Desert Safari Tour Package

This two-day Thar Desert safari from Jaisalmer is interesting because it strings together three moods in one trip: a haunting abandoned village, golden sand dunes, and a proper night of outdoor camping with sunrise the next morning.

I like the small-group size (max 15). It keeps things from feeling like a cattle call and makes it easier to get questions answered, especially once you’re out in the desert quiet. I also love that the package includes camping accommodation plus dinner and breakfast, so you’re not hunting for food or squeezing in extra stops after the desert gets dark.

One possible drawback: you are signing up for an outdoor night, not hotel comfort. Bring the right layers and expect the “desert pace,” which includes a late start from town (2:00 pm) and an early morning wake-up for sunrise.

Key things that make this desert safari worth your time

• Max 15 people small-group feel, with personalized attention throughout the trip
• Kuldhara Abandoned Village stop with admission included, plus time to walk and soak in the atmosphere
• Dune safari time (about 1.5 hours) aimed at great light, including sunset and then sunrise
• Camping with dinner and breakfast plus tea, snacks, and mineral water during the included moments
• Pickup and transfers from Jaisalmer with the meeting point clearly defined, and the activity ends back there

What you really get in the Thar Desert (and why it feels special)

Jaisalmer sits on the edge of Rajasthan’s remote Thar Desert, and this tour is designed to get you out there with a schedule that actually matches desert life. You’re not just driven past sand. You get time at Kuldhara, time on the dunes, and then time for sunrise and breakfast the next day.

The biggest value is that it’s a true overnight. The desert changes fast after sunset, and you only get that shift if you’re sleeping out there. Your evening is built around dinner and relaxing under the night sky, and the next morning starts early so you can catch the sunrise before the heat ramps up.

Day 1: Kuldhara Abandoned Village and a dune safari aimed at sunset

Your day starts with pickup from your pre-decided location in Jaisalmer around the 2:00 pm start time. From there, you head out toward the first major stop: Kuldhara Abandoned Village.

Kuldhara Abandoned Village (about 2 hours)

Kuldhara is a stop that works on multiple levels. Visually, it’s dramatic, with an abandoned settlement setting the scene. Practically, it gives you a reason to stop early in the desert day so the story of desert life starts before you’re too far away from towns and modern routines.

The tour includes admission, which matters because it removes one more decision on your travel day. You’ll have about two hours here, long enough to walk around and take in what’s left, without feeling rushed.

Possible downside: because the village is abandoned, there’s no promise of shade-heavy comforts. Wear sun protection and plan on spending part of this time in open air.

Jaisalmer Dunes Desert Safari (about 1.5 hours, sunset focus)

After Kuldhara, you move to the Jaisalmer Dunes for a desert safari experience of about one and a half hours. This is where the tour is really trying to deliver that classic Thar moment: wide open sand, space for photos, and the changing light as the day cools.

The schedule is clearly built for the sunset window. You’ll also want to be ready for sand underfoot and a bit of dust, which is just part of the desert deal. If you’re thinking, I want the dunes, not just a quick photo stop, this timing is exactly the point.

Admission tickets are included for this segment too, so you stay focused on actually experiencing the sand.

Day 1 night: dinner, camping, and the calm after the road

Once you’ve done your dune time, the tour transitions into the overnight portion. Dinner is included, along with tea, snacks, and mineral water during the included parts of the day.

This matters more than it sounds. In desert travel, the day can wear you out, and the best feeling is having the basics handled for you so you can relax once you reach camp. You’re not driving around looking for a meal at dusk.

The experience is set up so you can relax under the desert sky for the night. You won’t get that “only-in-the-desert” quiet if you’re back in town before dark. So even if you’re not a stargazing superfan, the overall pace is the payoff.

Day 2: sunrise on the dunes, breakfast, then village-life cruising

Day 2 begins early with sunrise views. The tour specifically calls out early morning time for the sunrise, then breakfast in the desert.

This is your second chance at the dunes, and it’s a smart one. Morning light in sand changes texture and color, and your photos will look different than the sunset shots from the first day.

After breakfast, you continue cruising through areas with villages dotted with dhani-like nomad houses. You may be able to interact, depending on what’s happening at the time, but the core idea is that the desert is not empty. It’s lived in, and you’re seeing that through the surrounding village life.

What to expect in the morning, realistically

You’re going from camping and desert chill back into daytime travel, so keep your expectations grounded. You’ll likely want quick energy and not a fancy, long meal. The tour includes breakfast, and that’s the important part.

Also, plan for cooler air early, then warm weather later. Layers help.

Small-group travel, pickup, and how the logistics actually work

This is a small-group tour, with a maximum of 15 travelers. In practical terms, that means you’re more likely to be helped quickly if you have questions, and you’re less likely to lose track of your group compared with big-bus tours.

Pickup and transfers are included from Jaisalmer, which is huge for a desert overnight. Desert trips are easy to mess up if you’re trying to coordinate taxis and timing on your own. Here, the schedule is doing the work for you.

You’ll also receive a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at the time of booking. That reduces the stress of arriving and not knowing where you’re supposed to go.

Meeting point and where it ends

The start point is near Seema gram, behind Nagar Parishad, in the Dhibba Para area around Manak Chowk and Amar Sagar Pol, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan 345001. The activity ends back at this same meeting point.

If you’re staying somewhere a short ride away from the city core, this “back to meeting point” design usually makes the day simpler, because you’re not guessing about a drop-off location later.

Price value: is $99 a good deal for a 2-day desert overnight?

At $99.00 per person for an approximately 2-day itinerary, this can be good value, mainly because it bundles the big items that cost money and time on your own: transportation, dune time, camping accommodation, dinner, and breakfast.

Also, the tour includes tea, snacks, and mineral water, plus admission tickets for Kuldhara and the dunes safari segment. Those inclusions add up. If you were to recreate this independently, you’d spend a lot of time coordinating vehicles and entry fees, then you still need a safe plan for sleeping out in the desert.

The fact that it’s booked about 37 days in advance on average suggests there’s steady demand. If you’re traveling in a popular season, I’d treat it as something worth booking early rather than waiting for last-minute deals.

One more value point: cancellation terms allow a full refund up to 6 days before the start time. That gives you flexibility if your other Jaisalmer plans shift.

Food and drinks included, and what to remember

The package includes dinner and breakfast, plus tea, snacks, and mineral water. That’s a solid base for an overnight desert plan.

Alcoholic drinks are not included. If you drink, plan ahead so you’re not surprised. If you don’t, you can treat this as a simpler, more straightforward experience.

Given that you’ll be active during the dunes portion and then out in open air at night, water and light snacks are genuinely useful. The tour provides mineral water as part of the included setup.

Camping comfort: what’s included, and what to bring for yourself

Camping accommodation is included, which is the big promise. But the tour details do not list amenities like mattress type, blankets, or whether you’ll have private bathrooms. So I recommend you pack for “basic camping conditions” rather than hotel expectations.

Here’s what I’d bring so the desert night stays comfortable:

• A light warm layer for the evening and early morning (desert nights can feel cold when the sun drops)
• Closed-toe shoes that can handle sand
• A small scarf or bandana for dust if you’re sensitive to it
• Sunscreen and sunglasses for daytime dune time
• A reusable water bottle in addition to the provided mineral water, if you’re the type who likes to stay ahead of hydration

If you follow that approach, you’ll enjoy the experience instead of fighting the conditions.

Who this desert safari fits best (and who should think twice)

This tour is a great fit if you want:

• An overnight Thar Desert experience instead of a rushed day trip
• A small-group format (max 15) with included meals and transport
• A blend of desert scenery and culture-adjacent history at Kuldhara
• Sunset and sunrise timing built into the plan

It may be less ideal if you:

• Need hotel-level comfort
• Get annoyed by early starts and outdoor schedules
• Prefer lots of add-on activities beyond the core itinerary

On the plus side, the experience is listed as near public transportation and most travelers can participate, so you’re not dealing with a totally remote, hard-to-reach situation once you’re in Jaisalmer.

The guide factor: why good desert guidance matters

A desert overnight isn’t only about scenery. It’s about pacing, safety, and knowing where to stand when light is changing. The experience includes guides from the Real Desert Man Camel Safari provider, and the trip style is clearly meant to feel personal.

In at least one highlight from past experiences, guides named Abed and Rahul are singled out as terrific, and the impact described is that the trip matched the exact desert experience people were looking for.

You don’t need a guide to tell you sand is pretty. But you do need one to help you make sense of what you’re seeing, when to move, and how to experience the night without feeling lost.

Should you book this desert safari from Jaisalmer?

I’d book it if you want an authentic desert overnight with a simple, included setup: transportation, desert safari time, Kuldhara, camping, dinner, and breakfast. At $99, the value is strongest because the essentials are bundled, and the schedule is built around real desert timing, especially sunset and sunrise.

I’d think twice if you’re chasing luxury, or if you want a highly flexible itinerary with lots of choices. This is structured travel. That’s good for most people, but it’s not a free-form adventure.

If your goal is to see another side of Rajasthan, slow down, and spend a night where the sky feels bigger than the road, this is a trip you can feel good about booking.

FAQ

What is the duration of this Desert Safari Tour package?

The tour is listed as approximately 2 days.

How much does the tour cost per person?

The price is $99.00 per person.

Is pickup included from Jaisalmer?

Yes. Round-trip hotel pickup and transfers from Jaisalmer are included.

What does the tour include for meals?

Breakfast and dinner are included, along with tea, snacks, and mineral water.

Is camping accommodation included?

Yes. The package includes camping accommodation for the overnight portion.

How many people are in the group?

The tour has a maximum of 15 travelers.

What time does the tour start?

The start time is listed as 2:00 pm.

Where does the tour begin, and where does it end?

It begins near Seema gram, behind Nagar Parishad, in the Dhibba Para area around Manak Chowk and Amar Sagar Pol, Jaisalmer, and it ends back at the same meeting point.

Are alcoholic drinks included?

No. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel up to 6 days in advance for a full refund. Cancel 2 to 6 days before for a 50% refund. If you cancel less than 2 days before, you will not receive a refund.