Review · CAMEL RIDES & DESERT CAMPS
Adventure non touristic camel safari
The best part of this experience is the quiet night far beyond Jaisalmer’s walls. You visit an abandoned village and a desert lake, then ride a camel into the Thar Desert as the light fades. Dinner, a campfire, stars, and an early sunrise give the outing a simple rhythm that feels far removed from city sightseeing.
I like the private format, which gives your group personal attention, and I like the mix of stops before the safari. Kuldhara adds a touch of Rajasthan’s past, while Jiyai offers a striking place for photographs. The main consideration is comfort: this is a basic desert night, not a polished hotel stay, and the camel ride lasts about an hour each way.
Key points at a glance

- Sunset camel ride: Ride for about one hour into the Thar Desert, with evening chai, coffee, snacks, and vegetable pakodas.
- Quiet overnight setting: Sleep beneath the stars after dinner and a campfire, away from Jaisalmer.
- Three different stops: See abandoned Kuldhara, the natural lake at Jiyai, and a village where you can observe local life.
- Private attention: Only your own group takes part, with pickup from central Jaisalmer and return to the starting point.
- Morning desert routine: Watch sunrise, eat breakfast, and ride the camels back before returning to the city.
- Strong value at $24.88: Dinner, breakfast, camel riding, village visits, snacks, chai, and transportation are included.
Leaving Jaisalmer at 2 pm

The trip begins at 2 pm from Shiv Road in Jaisalmer. Pickup is offered, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point. That afternoon start is useful because it leaves the hottest part of the day behind before the camel ride begins.
You are not simply dropped at a camel camp and sent off. The route includes two short stops before you reach the safari area. These breaks divide the drive and give you a better sense of the area around Jaisalmer.
Because this is a private activity, your group does not share the outing with strangers. That matters if you want to take photographs at your own pace, ask questions, or enjoy the desert without a large crowd. It also makes the trip easier for couples, families, and small groups with different energy levels.
The advertised duration is about two days, with roughly ten hours on the first day and three hours on the second. Much of that time is spent at the desert camp, so this is not a packed sightseeing circuit. The appeal is the pause.
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Kuldhara, an abandoned village with a dark story

The first stop is Kuldhara, an abandoned village in the Jaisalmer district. It was established around the 13th century and was once home to Paliwal Brahmins. Today, its empty remains offer a sharp contrast to the busy streets and forts of Jaisalmer.
You have about 30 minutes here. That is enough for a short walk and photographs, but not a long archaeological visit. The stop works best as an introduction to the desert’s human history rather than as a full historical tour.
Kuldhara can feel stark. The empty settlement gives the place a sense of mystery, though the short visit means you should not expect a detailed lecture or a long guided exploration. I like its place in the route because it gives the afternoon more shape than a direct drive to the camel point.
If abandoned places appeal to you, keep your camera ready and listen closely to whatever local explanation your guide provides. The tour information does not promise a formal history talk, so treat Kuldhara as a brief atmospheric stop.
Jiyai and the surprise of water in the desert

Next comes Jiyai, described as a natural lake in the middle of the desert. You spend about 30 minutes here, with time to take pictures and enjoy a drink.
A lake in this dry setting gives the route a useful change of mood. After the stone and empty walls of Kuldhara, Jiyai brings open space and reflections. It is a photo stop, but it also reminds you that the desert is not one unbroken field of sand.
Do not plan on a long walk or a major sightseeing visit at Jiyai. The stop is short and simple. Its value comes from the contrast, the chance to stretch your legs, and the unusual setting.
Meeting the camels at the Thar Desert point

At the camel point, you meet the animals and prepare for the main part of the trip. The ride lasts about one hour. This is long enough to feel like a real safari, but short enough for people who are unsure about spending several hours on a camel.
The ride takes place around sunset. That timing is the heart of the experience. The harsh afternoon light softens, the desert becomes quieter, and the changing sky gives you better views than a midday ride would.
I would suggest wearing clothes that allow easy movement and bringing only what you need for the overnight stay. The provided details do not specify luggage storage or camel equipment, so keep valuables secure and ask the operator where larger bags should remain.
The camel ride is also the main physical test. Most travelers can take part, but sitting on a camel for an hour can feel tiring, especially when mounting and dismounting. If you have mobility concerns, contact the operator before booking. Service animals are allowed, and the activity is described as suitable for most people.
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Chai, pakodas, and a campfire after sunset
After the ride, you receive evening tea or coffee, snacks, and vegetable pakodas. This small meal matters more than it may sound. A hot drink and fresh food make the desert stop feel cared for, especially after time on the camels.
The dinner is vegetarian and includes mixed vegetables, rice, chapati, dal, and more vegetable pakodas. Bottled water is included. A non-vegetarian meal can be arranged for an extra fee, so you should request that in advance rather than assume it is part of the standard price.
The food is local and straightforward, not restaurant dining. That suits the setting. You are eating outdoors after sunset, with a campfire nearby and the desert around you. I would choose this trip for the setting and shared meal, not for elaborate menus or a wide range of food choices.
The campfire gives the evening a social center. You can warm up, eat, and settle into the slower pace of the night. The experience is peaceful rather than entertainment-heavy. There is no indication of a performance program or organized nightlife, which is good news if you want calm.
Sleeping beneath the stars

