Jaisalmer Desert Safari: Kuldhara Village, Sand Dunes & Campfire Dinner

4.98

(123 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

Somewhere past Jaisalmer, a hand waved us out of the car—our guide, Ashok, grinning under his scarf. The air was dry but not harsh yet. We bumped along towards Kuldhara Village, which everyone calls the “ghost village.” I’m not sure what I expected (maybe something spooky?), but it was mostly silent stones and wind. Ashok told us stories about why people left—he shrugged at the end like even he didn’t totally buy the legends. There was a smell of dust and old wood, and for a second it felt like time had just paused here.

After that we headed further into the sand dunes. The camels looked unimpressed with us city people clambering on—I nearly lost my sandal getting up. The ride itself is slow and sort of hypnotic; you hear nothing but camel feet shuffling and sometimes someone laughing ahead. When we stopped for sunset, the light turned everything gold-orange and I found myself just sitting quietly. I didn’t even bother with my phone for a while. That’s rare for me.

The team from Real Desert Man Camel Safari had already set up camp by the time we arrived—simple beds laid out right on the sand. Dinner was cooked over an open fire (I tried to help but mostly just got in the way). The food wasn’t fancy—dal, roti, something spicy with potatoes—but honestly? That first bite after hours in the desert tasted better than anything back home. We ate together under a sky so full of stars it almost didn’t look real. Someone pointed out Orion’s Belt; I pretended I could see it too.

I woke up early to catch sunrise—cold air, some birds calling somewhere far off, sand still cool under my feet. Breakfast was simple again but somehow perfect: hot chai, bread still warm from the fire. We passed through tiny villages after packing up; kids waved at us as we drove by their dhanis (Ashok explained those are nomad houses). It all felt both strange and familiar at once. Even now when I think about that night under the stars, there’s this quiet feeling that sticks with me—you know?