The Thar Desert feels almost unreal at night. This non-touristic camel safari turns Jaisalmer’s busy streets into a slower rhythm: you visit places like Kuldhara, stop at a desert lake called Jiyai, then ride out for sunset before sleeping under the stars in the Thar.

I especially like the private tour setup with personalized attention, and I like that the schedule is built around the big sky moments: sunset on day one and a sunrise wake-up on day two. You’ll feel like you’re out in the desert, not just passing through it, and guides can help you make the most of the experience (Sandi is specifically praised in the guide feedback).

One consideration: the included meals are vegetarian by default, and non-vegetarian food is only available for an extra fee.

Key things to know before you go

• Kuldhara is your first stop: an abandoned 13th-century village with Paliwal Brahmin roots.
• Jiyai is a desert photo break: a natural lake used for photos and a drink stop.
• About one hour on camelback: timed for the desert experience, then followed by tea/coffee snacks.
• Overnight under the stars: dinner, plus evening tea and a bonfire moment.
• Sunrise + breakfast on day two: then camel ride back toward your hotel.

Leaving Jaisalmer at 2:00 pm: how this safari stays calm

This experience starts at 2:00 pm at Shiv Road (near Dhibba Para/Manak Chowk/Amar Sagar Pol). That afternoon start matters. You’re not rushing straight into the desert at dawn or spending all day in transit—you have time to settle in, get your bearings, and still catch sunset properly.

You’ll also get pickup offered, and you’re traveling on a private tour, meaning it’s just your group. In a place where group logistics can turn tours into a herd, a private setup keeps things more relaxed and easier for you to focus on what you came for: camel time and the desert night.

Also, you’ll use a mobile ticket, and you should receive confirmation when you book. That helps if you like smooth check-in without extra back-and-forth.

Kuldhara (30 minutes): the quiet story stop before the desert

Kuldhara is an abandoned village in the Jaisalmer district. It was founded around the 13th century, once home to Paliwal Brahmins, and it was abandoned by the early 19th century. That’s the kind of history that feels personal rather than museum-like—because you’re stepping into the remains and imagining what daily life might have been like there.

This stop is about 30 minutes, so it’s not a long detour. It’s a short reset: a chance to break the journey, stretch your legs, and shift your mindset from city time to desert time.

What to watch for: the value here is not deep archaeology. It’s the atmosphere—an eerie, open stillness before the real show begins farther out.

Jiyai (30 minutes): desert lake, quick photos, and a drink stop

Next comes Jiyai, a natural lake in the middle of the desert. You get about 30 minutes here, which is intentionally short but useful: you can take photos, enjoy the contrast of water in sand, and have a drink break.

This stop is practical. When you spend two days out, you don’t want the schedule to be only “ride, ride, ride.” A natural pause like this helps keep energy up for what’s coming next—sunset camel time and then the overnight camp.

Possible drawback: because it’s brief, you won’t have time to turn this into a long sightseeing session. Think of it as a desert moment, not a full attraction day.

The Thar Desert day (about 10 hours): one hour on camels and a camp vibe

The biggest stretch is your Thar Desert day, which runs roughly 10 hours. This is where the tour becomes what you booked it for: camel riding, sunset tea/snacks, and an evening you can actually slow down in.

You start from the camel point and get about one hour of camel riding. That hour is the centerpiece. It’s long enough to feel the rhythm and settle into the experience, but not so long that it dominates your whole day.

After the ride, you’re treated to evening tea/coffee snacks. There’s also time for sunset watching, with chai plus vegetable pakoda and snacks. There’s even a bonfire in the evening, which is one of the simplest ways to make the night feel special without needing fancy extras.

Why this works for value: you’re paying for transportation out of Jaisalmer plus an included ride and included evening food moments. Even the “small” items like chai and snacks are what turn a desert trip into a full evening, not just a photo line.

Consideration: with a day that can total around 10 hours, you should plan for a long sit-and-travel block between stops. If you’re the type who gets grumpy after too many minutes in a vehicle, mentally prepare for that.

Dinner, stargazing, and the overnight camp: the real memory-maker

After sunset, dinner is provided: a mix vegetarian meal that includes items like rice, chapati, dal, chai, and vegetable pakoda (plus min water). The tour also includes the time to camp out under the stars—the “quiet overnight excursion” part that animal lovers and desert people tend to talk about most.

