REVIEW · JAISALMER

Desert Tour Jaisalmer

  • 5.08 reviews
  • 2 days
  • From $26
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Operated by Desert Tour Jaisalmer & Overnight Camel Tour Non Touristic · Bookable on GetYourGuide

You’ll come back with stars in your head. This two-day, one-night Thar desert trip trades Jaisalmer’s bustle for long dusk colors, a guided camel trek, and a night sleeping under clear skies with a campfire meal.

I love the timing: the sunset tea walk and the next morning’s calm start make the dunes feel slow and personal, not rushed. I also like how “simple” the experience stays—warm bedding on the sand, fire-cooked dinner, and local village stops that don’t feel staged. One thing to plan for: you’re out in the open, so bring layers and be ready for a dusty day on the way back.

Key things that made this tour feel worth it

  • Uninterrupted dark-sky views for stargazing, with sleep on warm blankets in the open air
  • Real camel time with a guided trek that’s long enough to feel like a journey (about 1 hour plus a short ride next morning)
  • Kuldhara and Khaba Fort stops that add context to desert life beyond sand and sunsets
  • A campfire dinner cooked in a traditional way, with tea/coffee included around the day’s big moments
  • Small, practical stops like Ruth Natural Lake for photos and a break before the dunes

From Jaisalmer to the Thar: the drive that changes your whole mood

Desert Tour Jaisalmer - From Jaisalmer to the Thar: the drive that changes your whole mood
The trip starts with pickup from Jaisalmer, using a car or taxi (auto) anywhere in the city. After that, you’ll head out by jeep/SUV into countryside roads that slowly peel you away from traffic and shop noise.

This is more than a transfer. It’s the transition time when you can actually watch the world thin out—fewer buildings, fewer lights, and more sky. By the time you’re ready for the camel portion, you’ll feel like you’ve left the city behind for good.

You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Jaisalmer.

Kuldhara ghost village and Khaba Fort: desert stories you can walk through

Desert Tour Jaisalmer - Kuldhara ghost village and Khaba Fort: desert stories you can walk through
Before camel time, you’ll make two key historical stops.

Kuldhara is a ghost village that you’ll visit with a guided tour and a bit of wandering. Expect photo stops, a walk, and scenic viewpoints along the way. Even if you don’t read every plaque, the place gives off that quiet, abandoned feeling that’s hard to fake.

Then comes Khaba Fort, where you’ll do another photo stop plus guided exploration. The fort stop matters because it turns the day from purely scenic to contextual. In other words, it helps you understand that the Thar has always been lived-in—through defense, travel routes, and desert settlements—long before anyone thought to sell stargazing.

Practical note: both places are worth comfortable shoes for the walking, and you’ll want sunglasses because the sun can be bright even on “cooler-looking” days.

Ruth Natural Lake: the green pause before dunes

Desert Tour Jaisalmer - Ruth Natural Lake: the green pause before dunes
After those historic stops, there’s a break at Ruth Natural Lake. You’ll get a photo stop and guided time here, plus time to reset before you head into the dunes.

This stop is valuable because it breaks the monotony. You go from dry stories and forts to a rare pocket of water/green in a hard environment. It’s also a good moment to hydrate—bottled water is included on the tour, but you still want to drink like you mean it.

Camel safari to the dunes: pace, photos, and that sunset tea moment

Desert Tour Jaisalmer - Camel safari to the dunes: pace, photos, and that sunset tea moment
Now the experience shifts from sightseeing to moving slowly through sand.

You’ll meet your camel guide and set off into the dunes for about 1 hour on Day 1. This part is designed to feel unhurried—more “plod and watch” than “race and pose.” If you’re trying to get good photos, this is where you’ll benefit from staying relaxed and letting the camel pace do the work.

You also get breaks for views and wildlife viewing time during the desert portion (built into the schedule), plus a sunset pause with hot tea and a light snack. The timing is the magic. As the light drops, the dunes change color fast, and the sky becomes the main character.

Tip: wear long sleeves or carry a light layer. You’ll be outdoors, and the packing list specifically calls for long pants and a jacket, which tells you this tour expects you to handle both sun and cooler evening air.

Campfire dinner and sleeping under stars: the part most people remember

Desert Tour Jaisalmer - Campfire dinner and sleeping under stars: the part most people remember
Evening is when the tour becomes very “Thar.”

After the dunes time, dinner gets going at camp with a campfire setup. The meal is described as traditionally cooked, and the focus is on simple, flavorful food. The day’s inclusions also list dinner plus tea/coffee, so you’re not stuck hunting for anything while you’re off the grid.

Some guests report that the team can cater to both veg and non-veg preferences, so if you eat a certain way, it’s smart to communicate your preference early. Alcohol isn’t included (though it’s available to purchase), so plan on tea, coffee, and water as your main drinks.

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Sleeping arrangement: no walls, no tent city

You’ll spend the night on the dunes under the stars with bedding and blankets provided. The setup is described as outdoors—either on open sand or under a basic shelter. The big takeaway is that you’re not in a “glamping” bubble. You’re outside, in the desert night.

If you’re sensitive to cold, the tour packing list includes a jacket and long-sleeved shirt for a reason. Don’t treat the desert night like a warm evening picnic.

