Desert Camping: Beyond The Mirages and Towards the Dunes

Desert Camping is a worthwhile experience that shows you the raw beauty of nature, especially in the arid landscapes of India’s alluring deserts. You can take your tent, get grocery essentials, and cook yourself a good meal while enjoying the undulating views of the dunes. Alternatively, you can sign up with a camping resort or an existing camping adventure and interact with other travelling enthusiasts. Deserts are magical – they are scorching hot in the mornings and have the most pleasant weather at night. You can see the bright afternoon sunlight reflecting off of the golden sand and also gaze at the clear night sky and stars once the sun goes down. 

While you are desert camping, you can also go on jeep safaris, explore the surroundings, interact with the locals, and eat delicious local cuisines. This is the kind of experience that the adrenaline junkies crave for! If you are one of those souls who is searching for a refreshing new travel experience, come experience desert camping in Rajasthan!

We have a list of places where you can camp, dine, and shine with happiness and also explore the geographical gorgeousness of the splendid deserts. 

Read on to find out!

Also Read: 13 PLACES TO VISIT IN RAJASTHAN IN DECEMBER FOR THEIR REGAL CHARM

9 Splendid Places to Experience Desert Camping in India

1 – Jodhpur

Jodhpur is a great place to experience desert camping in India. It is a place that is surrounded by the Thar desert and as you start to move away from the heart of the city, you will be getting closer to the perfect camping spots. You can get your tent or several camping services offer stays for solo travellers as well as families planning to have a gala time together. You can also get complementary jeep safari rides or camelback rides depending upon the local services that you are choosing. The stunning landscapes of the desert are the main attractions when you opt for camping in Jodhpur. You are much closer to nature and there is so much to explore with your loved ones. The desert region is 65 km away from Jodhpur. While you take a walk around the desert, you will see people performing the local dances as evening leisure, talking to each other while warming their hands using the bonfire and laughing their hearts out.

Duration – 2 days and 1 night
Places to Visit in Jodhpur – Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jaswant Thada, Mandore Garden. 

2 – Jaipur

Jaipur or the pink city is the capital of Rajasthan and the perfect place to enjoy desert camping. This is where you will find both basic and luxurious tents that offer extended stays for all those adventure seekers who want to experience desert camping. Jaipur is a splendid place that has many historic structures, forts, man-made lakes, and palaces. This is the regal centre of Rajasthan and has a remarkable ethnic history that every Indian must know about. When you sign up for camping in deserts here, you will get to go on exhilarating jeep safaris! Also, you can go on camelback rides in the evenings when the sky changes colour and the pink hues of the setting sun make the dunes look all the more mesmerising. The nights are colder with traditional music and dance, and you can share tons of stories while sitting around the bonfire. If you want to camp in the middle of desert on your own, you have to travel for 185 km. Otherwise, there are camps for tourists much closer to the city – 80 km. 

Duration – 3 days and 2 nights
Places to Visit in Jaipur – Hawa Mahal, Amer Fort, Albert Museum, Jal Mahal, Nahagarh Fort.

3 – Jaisalmer

Desert camping Jaisalmer will prove to be the most enriching experience for anyone who sets out on the journey. The place is known as the Golden City for a reason. When the sun rises above the horizon and occupies its seat in the vibrant sky, the glistening rays reflect off of the sand to make the whole city look like a golden ball of beauty and splendour. For those who set out camping, you can see this beauty without the interference of irking traffic and the hustling of everyday life. It feels like you have been conveniently cut off from the world and reached a rather splendid place that feels like a piece of heaven. The evenings are soothing with the sky turning orange first and pink later. The nights are cold but not so much that you have to fetch thick woollens. The yellow dunes are so charming under the bright moonlight. The desert camping sites are about 45km away from the heart of Jaisalmer city. 

Duration – 3 days and 2 nights
Places to Visit in Jaisalmer – Jaisalmer Fort, Tanot Mata Temple, Jaisalmer War Museum, Nathmal ki Haveli. 

4 – Pushkar

Pushkar is not only a religiously significant place in Rajasthan but also the only place where you will see the largest camel fair in the country! If you can coincide your desert camping trip with the Pushkar Camel Festival, it will prove to be a double celebration! While you rest in the comfort of your camp, you can taste the best local food from the stalls, enjoy seeing the competitions between local people, witness the glory of the decorated camels, and also understand how cattle trading happens during the season. The camping sites are 9 km away from the main centre of Pushkar. There is always that smell of traditional spices in the air, wherever you go. The camps here are made of traditional Rajasthani printed clothing. The locals stick to their ‘Athithi Devo Bhava’ principle seriously and treat you to the best time amidst the backdrop of the rustic charm of the desert. Camel safari is the main attraction of desert camping in Pushkar. Unlike the other places we discussed so far, you will see that the camels here are adorned and decorated so beautifully! It feels like they are ramp models in their unique way! 

