Taking a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer was a huge highlight of our travels in India. So much so that on our first visit to Jaisalmer we did it not once – but twice!
Jaisalmer is a small Indian city in the far west of Rajasthan. But despite (or rather, because of) being a comparatively smaller and quieter city than some of India’s icons, it fast became our favourite.
Here is everything you need to know to plan the best Camel Safari in Jaisalmer.
- Choosing a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer
- Costs
- What is included?
- Getting there
- Camel riding
- Sleeping in the Thar Desert
- Dinner in the Thar Desert
- What to bring
- Where to stay in Jaisalmer
Choosing a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer
Doing a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer is one of the main attractions for visiting the Thar Desert in India.
In any walk through the desert town, pretty much every hotel and business will offer you a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer. There are plenty to choose from.
Though you want to make sure you book both a good safari experience and one that is ethical – to the camels, and to its workers.
We booked our Camel Safari through owner Padam, at Wanderlust Guesthouse.
We highly recommend Padam and his team. I wrote this blog originally after our first trip to Jaisalmer after we did the Camel Safari not once – but twice in the one visit!
Wanderlust Guesthouse is not only our favourite accommodation in Jaisalmer, but is the best place we have stayed in India.
Of which I have to add that since first writing about our Camel Safari experience, we have since been back a further six times to India travelling as a family!
The Camel Safari is a highlight of our Group Trips in India. So I’ve lost count now of how many times we’ve since done a Camel Safari with Wanderlust. But I know it will continue to be a highlight of travel in India for us for a long while yet.
Here is everything you need to know about the experience of a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer.
How much does a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer cost?
Our overnight Camel Safari in Jaisalmer costs approximately 2000 INR per adult (around $25 USD).
There are various options available for differing lengths of time and choices for with or without an overnight stay.
But we can’t recommend the team at Wanderlust Guesthouse highly enough. It is a great price and they are an amazing team that make for a very special experience in India.
What is included in the price?
The Camel Safari in Jaisalmer really is a top value for money experience in India.
Included in the price of the Camel Safari:
- Luggage storage (you only need a small backpack)
- Pick up from Wanderlust Guesthouse
- Transportation by Jeep
- Stop at Khaba Fort and Desert Oasis
- Drinking Water
- Chai
- Dinner
- Breakfast
- Camel Safari
- Bedding for overnight in the Thar Desert
The guesthouse will organise everything for you and you truly can sit back and enjoy the (camel) ride.
- Read more about things to do in Jaisalamer.
Getting to the Camel Safari from Jaisalmer
We were picked up by Jeep from the Wanderlust Guesthouse at 2:00pm and driven the 60km to the desert.
Nabu, our driver, was a great guide in showing us stops en route to admire a natural desert oasis and explore an abandoned city.
We arrived at a small village to begin our trek, with the suddenly apprehensive recollection of how tall camels are. Plus just how awkward they are to get on and hold onto when they stand up!
But our guides were great. Before we knew it we were all on board and ready to ride.
For the first day I rode with Harry on my camel. But by day two he was confident and rode on his own while Oscar rode with me.
How long is the Camel Safari ride?
From the village, the camel trek took about 1.5 hours to get to our camp spot for the night.
Although this sounds like a short amount of time; trust me, that’s a decent amount of time in a saddle.
The camels plod along at a steady pace. While the trek passes through patches of low scrub and desert that could more aptly be named as plains arid with scrubby vegetation, before reaching more frequent dunes of sand.
These areas of sand dunes sometimes border makeshift paddocks and areas where farmers were tending to and herding goats. It was interesting to see different aspects of village life and to wave ‘Hello’ as we rode.
Plus, the most exciting thing was that we were actually riding camels – in the desert of India!
Staying overnight in the Jaisalmer Thar Desert
Camp for the night is literally a sheltered spot in the desert, where a small mud hut has been set up to store cooking utensils and bed frames.
It is all a welcomed sight after an hour and a half in a camel saddle!
But the best part? Bed for the night is quite literally, under the stars…
We loved the evening sun and the slow routine of getting the camels hobbled and set out for the night and the fire started for dinner.
The boys ran up and down the sand dunes, chasing the tracks of dung beetles and playing as the camels headed off across the dunes.
Dinner – Camel Safari in Jaisalmer
The evening preparation for dinner in the desert is all part of the experience. Albeit the hosts do most of it while you can explore the sand dunes and just take in the incredible Thar Desert sunset.
But Gavin and I helped to make Chapati for dinner on the campfire. We even enjoyed a beer while doing so!
The whole evening created some of our best memories from India. It felt so far from other times of India travel and the busy-ness of the cities and tourist sights…
Our guides, Nabu, Gudu and Huna cooked an amazing dinner of Dahl, Aloo, Chapati and rice over the campfire. They even finished off the evening by singing songs until bed time!
We did our first Camel Safari in Jaisalmer in March, and it was cold outside at night. But the blankets provided are heavy duvets and we all snuggled up together – quite literally under a million stars and the post-full moon from Holi New Year.
Since then we have also done a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer with Wanderlust Guesthouse in April (cool), July (hot), October (cool) and November (cold). The best time to visit Jaisalmer is from October to March but it is doable at other times too.