Also, you’re told what’s not allowed: baby strollers. And the tour isn’t suitable for pregnant women or babies under 1 year. That’s because the camel riding and the outdoor sleeping aren’t built for those conditions.

Sunrise and the short second ride: calm, then the dust

Day 2 starts early—wake up for sunrise and a hot drink (tea or coffee). You’ll have a light breakfast while the desert is still quiet and before the day gets bright.

Then you do a short camel ride through the dunes, around 30 minutes. It’s shorter than Day 1, which is actually helpful. You get the feeling of the camel trek twice, without turning the second day into another long slog.

After that, a jeep returns you to Jaisalmer, arriving around 10:00 AM. You’ll likely feel dusty and sun-touched, but also strangely reset.

If you’ve got a plan later that day, pack a change of clothes if you can. Even with shower options not mentioned as standard, the reality is you’re in sand and wind.

Price and value: why $26 can feel generous

Desert Tour Jaisalmer - Price and value: why $26 can feel generous
This tour is priced around $26 per person for two days. On paper, that number can look like a steal, but it’s only a good value if the experience actually delivers.

Here’s why it does. You get:

  • Hotel pickup and drop-off within Jaisalmer
  • 1 night of desert accommodation with bedding and blankets
  • Guided camel rides (about 1 hour Day 1 and 30 minutes Day 2)
  • Meals and drinks: dinner, breakfast, plus bottled water and tea/coffee
  • Entry fees and local guide services

That mix matters. Many budget tours cut the “small stuff” that makes a night out there comfortable and safe—blankets, guides, and food logistics. This one includes those basics. The result is you can focus on the dunes, the sky, and the quiet, instead of managing transportation and meal timing yourself.

The main tradeoff is also part of the value: this is a stripped-back, open-air setup. You’re paying for the desert night, not for lounge chairs and private bathrooms.

Who should book this Thar camel safari (and who shouldn’t)

Desert Tour Jaisalmer - Who should book this Thar camel safari (and who shouldn’t)
This is a strong fit if you want:

  • Stargazing that feels real, not screen-lit
  • A guided camel experience with enough time to enjoy the ride
  • A low-pressure trip with meaningful stops (ghost village, fort, lake) before camp
  • A calmer pace—especially for people who feel worn out by city schedules

It’s not suitable for:

  • Pregnant women
  • Babies under 1 year
  • Anyone who needs stroller access or a fully sheltered sleeping setup

What to bring so your desert night feels good

Desert Tour Jaisalmer - What to bring so your desert night feels good
The packing list is practical, so follow it.

Bring:

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Sunglasses
  • Camera
  • Sunscreen and biodegradable sunscreen
  • A jacket
  • Long-sleeved shirt and long pants
  • Toiletries and cash

If you’re thinking like a desert traveler, also plan around sand: wear clothes you don’t mind getting dusty, and consider hiking pants if you already own them.

Little details that affect your comfort

Desert Tour Jaisalmer - Little details that affect your comfort
Because you’re sleeping outdoors, your comfort comes down to prep. Use the jacket even if you think you won’t need it. The tour gives you bedding and blankets, but desert temperature swings can be noticeable.

Also, remember that the tour includes water and hot drinks, so you’re not going to be totally stranded. Still, you’ll be outside and active, so keep sipping and don’t wait until you’re thirsty.

One more comfort point: the tour operates with a live guide in English and multiple other languages (Hindi, Japanese, Spanish). In the real world, that means you can ask straightforward questions—like what to do if you get cold, or how to handle the camel ride at your pace. Hosts are described as helpful and attentive, including Mr Khan and Mr Yasin Khan in guest feedback, which is exactly what you want when you’re stepping into a different rhythm.

Should you book this Desert Tour Jaisalmer overnight camel experience?

Yes—if your goal is a true desert night and you’re okay with a simple setup. You’re getting more than a camel ride: you get historic desert context at Kuldhara and Khaba Fort, a green break at Ruth Natural Lake, then a sunset-to-sunrise experience built around the sky.

But don’t book if you want luxury, indoor sleeping, or guaranteed comfort for sensitive conditions. This is an outdoor experience with open-air stargazing at the center.

If you want that rare feeling of quiet—when the dunes go still and the stars take over—this is a strong, good-value choice.

FAQ

How long is the Desert Tour Jaisalmer camel safari?

It’s a 2-day experience with one overnight stay on the dunes. The return to Jaisalmer is scheduled for around 10:00 AM on Day 2.

What’s included in the price?

The tour includes 1-night desert accommodation (bedding and blankets), guided camel ride, bottled water, tea, coffee, dinner, and breakfast, plus hotel pickup and drop-off. Entry fees and local guide services are included too.

Is lunch included?

Lunch is not included.

Where do they pick you up and how do they transport you?

Pickup is included from your location in Jaisalmer, and transport is by car/taxi/jeep/SUV as part of the tour.

Will I sleep in a tent?

No tents are listed. You sleep outdoors on warm bedding and blankets, either on the sand or under a basic shelter.

What language options are available for the guide?

The live tour guide is available in English, Hindi, Japanese, and Spanish.

Who is the tour not suitable for?

It’s not suitable for pregnant women and babies under 1 year. Baby strollers are also not allowed.

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