REVIEW · JAISALMER
The Billion stars Experience in the Desert
Book on Viator →Operated by Mystic Camel Safari Day Tour · Bookable on Viator
Stars are the main event here. This overnight experience from Jaisalmer pairs a private Jeep outing with camel rides, meals, and a sleep in the Thar Desert where the sky gets very loud with stars. You also hit the haunting abandoned village of Kuldhara and drive through the Desert National Park area before you reach the dunes.
What I like most is how organized it feels once you’re picked up. You’ll get a welcome drink and briefing at Mystic Camel Safari, then the day keeps moving with scheduled stops and clear timing, including a second camel ride the next morning. The food setup also sounds like a big win: dinner is cooked and served around a fireplace, with evening entertainment, and even extra touches depending on your guide.
One consideration: the formal dress code is a little at odds with sand and night air, and some desert evenings can turn cool. If you’re expecting pure beach-sun comfort, plan for layers.
In This Review
- Key points before you book Billion stars in the desert
- Mystic Jaisalmer to Mystic Camel Safari: start smart, start calm
- Kuldhara’s abandoned village stop: eerie, quiet, and easy to picture
- Desert National Park safari drive: a change of pace before the dunes
- Reaching the Thar dunes: camel ride timing is everything
- Camp life in the Thar: dinner by the fireplace and live music
- Sleep under the stars: cool air is real, plan your layers
- The second camel ride and morning return to Jaisalmer
- Price and value: why $65.18 feels fair for a real overnight
- Who should do this overnight Thar desert experience
- Practical tips to make your night smoother
- Should you book Billion stars in the desert?
Key points before you book Billion stars in the desert

- Hotel pickup with round-trip transit keeps logistics easy in Jaisalmer.
- Camel rides at sunset and again next morning give you two chances to time the light over the dunes.
- Kuldhara + Desert National Park stops break up the drive with meaningful pauses.
- Dinner by the fire plus live music turns the night into something social, not just quiet camping.
- Vegetarian option is available if you request it at booking.
- Formal dress code means you’ll want something that works for both dinner and sand.
Mystic Jaisalmer to Mystic Camel Safari: start smart, start calm
Most desert tours feel rushed. This one starts with a quick, straightforward rhythm: you begin at Mystic Camel Safari Tour in the Mystic Jaisalmer area with a welcome drink and information. From there, you roll out by Jeep for the afternoon sightseeing run that leads toward the Thar Desert.
This is also where the tone gets set. Several people highlighted good communication and friendly guidance—names that came up include James, Prim, Rosa, Sameer, and Ganesh—so you can expect someone to help you understand what’s coming next rather than just pointing at dunes and hoping for the best.
And yes, this is styled as a private tour/activity, meaning it’s just your group. You also have mobile ticket support, which is handy if you’re juggling plans in Jaisalmer.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Jaisalmer.
Kuldhara’s abandoned village stop: eerie, quiet, and easy to picture

The first major history-style stop is Kuldhara Abandoned Village. You’ll spend about 20 minutes here, and admission is included.
Kuldhara works because it’s not a polished “show site.” It’s an abandoned settlement, and even in a short visit, you can start building the mental picture of daily life—houses, village layout, and the sense of being in a place that has gone quiet for a long time. If you enjoy locations that feel a bit unreal, this stop gives you that mood before you reach the dunes.
A practical note: you’re on the move all day. If you want more time for photos, keep your camera ready and move at a steady pace so you don’t feel squeezed when your 20-minute window ends.
Desert National Park safari drive: a change of pace before the dunes

