REVIEW · JAISALMER
Camel Safari
Book on Viator →Operated by Camel Safari Wala Jaisalmer · Bookable on Viator
A camel ride and a sky full of stars? That is the whole point. This private Thar Desert safari takes you beyond the usual look-at-the-sand viewpoint, with a proper camel outing through dunes, ponds, and village edges, then a real desert camp night. I especially love the sleep-under-the-stars setup and the campfire Rajasthani dinner cooked by your guide. The main catch: you’ll spend a chunk of time on camel/at camp, and nights can feel cold in season, so pack for temperature swings.
It is also the kind of tour where names matter. I liked seeing how guides such as Poonam Dan bring local knowledge and a friendly, un-rushed vibe to the camp, not just a quick ride-and-go-through-the-motions deal. If you want a simple, value-heavy night in the desert with real human warmth, this fits.
One possible drawback to plan around: it is still a desert trip. Expect slower pacing, limited comfort compared to a hotel, and you’ll be at the mercy of weather and nighttime cold.
In This Review
- Key highlights worth circling
- Private Camel Safari in the Thar Desert: the real deal
- From your hotel in Jaisalmer to a village meet-up
- What you should consider
- Camel ride: dunes, ponds, villages, and animal sightings
- Evening camp: beds, campfire cooking, and real star time
- A quick reality check for comfort
- Morning tea, sunrise moments, and your 1-night vs 2-night choice
- Why this decision matters
- Value and logistics: what $25 really buys
- Who this camel safari is perfect for
- Who should be cautious
- Tips to make the night better (and easier)
- Should you book Camel Safari Wala in Jaisalmer?
- FAQ
- How long is the camel safari experience?
- Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?
- What happens during the camel ride?
- What meals are included?
- Is the tour private?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key highlights worth circling

- Private camel safari in the Thar Desert with only your group, plus pick-up and drop-off within Jaisalmer
- Campfire Rajasthani dinner cooked on-site by your guide, plus tea and breakfast in the morning
- Real desert camping under the stars with a bed provided so you can actually relax and look up
- Camel ride through dunes, natural ponds, villages, and desert animals for a classic Thar feel
- Flexible length: do the 1-night plan or upgrade to another half-day ride and a second night
- Strong guide atmosphere, including teaching moments like chapati and tea during camp time
Private Camel Safari in the Thar Desert: the real deal
This isn’t a short photo stop. The experience is built around a full evening desert rhythm: travel in from Jaisalmer, meet your camels, ride for hours, then settle into camp before dark.
What makes it interesting is the way the tour balances motion and stillness. You get time moving across sand dunes, then you get time slowing down—sleeping outside, eating warm food, and watching the sky. Even the tour’s timing leans into that: you start with camel time, then night happens naturally, without rushing.
If you’re the type who likes your “off the beaten path” plans to feel organized (not chaotic), you’ll probably appreciate the straightforward flow and the fact that it’s private. For around $25, you are paying for the experience package: desert transport, camel guide support, camp setup, and meals—not just the ride.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Jaisalmer
From your hotel in Jaisalmer to a village meet-up

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Jaisalmer, and you’ll also get a mobile ticket. That matters more than it sounds, because in a place like Jaisalmer the first problem is often not the desert—it is finding the right person and the right meeting point on time.
Here is the practical version: you’ll get taken deep toward the desert, and once you’re close, you meet the safari guide and camels at a village area. That means your camel time starts with a transition, not a sudden jump into the saddle.
One extra note from what I’ve seen people describe: some pick-ups can include station meet-ups, not just hotels. If you are arriving by train, it’s worth asking in advance.
What you should consider
- You should be ready for a ride out of town before camel time begins.
- If you’re sensitive to sitting for long periods, think about bringing a small cushion or wearing supportive pants.
Camel ride: dunes, ponds, villages, and animal sightings

