Drive around some of the Sand Dunes around Jaisalmer, including the popular Sam Sand Dunes & it's camps

As I set out on my journey to explore Jaisalmer, I knew that one of the places I absolutely had to visit was Sam Sand Dunes. I am just kidding. I was not sure if I really wanted to go into the dunes and it's because of multiple reasons. Located about 40 km from Jaisalmer city, Sam Sand Dunes is a vast expanse of golden sand that stretches as far as the eye can see.

As I set out on my journey to explore Jaisalmer, I knew that one of the places I absolutely had to visit was Sam Sand Dunes. I am just kidding. I was not sure if I really wanted to go into the dunes and it's because of multiple reasons. Located about 40 km from Jaisalmer city, Sam Sand Dunes is a vast expanse of golden sand that stretches as far as the eye can see.

As I reached the entrance of the sand dunes, I was greeted by a group of enthusiastic drivers, each trying for my attention to take me on a thrilling ride through the dunes. That made the decision clear that I don't really want to go in those jeeps and suddenly I started imagining the number of people on dunes. Without going on those jeeps, you can see sand dunes around the main road and can go around the sand. You will also find camels around the road if you wish to take a ride. Be aware that it's highly commercialised part of the Jaisalmer so conversations may be biased that way and there is higher probability about what you are offered vs what you get. I will share a solution to that in this blogpost.

As I reached the entrance of the sand dunes, I was greeted by a group of enthusiastic drivers, each trying for my attention to take me on a thrilling ride through the dunes. That made the decision clear that I don't really want to go in those jeeps and suddenly I started imagining the number of people on dunes. Without going on those jeeps, you can see sand dunes around the main road and can go around the sand. You will also find camels around the road if you wish to take a ride. Be aware that it's highly commercialised part of the Jaisalmer so conversations may be biased that way and there is higher probability about what you are offered vs what you get. I will share a solution to that in this blogpost. 

We kept driving around in search of multiple sand dunes and came across multiple sand dunes. Some of them were accessible from main road by foot while some were visible at distance and found some interesting camp sites. But we were not encouraged enough to reconsider taking a jeep and spending an evening in dunes. Lot of our friends recommended it but all that sounded very templates - you sit around in a camp with performance by locals and snacks/buffet. Star gazing, which we wished to do but it must have been impossible to do it peacefully with so many people and lights around you. We had spent one night in dunes with group of 10 people and having a team of chefs cooking ou meals there. That was an unbeatable experience in Churu, Rajasthan.

We kept driving around in search of multiple sand dunes and came across multiple sand dunes. Some of them were accessible from main road by foot while some were visible at distance and found some interesting camp sites. But we were not encouraged enough to reconsider taking a jeep and spending an evening in dunes. Lot of our friends recommended it but all that sounded very templates - you sit around in a camp with performance by locals and snacks/buffet. Star gazing, which we wished to do but it must have been impossible to do it peacefully with so many people and lights around you. We had spent one night in dunes with group of 10 people and having a team of chefs cooking ou meals there. That was an unbeatable experience in Churu, Rajasthan.  


There are several other activities that can be done in Sam Sand Dunes apart from driving around in a 4x4 jeep. Here are some of the popular ones:

There are several other activities that can be done in Sam Sand Dunes apart from driving around in a 4x4 jeep. Here are some of the popular ones:

Camel Safari: A camel safari is a great way to explore the sand dunes at a more relaxed pace. You can ride on a camel's back and enjoy the scenery as you make your way through the dunes. Some camel safaris also include a visit to a nearby desert village, where you can experience the local culture and traditions. Desert Camping: Spending a night under the stars in the desert is a unique and unforgettable experience. There are several campsites located in Sam Sand Dunes that offer comfortable tents, a bonfire, and traditional Rajasthani food.

Camel Safari: A camel safari is a great way to explore the sand dunes at a more relaxed pace. You can ride on a camel's back and enjoy the scenery as you make your way through the dunes. Some camel safaris also include a visit to a nearby desert village, where you can experience the local culture and traditions.

Desert Camping: Spending a night under the stars in the desert is a unique and unforgettable experience. There are several campsites located in Sam Sand Dunes that offer comfortable tents, a bonfire, and traditional Rajasthani food.

Quad Biking: If you're looking for an adrenaline rush, quad biking is a great option. You can rent a quad bike and zoom around the dunes, experiencing the thrill of off-roading. Hot Air Balloon Ride: A hot air balloon ride is a great way to see the sand dunes from a different perspective. You can soar high above the dunes and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. I don't this happens on regular basis but I have heard about it in Jaisalmer and saw some photos in hotel we were staying in.

Quad Biking: If you're looking for an adrenaline rush, quad biking is a great option. You can rent a quad bike and zoom around the dunes, experiencing the thrill of off-roading.

Hot Air Balloon Ride: A hot air balloon ride is a great way to see the sand dunes from a different perspective. You can soar high above the dunes and enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. I don't this happens on regular basis but I have heard about it in Jaisalmer and saw some photos in hotel we were staying in. 

Star Gazing: The clear skies in the desert make it a great place for star gazing. You can spend an evening watching the stars and learning about the constellations from an expert guide. These are just a few of the many activities that can be done in Sam Sand Dunes. Each one offers a unique and unforgettable experience that is sure to make your visit to Jaisalmer a memorable one.

Star Gazing: The clear skies in the desert make it a great place for star gazing. You can spend an evening watching the stars and learning about the constellations from an expert guide.

These are just a few of the many activities that can be done in Sam Sand Dunes. Each one offers a unique and unforgettable experience that is sure to make your visit to Jaisalmer a memorable one.

There are several other sand dunes around Jaisalmer that are worth visiting. Here are some of them: Khuri Sand Dunes: Located about 40 km from Jaisalmer, Khuri Sand Dunes is a quieter and more peaceful alternative to Sam Sand Dunes. The dunes here are smaller and less crowded, and you can enjoy activities like camel rides, desert camping, and cultural performances. Kanoi Sand Dunes: Kanoi Sand Dunes is a remote and secluded desert area located about 15 km from Jaisalmer. The dunes here are larger and more dramatic than those at Sam Sand Dunes, and you can enjoy activities like desert camping, camel safaris, and stargazing. Kuldhara Sand Dunes: Kuldhara Sand Dunes is located about 20 km from Jaisalmer and is known for its beautiful sunrise and sunset views. You can enjoy activities like camel rides, desert camping, and ATV rides here. Lodhruva Sand Dunes: Lodhruva Sand Dunes is located about 15 km from Jaisalmer and is known for its ancient ruins and beautiful sand dunes. You can explore the ruins of a 12th-century Jain temple here and enjoy activities like camel rides and desert camping.

There are several other sand dunes around Jaisalmer that are worth visiting. Here are some of them:

Khuri Sand Dunes: Located about 40 km from Jaisalmer, Khuri Sand Dunes is a quieter and more peaceful alternative to Sam Sand Dunes. The dunes here are smaller and less crowded, and you can enjoy activities like camel rides, desert camping, and cultural performances.

Kanoi Sand Dunes: Kanoi Sand Dunes is a remote and secluded desert area located about 15 km from Jaisalmer. The dunes here are larger and more dramatic than those at Sam Sand Dunes, and you can enjoy activities like desert camping, camel safaris, and stargazing.

Kuldhara Sand Dunes: Kuldhara Sand Dunes is located about 20 km from Jaisalmer and is known for its beautiful sunrise and sunset views. You can enjoy activities like camel rides, desert camping, and ATV rides here.

Lodhruva Sand Dunes: Lodhruva Sand Dunes is located about 15 km from Jaisalmer and is known for its ancient ruins and beautiful sand dunes. You can explore the ruins of a 12th-century Jain temple here and enjoy activities like camel rides and desert camping.

