Highlights of Sam Sand Dunes at Jaisalmer Desert
Trip to the Sam sand dunes of Jaisalmer was the most fascinating part of our 15 days long Rajasthan trip, sort of ‘a dream come true’. Thar Desert of Rajasthan is the seventh largest desert in the world, covering Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and Barmer.
Desert Camping in Jaisalmer
It had been a long cherished desire of mine to get a feel of the desert sand in my hands and run my fingers over the sand . We had all plans of desert camping in Jaisalmer but bad planning, the desert camp we wanted had got filled up. Jaisalmer desert camps are very popular with tourists to Rajasthan. Hopefully next time!
After the tour of Jaisalmer Fort we reached Sam Sand dunes in the evening to watch sunset. It was miles of sand and sand dunes all around. Loose flowing sand, so different from the sands of beaches.
Golden Sand Dunes of Jaisalmer Desert
I had always wondered: how can the desert sand look golden. And I saw there, I couldn’t believe it, the sand did look golden, reflecting the rays of the setting sun. The patterns on the sand, the undulating sand mounds, and the glittering fine grains of sand all looked magical yet real. The sand dunes, their formation are one of nature’s most interesting and beautiful phenomena.
My Camel Safari experience with tips for safe ride here – Desert Camel Safari Jaisalmer
Interested in Deserts? Read more at Maliha Desert in Sharjah UAE
Caution in Deserts
Beautiful yes, it can be dangerous too in the sand dunes of deserts. You can get caught in the fast blowing winds which cause the shifting sand dunes. There is every possibility of getting lost and disoriented. In such situations only your guide can help you out. Our ears were drilled with plenty of such cautions, yet I wished there would be at least slow winds to witness the gentle flow of sand grains.
Though Google predictions about these weather changes are most often correct, it is better to be on guard.
Typical hut of the Thar Desert.
The evening winds were still that day. And we saw a beautiful sunset over the sand dunes. Here are few highlighted features of Sam Sand Dunes that can help you plan a trip there.
Check other: Jaisalmer Places to Visit and Best Things to Do
Highlights of Sam Sand Dunes
- Sam Sand Dunes are closest to Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
- There are huge sand dunes ranging from 30m to 40m in height.
- Stay facilities include swiss tents, mud cottages, luxury desert camps, adventure safari camps.
Things to do in Sam Sand Dunes
- Activities include: Dune bashing, Rajasthani musical and dance performances, camel races.
- Want to visit the cultural hub of Jaisalmer? Best time is during Desert Festival of Jaisalmer in the months of February and March
- Rajasthan tourism department conducts this festival for 3 days during these months.
- Best season to visit Sam sand dunes is during the winters.
- Hunt desert dung beetles to to photograph them in action. They collect camel dung twice their size.
- Desert safari costed us Rs 150 for an hour. Do check prices before you take the ride, else be prepared to pay what they ask after you have taken the ride.
- Stay in desert camps at night gives good chance of start gazing, something which I wanted to very much in Thar desert.
Sunset Photography in Sam sand dunes Jaisalmer Rajasthan India.
Responsible Tourism Tips for Tourists
Though there are organised music and dance programs in the dunes, some local artists in small numbers too put up shows. They are willing to pose for pictures too for a small price. You can witness Kalbelia dance, Fire dance and Bhawai dance the local traditional dance styles.
Those who believe camel rides are equivalent to animal cruelty; you can pose for pictures with the camels. Remember, camels are a source of bread and butter for many locals here. Locals living in villages surrounding the Sam Sand Dunes make their living by running a camel safari business for the tourists. I think it is a good opportunity to see the real beauty of Thar Desert and also pay back to locals.
Take your own water and bring back the garbage you make, leave the desert clean.
Desert Camps of Jaisalmer at a distance
Travel Tips
- Best time to visit: 4 to 7 in the evening for sunset and 4 to 6 in the morning for sunrise behind the dunes.
- Best Months to visit Sam sand dunes will be between October to early March. Summers are unbearably hot.
- Dress in colourful clothes, they make excellent insta worthy pictures.
- No tickets are required to visit Sam sand dunes, but any activity there requires tickets.
- The sunset point is located 20-25 minutes away from the main campsite, so add this time to travel time to Sam sand dunes.
- Several kiosks for souvenirs and snacks, you will not go hungry.
How to reach Sam sand dunes
Sam Sand Dunes are 45 km from Jaisalmer city. Road trip is the only option. You get state transport buses and private taxis to reach the place. Being a border city, roads are safe and very well maintained, under the supervision of Indian Army. Jaisalmer airport is 14 km away from Sam sand dunes.
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(Updated post. This was first published on Nov 24th, 2008.)
Sam Sand Dune is among the best places to visit in Jaisalmer, If you are planning a trip there you can check out Nakoda Desert Safari Camp for packages.
The pictures are wonderful. They bring out the beauty of the desert in all its hues.
Great pictures of Sand dunes and the sunset. Did you guys camp in the desert or return to Jaisalmer in the evening?
You have a great blog. I will be sure to visit it more often.
Hi Vamsee we returned by evening. I mentioned in blog.
wow. that is one thing i need to experience. is it hot?
thanks for sharing your world. you may visit mine
have a wonderful weekend ahead. 🙂
Beautiful pics Indrani. I wonder how far you walked around this region? Did you take a camel ride to reach this place?
These sand dunes and your photos are amazing. A wonderful tour of your world. Did you ride a camel?
Thanks all dear friends!