After Kuldhara, the itinerary shifts into Desert National Park area time with a safari-style stop (about 30 minutes). National Park fees are included, and the driving through rural stretches continues as you head toward the desert proper.
This part matters because it breaks up the transition from “town sightseeing” to “sand-and-sky.” One reason the overall experience gets praised is that it doesn’t feel like you’re just burning daylight in a car. You’re actually passing through different settings—village edges, rural roads, then park-style terrain—so the day keeps changing.
You’ll also cross through the gypsy village and Jaisalmer rural area along the way. That’s one of those details that makes the trip feel grounded. Instead of treating the desert like a separate world you teleport into, you’re watching the scenery shift as you go.
Reaching the Thar dunes: camel ride timing is everything
Once you get to the Thar Desert area, you’ll do the camel portion and then settle into the camp for the evening. The experience description is clear that the camel rides are a core feature, and reviews back up that the camel ride is a real highlight, not a quick photo moment.
The day’s pattern is built around timing. You arrive in time for key light—typically sunset—and then you’ll return to the camels again the next morning after tea and breakfast. That means you get two dune experiences: one with warmer colors and one with morning calm.
Camel time also helps the trip feel authentically “desert.” Jeep driving gets you there fast, but the camels slow your body down in a way that’s hard to copy in a vehicle. If you want the Thar to feel like the Thar, this is the part that does it.
Camp life in the Thar: dinner by the fireplace and live music
Your overnight stay happens in the Thar Desert area, with accommodation provided. The time window shown is long—around 14 hours at the desert accommodation stage—so you’re not just dropping in for dinner and leaving. You’re meant to settle.
Evening includes dinner around a fireplace, plus live music performances. The experience description also mentions evening entertainment, and people who rated this highly repeatedly brought up how enjoyable the camp atmosphere felt.
Food is a major talking point in the feedback. Several people specifically praised guides for cooking and serving strong, satisfying meals—names like James and Sameer came up in connection with food quality and the extra effort that makes a camp dinner feel personal. If you care about eating well in the desert and not relying on snacks, this should matter to you.
Also included: bottled water, breakfast for the next day, and afternoon tea. Lunch isn’t included, so plan for that as part of your day-by-day meal expectations.
Sleep under the stars: cool air is real, plan your layers
This is the experience’s namesake moment. You sleep under the stars, and the “billion stars” vibe is the payoff you’re paying for.
In at least one account, the night was described as fresh, with bedding used to stay comfortable. That lines up with what you should expect from desert nights: the air can cool down fast after sunset. The tour’s formal dress code may tempt you to pack one outfit and call it done, but don’t.
Bring something practical for warmth at night. Even if your outfit is for dinner, you’ll want layers for walking and sleeping comfortably after the fire dies down.
The second camel ride and morning return to Jaisalmer

The next morning starts with tea and breakfast before you do the second camel ride. Then you head back to your Jaisalmer hotel.
This morning structure is great for people who hate the “wake up, rush out, miss sunrise” feeling. You get time for breakfast and the second camel ride before departure. It also keeps the experience balanced: sunset isn’t the only star moment. Morning light over dunes can be just as dramatic, and the ride helps you see the desert in a different mood.
Back on the road, the same organization that helps the afternoon run also carries over. People highlighted safe transfers and smooth communication. If you’re the type who likes knowing you won’t get stranded between camp and town, this tour’s pace is reassuring.
Price and value: why $65.18 feels fair for a real overnight
At $65.18 per person, this isn’t positioned as a barebones “camel photo stop.” For that price, you’re getting a full desert night setup: overnight accommodation, dinner and breakfast, afternoon tea and bottled water, plus admission tickets included at the main stops and Desert National Park fees.
You’re also getting guided, scheduled time: welcome briefing, Kuldhara stop, Desert National Park safari time, dune arrival with camel rides, and morning tea and breakfast. In other words, it’s not just transport and a night in a random spot—it’s a package built around the desert day you actually want.
The final value question is always simple: does the price include the parts you’d otherwise pay for separately? Here, key pieces like accommodation and meals are in the included list, and that’s exactly what makes the $65 feel more like a deal than a gamble.
Who should do this overnight Thar desert experience
This fits best if you want:
- Camel rides plus real camp time, not a quick in-and-out.
- A route that includes a meaningful stop like Kuldhara and a park-area drive before the dunes.
- A guided experience where the evening includes more than just sitting around.
It also works well for families, including different age groups. One highly rated example included an entire family with elderly parents and small kids, which suggests the pacing can be handled across comfort levels.
If you’re the type who hates scheduled stops and prefers total freedom, you might find the structure limiting. You’ll be on a plan and a timeline, because the sunset and morning rides both matter.
Practical tips to make your night smoother
A few small choices can make a big difference here:
- Dress formal, but bring layers for night air. Your dinner outfit and your sleeping comfort aren’t the same job.
- Request vegetarian option at booking if you need it. That’s explicitly available.
- Plan around the meal list: dinner, breakfast, afternoon tea, and bottled water are included; lunch isn’t.
- If you want better photos, keep your camera accessible for dune arrival time and the morning ride—those moments tend to be short.
Also pay attention to weather. The experience requires good weather, and if it’s canceled due to poor conditions, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Should you book Billion stars in the desert?
If you want an overnight desert experience that feels complete—Kuldhara first, then Desert National Park roads, camel rides twice, dinner by fire, live music, and sleep under the stars—this is a strong pick for the price. The vibe from the experience is organization plus genuine hospitality, especially with guides like James (and also Sameer/Ganesh mentioned in feedback), and that matters when you’re spending the night out in the open.
Book it if you can handle a packed schedule and you’re willing to follow the formal dress code while planning for cool night temperatures. Skip it if you want maximum independence or you dislike being moved on a fixed plan.























