Shahi Over Night camel safari non touristic sand dune

A Shahi overnight camel safari is interesting because it trades city bustle for a calmer stretch of desert time, with the Thar sand doing the talking. I love the quiet, non-touristic feel, away from the noisy core of Jaisalmer, and that it’s built around a real night out under dark skies.

I also love the way the trip strings together small, meaningful stops: a Kuldhara Abandoned Village photo break, then desert time geared toward dramatic light and a proper stargazing night. The experience is guided well too, with names like Devilal and Vijay popping up in how people describe the tour.

One consideration before you book: if you want the best sunrise view, you’ll be asked to wake early, and the morning can be cold out there.

Quick hits

• Quiet dunes away from the busy zone, so your camel camp feels peaceful rather than hectic
• Kuldhara Abandoned Village stop for photos, with admission included
• Thar Desert sunrise option, with an early wake-up recommended for the view
• Small groups (max 8 people), which keeps the pace human
• Meals included twice over, plus tea/coffee and snacks
• Sleep under the stars, with beds set up and a comfy night in the sand

A quieter Shahi overnight camel safari, with real night-sky time

This is the kind of camel safari that feels like a reset. You’re not just doing a quick ride and then rushing back. Instead, you get time away from town, you ride, you eat, and you sleep in a place where the sky actually turns dark.

The “non-touristic” part matters more than it sounds. When you’re away from the main tourist drag, you hear less noise, you take photos without constant interruptions, and the desert feels bigger because you’re not sharing it with a constant stream of people.

The overnight format is the payoff. Most camel rides are about the ride. Here, the main event is the night, especially that stargazing window after dinner when you can step outside and just look up.

Price and value for a 2-day overnight in Jaisalmer

At $391.59 per person for about two days, this isn’t the cheapest desert activity in the area. But you are paying for an overnight setup, not only a ride. You also get meals planned in advance, which is real value in the desert.

What’s included is fairly straightforward:

• Coffee and/or tea
• Snacks
• Breakfast twice
• Dinner twice

Lunch and alcohol are not included, so if you tend to eat a big lunch or like beer or spirits during the trip, you’ll need to plan that yourself. Still, for a two-day overnight with food handled, the price starts to make more sense.

The small group limit also helps justify the cost. With a maximum of 8 people, you’re less likely to feel like you’re packed into a schedule with strangers who barely know where they’re going. That smaller feel comes through in how people describe the guides and camp organization.

Day 1: Kuldhara Abandoned Village for quick, atmospheric photos

Your first stop is Kuldhara Abandoned Village, with about 20 minutes on site and admission included. This is a short stop, so don’t treat it like a long sightseeing tour. Instead, think of it as a photo-focused break and a chance to see old village structures and the layout from outside.

Why it works well here is timing and context. Starting with a village stop gives your trip a cultural “breather” before you head deeper into desert silence. You get contrast. One moment you’re looking at empty, crumbling spaces that feel frozen in time. Then you’re moving toward open sand and wide sky.

The village stop also keeps the day from feeling like a nonstop drive. You get something tangible early, and then the trip turns more scenic and slower.

Camel ride at night, plus the calm desert rhythm

After you’re out toward the dunes, the camel ride in the evening is part of what makes this feel different from a horse ride or a quick daytime excursion. On camel, your pace is slower, the motion is gentler, and you feel the sand under you more.

This is also when the desert starts changing fast. Light shifts, shadows stretch, and you get that early-night quiet where your senses sharpen. If you’re hoping for a moment that feels photogenic without feeling like a staged event, the evening ride is usually the sweet spot.

Then comes camp life. People talk about sleeping under the stars as the highlight, and that’s exactly where the overnight format pays off. The night is not just an extra. It’s the main reason you choose two days instead of one.

Sleeping under the stars: what the night feels like

This safari’s signature is the starry night. The setup includes beds that people describe as comfortable and cozy, and you’re positioned so you can enjoy stargazing rather than just staying indoors.

That matters. In the desert, temperature swings can be dramatic. You’ll want to be able to relax in the sleeping area and then step outside when the sky opens up. The “step outside, look up, and actually see stars” part is the moment many people remember.

One note for comfort: if you’re the type who gets chilly easily, you’ll likely appreciate bringing warm layers for the evening and early morning. The morning cold is mentioned, and it’s the kind of thing you notice quickly once you step out at dawn.

Day 2 Thar Desert time and sunrise: how to get the best light

The second day centers on the Thar Desert, with about a 30-minute stop and admission free. If you want sunrise, you’ll need to wake early. The whole point is that dune light in the early morning is beautiful in a way that afternoon just cannot copy.