Breakfast – Camel Safari in Jaisalmer
Waking up in the morning felt like the most unreal freedom.
Our guides were up early too. Gudu headed out to track down our camels, and Huna had brought us a hot cup of chai before we even got out of bed!
I am still to this day fairly sure that nothing could taste sweeter than a hot cup of chai at sunrise after a night of sleeping under the stars…
Getting ready for your Camel Safari
Going into the desert on a camel means being completely exposed to the sun with no cover. At night time in the desert the temperature drops big time.
The best advice to be prepared for your camel safari in Jaisalmer is to pack and dress for both extremes and cover as much exposed skin as possible. You will only need to take a small backpack, and if you are travelling with kids we found one backpack per adult was plenty between us.
Depending on your safari, a Jeep might follow or drive ahead while you ride the camels. They can transport a bag if you’d rather not wear it while riding.
- Tip: Don’t forget to bring a torch of some sort for night time; especially as there is no toilet in the desert. You will want to make the bathroom runs as far away from camp as possible!
Packing List – Camel Safari in Jaisalmer
You don’t need to take very much at all. There isn’t even a bathroom in the desert!
But depending on which time of year you are visiting, there are a few things to make it more comfortable in the desert sun and overnight.
- Long Sleeves
- Long Trousers to cover as much skin as possible
- Sunhat
- Scarf for the heat of the afternoon
- Sunscreen
- Shoes that are comfortable to ride in – a camel saddle doesn’t have stirrups like a horse saddle does.
- Long Sleeved Top and Thermal Outer Layer for night time. We found it warm enough (in March) under the heavy blankets.
- Light Waterproof Rain Jacket just in case.
Rain is a possibility during the wet summer months. We didn’t need this but I was grateful for the extra layer to keep warm in the early morning. In March I wore my jacket plus neck buff and used my scarf as headwear…
Thats about it! Be prepared and enjoy an adventure like no other!
ACCOMMODATION – Jaisalmer and Rajasthan
Looking for where to stay in India is like starting the search for a needle in a haystack! But we have had some amazing accommodation in India.
Our favourite place to stay in Jaisalmer for a Camel Safari and where we stay with our Group Trips is Wanderlust Guesthouse.
- Jaisalmer – Budget: The Wanderlust Guesthouse
We love staying here and can highly recommend. Great rooms; rooftop restaurant overlooking the fort; awesome camel safaris!
- Jaipur – Mid-Range: Jaipur Haveli
We recommend Jaipur Haveli and stay here on our India Group Trips. It is an incredible old haveli home in heart of Jaipur with beautiful rooms.
- Bikaner – Budget: The Prince Haveli
The haveli has been lovingly restored and is located right in the centre of the old city. It is a basic accommodation, but the rooms are comfortable, and it is an affordable way to experience a traditional Haveli in Bikaner.
- Jodhpur – Budget: Raj Mandir Boutique Homestay
Good location in Blue City, spacious room with small balcony inside Haveli style home.
- Udaipur – Budget: Hotel Lake Star
The hotel is a family run business with breakfast included and great views from the simple, but spacious rooftop restaurant.
ACCOMMODATION – Delhi and North India
Here are some of our favourite places to stay in each city.
- Delhi (Airport) – Mid-Range: Taurus Sarovar Portico
Beautiful hotel only a few km’s from Delhi International Airport and great first stop arriving in India.
- South Delhi – Mid-Range: Haveli Hauz Khas
A homestay style Haveli in the popular Hauz Khas area of South Delhi.
- New Delhi – Mid-Range-Luxury: Shangri La’s Eros Hotel
The hotel has a few in house restaurants, including the signature Shang Palace and Sorrento.
- New Delhi – Budget: Smyle Inn
Extremely basic hotel in small back alley but with very friendly, helpful staff and simple breakfast included. Just off Main Bazaar.
- Agra – Budget-Mid: Aman Homestay
Very friendly family-run homestay with rooftop views of The Taj Mahal. Great rickshaw driver service and home cooked meals. We stay here with our Group Trips to India.
- Agra – Budget-Mid: The Coral House Homestay by the Taj
Only 700 metres from Taj Mahal with a relaxing homestay feel and comfortable common areas. We really enjoyed staying here.
- Agra – Mid-Luxury: Hotel Taj Resorts
Beautiful resort style accommodation only 600 metres from the Taj.
- Amritsar – Mid: Hotel Regency Amritsar
Fabulous hotel in Amritsar with swimming pool and restaurants on site.
- Varanasi – Budget-Mid: Hotel Temple of Ganges
Simple rooms with options for triple/family accommodation. Close to Assi Ghat with rooftop views to the River Ganges.
Read more about travel in North India
- Epic 10 Day Rajasthan Itinerary.
- Things To Do In Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
- What To See In Jaisalmer Fort.
- Local Desert Cuisine And Food To Try In Jaisalmer.
- Getting The Bus From Jaisalmer To Jodhpur Or Bikaner.
- Overnight Train Delhi To Jaisalmer.
- Taking The Train Jaipur To Jaisalmer.
- Leaving Jaisalmer To Jaipur (Jodhpur) By Overnight Train.
Useful links for travel planning for India and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in India.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safaris and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance before embarking on your itinerary for North India!