather or insufficient numbers may lead to a different date or a full refund.