The trade-off is simple: sunrise costs you sleep. If you’re traveling with limited energy, you can still enjoy the dunes, but you may miss the most dramatic color changes.

If you do go for sunrise, plan to be patient. Morning isn’t about rushing from viewpoint to viewpoint. It’s about standing still long enough to let the sky and sand shift. That’s when the desert starts looking like what people imagine it should look like.

Meals in the desert: coffee, snacks, two breakfasts, and two dinners

Food is often where desert trips either feel thoughtful or feel rushed. Here, you’re covered for breakfast and dinner twice each, plus tea or coffee and snacks.

In practical terms, that means:

• You don’t have to hunt for lunch once you’re out of town
• You can focus on the experience instead of meal planning
• You get energy to ride and then enjoy the night

Still, lunch is not included. So if your schedule has you hungry midday before the tour fully kicks in, you’ll want to eat beforehand.

Alcoholic beverages are also not included. If that’s part of your travel comfort, plan it separately.

Guides and small group management: Devilal, Vijay, Akshay, and Dev bhai

A desert safari runs on more than camels and dunes. It runs on people who manage timing, safety, and the flow from pickup to ride to camp.

In descriptions of this safari, guides with names like Devilal and Vijay come up again and again, along with the overall management style connected with Akshay and Dev bhai. What you can take from that is simple: the tour team seems organized from the moment you start moving out of Jaisalmer.

The group size cap of 8 people also supports a calmer pace. When the team is working with fewer people, there’s less chaos around seating, getting everyone together, and keeping the experience moving.

If you’re a solo traveler, that smaller setting tends to matter even more. People describe feeling well taken care of, which is exactly what you want in a place where you’re far from quick help or easy shortcuts.

Price comparisons that actually matter

You will see other desert safari offers in Jaisalmer. Some are cheaper, some are more expensive, and some are a little vague. The best way to compare is not just price per person. Compare what you’re actually getting for that money.

For this safari, the value checklist is:

• Overnight time, not only a ride
• Beds set up for the night
• Coffee/tea plus snacks
• Two breakfasts and two dinners
• A small group limit (max 8)

If another option is cheaper but skips meals, skips the overnight, or includes fewer comforts, you may end up paying extra later for food or upgrades.

On the other hand, if you find a cheaper option that truly matches overnight, meals, and a similar camp setup, then you can make a more even comparison. But if the offer is just a quick desert ride, this one usually feels like the better deal because the night sky and sleeping setup are what you’re buying.

Who should book this, and who might not love it

This safari is a great fit if you want:

• Overnight desert time with real stargazing
• A smaller group rather than a packed bus experience
• A trip that mixes one cultural photo stop (Kuldhara) with desert time
• Meals handled so you can relax

You might think twice if you:

• Need a lot of daytime sightseeing, because the desert moments on the schedule are relatively short and designed around evening and sunrise
• Are sensitive to cold mornings, especially if you go for sunrise
• Want lunch included, since it is not part of the package

Should you book the Shahi overnight camel safari near Jaisalmer dunes?

If your top goal is a peaceful desert night, I’d say this is a strong book. The included meals, the overnight sleep setup, and the emphasis on stargazing give you a full-value experience beyond a simple camel ride.

If you’re organized and you pack warm layers for early morning, you’re set up for the best part: dunes at sunrise, then that calm dark-sky night. And with a maximum of 8 people, it doesn’t sound like the kind of trip where you’re lost in a crowd.

If, however, you only want a quick taste of the desert and you hate early mornings, you may feel like sunrise planning is more work than payoff.

FAQ

Where does the safari start?

The experience starts at Shahi Palace Hotel, Fort Rd, behind HDFC Bank, near State Bank of India, Dhibba Para, Sadar Bazar, Jaisalmer, Kishan Ghat, Rajasthan 345001, India. The tour ends back at the same meeting point.

How many people are in a group?

This tour/activity has a maximum of 8 travelers.

What is included in the price for meals and drinks?

It includes coffee and/or tea, snacks, breakfast (2), and dinner (2). Alcoholic beverages are not included, and lunch is not included.

What stops are included during the two days?

Day 1 includes Kuldhara Abandoned Village (about 20 minutes, admission ticket included). Day 2 includes Thar Desert (about 30 minutes, admission free).

Is sunrise part of the desert experience?

Sunrise is optional, but the desert stop is designed for sunrise if you wake up early to enjoy the view of the sand dunes and sunrise.

Do I receive a mobile ticket and confirmation?

Yes. You’ll receive confirmation at the time of booking, and the tour includes a mobile ticket.

What happens if weather is poor?

This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

What are the opening hours?

The opening hours shown are Monday to Thursday from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM.