1Sam or Khuri: which dunes?
Most desert safaris in Jaisalmer go to one of two dune areas. The Sam sand dunes, about 45 km west of the city, are the tallest and the best known, with dozens of camps, camel rides, jeep rides and evening shows. They're lively and easy to reach but can feel busy at sunset in peak season. The Khuri dunes, about 45 km south-west, are smaller and much quieter, with fewer camps and a traditional village nearby. Choose Sam for the full experience and Khuri for a calmer night under the stars.
2Camel, jeep or both
A camel ride is the classic way to reach the dunes for sunset, usually 30 minutes to an hour at a slow walk. It's suitable for children and older travellers, with a handler leading every camel. A jeep safari, sometimes called dune bashing, is fast and bumpy, racing up and over the dunes, and isn't for anyone with back trouble. Many camps include a short camel ride in the evening and offer the jeep as an add-on. For a longer trip, ask about an overnight camel safari with a night sleeping on the open dunes.
3What a desert camp night includes
Camps range from simple Swiss tents to luxury tents with private bathrooms and air coolers. A typical evening starts with tea and snacks, a camel ride out to watch the sunset, then folk music and Kalbelia dance around a fire, and a Rajasthani buffet dinner of dal baati churma, ker sangri and bajra roti. After the generators go off, the stars are bright enough to see the Milky Way. Breakfast is served in the morning before you head back to Jaisalmer.
4On the way: Kuldhara and the fort
Spend your first day in Jaisalmer itself. The fort is one of the few living forts in the world, with homes, shops and temples still inside its golden sandstone walls. Below it, the carved balconies of Patwon Ki Haveli and Salim Singh Ki Haveli are worth an hour, and Gadisar Lake is lovely at sunrise. On the drive to Sam, stop at Kuldhara, a village abandoned overnight about 200 years ago. The royal cenotaphs of Bada Bagh, just north of town, are best at sunrise.
5Best season and getting there from Jaipur
The safari season runs from October to March, when days are warm and nights in the desert can drop close to freezing, so bring a jacket. From April to September it's too hot and most camps close. Jaisalmer is about 560 km from Jaipur, roughly 10 hours by road. The easiest way is to break the journey with a night in Jodhpur, which adds Mehrangarh Fort to your trip. Our Jaisalmer desert safari package and Jaipur to Jaisalmer cab can take care of the whole route.
