Thar Desert Camel Safari with Local Family Dinner, Jaisalmer

Summary

Desert Camel Ride & Village Visit Near Jaisalmer

You’ll ride camels through real Thar Desert dunes, visit a remote village temple, share an authentic meal with a local family, and catch sunset from your saddle. It’s not just sightseeing—you’ll actually feel part of desert life for an evening.

What’s the experience like?

It all started with a quick handshake from our driver outside my hotel in Jaisalmer. The city was just waking up—chai stalls steaming, the air already warm but not yet heavy. We drove out past the sandstone walls and into open country, watching the landscape flatten and shift to sand. About an hour later, we rolled into a tiny desert village where time felt slower and the only sounds were goats bleating and someone hammering tin in the distance.

Our guide led us to a small temple tucked behind a cluster of acacia trees. Incense drifted through the doorway—sweet and earthy. After a quiet look around, we met our camels. Mine was called Raju; he had this lazy blink and seemed to know exactly how to ignore me until I got comfortable on his back. The ride itself was bumpy at first but soon turned almost hypnotic as we moved deeper into the dunes. You could hear nothing but wind and the soft pad of camel feet on sand.

We stopped at a local family’s home—a low mud house with bright blue doors. The family welcomed us inside for chai and later, dinner cooked over an open fire: dal, fresh roti, something spicy with potatoes. Their kids giggled at my attempts to eat without making a mess. As dusk settled in, we climbed back onto our camels for one last ride just as the sun dropped behind the dunes—everything went gold for about five minutes before cooling off fast. On the drive back to town, I realized my shoes were full of sand and my head was still full of stories.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Desert Village Camel Safari

• Pickup from hotel and drive to desert village
• Visit local Hindu temple
• Camel ride in desert
• Visit local desert family and meal
• Camel ride to see sunset
• Drive back to hotel

Top questions

Is this camel safari suitable for kids or older travelers?

Yes! The route is gentle and guides help everyone get comfortable on their camel. There are also options for specialized infant seats if needed.

Do you offer vegetarian meals during the tour?

Absolutely—just let us know when booking if you prefer vegetarian food and we’ll make sure your meal is prepared accordingly by the host family.

How long does the whole experience take?

The trip usually lasts about 6-7 hours including pickup from your hotel in Jaisalmer, travel time to the village, camel rides, meal with locals, sunset stop, and return drop-off.

Is it wheelchair accessible?

Yes—the transportation is wheelchair accessible and guides will assist wherever possible during stops in the village or at meal times.

What’s included

Your tour covers private transport from your hotel in Jaisalmer (and back), bottled water for the journey, two camel rides across desert dunes, dinner with a local family in their home, plus all entry fees along the way. Vegetarian options are always available—just mention it when you book!