This is where the experience earns its high marks. Star viewing out here isn’t about a plan—it’s about being far enough from the city glow that the sky takes center stage. The best part is that your schedule supports it: you’re not dragged out the next minute. You get to spend real time looking up.

If you’re hoping for a guide who keeps things smooth and makes sure you don’t feel lost out there, the feedback you’ll find often mentions strong care from the team—again, Sandi is named in the guide praise.

What to be aware of: this is an overnight desert outing, not a hotel night. You’ll be outside, and the experience is built around the desert rhythms, not indoor comfort.

Day two sunrise and breakfast (about 3 hours): start slow, then ride back

Day two is shorter and more focused—about 3 hours total activity time in the desert portion. You wake for sunrise and enjoy morning breakfast before heading back.

Camel riding returns here too. You’ll do camel riding back toward your hotel after sunrise and breakfast, which ties the two days together into one continuous flow: ride at sunset on day one, then ride again after sunrise on day two.

Why sunrise matters in this schedule: sunrise trips can be rushed when the itinerary is poor. Here, sunrise is clearly part of the plan, not a surprise add-on. Breakfast is included, so you’re not stuck starving while you wait for the sky to do its thing.

Price and value: why this often feels like a bargain

At $24.88 per person for about 2 days, this is positioned as a budget-friendly way to get the full desert rhythm: transport out of Jaisalmer, camel riding, dinner and breakfast, plus snack/tea moments and the overnight stargazing setup.

It’s not competing with luxury desert camps. Instead, it delivers the essentials you actually want from a camel safari:

• Camel time (about one hour day one, plus day two ride back)
• Included meals (vegetarian dinner and breakfast; chai/snacks in the evening)
• Two big sky moments (sunset and sunrise)
• A quieter desert overnight rather than a quick day-trip spin

If you want non-veg food, keep in mind there’s an extra fee. But if you’re flexible with vegetarian meals, the included food list covers a lot: rice, chapati, dal, chai, pakoda, and snacks—enough to keep you fueled for a long desert day.

Who this camel safari suits best

This tour fits you if you want:

• Animal-friendly desert time on camelback (not just a bus-and-camera stop)
• A calm overnight away from crowds, with stars as part of the experience
• A private feel where your group isn’t competing with strangers for attention
• A schedule that highlights sunset + sunrise, not only one or the other

It may not fit you as well if:

• You eat non-vegetarian and don’t want to pay extra
• You hate long stretches where you’re riding in transit between desert moments

Practical tips so your desert evening goes smoothly

You’ll have the best experience if you treat this as an overnight desert outing and plan around the basics that are clearly part of the schedule:

• Expect one hour of camel riding, plus additional camel riding back on day two. Wear something comfortable for sitting.
• Since the tour includes dinner and breakfast (vegetarian), plan around those meals and snack windows instead of hunting for food out there.
• Because food includes items like pakoda and chai, it’s smart to stay hydrated—water is mentioned as included.
• If you’re sensitive to night conditions, remember you’ll be camping out under the stars, so bring the right mindset: this is for atmosphere, not “perfect comfort.”

Should you book this adventure non-touristic camel safari?

If your goal is a real desert night with sunset and sunrise, plus a camel ride and included meals, this is an easy yes. The price-to-experience ratio is strong: you’re not just paying for a ride; you’re getting the full “out there” rhythm, including dinner, chai/snacks, bonfire time, and breakfast.

Book it if you like the idea of calm, a bit of adventure, and a sky-focused overnight. Skip it only if non-vegetarian food is non-negotiable for you or if you know you can’t handle a long day that totals around ten hours in desert time between stops.

FAQ

How long is the camel safari experience?

It’s approximately 2 days.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is 2:00 pm.

Where is the meeting point?

The meeting point is at Shiv Road, Dhibba Para, Manak Chowk, Amar Sagar Pol, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 345001, India.

Does the tour end back at the same place?

Yes, the activity ends back at the meeting point.

Is this a private tour?

Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates.

What camel riding time should I expect?

You get about one hour of camel riding during the desert time on day one, and there is additional camel riding back toward your hotel on day two.

What meals are included?

You get dinner and breakfast (with breakfast counted as 2 breakfasts across the trip). The evening also includes chai/tea and snacks.

Is the included food vegetarian?

The included meals are vegetarian. Non-vegetarian meal can be provided for an extra fee.

What stops are included on day one?

Day one includes Kuldhara, Jiyai, and then the Thar Desert for camel riding and evening desert time.

What if the weather is bad?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.