Gaze into the Starry Night Surrounded by Mesmerising Sand Dunes! Your Ultimate Guide to Camping in Jaisalmer (2020)

If you are tired of touring hill stations and are looking for something new and more adventurous, then you should head out to Jaisalmer and spend a day or two there.

Jaisalmer is known as the "Golden City". It got this name due to the yellow sand and the yellow sandstone used in building the entire city. The architecture in Jaisalmer and its surrounding areas emits a yellowish golden tinge and hence the name "Golden City". It was a prestigious and proud state during the reign of the Rajputs, but now it is one of the most spectacular world heritage sites. There are a million things to see in Jaisalmer, the city stands on a ridge of yellow sandstone and you can see some of the most beautiful palaces and Jain temples here. Jaisalmer is situated in the middle of the Thar Desert and was named after Maharawal Jaisal Singh, a Rajput king, who founded Jaisalmer in 1156 AD.

Jaisalmer is known for its different culture, food and attire. It is a comparatively small city with a lower population density, therefore it still remains natural and less affected by urban city life. You can experience traditional village life in Jaisalmer. People are drawn to it to figure out how people survive in the desert and still stay happy.

You also get to taste some of the authentic Rajasthani dishes in Jaisalmer like the "ker-sangri", it is a vegetable curry made of ker berry and sangri beans grown in the desert itself. There are not many vegetables grown in and around Jaisalmer so people here usually eat a lot of fried wheat. You will be amazed to see men still wearing the traditional turbans which protects them from the scorching sun and heat. They also use the turban as a pillow or to fetch water from the well.

While in Jaisalmer you can visit the "Bada Bagh" which is also known as the Royal Cenotaphs. It is a tomb like monument for a person who was buried somewhere else. It was mainly built for the Maharajas of Jaisalmer. You will also be amazed to see patches of green in the middle of the yellow sand and appreciate the miracles of nature. Another must-visit place is the Jaisalmer Fort – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Jaisalmer Fort as it is one of the world's last remaining living forts and has shops, restaurants and houses in it.

Another great thing to experience in Jaisalmer is the desert festival where you can see camel races, turban tying competitions and other cultural events. It is organised in February each year and a lot of foreign tourists gather here to view this spectacular event. You can participate in the traditional Rajasthani dance – Kalbelia, and sing along the folk-songs as well.

Last but not the least is the Kuldhara village which is known to be haunted since the 18th century. It is believed that this village was evacuated overnight by the Paliwal Brahmins out of fear of Salim Singh, the then prime minister.

If you are a camp lover then Jaisalmer is a great place to be. One of the major tourist attractions of Jaisalmer are the number of camping venues available for people with all types of budgets. You can book a luxury tent or a simple tent which offers great food and other fun activities like a jeep safari or camel rides. So the next time you are planning a vacation, why not head out to Jaisalmer? But before that check out the different camping options listed here which will be of much interest to you.

Are you still not convinced? Check out why camping in Jaisalmer is different than camping anywhere else:

One of the best camping sites in Jaisalmer is the Pal Rajah Resort. It is a small but perfect camp site with eight luxury tents and three mud huts. It is situated near the border of an agricultural land. The Pal Rajah Resort is associated with a very famous hotel, Fifu in Jaisalmer which makes it a perfect place to stay with your family. It provides a safe and private camping space for you as it is situated away from the main road. The staff here is cooperative and friendly and is trained to make you comfortable throughout your visit.

You can take part in various outdoor activities like camel safari and jeep safari and also ride to the remote villages nearby. You can also sleep under the stars if you like. It is the best place for a vegetarian as the camp serves great traditional vegetarian dishes.

The Pal Rajah Resort is situated near Barna village and charges around ₹ 5,500.00 per night for double occupancy with breakfast, lunch, dinner and a camel safari included in it.

Another great place to camp in Jaisalmer is the Rajputana Desert Camp. The camp site is huge as it has 40 tents, 10 AC cottages in which you can enjoy great folk music and dance programs which are organised every day for the guests. The Rajputana Desert Camp is situated away from other camps, therefore you are never disturbed due to loud music or noises coming from the other camps.

It is situated around 45 km away from Jaisalmer city at Sam dunes and you can hire a taxi from Jaisalmer city to reach the campsite in little time. The best part of staying here is that the great sand dunes are only 100 meters away from the camp therefore you can enjoy riding a camel or taking a jeep safari anytime of the day.

The best time to visit Rajputana Desert Camp is between August and March but the cost of the tents is a little more during the peak season. The cost of a tent during the off-season starts from ₹ 3,000.00 and an AC cottage costs around ₹ 5,500.00 per night which includes dinner, breakfast, camel safari and other recreational events.

The Mehar Adventure Safari Camp is another great place to camp with your family and friends. The camp provides you with Swiss tents which include all the medical and accommodation facilities. The camp is unique in its own way; it provides a doctor on call, front desk assistance and great room service not to mention the attached bathrooms with essential toiletries.

The Mehar Adventure Safari Camp is situated 42 km from Jaisalmer near Sam village. The airport is 45.5 km away from the camp and the railway station is around 47 km from it. You can simply hire a taxi and reach the camp within an hour. You get to enjoy traditional folk dance and music during the campfire and enjoy the popular Kalbeliyas and Langa parties which are known around the globe.

