Jaisalmer Sunset Camel Safari: Khaba Fort & Dedha Oasis Tour

Summary

Half-Day Camel Safari with Sunset & Local Dinner in the Thar Desert

If you want to see Jaisalmer’s desert without crowds or tourist traps, this camel safari is for you. You’ll visit hidden spots like Khaba Fort and Dedha oasis, ride camels into real dunes, eat local food cooked over a fire, and watch sunset turn into stargazing—all in one afternoon.

What’s the experience like?

The desert air felt dry but not harsh as we bumped along the road out of Jaisalmer, our driver chatting about his childhood in a nearby village. By the time we reached Khaba Fort, the sun was already starting to dip, casting long shadows across the old stone walls. There’s something eerie about wandering those empty ruins—just the wind whistling through broken arches and a few goats picking at scrub grass. Our guide, Raju, pointed out faded wall paintings and told us stories about the families who once lived here before they vanished almost overnight.

After Khaba, we stopped at a place I’d never heard of—the Lake of Dedha oasis. It’s small but surprisingly green for the middle of the Thar. You can hear birds calling from the reeds and smell wet earth mixed with camel sweat. We sipped sweet chai while watching dragonflies skim across the water. Then it was time to meet our camels—mine was called Badal and had a habit of snorting every few steps. The ride into the dunes took about an hour and a half; it’s bumpy but peaceful, just sand stretching out in every direction and that soft crunch underfoot.

The sunset itself was quiet—no crowds, just our little group sitting on cool sand as everything turned gold and then pink. Dinner came right after: fresh pakoras, chapati, dal cooked over an open fire by one of the guides (he let me try flipping a chapati—bad idea). We ate under a sky that got darker by the minute until suddenly there were more stars than I’ve ever seen in my life. Around 9:30pm we piled back into jeeps for the drive home, still brushing sand from our clothes.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Sunset Camel Safari and Desert Tour

• Visit Lake of Dedha oasis
• Stargazing in the Thar Desert
• Explore Khaba Fort
• Camel ride into the dunes
• Watch sunset on the dunes
• Enjoy freshly cooked vegetarian dinner
• Return to Jaisalmer by jeep

Top questions

Is this camel safari suitable for kids?

Kids can join if they're comfortable riding camels; infant seats are available on request. Just keep in mind there aren’t bathroom facilities along the way.

What should I bring for this tour?

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat or scarf for dust, and maybe a light jacket—it cools down fast after sunset. Water is provided but you might want your own bottle too.

Are vegetarian meals included? What if I want non-veg food?

The dinner is freshly cooked vegetarian food—really tasty! Non-vegetarian options are available at extra cost if you ask ahead.

How long does the whole experience last?

The tour starts around 1:30pm (winter) or 2:30pm (summer) and you’re back in Jaisalmer by about 9:30pm.

What’s included

You’ll get chai or coffee on arrival at the oasis (as much as you like), snacks like pakora and chips during breaks, plus a full vegetarian dinner cooked fresh on-site. Water’s always available. If you want non-veg food or alcohol, just let us know ahead—there’s an extra charge for those.