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 Thar Desert
- Dinner in 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.
- Our Top Recommendation: Wanderlust Guesthouse
We booked our experience through Padam, the owner of Wanderlust Guesthouse, and we cannot recommend him and his team highly enough. In fact, we loved our first safari so much that we went back and did it a second time during that same trip!
Wanderlust Guesthouse isn’t just our favorite accommodation in Jaisalmer; it remains the best place we have stayed in all of India. Since first writing about this experience, our family has returned to India six more times, and the camel safari remains a cornerstone of our group tours.
While I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve ventured into the dunes with Padam’s team, it continues to be a highlight of our travels.
Here is everything you need to know about the experience of a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer.
How Much is a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer?
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.
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?
The trek from the village to our overnight campsite takes approximately 1.5 hours.
While that might sound like a short duration, don’t let it fool you—it is a significant amount of time to spend in a saddle! The camels maintain a slow, steady plod, giving you plenty of time to soak in the surroundings.
The Landscape and Local Life
The route begins by passing through arid plains and patches of low, scrubby vegetation. As you continue, the terrain gradually shifts into the rolling sand dunes the Thar Desert is famous for.
One of the most enriching parts of the ride is witnessing the rhythm of desert life. Our path occasionally bordered makeshift paddocks where local farmers tended to their goat herds. It was a wonderful opportunity to see authentic village life up close and exchange a friendly “Hello” as we passed by.
- The Highlight: There is an undeniable magic to the realization that you are actually riding a camel through the vast deserts of India!
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
Preparing for the desert means planning for two extremes: intense, direct sun during the day and a significant temperature drop once the sun goes down. To stay comfortable, the golden rule is to dress in layers and cover as much skin as possible to prevent sunburn.
You only need a small backpack for the trip. If you are traveling as a family, we found that one backpack per adult was more than enough to carry essentials for everyone.
Pro Tip: Depending on your specific tour, a Jeep may follow or meet you at the campsite. If you’d prefer not to wear your backpack while riding, the Jeep can usually transport it for you.
Essential Packing List
Since there are no facilities in the desert (and no traditional bathrooms!), you want to pack light but smart. Whether you are battling the afternoon heat or the midnight chill, these items are essentials:
- A Torch (Flashlight): This is non-negotiable! Since you’ll be heading away from camp for “bathroom runs” in the dark, you’ll need a reliable light source.
- Long Sleeves & Trousers: Lightweight fabrics that cover your limbs will protect you from the sun and any friction from the saddle.
- Comfortable Shoes: Choose closed-toe shoes. Unlike a horse saddle, a camel saddle doesn’t have stirrups, so you want footwear that feels secure.
- Sun Protection: A wide-brimmed sunhat, sunscreen, and a scarf or “buff” to protect your neck and face from heat and sand.
- Warm Layers for Night: Pack a thermal outer layer or a heavy sweater. Even in March, we found the desert air quite crisp, though the heavy blankets provided by Wanderlust kept us warm.
- Light Waterproof Jacket: Rain is possible during the summer months, but even in the dry season, a windbreaker or rain jacket acts as a great extra layer against the early morning chill.
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 Travel Planning for India & 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!