Sleeping under the stars and riding camels in Rajasthan
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A desert safari in Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) is definitely one of the highlights for many during a visit to India. The desert offers amazing sunsets, and with days ending under the starry sky, it is a romantic and adventurous experience. You can even sleep under the stars without a tent, which is more magical than you would think. It has been one of our top bucket list experiences so far, and we would highly recommend this to all adventure lovers.
Jaisalmer is a small town in the far west of India. In this city, camel safaris are offered on every street corner. It is possible to do half a day or two days (one night). If you feel extra adventurous, you can decide to spend an entire week in the desert. The dry environment of Jaisalmer may rightly be called a desert, but that means no oases and extensive sand dunes on the horizon. You will find a number of (small) sand dunes, but as soon as you look to the left or the right, it is mainly vegetation. So keep that in mind if you had the idea you were going to a Sahara-style desert.
But hours through the desert slipping on an impressive beast that can do days without water, who would not want that? Well... Riding a camel is indeed cool, but it is not super comfortable. Our advice is to limit the ride to 1 or 1.5 hours. To make your camel ride as comfortable as possible, your choice of clothes is important. First of all, long trousers are useful to prevent the ropes of the saddle from cutting into your legs. Closed shoes are also recommended. Lastly, the sun in the desert has no mercy, and you will find no shade at all. In addition to applying sunscreen, it is also useful to cover your arms, neck, and forehead with clothing.
Where to stay
Depending on the guide you are traveling with, you will sleep in the
Thar Desert in a cabin, tent or outside under the starry sky. It is a
must-do. The clear nights and the absence of light pollution allows you
to see more stars than you have probably ever been able to see. If
you are looking for a special place to stay in Jaisalmer and you are not on a
budget we have the perfect place for you. It is called the Suryagarh Jaisalmer. It is not an accommodation but an experience. You feel like
you are living in a fort where Kings and Queens used to reside.
It has a fabulous setting, is a real gem with beautiful grounds, fantastic courtyards, and is beautifully decorated. The little touches like the animals in the courtyard in the morning, the flute player at breakfast make this a very special experience. Suryagarh is a hotel where when you stay forever. This hotel gets an average rating of 8.9 on booking.com.
When to visit
Best time to ride the camels is from October to February. Starting March it already becomes too hot in the desert. Click here for more climate information about Jaisalmer.