Stars beat Wi‑Fi out here. This overnight camel safari takes you out of busy Jaisalmer into the Thar Desert for sunset riding, a night in the sand under a huge sky, and a calm return ride the next morning. You’ll also stop briefly at Kuldhara and Khaba Fort, so it’s not just sand and walking.

Two things I especially like: the food. Dinner and breakfast are prepared outdoors over an open-fire setup, and it’s not fancy-tourist plating, it’s proper camp cooking. Second, the logistics feel thoughtfully handled: round-trip jeep transport from your Jaisalmer meeting point, luggage storage in town, bottled water, and even showers before and after the safari.

One consideration: there’s no tent for overnight sleeping, and night temperatures can surprise you. If you run cold, pack layers and a warm layer you’ll actually wear at night.

Key things I’d bank on (before you book)

• A real overnight, not a quick sunset spin: the schedule runs from about 2:00 PM to ~10:30 AM.
• Meal included, cooked outdoors: dinner and breakfast are part of the package, with snacks and tea too.
• Small group: maximum 12 travelers, which keeps the camp feeling more personal.
• You sleep on custom-made bedrolls under the stars: no big circus tent setup, just night sky.
• One camel per person: you’re not forced into awkward sharing or “watch from the back” situations.

Price and what $40 actually gets you in Jaisalmer

For about $40 per person, this safari is priced like a budget adventure, but the value comes from the full overnight experience. You’re getting a full-day timeline (roughly 18 to 20 hours), round-trip transport by jeep, camel rides twice, meals, and the desert night itself. At this price point in Rajasthan, it’s the combination that matters: transport + overnight + food, not just the camel ride.

It’s also booked on a lead time pattern of about 30 days on average, which tells me it’s popular enough to sell out on good dates. If you have a tight trip schedule, it’s smart to lock in early and don’t wait until the last minute.

Starting at Pleasant Haveli and riding out to the Thar Desert

Your day begins at Hotel Pleasant Haveli in Jaisalmer. Pickup is included, and the day is built around getting you out of the city early enough for stops and then far enough into the desert to actually feel like you left it behind.

From there, you’ll head toward remote parts of the Thar Desert. The core experience is the camel time: an afternoon ride that sets up your sunset moment, plus another ride the next morning. Between rides, you’ll be based in a camp setup where you eat, wash, and sleep.

A small but helpful touch: they include luggage storage in the city. That means you can travel lighter during the day without dragging every bag onto camels.

Kuldhara Abandoned Village: 30 minutes of ghost-town mood

The first named stop is Kuldhara Abandoned Village, about 21 km from Jaisalmer. You’ll have around 30 minutes, and an admission ticket is included.

Kuldhara has a reputation for ghost stories, but even if you take the legends with a pinch of salt, the appeal is how the place feels quiet and left behind. It’s a good reset after you’ve been riding in the jeep. You get a quick cultural stop that breaks up the pure desert focus.

A practical note: since your time here is short, don’t plan on a deep walk-through. Use the stop to stretch, take photos, and then get moving again while the group is still fresh.

Khaba Fort: quick views, then back to the desert rhythm

Next comes Khaba Fort, also with about 30 minutes and admission included. The fort is described as one of the more distinctive ones near Jaisalmer, and that “one-of-a-kind” label matters because it keeps the stop from feeling like another generic viewpoint.

This segment is easy to appreciate even if you’re not a fort-collector. It’s a photo-friendly break, and it helps you understand the region beyond dunes and camel legs.

Drawback to consider: this isn’t a long, slow heritage tour. You’ll get a stop, a look, and then you’re back into the longer desert ride and camp time.

The Thar Desert segment: what “remote” feels like

After the fort stops, the tour stretches into the desert itself for about 14 hours. This is where the itinerary becomes more “experience” than “sightseeing.”

You’ll cross dunes by camel and you’ll spend time around desert villages to see traditional day-to-day life. That’s valuable because the Thar can look like empty space from far away, but in practice it’s human-scale and lived-in. You’re not just chasing views; you’re seeing how people survive and move through this environment.

You’ll also travel to remote parts of the desert and transition into the overnight camp setup. This is where “non-touristic” energy shows up: fewer big showy elements, more straightforward desert living.

Camel rides: sunset first, morning second

You’ll do two camel rides: one around sunset as you head toward the camp area, and another the next morning.

What’s great here is the pacing. The sunset ride is the one you’ll remember most because it ties together light, motion, and the sense of going deeper into the desert. The next day’s ride is a clean way to wake up slowly and keep the day feeling like part of the same story, not a forced check-out and goodbye.

