A Complete Checklist for Jaisalmer Desert Camps

Why do you want to visit Rajasthan?

Incredible palaces to explore. Beautiful and vibrant culture. Shopping, Thar Desert.

Whatever your reasons, one of them has to do with including a desert experience. And when it comes to desert camps in Rajasthan, the most popular place in Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer’s many desert camps offer an exotic combination of thrills, adventure and culture that promise to make your stay in the desert memorable.

Experience Sunrise in the desert – one of the recommended activities in Jaisalmer

I was quite overwhelmed with the plethora of options I found for desert camps in Jaisalmer. Should I book one or two days? Camel safari in Jaisalmer – good or bad? National Desert Camp – Sam Dunes or Khuri? In the end, I just went with the traveler reviews on TripAdvisor. The result was a mix of good and bad. However, this experience helped me put together a checklist for Jaisalmer desert camps.

This guide to desert camps in Jaisalmer is divided into two parts. The first part is about the different activities you can do in any of the desert camps in Jaisalmer. Part 2 discusses various tips for selecting the best desert camp in Jaisalmer – all based on my own research and experiences.

What to live in a desert camp in Jaisalmer?

A desert camp in Rajasthan offers you a wide variety of experiences. Some focus on the cultural nuances of the state while others showcase the best of the arid desert. You can choose to engage in adrenaline-pumping activities or take a heritage stop during your safari. Here is a quick list of things to do on a desert safari in Jaisalmer.

Experience the sunset and sunrise over the dunes

The mesmerizing sunset over the sand dunes – one of the must-do things in Jaisalmer desert camps
Watching the sun rise or even set over the ocean or the mountain is something we would all have experienced. But watching the sun move over the horizon while sitting on those sand dunes will leave you with a very different feeling. I loved feeling the little grain of sand hit my face and capturing the artistic silhouettes of camel caravans in the distance.

Camel safari in Jaisalmer

Her long eyelashes floated over me and I lost my heart to my new furry friend.

Raja nudged me with his nose, as I patted the soft desert boat. Camels have long been the lifeline of desert travellers. During the times of the Silk Road , they carried huge loads across the dunes and nowadays they are widely used for tourist purposes.

Camel Safari in Jaisalmer is of two types – the short ones which are used just to give tourists a feel of the desert and the long walks which take you deep into the desert to remote villages. The shorter ones are pure entertainment which you can avoid if you wish – especially in the tourist camps. However, the long camel safaris of Jaisalmer take you beyond the desert tourist camps to the authentic camps. Here you actually need the camel.

Ethical concerns about camel safaris in Jaisalmer
I admit I rode a camel in Jaisalmer but as is the case with every evolving traveler I questioned my choice – largely given the ethical concerns over how they are treated. Tons of places like Thailand, Sri Lanka and even India have been criticized for mistreating elephants. While camels are beasts of burden, accustomed to carrying huge loads across the desert, one has to be aware of how they are treated.

Jaisalmer Camel Safaris – ethical or not?

Of course, you can avoid the same in short stays. However, if you are looking for an authentic experience, away from the tourist centers of Thar, there is no avoiding a camel ride. There are a few tourist companies that declare camel safaris ethical. However, most do not have such standards. The best way to determine if you are on an ethical ride is to observe the appearance of the camel. If it has wounds or cuts, you know the camel is unsuitable for riding. Emphasize a different animal.

 However, it is up to us travelers to find a balance between supporting local tour operators and treating camels ethically. Ask the right questions, have a discerning eye, then answer a call.

Dune Bashing with Jeep Safari in Jaisalmer

So high when your jeep accelerates like a rollercoaster over the dunes can be quite addictive. And when the speeding jeep turns over that soft sand, you almost feel that exhilarating loss of control – until the driver puts you back on track.I couldn’t help but compare JaisalmerBashing’s Dune to the one I did in Dubai. While the one in Dubai took me over higher sand dunes, the Jaisalmer Jeep Safari was just as fun – mainly because I was hooked onto the rods of an open-top jeep.