Above photograph shows Sam village where most of the jeep operators live. We came here to find some options to have lunch. Sam Sand Dunes is the most accessible sand dune from Jaisalmer. It is located about 40 km from Jaisalmer and can be reached by road in about 45 minutes to an hour. Sam Sand Dunes is also the most popular and well-known sand dune in the area, and offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Other sand dunes like Khuri Sand Dunes, Kanoi Sand Dunes, Kuldhara Sand Dunes, and Lodhruva Sand Dunes are also accessible from Jaisalmer, but require a longer drive and may be more remote or less developed than Sam Sand Dunes.

Above photograph shows Sam village where most of the jeep operators live. We came here to find some options to have lunch. Sam Sand Dunes is the most accessible sand dune from Jaisalmer. It is located about 40 km from Jaisalmer and can be reached by road in about 45 minutes to an hour. Sam Sand Dunes is also the most popular and well-known sand dune in the area, and offers a wide range of activities for visitors to enjoy. Other sand dunes like Khuri Sand Dunes, Kanoi Sand Dunes, Kuldhara Sand Dunes, and Lodhruva Sand Dunes are also accessible from Jaisalmer, but require a longer drive and may be more remote or less developed than Sam Sand Dunes.

There are several accommodations available near Sam Sand Dunes to suit different budgets and preferences. Here are some of the popular options: Desert Camps: There are several desert camps located near Sam Sand Dunes that offer a unique and unforgettable experience of staying in the desert. These camps offer comfortable tents, traditional Rajasthani food, cultural performances, and activities like camel rides and bonfires.

There are several accommodations available near Sam Sand Dunes to suit different budgets and preferences. Here are some of the popular options:

Desert Camps: There are several desert camps located near Sam Sand Dunes that offer a unique and unforgettable experience of staying in the desert. These camps offer comfortable tents, traditional Rajasthani food, cultural performances, and activities like camel rides and bonfires.

Resorts: There are several resorts located near Sam Sand Dunes that offer luxurious accommodations and amenities like swimming pools, spas, and restaurants. These resorts are ideal for those looking for a more comfortable and upscale stay.

Guesthouses and Homestays: There are several guesthouses and homestays located near Sam Sand Dunes that offer a more budget-friendly option for travelers. These accommodations are usually run by locals and offer a chance to experience the local culture and way of life.

Hotels: There are several hotels located near Sam Sand Dunes that offer comfortable accommodations and amenities like restaurants and swimming pools.

Some popular accommodation options near Sam Sand Dunes include the Serai Resort, the Suryagarh Jaisalmer, the Desert Spring Resort, and the Mystic Jaisalmer. It is recommended that you book in advance, especially during peak tourist season, to ensure availability and get the best rates.

We had no booking at Sam Sand Dunes, so we headed back to Jaisalmer city. Many folks made us feel that we missed the stay, which is awesome but both Vibha and I never felt bad about it. We may go again to Jaisalmer and may explore the option to spend a night around Sand Dunes, not sure if that would be Sam or something else.

We had no booking at Sam Sand Dunes, so we headed back to Jaisalmer city. Many folks made us feel that we missed the stay, which is awesome but both Vibha and I never felt bad about it. We may go again to Jaisalmer and may explore the option to spend a night around Sand Dunes, not sure if that would be Sam or something else. 

Related Blogposts - 

Gadisar lake was initially built by the founding king of Jaisalmer, Rawal Jaisal in the 12th century. At that point in time, it was known as Jaisalsar. It was later rebuilt by Maharawal Gadsi Singh in the 14th century and then came to be known as Gadisar or Gadsisar or Gadaria Lake.Grand Gadisar Lake in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan || A man-made lake that is like an oasis in the desert

When you search for places to visit enroute from Bikaner to Jaisalmer, the Internet would throw you many options - one of which is Akal (pronounced "aakal") Wood Fossil Park. While most of them will exalt the place, we would like to highlight that it may not be the right place for everyone.Discovering ancient history in Akal Wood Fossil Park, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan || A most unusual place full of surprises that are not all related to the bygone eras

After Khichan Bird Sanctuary, we had decided to stop at Pokaran Fort. It was about 68 kilometers from the bird sanctuary and we would reach it within an hour. Most of us in our generation only found out about Pokaran after India conducted their second successful nuclear test in this region.>> The Amazing Pokaran Fort near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan || A beautiful structure that effortlessly blends with the desert landscape it is built in

On our way from Bikaner to Jaisalmer, Khichan Bird Sanctuary was our second scheduled stop after Bap Village. And we were really excited about it. Both of us love watching and Photographing birds and we never miss a chance to visit a bird sanctuary. So this would be the ideal spot for us to take a break and stretch our legs.>> A short but rewarding visit to the Khichan Bird Sanctuary || How the local population of a place has made this town a safe haven for the Demoiselle cranes

Demoiselle Cranes (grus virgo) are a species of crane that breed in central Eurosiberia, ranging from Black Sea and Mangolia to North Eastern China, plus a small breeding population in Turkey. The birds fly south to Africa and Indian subcontinent to spend the winter months.>> Demoiselle cranes of Khichan, Jodhpur District, Rajasthan || Beautiful Birds that fly to and fro Mangolia and have found a mention in Indian mythological texts 

The locals in Bikaner refer to themselves as being "saral, sukh, and sust". One of my good friends from Bikaner shared that people in Bikaner take pride in acknowledging that they are content. So I guess it is true. The state of the traffic on the roads does reflect the pace of life.>> Driving around the drivable parts of Bikaner, Rajasthan || Wide, clean roads with easy, laidback traffic

However, we did spot some migratory birds flying around and were sure that there is probably a water body around. We decided to explore that. After asking around a little we reached a lake of humungous proportions and there was a temple on the shore. There was a man offering prayers in the temple and while we were roaming around, he caught up to us and started asking us some questions.>> The surprising Bap Village, Jodhpur District, Rajasthan || A place to stop and stretch your legs walk around a large waterbody

Even though we had been warned against booking a hotel in old Bikaner, because the roads are congested, we managed to find the perfect hotel - Hotel Jaswant Bhawan - which is perfectly located at the edge of old Bikaner with approach via wide roads and a spacious parking. And it was just walking distance from most of the places in old Bikaner.>> Exploring Old Bikaner on Foot || A soulful city in Rajasthan that is comfortable in its own skin

Rampuria havelis are a group of 15th century opulent havelis that stand out in the labyrinthine roads of old Bikaner. While these havelis are symbols of wealth and luxurious lifestyles of rich merchants of Bikaner, they are surrounded by the comparatively modest homes of the middle class business people.>> Intricately carved Rampuria Havelis in Old Bikaner, Rajasthan || A symbol of the wealth and luxurious lifestyles of the rich Rampuria merchants since the 15th Century





As it often happens with us, we found ourselves looking for a place to stay in Bikaner a couple of nights before our trip to the city. It wasn't tourist season per se, so Booking.com listed many properties that were within our budget.

While travelling from Laxmangarh to Bikaner on Agra-Bikaner Highway, you will notice some chhatris on your left. When you do so, stop your car, get down for a bit, and stretch your legs. For this is a heritage site that you may want to capture in your camera.




If you are in Udaipur and have to chose only one place to visit & explore, City Palace has to be that place. Certainly there can be personal choices as for someone visiting a particular restaurant for a meal or take a walk around ghat of Lake Pichola is more important than the City Palace. In this blogpost we will share about why City Palace was a special place for us and what all you see inside this beautiful palace. First photograph of this post is clicked by our guide who helped us explore Udaipur City Palace.

If you are on a tour of the havelis in Jaisalmer, you should visit the Patwon ki Haveli last. Because after seeing this haveli, your very definition of the word "haveli" will change. And after that, no other haveli will ever come up to your expectations. So in order to be fair to all the other havelis, visit Patwon ki haveli only after you have visited all of the others.


After roaming around the Gadisar lake and then dumping our luggage at the hotel, we headed off to explore the old Jaisalmer and its famous havelis. The first haveli we came across was Salim Singh ki Haveli. It was about 500 metres from the fort wall, where we had parked our car and was located inside the congested streets of old Jaisalmer. Salim Singh ki haveli was been built on the remains of an older haveli that was built in the late 17th century. The new building was commissioned by Salim Singh Mahto, the then Prime Minister of the kingdom when Jaisalmer was the capital, in the year 1815 and was occupied by the Mehto family of Jaisalmer. They were the most influential family of their time.


Kuldhara is right up there next to Bhangarh in the list of the most haunted places in India. And when we discussed our plans to go there in the afternoon, our hotel person immediately warned us not to do so. "It is a haunted village. Don't go there close to the evening. Visit in the morning and be back by lunch."


Bada Bagh is another place in Jaisalmer, apart from Vyas Chhatri, where you can find beautiful cenotaphs. These Chhatris were built to commemorate the various kings who have ruled Jaisalmer over the centuries. The number of Chhatris here are much larger than the Vyas chhatris though and the size and beauty of the chhatris vary based on the position of person for whom it was constructed.


Vyas Chhatris are a group of cenotaphs built on a piece of raised ground in Jaisalmer. These cenotaphs are dedicated to the sage Vyas, who wrote Mahabharat, and are built on what actually is a cremation ground for Brahmins. The surroundings are very basti-like and the existence of these beautiful Chhatris here is very surprising in these surroundings.


After visiting the abandoned village of Kuldhara, another stop on the way to Sam Sand Dunes was the Khaba Fort. It is located about 21 kilometers from Kuldhara and it took us close to 1.5 years to reach. This wasn't because of the condition of the road. It was because of all the many stops we made on the way.


One of the many advantages of a road trip is the flexibility to make a stop whenever there is a need and explore the places on the route. We leveraged this extensively during our travel across Rajasthan recently and while doing that came across some very interesting stops. One of these was Osian, and ancient town in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan.

Osian, the Oasis || An ancient village in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, India




After visiting the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort, we had about an hour in hand to explore a few more places before the sunset. We had read about the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, but weren't really sure if it would be worth the visit. However, when we chanced upon its board, we decided to check the park out.

Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, Jodhpur, Rajasthan || An amazing place to gain a deeper understanding of the ecological and geological forces at play in Rajasthan









Trending Post Today !

Image

How to reach Kasol/Malana and top things to do around this stunning hill-station of Himalayan State of India

If you are a regular visitor of Travellingcamera , you must have noticed that title of this Photo Journey is not really matching with what we usually share. This post is inspired by lot of queries which come to us, especially in summer.  One of the mostly asked thing is the options to reach Kasol and Malana . Here we are trying to share some details the option to reach Kasol/Malana, places to stay , things to do and lot more.  Related post -  Kasol: A beautiful Himalayan hotspot
Image

Main places to see & Top things to do around Dalhousie : Stunning Hill Station in Himalayan State of India

  Dalhousie is one of the most popular Hill Stations in Himachal  and there is lot to explore around Dalhousie. This is small and very well maintained town in Chamba region of Himachal Pradesh . This Photo Journey shares some of the exciting places around Chamba and how to plan a good one day tour through Khajjiar, Chamba & Chamera etc. CHAMERA HYDROLIC PROJECT Chamera Hydroelectric Project is located in Banikhet, 7 kms from Dalhousie. The water body near the lake is very scenic and is a popular boating spot. Chamera Dam is around 40 kilometers from Chamba Town. It takes approximately 1.5 hrs to reach the place is road condition is good. Overall it’s a little dry terrain as compared to Dalhousie and Khajjiar. And temperature also goes up as we go towards Chamera Dam.  As you move out from Chamba town, you follow Ravi river for some time and then take right. After 45 minutes of drive, you get a glimpse of Chemera Dam.