Stop debating and just do it. This trip changed my life! Abed and Rahul (4 yo) were terrific guides and gave me the exact experience I was looking for in India. After weeks of horn honking and thick smog, I was ready for a break. This duo delivered! Serene landscapes, scrumptious meals, and scintillating night skies. I will always remember this trip and am so grateful I did TWO full days instead of just one. Abed and Rahul will be in my heart forever!
The first day, we visited an abandoned city and a natural oasis by car. Then we drove to the glamping resort, which was surprisingly clean and hygienic. That day, we watched the sunset on the dunes and enjoyed a cultural show with native folk music and dancing, followed by a dinner. There were 4 other couples at the resort at this time, and I was the only solo traveler.
The next day started with breakfast. Then I was driven to meet Abed and Rahul, who were waiting for me with the camels. Abed is not just a desert local, he is a desert descendant. His family has lived in the same village for over 650 years. And after 35 years of camel riding, calling him an expert would be insufficient. We rode into his village and I met his family and had some chai in his home. Everyone was very wonderful and kind. Then we continued riding for awhile, enjoying the silence, before stopping for lunch under a tree. Abed made chai and prepared lunch. Along the way, we saw several different types of flora and fauna which I had never seen before. It was like a dream.
After lunch and a brief rest, we continued to ride our camels through the desert, playing riding games and singing songs along the way.
We arrived at the dunes and I enjoyed a beautiful sunset with a fresh mug of chai. Abed cooked dinner, and we ate by the glow of the fire and the shimmer from the Milky Way. Yes! The Milky Way was easily visible, even though the moon was slightly shining. The stars were innumerable, and the sounds of the desert were hypnotic. I felt so at peace and incredibly content. We drifted to sleep on surprisingly comfortable cots and comforters under a blanket of shining stars.
The sunrise the next day was one of a kind, and we enjoyed chai and breakfast during it. After a short camel ride thereafter, we ended the trip and parted ways.
Overall, this was the best part of my 2 week India trip, and I will recommend it to every person who visits this country.
Quick tips for success: 1. Bring sun protection, there is very minimal shade. I ended up wrapping a spare shirt around my neck and face for extra coverage. 2. Pack only essentials. Leave the rest of your stuff at their HQ in the city. My small daypack, filled with 1 spare shirt and toiletries, fit perfectly on my saddle. And to think, I almost brought my entire 40 L! I'm glad I left it in the city. 3. Try to plan around the lunar cycles. A darker moon results in better nightly views. 4. Be prepared for a bit of heckling. The local village boys ambushed us during lunch, and they don't see visitors too often, so they were very much interested in me and all my things. It was all very harmless, but a bit cumbersome. Abed did a great job getting them to leave us alone, but just be prepared. 5. I didn't realize it, but I was getting decently sore from the saddle, so consider taking brakes if you get fatigued. There's no shame!
10/10 best experience ever!
Top rated on Google and it's no coincidence! Upon booking, Hawaii the boss is hyper responsive, good advice, accommodating and very friendly.
Then the journey starts, Jeetu the Jeep driver and escort takes us to the desert with sympathy and good humor. There we meet Abhay, our guide, the Camel rider. A 65-year-old man imbued with wisdom and kindness. Jalam his young sidekick will also follow us during the night camps.
Overall, your trip in the desert will be off the tourist trails, we have not met anyone else, calm, chill, good meals and discussions will punctuate your days.
A beautiful desert discovery experience and a beautiful human experience with adorable people who will be remembered for a long time.
Go ahead and look at it!
Words don’t do justice to the incredible experience we enjoyed. It was once in a lifetime.
We had to reschedule due to unexpected illness and yet the business went out of their way to accommodate us on a different day - and support us.
They collected us in an AC car, with other friendly guests and snacks. They were engaging and warm throughout - especially as we had an infant.
When we arrived, we met the camel herdsman who was an absolute gem. He was accompanied by his grandson who he was training in the soon-to-be-forgotten ways of camels. He was knowledgeable beyond compare and caring, careful and considerate.
He answered so many questions about the area - his family have lived there for 650 years he said.
The journey was magical. The peace of the desert, broken only by the tinkling bells of the camels. You see so much wildlife - deer, lizards.
When we arrived, there was an unexpected sand storm so we sheltered in a small hut till it passed. We missed the sunset but the awesome experience of the sandstorm was also spectacular.
This must be one of the most amazing experiences to enjoy this side of heaven - and real desert camel safari provided an exceptional service. I’d travel all the way to jaisalmer only for this experience again.