Thanks Gil for inquiring. I am safe in Bangalore. Not sure when it will be this city’s turn.
Hi Indrani! Hope neither you nor any of your family and friends are being affected by what’s happening in Mumbai! Wish you all the best!
Blogtrotter
They seem to go on forever, like the Sahara.
Needless to say the pics are lovely and amazing …Im looking at your posts and enjoying what I had missed this season
Awesome terrain! I’ll bet it was hard to walk in it…beach dunes are difficult enough. Thanks for the virtual visit…and that last shot especially!
great pics…the last one is awesome!
u reminded me of my home … its not a proper desert place but still in rajasthan so bit of sand and all … i have been to jaipur, udaipur, mount abu n all … but yet to see such vast sand expanse … thanks for sharing 🙂
Awesome! Endless sand.
What a wonderful photo essay of your world. I love the way the sand forms the patterns – awesome place.
The sunset is breathtaking.
your post and photographs were quite informative…thank you for sharing.
enjoy your blog.
Wow your words and pictures really give one a feel for your experience. I would love to have the firsthand experience of it now after you’ve shared this.
Your photos are amazing. Deserts have their own beauty.
Have been reading your blogs and enjoying them.
I have missed so much but have thoroughly enjoyed reading and looking at the amazing pictures.
From the beautiful camel eye..the mesmerizing colors and size of the Patwon ki haveli…holy fish and birds..beautiful water tank…and the golden hue of the sand and sunset…breathtaking!!!
I love the closeup shot (#6). It almost looks like sandpaper. And of course, you know the last shot is going to get raves.
I’ve spent some time in the deserts here in the states (mostly in the Upper Mojave Desert in CA) and seen a “brown out” firsthand. It’s like being inside a brown paper bag. I can easily understand why you don’t want to be wandering around in one!
A similar kind of thing occurs in the arctic (and antarctic) regions when the wind whips the snow around in similar fashion. A “white out” is just as deadly, if not more so!
Wow! Stunning and breathtaking pictures! Loved to found your blog. Thanks for sharing your World.
Beautiful golden desert sands. adn that last photograph, bewitching! Thanks, Indrani
Fascinating shots and post, just wonderful!!!
‘Golden’ pictures. Thank you for sharing these.
The sand dunes are so beautiful. These are all great shots. I can see how it would be dangerous if someone got disoriented there but what a gorgeous place to be.
Very great or lune dunes…
I’m afraid to “loose me” in desert…
See You later !
Its my long cherished dream to visit a desert. But for the time being your pics will do..
Deserts around the world… That could just as easily have been a spot of the Sahara! Beautiful pictures!
Greetings from Niger (West Africa),
Esther
Living in the midst of a desert has never evoked the same feeling that your blog has given.. I guess one has to find time to see the beauty in nature.
That’s a great set of pictures from Rajasthan. I’m envious 😉
I have always been fascinated by Rajasthan- the deserts, the culture, food, jewellery…And after being married to a Marwari, it’s my dream to have a long holiday there. Maybe after my li’l one grows up a little.
Great post and great blog.
A beautiful selection of photos – so nicely taken. I love the ones with the camels.
Wow so beautiful. The desert is really such a beauty. But it can be scary to be lost in the desert without water.
Hi Indrani! Since my first visit to Agra and Jaipur I ‘m always dreaming of making the full tour of Rajasthan up to Jaisalmer. Now, after your pictures, it’s a must do!! have to find some time left…
Wonderful pictures, interesting text, great posts: A Treat!!
In a different mood, but also somehow, cultural, Blogtrotter is now at the Bardo Museum; some of the best Roman mosaics in the world! Enjoy and have a great week!
What a remarkable collection of photos, Indrani. I’m glad you got to go there so that you could show these desert sand dunes to the rest of us.
Great pictures…..Hang on the last one…OMG ! Simply superb……
The last time I see desert was 1992 travelling from Jeddah/Medinah and Mecca.I was on duty tour.
Your photos remind me how beautiful is desert.Thanks for sharing and also Thanks for commenting on my blog.Have a nice day.
Thanks, Ravi Kumar and welcome to my blog.
Thanks Thyme, Deborah, Bengbeng, Hilary and ewok1993.
Thanks Magiceye. Sam sand dunes are called so because these sand dunes are located near Sam village, 35km from Jaisalmer. There are more sand dunes near the Khuri village too.
This post reminded me of my Desert Safari in Dubai last month.
I’ve always been fascinated about Jaisalmer and yet to make a trip there. Lovely post on Sam Sand Dunes Indrani. Thanks for sharing.
My World is at:
that was indeed very beautiful! the commentary and the pictures!!
could you tell me why is it called ‘Sam’ sand dunes?
thank you
What an exotic setting. I enjoyed the tour and your photos are great.
What a gorgeous setting. I could get lost there myself, hopefully not in the shifting sands sort of way. Golden sun and sand.. how beautiful.
indrani, u r so fortunate to have a chance to witness so much wonderful stuff on yr holiday
I can certainly see why this place called to you. I wouldn’t have expected something so vast and beautiful either. Your photos are and descriptions are wonderful!
You really have an amazing talent for photography! I had heard people say the desert is beautiful, and I had seen pictures, but here you seem to have captured only the beauty, the sand like the pure color and texture of sand without the actual uncomfortable hotness and sandyness!
As an afterthought: It is much the same with pictures of snow… 🙂
wow.. wat awesome pictures.. lets see when Rajasthan happens.. i was planning my life’s objectives.. travelling stood amongst the top.. thanks 🙂