Desert Camel Safari Jaisalmer – Checklist for Safe Ride
At Sam sand dunes of Jaisalmer, we got to experience our long cherished camel safari. It was a bumpy ride. And from that height there was the fear of falling down too. The dunes all around were dotted with camels; it seemed as if all tourists add camel ride to their list of things to do in Jaisalmer.
Of course there are other delights. Check: Jaisalmer Places to Visit and Things to Do.
Booking a Camel Safari
There are different packages of camel safari offered by various safari tour organizers. There are full day tours of camel safari, conducted in 2 parts with a lunch break.
You get to take the camel ride, right to the middle of the desert, over the Sam sand dunes and Khurri sand dunes of Thar Desert. Then ride to one or two villages, watch sunset. If you are staying overnight at one of the desert camps the sunrise viewpoint too will be included.
Then there are packages for shorter duration of camel ride. Your hotel can surely arrange and plan for one for a fee. They usually have tie ups with such tour organizers.
But if you are keen for just an hour’s ride you can book for one on the spot. For large tour groups it is advisable to book for camel ride ahead to avoid the risk of non availability of camels.
Desert Camel Safari in Jaisalmer
On second day of our Jaisalmer trip, after touring Jaisalmer Fort and a drive through Khurri villages we headed for Sam sand dunes. Since we intended to have just an hour’s ride on camel back we didn’t do any booking. And just as expected as soon as we arrived at Sam sand dunes a group of camel owners approached us to take their camels.
They charged us Rs 150 per camel, I didn’t have the heart to bargain. That is me on a memorable camel ride.
Desert Camel Safari Jaisalmer
Checklist for Safe Camel Ride
- Research the various packages offered by the different camel safari organizers. Sometimes there are unthinkable hidden costs especially day tour camel rides, sometimes they may not include all that you want to experience. If sunset and sunrise photography are your special interests see that they are included.
- Sam sand dunes and Khurri sand dunes both places offer camel rides. Sam sand dunes are more crowded than Khurri sand dunes. I went to Sam sand dunes.
- While there are many souvenir shops at the entrance of dunes you will find vendors popping up to sell beer bottles along the route of camel rides. Use your discretion before you indulge in drinks while on a ride.
- For sensitive skin, use sunscreen and take sunglasses too. Take wipes too, because at the end of the ride you will be covered with a fine layer of desert sand. For the same reason drape a scarf over your head.
- If you are visiting during winters, you will do better with warm clothing.
- The camel can run with you on its back, ask for that experience from the camel owner only if you have the courage to handle their gallops. Camels are 10 ft tall, a fall can spoil your vacation.
- Saddle sore is a common injury if you are on a day long camel ride. Due to prolonged sitting on hard surface chances are you can get tailbone pain. Insist on good cushioned seats.
- Have a great camel ride and take lots of pictures!
Memorable Desert Camel Safari Jaisalmer
Camels of Jaisalmer
With so many camels around, how could I miss the opportunity of taking a few close shots of the camel! Camels are good tempered, patient and intelligent, at least that is what I thought of them.
So I approached the camel of a young boy and with his permission started taking some shots of the camel’s face, then its eyes. It looked so docile, large eyes with a doe-like expression.
Camels have 3 Eyelids
The camels’ eyes are protected by a double row of long curly eyelashes to keep out the sand and dust. Its thick bushy eyebrows shield the eyes from fierce hot sun. Now I wanted to take a good macro shot of the double row of eyelashes, but the camel won’t be still.
The boy kept encouraging me, “It will not harm you, Madam.” The boy even tried to hold its face still, but the camel decided it was not going to cooperate anymore and brought out its folded fore legs to get in to standing mode. I fled, my camera was more precious.
Check out my post: Elephants’ Eyes.
Camels have such beautiful eyes! It was enlightening to know camels have 3 eyelids. Two of them have eyelashes; these long eyelashes enhance their beauty. The third eyelid is just a membrane. It performs a role similar to windshield wiper. During severe sandstorms the membranes clean the eye.
Eyelids have a screen that trap sand and drops it down. Another unique capability of camels eyes is that they work from side to side and not up and down.
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(Updated post. This post was first written on Nov 15, 2008.)
Wonderful story and photos! The eyes are very interesting!
Good camel! I wonder if he cried while u took his picture. heheehe
Had an one and only experience too in China. It was a scary for the first time.
This is all very exciting! Good for you!
I also like camels, I have riden a couple, its is a strange feeling, the hardest part is when the beast stands up and you get thrown forward, I so nearly went right over the camels head!
Your blog is so interesting, I must return now and again. I also liked the fantastic building in the next entry.
I love camels! They look like ours here in Niger. I’m glad I found your blog, have always wanted to go discover Asia (India in particular) but life is short as I am discovering!
Beautiful shots indeed !
Wow.. camels are incredible creatures and you’ve captured them beautifully. What an amazing adventure.
It seems that you love animal a lot….very few people dare to capture camel’s image as they think that this animnal is not beautiful…But you proved them wrong….nice captue…..
Been waiting for the camel pictures. Good work. Solemnly would agree that they are intelligent and respectful. Even with so much persuasion, it refused to wink at a lady!
spectacular pics..my favourite is the shadow besides the eys of course yes, the camera is quite precious..lol
Camels and intelligent? Are they? The shots of the eyes are beautiful, and the shadow one too.
You fled, not thinking of yourself, but your camera? 🙂 A passionate photographer indeed.
Lovely post, Indrani
Wish the camel had taken a picture of you when you fled! 🙂
I liked the shadow pic best!
I came across this description of camels – tall, with long legs, full lips, large eyes with long eyelashes…
Great shots! I’ve never seen a camel, except for once in a zoo.
great unusual pictures Sandy
Beautiful shots! I like the one with the kids on the back of the camel, and it looks like it is trying to sniff the camera!
You must have been high up too.
I’ve heard it’s scary when they go down again, begause it’s front legs go first.
Thanks for sharing these great photos. Camels are very interesting animals. It must have been a wonderful experience to ride one.
I believe they are prone to spitting their displeasure. They are remarkable creatures.
Wonderful photos. I love the shadow shot!
great capture! what a gorgeous set of photos. I love the eyes too, beautiful…
Beautiful eyes they have! It must have been fun riding. 🙂
beautiful captures of the desert beauty!
nice blog post about camels!
do you sit on the humps of the camels? how does it feel like to sit on the humps? shaky?
A very different critter. Excellent close ups.
I really enjoyed these photos! I have a thing about camels, especially the whole taxonomic relationship between so-called Old World and New World (S. American) ones. Very interesting fossil record about them. In that last photo, they look to me like they could use a good long meal off that bush – or are they naturally kind of gaunt?
This is great! I’ve never ridden a camel. I like the close-ups on the eye.
Beautiful photos. Camels are really not the most gracefull of animals, but their eyes are just lovely.
That first picture is beautiful! I also really like the last one. We rarely see camels “naked”
Great photos. Thanks for sharing!
Take care and have a GREAT weekend.
It seems crying this camel !
Very nice photos !
Th shadow sot is beautiful…
Oh neat… wonderful captures of the camel. I have never been soooo close to these awesome creatures!
~Michele~
Mountain Retreat- Canada
I love the shadow shot. Those camels are a lot thinner than the ones we have in a local game park.
Thanks for sharing something most of us will never experience.
I have to agree with Misty – I love the shadow shot!
I’ve heard those camel rides are bumpy…now you’ve confirmed it! Nice shots of what must have been a memorable time. Thanks for stopping by Spatter…
These are truly spectacular photos! My favorites are the one of your shadow, the one right above that, and the last one! AWESOME!
wow, great post!
Now I would like to see a baby camel…
Such beautiful photos! I’ve tried riding one before but it was in a Zoo. I hope to try again one in that field of sand! 🙂
Mine is, HERE. Happy Weekend!!
Wow, a fascinating look at a fascinating creature. Thanks for sharing.
Tom