The camp offers you great authentic dishes from Rajasthan which can be enjoyed in their open air restaurant with your family. Booking a night at this camp includes a camel safari, traditional welcome and great refreshments. Dinner and breakfast is included in the package as well.

If you are looking for luxury camping in Jaisalmer then you should visit The Bordi Jaisalmer. It offers you beautiful air-conditioned tents to stay in and a garden in the middle of the Thar desert which in itself is amazing. It is a great place to unwind and relax with your loved ones while you enjoy some of the best food and traditional music. You can take part in the camel safari and ride a long way into the desert while enjoying the glorious yellow sand dunes. You can also see the Jaisalmer Fort which is just 49 km away from the property. The famous Salim Singh ki Haveli is just 48 km from The Bordi Jaisalmer. The Jaisalmer airport is 49 km from the campsite which makes it easily accessible.

The great royal tents offer a 360° view of the landscape and since the camp is situated over the sand dunes you get to have your own private dune during your stay. The staff here is well trained and polite and is always ready to help you out in all situations. A great buffet breakfast is also served during your stay in the camp.

Sujan The Serai is spread across 100 acres of a private estate in the middle of the desert. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its mystical environment. The camp sites offers you 21 luxury tents from which 14 are tented suites and 6 are luxury suites with a private garden, a heated dip pool and Jacuzzi jets to make your stay a royal one. It also has a spa, an outdoor pool, and exquisite dining tents as well.

You will feel out of the world while staying in one of the tents at Sujan The Serai, the outer walls of the camp site are beautifully carved in sandstone which gives you a feeling of being a Rajasthani yourself. The camps are decorated in white and gold which shine in the sun from afar. You can see some of the best handmade carpets, cushions in vibrant colours made by the local craftsmen to give you a royal feeling.

Sujan The Serai is also known for using natural and organic farming methods and is very conscious about the usage of plastic which ensures a healthy environment when you stay here. The property also contributes to a conservation fund for every guest that stays here to provide financial support to their local partners which gives you one more reason to stay over at this luxurious camping site. You can book a night at this beautiful camp site for ₹ 55,000.00 for a night and enjoy the royal treatment offered here.

The Rawla Resort is one of the best camp sites to stay in Jaisalmer and it is also approved by the Department of Tourism. It is located 32 km west of Jaisalmer and the Sam sand dunes are just 2 km away from the site. The campsite is made on a flat land with horse shoe shaped golden sand dunes surrounding it.

The Rawla Resort is spread over 33 acres of land and has its own sand dunes where the guests can enjoy a wonderful sunset and sunrise. The camp offers an authentic ethnic village style stay in its 25 Swiss tents and ten cottages. You can stay overnight at the camp or just spend a day and return back in the evening after a full day of fun activities.

Although the camp site has electricity but spending a night using just the moon light and the twinkling of the stars gives you a special experience. You can also use the traditional lanterns or candles if you like. The camp also has generator in case of power failure. You will fall in love with this camp site as it is surrounded by beautiful sand dunes and dotted with some vegetation. You will love to see your kids rolling down the slopes of the dunes and having the time of their life. The camp also provides Arabian theme dinner with barbecue, campfire and traditional cultural programs. You can also enjoy camel and jeep safaris, indoor games, yoga & meditation sessions, etc. and spend some memorable time at the camp.

The Oasis Camp Sam in Jaisalmer is one of the best and most affordable camps here. It is situated directly opposite the Sam sand dunes and the best part of the Oasis Camp Sam is that it is open all year round, so you can visit it whenever you want to take some time out and relax.

The camp offers comfortable tents with attached western toilets. You can have great vegetarian meals during your stay here and pay a little extra for a non-vegetarian meal if you like. You can enjoy camel and jeep safari during your stay here as well as great cultural programs performed by the local artists. The camp offers free breakfast and dinner with evening tea or coffee with snacks. You can choose to stay in a Swiss tent or a cottage as per your budget. The cost of a 1 night stay is between ₹ 2,000.00 – ₹ 3,000.00 and the best time to visit the camp is during the winters to enjoy it the most.

If you are tired of your hectic day-to-day life then you can come and stay at the Heritage Juma Desert Camp in Jaisalmer. This is a beautiful desert camp in the middle of the Thar Desert and offers excellent hospitality to their guests. People are drawn to this camp site due to its tranquillity, rich cultural experience and comfortable and luxurious accommodation.

It is one of the oldest desert camps in Jaisalmer which is situated in the middle of the Sam sand dunes and the camp provides you with beautiful tents with attached bathrooms and hot and cold water supply all day long. You can enjoy many outdoor activities here like the desert safari, parasailing, para-motor gliding, village safari, etc. during your stay.

The food here is marvellous and is served in an open area outside the tents for you to enjoy it under the starry sky. You can also request for a candle-light dinner with music for your soul mate and make the stay even more special. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the package so all you need to do is relax and enjoy your time here with family or friends. The Heritage Juma Desert Camp is also an ideal place for a destination wedding or a family get-together. If you plan your stay during the winter months you can also enjoy great theme parties organised at the camp.

If you are planning your next vacation in Jaisalmer you should know some of these things to make your holiday a memorable one: