 |
|
 |
|
|
|
Decide your favourite colour and pick a city to
match, Rajasthan's kaleidoscope of colours covers all.
Bastions of history, bristling with memories,
these splendid treasures stand battling the vageries of time.
 Fort Amber
The City Palace, Jaipur
Wind Palace, Jaipur
Chittaurgarh Fort
City Palace, Udaipur
Jaisalmer Fort
Mehrangarh
Fort
Nahargarh Fort, Jaipur
The desert sands shimmer and pulsate with an
energy and a spirit of festivity permeates the air, every season
provides many reasons to celebrate.
Camel Festival
Mewar Festival
Elephant Festival
Gangaur Festival
Pushkar Festival
Desert Festival
Ride a camel over the dunes or horses through
the hillside, speed ahead in a jeep and camp under open skies.
A delicate ecosystem, part desert part marshy
lands and even a small section of lush water filled valleys, sports a
wildlife rich in variety.
Whichever Budget Hotel you choose you will
always experience a traditional hospitality that you may never want to
forget.
Jaipur Budget Hotels
Jaisalmer Budget Hotels
Bharatpur Budget Hotels
Bikaner Budget Hotels
|
|
Rajasthan Tours Travel » Tourist
Attractions » Camel Safari in Thar
Desert
Camel Safari in Thar Desert
The
Thar desert is a land of vast stretches of golden sands that have remained
unchanged since centuries. The best way to experience the magnificence of
the desert is to become a part of its very landscape, a priveledge you can
enjoy on a Camel Safari. In the medieval ages Camel caravans traversed
these routes as they were a part of the spice trail that brought exotic
goods from the markets of Arabia, Africa, the Middle East to India. You
can undertake the same journey that these merchants of times past
undertook and experience the feeling of having visited another era. Travel
to the interiors of the desert and discover charming little villages and
the hospitality of the people in this inhospitable terrain. See ruins of
forts and palaces and unearth the legends that surround them. Ride up into
the dunes to watch the sun set over the desert, listening to the soothing
music of 'langoza'- a flute with one mouthpiece and two shafts. Camp under
the star lit night sky. Take a journey into this land of mystical mirages
and be enrichened by an experience like none other.
Safaries - Custom Made
The safaries come in many shapes, sizes and budgets. You can hop on to a
Camel for an hour around sunset and then get back to your comfortable
hotel bed. Or else find a fancy tent to stay in for the night. At the
other end of the scale, you can ride for days with only a Camel driver for
company and the most bacis provisions. Reasonably hardy travellers usually
choose a 2-day safari with one night spent under the immense canopy of the
desert sky. The more adventurous traveler can go for a longer safari, one
that would take you all around the Thar. Most desert safaris are centred
around the princley kingdoms of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner, some of
the most historic and culturally rich cities of the province. A typical
safari will take you to the architectural ruins of Lodurva that are close
to Jaisalmer, the oasis at Anasagar, the sand dunes of the Samm and the
water source of Moolsagar.
The Bikaner-Jaisalmer safari is about 11 days long, covering 25 to 30-kms
a day, along a route known to none but the camel riders. An option to
traverse the desert heartland would be to travel to the Shekhawati region,
taking in such towns as Ramgarh, Nawalgarh, Dundlod, Mandawa and Churu. On
the shorter, one or two-day camel safari trips, the journey could
incorporate interesting variations, such as riding from Jaisalmer in
Rajasthan to the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat. Special camel safaris are also
organised round Pushkar and Nagaur in the winter season of October to
March, when these two cities have their popular cattle fairs.
The days are for navigating through the desert and taking in its
incredible landscape, an interesting lesson in geography. Explore the
vast, unending glittering sand dunes, try and spot a Chinkara Antelope,
and perhaps even the Great Indian Bustard, native to this region.
Disembark and explore the forts, palaces, mansions and citadels that dot
this landscape. After all that riding the nights are for unwinding, you
could choose a package that allows you buffet meals and cultural shows.
The shows include enchanting presentations of folk dance and music. The
Manganiyar musicians play melodious tunes and the dancers twirl in rythmic
unison.
Adventure Sport
If you are a rough and ready adventurer , looking to push your limits and
challenge your strength then look no further. The Camel safari comes in
many packages, choose one that allows you to experience the rigours of the
desert, ride for days together, discover charming oasis' and weather
desert storms, sleep under the night sky, cook your food on a bonfire and
enjoy this thrilling real life camping experience. The authentic Camel
safari is gaining an incredible fan following, tourists from around the
world, usually in groups undertake this journey and have the time of their
lives.
Weather Watch
Summers in the desert are too harsh so the ideal time to go for a Desert
Safari during the winter months (October and March), in winter the weather
is comfortably warm and the breeze pleasantly perfect for such a journey.
Some Essentials
Carry a large rimmed sun hat, cotton caps, umbrellas, scarves and
balaclava, mineral water, torch sunscreen creams, moisturizers and lip
salve and knife when going on a long trip. Wear loose and light cotton
clothing and hardy shoes to protect your feet. Drink plenty of water to
avoid the risk of dehydration.
How to Get There
Most camel safaris start from Jaisalmer, which is connected by air, train
and road to the rest of India. The capital city Jaipur, has a
well-connected airport, as well as a regular trains and bus links to a
number of cities across India. All camel-safari towns in Rajasthan, such
as Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Mandawa, are connected by road to Jaipur.
» 
