Jaisalmer is famous for the majestic Jaisalmer Fort that surrounds the city. About 3000 residents of Jaisalmer live within the walls of this fort. It is lined with houses and temples and beautifully interwoven with narrow winding streets. The golden city of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer is a famous tourist destination not only in India but all over the world. Aisalmer dates back to the 12th century.
History tells us that Rawal Jaisal, the eldest heir of Rawal of Deoraj, ascended the throne of Lodurva and a younger half-brother was crowned king. Rawal Jaisal went in search of a new place to establish his capital when he came across the sage Eesula. The sage told him about Krishna’s prophecy that a descendant of his Yaduvanshi clan would establish a new kingdom in the same place.
Camel Safari in Jaisalmer:-
Raja nudged me with his nose as I patted the tender ship of the desert. He looked happy as he sat there waiting for his new ride. Camels have long been the lifeline of desert travelers. Camel safaris in Jaisalmer which are used only to give tourists a feel of the desert.
These are my top picks for a great camel safari in Jaisalmer.
1.Choose the right season:-
A camel safari in Jaisalmer sounds like fun and games until it’s April and your skin is melting because it’s 40 degrees in the shade. Rajasthan reaches temperatures of up to 52 degrees during the summer (April-June), so you definitely don’t want to pick the wrong season!
June-early September is also the monsoon, and although Rajasthan doesn’t experience constant deluges of rain, you definitely don’t want to be caught out when it falls!
You could sleep out in the open in the desert and it would suck if you were wet through and through.
During this time, the sunsets are also not so nice, due to the cloud cover.
The best time to go for a camel safari in Jaisalmer and visit the Thar desert in Rajasthan would be anywhere from September to March as this is the winter season of India.
These months have pleasant temperatures and dreamy sunsets that create skies full of color!
2.Do not book advance for Jaisalmer Camel Safari:-
This is the best tip I would give to anyone traveling to India; do not book any transport, hotels or attractions in advance.
Sure, you can book your hotel for the first night to make sure you have somewhere to head from the airport, but after that I wouldn’t bother.
Not only can you experience delays due to transportation or fall head over heels with the place and wish you had spent more time there, but you can also pay over the odds online.
3.Don’t choose the first option, shop around:-
Your hotel may offer you a Jaisalmer camel safari service and the touting in the market streets can be very convincing, but personally I would do some shopping around before choosing a company.
Although all of Jaisalmer offers some sort of desert safari service, I would do some research online, check the prices, what’s included and if it’s definitely what you want.
Don’t make the mistake of choosing the former, as you may find it overpriced or poorly organized.
4. Check what’s included:-
Many travelers I met complained about being ripped off on a Jaisalmer camel safari.
They didn’t get to ride a camel or the food they expected wasn’t included.
Although it doesn’t seem like much, having everything you expect can mean you’ll have a great camel safari or not.
So it is important that you ask yourself these questions before booking;
>What sand dunes will we go to?
>How long will we ride the camel?
>What meals are included?
>Will we sleep in the desert on cots? Do we have a blanket available?
>Are we going to camp and what is the name of the camp? what equipment does each tent have?
>Is water included?
>What is the price?
5.Choose Private Dunes over Sam Sand Dunes:-
The Jaisalmer desert is not like Dubai with miles and miles of pristine dunes. It is actually a desert with lots of leaves and there are specific dune areas that tour operators visit with tourists.
6.Come prepared and bring supplies:-
The Thar Desert is hot during the day (even in winter) and very cold at night.
So I would make sure you take the right gear to protect yourself from the harsh conditions.
Take sunscreen against the setting sun, water to stay hydrated, warm clothes for a night in the desert.
7.There are experiences for all budgets:-
Many people think that spending a night in the desert must be a ‘backpacker’s experience’. You really don’t have to want for anything in these places!
You’ll be waited on top and bottom and leave feeling refreshed rather than gritty after your stay.
8.Don’t forget to enjoy the Jaisalmer Camel Safari:-
The most important tip, enjoy the experience! Enjoy the mystery of the Thar desert. Make furry camel friends, be dazzled by the colors of the sunset and marvel at the blanket of a thousand stars!
There is little to no light pollution in the desert, so literally a thousand stars will shine for you.
