Thar Desert camel safari
A camel safari into the Thar Desert around Jaisalmer, most commonly to the Sam sand dunes, is one of Rajasthan's signature experiences, typically timed for sunset with a desert camp, folk music and dinner afterwards.
- Private vehicle and guide for the desert transfer
- Reply within four hours, 9am–9pm IST
- No payment to start planning
- Best season
- October to March
- Price
- Quoted per person
- Route
- Jaisalmer
Reviewed by Experience My India Editorial Team · Updated 13 Sept 2026
- Wear light, loose clothing that covers your skin against sun and blowing sand, and a hat; sunglasses help in the wind.
- Closed shoes are more practical than sandals once you are off the camel and walking on the dunes.
- Carry water and sun protection even for a short ride — the desert heat and dry air are more tiring than they feel at first.
- Almost any fitness level, including families with children old enough to sit securely on a camel and older travellers, since the physical demand is minimal.
West of Jaisalmer, the Thar Desert's rippled sand dunes, most famously at Sam, are the setting for Rajasthan's classic camel safari: a ride out across the dunes, usually timed to reach a high point for sunset, followed by a desert camp with folk music and dinner. Shorter versions are a couple of hours on camelback with a sunset stop; longer versions extend into an overnight stay at a desert camp, with some operators offering multi-day safaris that include a night or more actually out in the dunes rather than at a fixed camp.
The camel does the walking, led by a handler on foot or camelback, so this is a low-effort activity to take part in even though it delivers a genuine sense of the desert.
Pickup from Jaisalmer
We collect you from your Jaisalmer hotel in the afternoon, timed so you reach the dunes with several hours of daylight left.
Drive to the dunes
A private vehicle takes you out to the Sam dunes or another dune site, depending on the package.
The camel ride
You mount up with a handler's assistance and ride out across the dunes, typically for an hour or so, towards a high point for sunset.
Sunset and the desert camp
You watch the sunset over the dunes, then move to a desert camp for folk music, dance and dinner as the temperature drops.
Return, or overnight
On a day trip, you are driven back to Jaisalmer after dinner; on an overnight package, you stay at the camp and return to Jaisalmer the following morning.
Experience My India quotes this trip per person in INR after confirming your dates, hotel category and group size. The written quote names every hotel and inclusion, and nothing is charged until you approve it.
What’s included
- Camel ride with a handler
- Private vehicle transfer to and from the dunes
- The sunset viewpoint stop
- Overnight packages include dinner
- Folk entertainment and camp accommodation
What’s not included
- Alcohol at the camp unless the specific camp offers it
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Any overnight camping upgrade if you book only the sunset ride
Jaisalmer, Thar Desert
- Wear light, loose clothing that covers your skin against sun and blowing sand, and a hat; sunglasses help in the wind.
- If you are pregnant, have back or joint issues, or are travelling with very young children, mention it when booking so we can advise on ride length and whether a camel cart is a better option than riding directly.
Best season and starting point
October to March is the comfortable season, with warm days and cool desert nights. April to June is intensely hot, often beyond what most visitors find bearable for an outdoor activity, and July to September brings Rajasthan's light monsoon. Meeting point is your Jaisalmer hotel, with the private transfer out to the dunes included.
Who it suits
- Camel riding is generally comfortable but can feel new and slightly unsteady at first, particularly when the camel stands up or sits down; handlers assist with mounting and dismounting, and shorter rides suit anyone unsure about a longer time in the saddle.
- Almost any fitness level, including families with children old enough to sit securely on a camel and older travellers, since the physical demand is minimal. It particularly suits travellers who want a classic, photogenic Rajasthan moment and are comfortable with a couple of hours in the desert heat and dust.
Honest cautions
- Closed shoes are more practical than sandals once you are off the camel and walking on the dunes.
- Carry water and sun protection even for a short ride — the desert heat and dry air are more tiring than they feel at first.
Why book with Experience My India?
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You receive a written quote first; nothing is charged to start planning.
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How does booking work?
- 1
Send an enquiry
Dates, who is travelling and how you like to travel. Two fields to start.
- 2
We check availability
Hotels, guides and permits for your dates, with honest alternatives if something is full.
- 3
Price and hotels named
Every hotel and inclusion is named before you pay anything.
- 4
Written quote in INR
One document, no hidden lines, valid for the dates it quotes.
- 5
You approve
Change anything you like. Nothing is charged until you say yes.
- 6
A named specialist runs it
The same person from first reply to departure, Mon–Sun, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM IST.
Meet your trip designer
Gurudutt Kaushal
Founder, Experience My India · IIT Jodhpur
Gurudutt Kaushal founded Experience My India and set the two rules every trip here runs on: hotels and guides are named before you pay, and a human replies within four hours. Your itinerary is designed by one of the 35+ destination specialists on his team and checked against our vetting standard.
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What our guests say
Meenakshi Iyer
Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu · Family · Verified trip
4/56 days agoVery good overall. The itinerary was tight but never felt rushed, and the driver was superb. The hotel on night two was a step down from the others — clean, but the Wi-Fi barely worked. Would still recommend.
via Tripadvisor
Daniel Moore
London, UK · Family · Verified trip
5/51 month agoPerfect balance of monuments and everyday life — a spice market, a morning at a ghat, then the big sights in the afternoon light. Our guide read the group well and adjusted the pace.
via Tripadvisor
Priya Sharma
Mumbai, Maharashtra · Friends · Verified trip
5/52 months agoClean vehicle, careful driver, and a guide who was patient with all our questions about temple etiquette. We never felt like a number. The office also called to check we had got home safely.
via Google
Yashwant Rathore
Jodhpur, Rajasthan · Family · Verified trip
5/53 months agoI travel for work and rarely bother with tours, but this was a proper insider's day. The guide steered us away from the crowds at exactly the right moments, and the lunch he chose was superb.
via Google
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellation terms are confirmed with your written quote
- No payment is taken until you approve the itinerary.
Where does the camel safari take place?
Most safaris head to the Sam sand dunes west of Jaisalmer, the best known and most accessible dune field in the area; some operators use quieter alternative dune sites depending on the day and package.
Is it suitable for children or older travellers?
Yes, generally. The camel does the walking, so physical demand is low, and handlers assist with mounting and dismounting. For very young children or anyone with mobility concerns, a camel cart is sometimes offered as an alternative to riding directly.
What is the best time of year for a desert safari?
October to March, with warm days and cool desert nights. April to June is intensely hot, and July to September brings Rajasthan's light monsoon, so both are best avoided for this activity.
Can I stay overnight in the desert?
Yes, most operators offer an overnight package with a desert camp, folk music and dinner, in addition to the shorter day or sunset-only ride.
Is camel riding comfortable?
It is generally comfortable, though the motion when a camel stands or sits can feel unsteady the first time. Handlers assist throughout, and shorter rides suit anyone unsure about spending longer in the saddle.
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