Taking a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer is a definitive highlight of all our travels in India. On our first visit to Jaisalmer, we did it not once; but twice. And now, after more than six more trips to the amazing Thar Desert I have lost count how many times we’ve ridden camels in Jaisalmer and slept under the stars.
The Camel Safari remains a cornerstone of our Group Tours too. It truly is one of those bucket-list moments of a trip in India.
Here is everything you need to know to plan a fantastic Camel Safari in Jaisalmer.
Part 1: The Practicalities of Jaisalmer
Before you can head into the dunes, you have to get to the edge of the map!
Jaisalmer is a desert outpost in the far west of Rajasthan, and it requires a bit of planning to reach.
Getting to Jaisalmer
- By Train: Taking the train is the most nostalgic way to arrive. Overnight trains from Delhi or Jaipur pull into Jaisalmer station just as the sun begins to hit.
- By Road: Many travellers hire a private driver from Jodhpur (about a 5-hour drive). This allows you to stop at rural villages along the way. Or you can go by bus.
- By Air: Jaisalmer has a domestic airport with seasonal flights (usually October to March) from major Indian cities.
Best Time to Visit Jaisalmer
Timing is everything in the Thar. It is a desert after all!
- October to March: This is the Golden Window. The days are pleasantly warm, and the nights are crisp and cool—perfect for a camel trek. (Plus there are flights at this time of year).
- April to June: Temperatures can exceed 45°C (113°F). A camel safari in this heat isn’t so much of adventure; it’s an endurance test!
Getting Around Jaisalmer
The historic centre is small. Inside the Jaisalmer Fort, you’ll be on foot. Outside the fort, auto-rickshaws are the best way to get between the lake, the markets, and your guesthouse.
To get to your Camel Safari from your guesthouse in Jaisalmer they will take you by Jeep.
Where to Stay in Jaisalmer
We always choose to stay at Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer, located outside the fort.
It offers incredible views of the ramparts. They do amazing meals, have beautifully clean rooms and owner Padam and his team have wonderful, welcoming hospitality.
Plus, they also happen to run what we consider the best Camel Safari in Jaisalmer…
Part 2: Doing a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer
One of the main attractions for visiting the Thar Desert in India is the chance to do a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer.
In any walk through the historic – and golden – 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.
One thing we have learned after visiting many times is that not all safaris are created equal. Ultimately, the difference between a crowded, touristy routine and a soul-stirring night under the stars comes down to your choices.
Choosing an Ethical Camel Safari
In Jaisalmer, you will be approached by dozens of touts promising the “cheapest” safari.
Our advice: avoid the bargain-basement options.
An ethical safari ensures two things: the welfare of the animals and the welfare of the guides.
- Animal Welfare: Look for operators who treat their camels as partners, not machines. The animals should look well-fed, their humps should be upright and firm (a sign of health), and they should not be overworked in the midday sun.
- Off the Beaten Path: Many cheap safaris head to the Sam Sand Dunes, which are crowded with hundreds of people, loud music, and rubbish. An ethical, high-quality safari (like the one run by Wanderlust) will take you to “non-tourist” dunes—private, quiet areas – where you literally won’t see another soul.
We didn’t know this on our first trip to Jaisalmer. But we now always go with Wanderlust as we since know and trust them. Not to mention they do such an incredible experience!
Part 3: The Overnight Camel Safari Experience – What to Expect
An overnight Camel Safari in Jaisalmer is a two-day, one-night journey into a different world. It is a totally unique part of India to visit, out in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan.
Here is how the adventure typically unfolds.
Day 1: Camel Safari in Jaisalmer
You’ll usually leave the city in a jeep around mid-afternoon to avoid the peak heat of the day.
After about a 45-minute drive, you’ll meet your camels and your guides—local men from the desert tribes who have lived there in the Thar for generations.
The guides are great. They will get you readied and up on your camels. Before we knew it, we were all on board and ready to ride.
The trek from the village to the overnight campsite takes approximately 1.5 hours.
The Golden Hour
You’ll reach your campsite—a secluded dune—just as the sun begins to set.
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!
The kids ran up and down the sand dunes, chasing the tracks of dung beetles and playing as the camels headed off across the dunes.
Dinner in the Desert
While you watch the sky turn beautifully orange, your guides will build a small fire from desert wood. Watching them prepare fresh Chai, Ker Sangri, and Dhal over an open flame is another of those magic, kind of pinch-me moments.
Gavin and I helped to make Chapati (flatbread) for dinner on the campfire. We even enjoyed a beer while doing so!
Our guides, Nabu, Gudu and Huna cooked a fab dinner. They even finished off the evening by singing songs until bed time!