Also: the package includes a camel ride for each person (one camel per participant). That’s a meaningful detail because it reduces the “deal with the logistics” stress and helps keep the ride time enjoyable for everyone.

Dinner by open fire: simple, filling, and actually timed well

Dinner is included and prepared with an open fire setup. The meal list is clearly defined: dal, rice, mix veg, chapati, and spices with garlic chatney. There’s also evening tea with Rajasthani snacks.

Breakfast is included the next morning with jam bread, toast, porridge, tea, biscuits, seasonal fruits, and juice.

This matters more than people think. In remote settings, meals can be the difference between a trip that feels comfortable and one that feels like a chore. Here, you’re given both a proper dinner and a structured breakfast. You’re not guessing what you’ll find or tracking down food when you’re tired.

If you care about dietary restrictions: the meal list is fairly traditional and ingredient-specific. The data doesn’t mention custom menus, so it’s worth checking ahead if you have a strict diet.

Showers, Wi‑Fi, and beds on bedrolls: comfort without the big tent

One standout practical detail is that you get shower access before and after the safari, plus Wi‑Fi at the camp setup.

And unlike some desert packages that rely on big, showy tent villages, this one is built around custom-made bedrolls under the stars. The key line here is direct: there is no tent provided for the overnight stay.

How should you handle that? Treat it like sleeping outdoors with desert temperatures in play. Pack layers you’ll actually use at night. One of the write-ups you’ll see about this experience notes it got chilly outside, but the sleeper didn’t feel cold, which tells me the right packing and bedroll setup can work well.

A funny bonus: because the camp isn’t focused on stage shows, you get a more “real night out there” vibe. The quiet also makes the star viewing easier, since you’re not stuck under bright lights.

Guides who run the show: Ukka, Oka, Arun

The experience quality often comes down to who’s steering the day. Names that show up clearly include Ukka and Arun, with Oka also referenced.

What I take from those mentions isn’t just praise; it’s the practical implication that the guides tend to handle driving, cooking, and explanation without making it awkward. If you’re the type who likes hearing how life in Rajasthan works while you’re moving through it, you’ll probably appreciate guides who talk culture and keep the schedule smooth.

Group size and pace: calmer than the big tours

With a maximum of 12 travelers, this safari stays in a manageable lane. That’s important on camel rides and at meal time, because big groups tend to turn everything into waiting.

The ride schedule also makes sense for an overnight: you don’t do all the “big stuff” in the morning and then crash. You get sunset first, then the camp night, and a second ride after breakfast before heading back.

And yes, it’s long. Plan for a day where you mostly sit, ride, eat, and sleep. It’s not a “walk every ruin” plan.

Who this overnight camel safari is best for

This is a strong match if you want:

• An overnight in the desert without a party-style tent setup
• Camp cooking that’s included and not just a token snack
• A trip that feels small-group and calmer at night

It’s also a good fit if you’re traveling solo and want a guided format that still feels personal. In the few notes tied to this experience, solo-friendly care shows up in the way the guides run the day and support the group.

Who might not love it:

• Anyone who needs indoor comforts or expects a heated, enclosed sleeping setup (because there’s no tent)
• Anyone who’s mainly shopping for dance/music/folk entertainment (not included here)

Should you book this Pleasant Haveli overnight camel safari?

If you want an authentic-feeling Jaisalmer overnight camel safari with sunset rides, two included meals, and a night under the stars, I think it’s worth booking—especially at this price. The biggest “yes” signals are the open-fire meals, small group size, bedroll + star night format, and the practical help (shower, luggage storage, bottled water).

If you’re unsure, decide based on one question: do you like the idea of sleeping outdoors with no tent? If you’re okay with that, you’ll likely find this safari hits the right balance of adventure and comfort.

FAQ

What time does the safari start and end?

It starts at 2:00 PM and runs for about 18 to 20 hours, ending back at the meeting point at around 10:30 AM the next day.

How long is the overnight camel safari?

The duration is listed as 18 to 20 hours (approx.).

What’s included in the meals?

You get dinner (dal, rice, mix veg, chapati, spices with garlic chatney), plus breakfast (jam bread, toast, porridge, tea, biscuits, seasonal fruits, and juice). There are also snacks and evening tea.

Are transportation and pickup included?

Yes. There is round-trip transportation by jeep from Jaisalmer, and the tour starts at Hotel Pleasant Haveli.

Do you provide a tent for the overnight stay?

No. The tour states they do not provide a tent for overnight sleeping. You sleep on custom-made bedrolls under the stars.

Is there dance music or a folk program?

No. The tour specifies no dance/music/folk program.

What’s the group size limit?

The experience has a maximum of 12 travelers.