Jaisalmer camel safari with Kuldhara village and desert dinner

A half-day loop through a ghost village, an hour on camel, and dinner in the sand dunes

A half-day camel safari from Jaisalmer that begins with a jeep ride to Kuldhara, the village emptied in a single night centuries ago, then moves into the Thar Desert where you ride camel for an hour across the dunes. You reach a secluded spot in time to watch the sunset, then eat a fresh vegetarian dinner cooked in desert style while the camel men prepare it in front of you, and return to the city by jeep after dark.

Step-by-step itinerary

Jaisalmer jeep tour and desert safari

• Start trip from Jaisalmer by jeep
• Visit local village
• Visit Kuldhara ghost village
• Reach desert and meet camel
• Travel camel to sand dunes
• Watch sunset from sand dunes
• Enjoy tea and snacks with bonfire
• Have vegetarian dinner cooked by camel men
• Stargaze after dinner
• Return to Jaisalmer by jeep

The experience

The tour starts near Jaisalmer Fort and drives out by jeep to a local village, then to Kuldhara. The abandoned settlement that was left empty overnight along with 84 surrounding villages. After walking through the ghost village, you head deeper into the Thar Desert to meet your camel. The ride across the sand dunes lasts about an hour, and the route passes through wildlife habitat of the desert itself. You're timed to reach a quiet, isolated spot in the dunes just as the sun begins to set.

Once the light fades, tea and snacks arrive with a bonfire (in winter months). The camel men then cook a fresh vegetarian dinner in front of you using desert-style methods: no hidden kitchen, no reheating. After you eat and the meal is done, you spend time looking at the stars before the jeep returns you to Jaisalmer. The whole outing runs 7 to 8 hours from start to finish.

What’s included

• Bottled water throughout the day.
• tea and snacks after sunset.
• a fresh vegetarian dinner cooked in front of you in the desert.
• jeep transport from Jaisalmer to the village and dunes and back to the city.

Before you book

Lasts 7h–8h, runs every day at 14:00, from US$ 38 per person, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 14:00

AgesAdult (18 to 80 years) · Child (8 to 17 years) · Under 8: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 7 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Shahi Camel Safari Jaisalmer

Is this one for you?The camel ride itself is one hour, and travelers with back injuries or pregnancy can take the jeep the whole way instead, so the physical demand is yours to set. Children from age 8 are welcome, and infants can sit on an adult's lap or ride in the jeep if needed.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (8 to 17 years). Children under 8 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Kuldhara village and why was it abandoned?

Kuldhara is a historic village that was emptied in a single night, along with 84 surrounding settlements. The exact reasons for the sudden departure remain part of local history and folklore, and walking through the ruins gives a sense of how completely the place was left behind.

How long do you actually spend on camel in the desert?

The camel ride lasts about an hour, crossing the sand dunes to reach the secluded spot where you'll watch the sunset and have dinner.

Is the camel ride difficult if I have back problems or am pregnant?

Travelers with back problems or who are pregnant can skip the camel ride and travel by jeep all the way to the sand dunes instead, so you still reach the desert and enjoy the sunset and dinner without riding.

What kind of dinner is served, and who prepares it?

Dinner is fresh vegetarian food cooked in desert style by the camel men right in front of you, so you watch the preparation happen. The meal is included along with tea, snacks, and bottled water throughout the day.

What time does the tour end and how do you get back to Jaisalmer?

After dinner and stargazing, you return to Jaisalmer by jeep after dark. The full outing is 7 to 8 hours, so plan for an afternoon and evening departure.