Sleeping Under the Stars
On this kind of ‘non-tourist’ safari, you don’t sleep in a crowded tent city. You sleep on the sand dunes themselves. (Like, right underneath the open stars).
The guides will set up bed frames, and you’ll be provided with thick mattresses and plenty of heavy quilts.
We all snuggled up and lay under the incredible night sky. (Spoiler alert: It’s so beautiful!).
Day 2: The Desert Morning
Waking up to the sunrise over the dunes is another(!) highlight of the trip.
Our guides were up early too. Gudu went off to track down our camels, and Huna had brought us a hot cup of chai before we even got out of bed!
After a breakfast of porridge and more hot chai, you’ll trek back for about an hour before a jeep meets you to take you back to the comfort of the guesthouse for a well-earned shower.
Part 4: What is Included in the Price?
A camel safari in Jaisalmer is easily one of the best value-for-money experiences you can find in India. Most of the logistics are handled for you, allowing you to simply sit back and enjoy the (camel) ride.
Typically included in your safari experience:
- Luggage Storage: Safe storage at the guesthouse so you only have to carry a small daypack.
- Pick-Up & Transport: Seamless pick-up from Wanderlust Guesthouse and jeep transportation to the desert.
- Historical Stops: A visit to the atmospheric Khaba Fort and a local desert oasis.
- Meals & Drinks: All drinking water, fresh chai, a traditional campfire dinner, and breakfast the following morning.
- The Trek: A guided camel safari through the dunes.
- Overnight Essentials: Comfortable bedding for sleeping under the stars in the Thar Desert.
Part 5: Is it Suitable for Kids?
Absolutely! We have taken our children on camel safaris many times, and it’s safe to say it remains their favourite Indian experience. Plus, we also took our India Family Group Trip on the safari which was an awesome time with a whole group of kids!
However, there are a few things to consider:
- Ages: We would recommend it for children aged 5 and up. They really need to be able to hold onto the saddle handle firmly.
- Doubling Up: Younger children can sit on the same camel as a parent. We did this the first time with Oscar as he was only young. By the morning, he was confident to ride by himself.
- The Slow Pace: Without sugar coating it, the desert is a lot slower which some kids find boring, and others find fascinating.
- The Highlights: For our kids, the highlights are the campfire, the sand dunes, and the novelty of sleeping outdoors. Plus of course the highlight of riding camels on safari in India!
Part 6: What Do You Need to Pack?
You don’t need much, as the guesthouse provides the heavy gear (mattresses and quilts). You only need to take a small backpack.
But there are a few essentials we would recommend:
- Sun Protection: A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. No surprises here, but the desert sun reflects off the sand and is incredibly intense.
- Layers: Even in the summer, desert temperatures plummet at night. Pack a warm fleece or a lightweight jacket.
- Long Trousers: Do not ride a camel in shorts! The friction of the saddle can be very irritating to the skin.
- A Scarf or Buff: This is vital if the wind picks up and sand starts blowing.
- Headlamp/Phone Light: Essential for navigating the dunes at night to find your “bathroom” (which is just a quiet spot behind a different dune!).
- Wipes and Sanitiser: There is no running water in the dunes.
Part 7: How Much Does it Cost?
In Jaisalmer, you generally get what you pay for.
- Budget Safaris ($15–$25 USD): These often involve crowded dunes, poor food, and overworked animals.
- Quality Non-Tourist Safaris ($35–$55 USD): This is the sweet spot. It includes jeep transfers, ethical animal treatment, good food, and a private, quiet desert experience.
- Luxury Glamping ($100+ USD): If sleeping on a mattress on the sand isn’t for you, there are also tented camps. Some even have en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning, though these are usually located in the noisier, more crowded parts of the desert.
Final Thoughts
A Camel Safari in Jaisalmer is one of those bucket list adventures in India for sure. But it is also a special experience to share and an opportunity to disconnect. In our hyper-connected world, spending 20 hours without a phone signal, watching the sun rise and set, and talking to guides who genuinely live this way is a rare gift.
Enjoy that Camel Safari! 🙂
Ready to start your Rajasthan adventure? Check out our Full Golden Triangle Itinerary to see how to fit the desert into your trip!
Do you have questions about riding a camel or sleeping in the dunes? Ask us in the comments—we’ve done it dozens of times and love to help!
Safe travels, adventurers!
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- Travelling India By Bus: Intercity, Tourist & Sleeper Buses.
Travel Planning for India & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia through 12Go.
- Skyscanner – Our favourite flight search engine. They can search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – A huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for short or longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before planning a Camel Safari in Jaisalmer!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.
