Jaisalmer: Overnight Camel Safari & Sleep Under Desert Stars

Summary

Sleep on open dunes, camel rides at sunrise and sunset, real desert life

You’ll ride camels across remote Thar Desert landscapes with local guides from Jaisalmer, eat fresh meals cooked over open fire, watch sunset from untouched dunes, and sleep under more stars than you knew existed. Expect laughter, chai breaks, campfire stories—and waking up with sand in your shoes but a grin on your face.

What’s the experience like?

I honestly didn’t expect to laugh so much the first time I tried to get on a camel near Jaisalmer — our guide just grinned and made a joke about “first-timers wobble.” The sun was barely up, air still cool, and the desert felt like it was holding its breath. We set off with our little group, each of us on our own camel (they’re surprisingly gentle), heading out past fields where farmers were already at work. The Thar Desert is quieter than I imagined; you notice every sound — the creak of saddle leather, distant calls from birds I couldn’t name. Our guide, Ajay, pointed out wild antelope tracks in the sand and told stories about his childhood out here. I kept thinking how different this was from anything I’d done before.

After a couple hours we stopped under a scruffy tree for breakfast — flatbread still warm, chai that tasted smoky from the fire. It’s funny how food tastes better when you’ve earned it. Later we rode again, crossing rocky patches and passing tiny huts that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Lunch was simple but filling; I remember lying back in the shade afterwards listening to nothing but wind and someone’s quiet humming. By sunset we reached these clean sand dunes — not crowded at all — where Ajay started making dinner while we watched the sky turn every color. There’s something about eating dal by a campfire while your shoes fill with sand that makes everything else fade away for a bit.

Sleeping outside in the desert is both strange and comforting. They gave us actual beds (mattress, pillow, blankets) right on the sand — no tents or anything fancy. You just lie there looking up at stars that don’t seem real until you see them yourself. Someone snored nearby but I barely noticed; I was too busy counting constellations until I drifted off. Woke up chilly but happy before sunrise for one last camel ride as the light crept over the dunes. On our way back to Jaisalmer we stopped at Khaba Fort and an oasis — both hauntingly quiet places where even our jokes felt softer somehow.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Jeep to camel point and desert safari

• Depart Jaisalmer by Jeep at 6:30 AM
• Arrive camel point and meet guides
• Have freshly cooked breakfast
• Enjoy 2.5 to 3 hour camel ride
• Rest under shade and have lunch
• Ride camel again for 2 hours
• Stop at dunes and watch sunset
• Have traditional dinner
• Sleep under stars with bedding

Day 2 — Sunrise camel ride and return

• Wake up and watch sunrise
• Eat healthy breakfast
• Enjoy 1.5 hour camel ride
• Visit Serene Oasis and Khaba Fort
• Return to Jaisalmer by Jeep
• Arrive Jaisalmer around 11 AM

Top questions

What time does the overnight camel safari from Jaisalmer start?

The tour starts at 6:30am from Jaisalmer.

Is hotel pickup included for this camel safari?

Yes, pickup can be arranged from your hotel or a pre-decided point in Jaisalmer.

Do I sleep in a tent during the overnight camel safari?

No tents are provided; you’ll sleep under the stars on a bed with mattress, pillow and blankets.

Are meals included during the overnight safari?

Yes, breakfast, lunch and dinner are included—meals are vegetarian unless otherwise arranged.

How long is each camel ride segment?

The first day includes about 2-3 hours riding in the morning and 2 hours after lunch; next morning is about 1-1.5 hours.

Is there a toilet or washroom facility?

No man-made facilities are available; for toilets you go behind bushes in nature.

Can solo travelers join this overnight camel safari?

If you’re traveling solo contact them—they try to join singles into groups if possible.

What should I bring for this Thar Desert trip?

Sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and long sleeves are recommended for sun protection; bring personal essentials too.

What’s included

Your overnight trip includes pickup from your hotel in Jaisalmer or another meeting point by jeep transfer to the starting point, all vegetarian meals freshly cooked by your guides (breakfasts, lunch and dinner), plenty of chai breaks along the way, two guided camel rides through varied Thar Desert scenery including stops at an oasis and Khaba Fort on return—and sleeping outside under open sky with beddings provided before being dropped back late morning in Jaisalmer.