Duration – 2 days and 1 night
Places to Visit in Pushkar – Brahma Temple, Rangji Temple, Savitri Mata Temple, Pushkar Lake, Varaha Ghat and Temple. 

5 – Udaipur

Yes, Udaipur is called the “City of Lakes” but those rippling water bodies are not the only tourist attractions here. Once you start to move away from the heart of the city, you will see several desert establishments on the outskirts of Udaipur, about 65 km away. This is where you can set up a tent of your own or use the services of the local tourist camping guides. It is possible to get camps with basic amenities or even luxurious tents that have attached washrooms. It depends on your preferences and the number of people planning to stay in the camp. Camel safaris, jeep trips, folk dance performances, and fun activities in the camps are very entertaining and will help you shrug off the stress and bounce back to restart your regular life. Desert camping in Udaipur is the perfect way to undo the stress and regain a new perspective within a weekend. 

To join the desert camping, you will have to reach Udaipur city first and then travel toward the camps that are much closer to the desert zones. While you are in Udaipur, book your stay at Hotels in Udaipur to refresh, take a shower, and get back on your journey after a few hours. 

Duration – 3 days and 2 nights
Places to Visit in Udaipur – City Palace, Lake Palace, Jag Mandir, Bagore ki Haveli, Sajjangarh Palace. 

6 – Sambhar Lake

Want a desert camping experience without actually being in the middle of the scorching heat? Then we suggest that you consider setting up your camp near Sambhar Lake. This is the biggest in-land salt lake in the country and also contributes to most of the salt production in India. There are several historic temples, forts, and architectural delights that you can explore during the day and come back to your cosy camps in the evening. The lake is home to flamingos and you will also see migratory birds stopping by during different seasons. Another good reason for desert camping near Sambhar Lake is the clear star constellations that you can see at night!

Duration – 2 days and 1 night
Places to Visit Near Sambhar Lake – Shakambhri Mata Temple. Sambhar is very close to Jaipur. 

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7 – Bikaner

When someone mentions Bikaner, we immediately think about the lip-smacking local food and the herds of camel. Seeing how this place has a large number of camel-producing farms, it has gained the name of Camel Country of India. This is the best place to go desert camping if you want to enjoy good food, relax, and not worry about anything for at least two days. The camping sites are 15 km away from the heart of the city. In the evenings, you can go out on camel rides and see the beauty of the skies when the hues of orange, yellow, pink, and purple slowly turn into twilight blue. Bikaner is also the centre for Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage so you can go around to explore the tourist places during the day and come back to your camps in the evening. Folk art and printed textiles are very famous in Bikaner so try to get your hands on the best ones before going back home. And, we are stressing on this point again – do NOT miss out on the Rajasthani Thalis!

Duration – 3 days and 2 nights
Places to Visit in Bikaner – Laxmi Niwas Palace, Junagarh Fort, Shri Karni Mata Temple, Seth Bhandasar Jain Temple, Prachina Museum, 

8 – Ranthambore

Adventure lovers can level up and choose to camp in the wilderness of Ranthambore National Park! Is this possible? Absolutely! Ranthambore is a region that is well known for its wildlife, and you can enjoy desert camping in this peaceful spot. If you are not afraid of seeing a deer or capturing a picture of a passing wild boar, then pack your bags and get to Ranthambore. The camps that will be established for the tourists will not be in the reserved national park region. However, you are still closer to the place. You will be camping 17km away from heart of the city. It is unlikely that animals will find their way to your camp but if you spot one or two from afar, consider yourself lucky. The local guides will also plan a trip to the national park on request so do not miss out on that experience. 

Duration – 2 days and 1 night
Places to Visit in Ranthambore – Ranthambore Fort, Trinetra Ganesh Temple, Rajiv Gandhi Regional Museum, Ranthambore National Park. 

9 – Khimsar Village

Khimsar Village is the best place for desert camping if you prefer to have less crowd around and more things to explore. This village is located on the edge of the Thar desert and is a tiny hamlet that has several man-made oases, architectural delights, ancient temples, and the perfect view of mini dunes. Many people come here to set up a camp and enjoy stargazing at night. Khimsar is the right place to look at those twinkling night stars and if you have a telescope, it is also possible to see planets very clearly. You will be surprised to know that the royal families from the Rajputana era used to consider Khimsar a recreational spot and holiday getaway for spending quality time with family. You will see forts here that were built to house the royals and provide them with the necessities to have a good vacation time! However, you need to keep an eye on the weather forecast before arriving in Khimsar, especially during the summer months. Sand storms are not uncommon in this region. 

Duration – 2 days and 1 night
Places to Visit in Khimsar Village– Khimsar Fort, Nagaur Fort, Black Buck Reserve Panchala

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So, which of these places are you going to visit first for the enriching desert camping experience? Let us know in the comments section below!