The overnight stay is the experience’s strongest feature and its clearest comfort trade-off. You sleep in the desert beneath the stars, rather than returning to a hotel in Jaisalmer.
That makes the trip memorable. Once the fire settles and the city is far away, the simple surroundings become the point. You can look up at the night sky, listen to the quiet, and understand why a desert safari is more than a short camel ride.
At the same time, the supplied details do not describe beds, tents, toilets, showers, or other camping facilities. Do not book this expecting a luxury camp. Ask the operator what sleeping arrangements are provided if those details affect your decision.
The best attitude is to treat it as a basic overnight adventure. Bring a light layer for the evening and morning, though the tour details do not specify temperatures or supplied bedding. You should also confirm what personal items are useful before departure.
Sunrise, breakfast, and the ride back

The second morning begins with sunrise in the desert. This is a fine reason to accept the early start. The evening sunset is beautiful, but sunrise gives the overnight stay its full shape. You wake where you slept, watch the first light, and then have breakfast before riding back.
Breakfast is included. The information lists breakfast twice, but the itinerary clearly places it on the morning of Day 2. The meal is part of the return routine rather than a separate city breakfast.
The morning camel ride lasts about three hours in total for the desert portion, with the camels taking you back toward the hotel or meeting point. That is considerably longer than the previous evening’s one-hour ride, so the second day may feel more demanding.
You should consider this timing if you are new to camel riding. The first hour may feel easy, while a longer morning ride can make sore legs more noticeable. Still, the gradual return gives you another chance to see the desert in cooler light, and it avoids wasting the morning after sleeping outdoors.
What the private format really adds
Private does not mean luxury here. It means your group is the only group taking part, with more personal attention from the operator and guide.
That arrangement can improve the outing in small but important ways. You can take your time at Kuldhara, stop for photographs at Jiyai, and discuss the camel ride without having to fit into a large group’s schedule. Families and couples may also find the quiet setting more comfortable.
One guide associated with the experience is Sandi, who is described as taking good care of the group. You should not assume Sandi will lead every departure, but the name gives you a useful contact point if you want to ask who your guide will be.
The guide’s role is especially important on a private desert trip. You want clear instructions around the camels, help with timing, and a smooth handoff between the city transfer, village stops, dinner, and morning return. The operator is Wild Desert and Camel Safari.
Is $24.88 good value?
At $24.88 per person, this is a low-cost overnight outing for what is included. The price covers pickup, the private activity, camel safari, village visits, dinner, breakfast, chai, coffee, snacks, vegetable pakodas, rice, chapati, dal, mixed vegetables, and bottled water.
The real value comes from combining several modest experiences into one trip. A short visit to Kuldhara, a stop at Jiyai, a sunset ride, an outdoor dinner, a campfire, a night under the stars, sunrise, and a morning ride would cost more if arranged separately.
The low price also tells you how to set expectations. This is an affordable local-style desert experience, not a high-end camp with extensive facilities. The food is vegetarian by default, the accommodation details are basic, and the focus is on nature and simple hospitality.
I consider it good value for an independent-minded visitor who wants the desert night itself. It is less suitable if your priority is comfort, private bathrooms, polished service, or a detailed history program at every stop.
The activity is often booked about 15 days ahead. That suggests you should reserve early if your Jaisalmer dates are fixed, especially since the tour requires a minimum number of participants and good weather. You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Within 24 hours, refunds are not available.
Who should book this desert night?
I would recommend it most strongly to you if you want a quiet break from Jaisalmer and enjoy simple outdoor experiences. Animal lovers will appreciate meeting the camels, while photographers will find good light at Kuldhara, Jiyai, sunset, and sunrise.
It also suits couples and small private groups who value time alone. The private format and overnight setting make it more personal than a quick camel ride from the city.
Families may enjoy it, but parents should think about the hour-long evening ride and the longer ride on the second morning. The activity is open to most participants, yet the information does not give age limits or detailed mobility guidance.
I would hesitate to recommend it to you if you want air-conditioned transport throughout, a hotel bed, non-vegetarian food included in the price, or a tightly scripted sightseeing tour. The desert is the attraction, and basic conditions are part of the deal.
Should you book the Adventure Non Touristic Camel Safari?
Book it if you want the part of Rajasthan that comes after the monuments: open desert, a slow camel ride, local food, a campfire, and a night under the stars. The sunset and sunrise pairing gives the trip more depth than a standard one-hour camel outing.
The strongest reasons to choose it are the low price, private attention, and peaceful overnight setting. The main caution is the basic nature of the camp and the longer camel ride on the second day.
If you can accept simple arrangements and vegetarian food, this is a good-value way to experience the Thar Desert beyond Jaisalmer. Ask about sleeping facilities and your assigned guide before confirming, then leave room in your plans for the desert to set the pace.
FAQ
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is on Shiv Road, Dhibba Para, Manak Chowk, Amar Sagar Pol, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 345001, India.
What time does the tour begin?
The activity starts at 2 pm.
Does the tour offer pickup?
Yes. Pickup is offered from Jaisalmer, and the activity ends back at the meeting point.
How long does the experience last?
The experience lasts approximately two days. The first day includes about ten hours of activity, and the second day includes about three hours.
Is the camel ride included?
Yes. The tour includes about one hour of camel riding on the first day and a morning camel ride back toward the hotel on the second day.
Is dinner included?
Yes. Dinner is included and consists of vegetarian food such as mixed vegetables, rice, chapati, dal, vegetable pakodas, chai, and bottled water.
Can I request non-vegetarian food?
Yes. Non-vegetarian food can be provided for an extra fee.
What places are visited before the camel safari?
The route includes Kuldhara, an abandoned village, and Jiyai, a natural lake in the desert. You also visit a village to see local life.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Only your own group takes part in the activity.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not refunded or accepted. If poor weather or an insufficient minimum number of participants causes cancellation, you can choose another date or experience, or receive a full refund.
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