Have you ever dreamed of wandering deep into a desert and sleeping under a blanket of stars? I did, and it became one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.
The Journey Begins: The Road to Jaisalmer
It all started when I met Kim and Petra while traveling in India. We decided to team up for an adventure in Jaisalmer, known for its majestic camel safaris. A day before the trip, we headed to a local agency to book our camels.
Back in 2011, there weren’t online reviews or easy reservations, so we had to walk around the city and visit various tour agencies.
Some agents tried to charge us ridiculously high prices based on distance, but we trusted our instincts and finally chose a tour at 1200 Rupees per person.
Jaisalmer Camel Safari Day 1: Into the Desert
We met early the next morning, with a new companion, Larry, a Canadian traveler who joined our group. A jeep picked us up and drove us past the stunning Bada Bagh, before dropping us off on a random road in the heart of the desert.
As we stood there, the desert men arrived, riding their camels one by one. It felt like watching a scene from a movie, as the camels loomed on the horizon, moving gracefully toward us.
Our guide, Ramesh, set up a small fire with twigs he had gathered from the desert floor, and we were treated to a simple but comforting breakfast of hot chai and toasted bread.
After breakfast, we each mounted our camels. My camel, Mr. Toesy, made a dramatic rise to his feet, sending me swaying back and forth, before we set off into the vast desert. It was winter, so even with the sun beating down fiercely, the temperature remained bearable.
As we rode, the barren desert landscape stretched endlessly before us. Small bushes dotted the sand, but for the most part, the scenery was vast and untouched.
About an hour later, we reached a small village. From a distance, we could see a herd of goats, followed by a group of children running eagerly toward us. We dismounted and walked around the village, taking in the raw beauty of rural life in the desert.
After exploring for about 20 minutes, we continued our trek. By now, it was lunchtime, so we found a shaded spot, and the guides got to work preparing our meal.
Watching them set up a fire and cook chapati and curry from scratch in the scorching desert heat was nothing short of impressive. Eating with our hands was a tradition in India, and though it felt strange at first, it added to the authenticity of the experience.
The meal was a bit bland but still hit the spot after a long ride. Afterward, I was fascinated to watch Ramesh clean the plates using sand and surprisingly, they turned out squeaky clean! It made sense though, given that we only had a single gallon of water for the entire journey.
We rode for another two hours before stopping to let the camels quench their thirst. At first, sitting high on the camel felt exciting, offering a unique vantage point over the vast, empty landscape.
But after an hour, the excitement gave way to discomfort. My inner thighs and buttocks ached from gripping the saddle, and every jolt sent a wave of pain through my body. The ride started to feel less like an adventure and more like an endurance challenge. Each time the camel picked up speed, I bounced uncontrollably, panting as if I were in a fitness boot camp. The struggle was real!
Around 5 p.m., we found a beautiful dune that would serve as our home for the night. The sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow across the desert as we explored our new surroundings. Ramesh and the other guides led the camels back home before returning to join us.
As night fell, the temperature dropped sharply. The girls quickly unrolled the sleeping bags and set up the beds on the soft sand, while Larry helped Ramesh gather branches to make a fire. The chill in the air made the warmth of the fire all the more comforting.
We gathered around the fire, telling stories, singing songs, and talking about our lives. By 10 p.m., most of us were exhausted from the day’s camel ride, and though the stars were only beginning to appear, we all succumbed to sleep.
I tried to stay awake to watch the stars, and after a while, I finally witnessed a stunning blanket of stars spread across the sky. Smiling at the beauty above me, I drifted off to sleep, feeling the magic of the desert.
Jaisalmer Camel Safari Day 2: The Final Trek
The next morning, Kim and I woke up early to catch the breathtaking sunrise while Petra and Larry were still fast asleep. The guides soon arrived with our camels, ready to take us on the final leg of our journey.
After another simple desert breakfast, we were stunned when Ramesh’s phone suddenly rang. We all froze, exchanging bewildered looks. A signal? Here? In the middle of nowhere? And this was back in 2011!
Once our stomachs were full, we packed up and hit the road again. As we rode, we passed more villages, where we saw women going about their daily tasks, adding a sense of life to the otherwise still desert landscape.
By noon, we reached the end of our journey, where we had started the day before. Before we left, I snapped some final close-up shots of Mr. Toesy, and of course, his little “goodbye gift”.
Was the Trip Worth It?
This overnight camel safari was more than just an adventure. It was a rare opportunity to disconnect from the chaos of the modern world and experience a simpler, more peaceful way of life. There’s something indescribably serene about the desert, with no vehicles or noise, only the vast, open space and the soft rhythm of camel hooves against the sand.
Even now, I find myself reminiscing about this once-in-a-lifetime experience, wondering if I would do it all over again. The sore muscles and discomfort were part of the journey, but the memories I made are priceless. So, yes, without a doubt, the trip was absolutely worth it, and I’d happily endure the “torture” once more!
I Want to Hear from You!
Have you ever experienced a camel safari? What was it like? Or is this an adventure you’re dreaming of? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Where Jasz Explores 
hello Jaszmin. I read your Jaisalmer Camel Safari . It’s really interesting. I will try in nearest future. When i started to read your blog at the end i feel smile ☺️.
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