Your camel ride is described as a few hours, with time for sand dunes, natural ponds, desert animals, and village scenes. That mix is key. Many camel safaris stay generic—just sand, just walking, just the same slope view.
Here, the tour plan builds in variety: dunes for the classic Thar feel, ponds for visual surprise, and villages for human context. The guide also plays a big role here. A good guide helps you notice what you would otherwise miss and turns the ride into a slow “look and learn” experience, not a tiring endurance test.
And yes, you’re riding a camel. Expect it to be bumpy. Your best strategy is to keep your posture easy, hold steady, and don’t fight every little sway. Camels are calm animals, but they also move like camels.
Evening camp: beds, campfire cooking, and real star time
When the sun drops, the safari shifts gears. Beds are provided, and the plan is to sleep under the stars. The tour even notes that the weather is ideal then, which lines up with why people love this part: you actually get a night that feels magical, not just uncomfortable.
Food is a highlight. Dinner is traditionally Rajasthani, and it is prepared on a campfire by your guide. If you care about taste, you’ll likely be happy here—campfire cooking has a different feel than hotel food, and you are usually eating in the exact environment you traveled for.
There is also mention of learning moments in camp time, like making chapati, plus tea and vegetables. Even if you don’t get formal “classroom” instruction, it adds a hands-on layer that makes the camp feel more like a community stop than a staged show.
A quick reality check for comfort
Night skies are great. But desert nights can get cold depending on season. Bring layers. A warm layer plus something for your head is an easy win. People describe the experience as cold at times, even when the day feels pleasant.
Morning tea, sunrise moments, and your 1-night vs 2-night choice
Breakfast comes with tea. The tour plan is simple: after sleeping outside, you wake up for tea and breakfast, then you choose what you want next.
Option one is to ride for about half a day and then return to the hotel. Option two is to stay longer—meaning another full day and night in the desert, with more time for dunes, villages, and the calm pace that makes this trip special.
Why this decision matters
If you only have time for one night, you’ll still get the core experience: camel ride, campfire dinner, and star sleep. But if you can upgrade, the value shifts from “nice night out” to “full desert immersion.” You gain more daylight hours to explore and more time to settle into the rhythms of camp.
Also, there’s a small bonus: people mention enjoying sunrise from your bed. Even if you don’t plan it as a photo moment, that sleepy-to-sky transition is part of why camping wins here.
Value and logistics: what $25 really buys
Let’s talk value without hype. For a private 1-night camel safari in the Thar Desert, around $25 is unusually competitive, especially when the package includes:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off within Jaisalmer
- Camel time (a few hours)
- A camp setup with beds for night sleeping
- Campfire Rajasthani dinner
- Tea and breakfast in the morning
- A private group experience (only your group participates)
So you’re not just paying for a ride. You’re paying for transport, time, and the camp experience that lets you actually stay in the desert.
The main “cost” is not money—it’s time and comfort. You trade a hotel bed and predictable schedule for sand, stars, and a slower, outdoors rhythm. If that sounds like your kind of travel, this price is a win.
Who this camel safari is perfect for
This tour fits best if you want one of these:
- A short desert night without planning headaches
- A private experience where you can move at your group’s pace
- People who enjoy simple local food (Rajasthani dinner) and camping atmosphere
- First-timers to camel safaris who want an organized, friendly guide
It can also be a good choice for couples and solo travelers. Private tours mean fewer awkward pauses and less waiting around.
Who should be cautious
If you have mobility limits, back issues, or you dislike sleeping outdoors, you might find the camel ride and nighttime conditions tougher than you expect. The tour does say most travelers can participate, but you should still be honest about your tolerance for long seating and desert cold.
Tips to make the night better (and easier)

You’ll enjoy this more if you show up ready for the desert.
- Wear layers: day can feel fine, night can get chilly.
- Bring a warm top and a light covering for wind.
- Expect a bumpy ride on camel, so wear supportive footwear.
- Take water seriously: you may want to carry a bottle if you tend to get thirsty.
- Ask about the second night upgrade if you’re tempted. The choice is part of the fun.
And one more practical point: spend a few seconds syncing with your guide when you meet at the village. When you know the plan for the ride length and camp time, the whole evening feels smoother.
Should you book Camel Safari Wala in Jaisalmer?
Book it if you want a private, well-paced Thar Desert night with camel time, campfire Rajasthani dinner, and the kind of starry sleep that actually feels special. It’s also one of the better-value options because meals, camp setup, and transport are wrapped into the price, not added later.
Skip or reconsider if you need guaranteed hotel-level comfort, you dislike cold nights outdoors, or you don’t want any time on a camel. Desert trips are simple by design. If that simplicity fits you, you’ll likely have a memorable night.
If you’re unsure, choose the 1-night plan first—then upgrade only if the desert vibe hits the way you hoped.
FAQ
How long is the camel safari experience?
The 1-night camel safari is about 12 hours. You can also upgrade for a second day and night in the desert.
Does the tour include hotel pickup and drop-off?
Yes. It includes hotel pickup and drop-off within Jaisalmer.
What happens during the camel ride?
You’ll ride the camels for a few hours, with chances to see sand dunes, natural ponds, desert animals, and nearby village scenery.
What meals are included?
Dinner is cooked in camp on a campfire as traditional Rajasthani food. In the morning, tea and breakfast are included.
Is the tour private?
Yes. It is private, and only your group participates.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.
























