Desert Trail Tour in India – Rajasthan Camel Safari – 16 Nights / 17 Days
Journey from Delhi through Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, a multi-day Thar Desert trail, Jodhpur and Jaipur with camel-supported desert exploration, heritage forts, havelis and village experiences.
Overview
Experience an immersive 16 Nights / 17 Days Desert Trail Tour in India combining Rajasthan’s royal cities with an extended journey through the Thar Desert. Begin with Delhi sightseeing before travelling to Mandawa’s frescoed havelis, Bikaner’s fort heritage and the golden city of Jaisalmer. From Jaisalmer, continue on a guided camel-supported desert trail through traditional villages, temples, cenotaph landscapes and remote camping sectors including Ramkunda, Ludharva, Chatrayil, Sam Sand Dunes, Jessieri and Kuldhara, with the exact desert route adjusted to local access, weather and operator conditions. Return to Jaisalmer for fort and haveli sightseeing, then continue to Jodhpur and Jaipur for Rajasthan’s celebrated forts, palaces and markets before returning to Delhi. Designed for travellers seeking a deeper desert and cultural experience, the package combines comfortable heritage-style hotels with five nights of pre-arranged desert camping, private road transfers, selected camel-safari experiences and local support. Camel activities are offered only through suitable local operators, animal-riding remains optional where appropriate, and the desert-camping programme is subject to seasonal and safety conditions.
Day-wise Itinerary
Day 1Arrival in Delhi+
Arrive at Delhi Airport, meet the Saar Holidays representative and transfer to your hotel. Complete check-in and spend the rest of the day at leisure after your journey. Overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 2Delhi Heritage Sightseeing+
After breakfast, explore Old and New Delhi with selected highlights such as Qutub Minar, Humayunu2019s Tomb, India Gate, the Parliament and Presidentu2019s House drive-past, Jama Masjid, Raj Ghat and the Red Fort area according to monument timings and the final sightseeing plan. Return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Delhi.
Day 3Delhi to Mandawa+
After breakfast, drive from Delhi to Mandawa in Rajasthanu2019s Shekhawati region. Check in at the hotel and later explore the townu2019s painted havelis, frescoed mansions and traditional lanes with a local sightseeing programme. Overnight stay in Mandawa.
Day 4Mandawa to Bikaner+
Leave Mandawa after breakfast and drive to Bikaner. On arrival, check in at the hotel and visit major attractions such as Junagarh Fort and selected Jain temples or heritage sites according to the final schedule. Overnight stay in Bikaner.
Day 5Bikaner to Jaisalmer+
Enjoy breakfast and some free time in Bikaner before beginning the road journey across western Rajasthan to Jaisalmer. Arrive in the Golden City, check in at the hotel and relax before the multi-day desert trail. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.
Day 6Jaisalmer to Badabagh, Baisakhai & Ramkunda+
After breakfast, begin the desert-trail experience from the Jaisalmer region with the confirmed camel-supported or guided desert arrangement. Travel toward Badabagh to see the royal cenotaph landscape, continue through the village area around Baisakhai for a local lunch stop and proceed to Ramkunda, known for its desert scenery and temples. Dinner and overnight stay in a pre-arranged desert camp or tented setup.
Day 7Ramkunda to Ludharva & Chatrayil+
Continue across the desert after breakfast, passing village landscapes such as Roopsi before reaching the historic Ludharva/Lodurva area for its Jain heritage and traditional settlement atmosphere. The trail continues toward Chatrayil and nearby rural communities, offering a closer view of desert life away from the main tourist routes. Dinner and overnight in the arranged tented desert camp.
Day 8Chatrayil to Sam Sand Dunes+
After breakfast, proceed through desert villages and water-well landscapes toward the Sam Sand Dunes. Arrive in time to experience the changing colours of the Thar at sunset, with a camel safari or camel-cart experience included only when confirmed with an authorised local operator. Enjoy a Rajasthani cultural evening and camp dinner as per the selected package. Overnight stay at the desert camp near Sam.
Day 9Sam Sand Dunes to Jessieri via Kanoi & Masordi+
Leave the Sam dunes after breakfast and continue through the Kanoi region and traditional craft villages such as Masordi. The day focuses on the rural desert landscape, local livelihoods and the changing terrain of the Thar before reaching the Jessieri area or a similar approved overnight camping location. Dinner and overnight in tents.
Day 10Jessieri to Kuldhara via Dedha & Deegasar+
Continue the desert trail after breakfast through small Rajput settlements and agricultural hamlets, with stops around Dedha and Deegasar depending on local access and the final operating route. Reach the historic abandoned village of Kuldhara later in the day and explore the atmospheric ruins and surrounding desert landscape. Dinner and overnight in a pre-arranged camp near the Kuldhara/Jaisalmer region.
Day 11Kuldhara to Jaisalmer via Moolsagar & Amar Sagar+
After breakfast, leave the camping sector and return toward Jaisalmer, visiting heritage stops such as Moolsagar and Amar Sagar when included and operational. Check in at the hotel on arrival and spend the remainder of the day resting after the desert expedition. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.
Day 12Jaisalmer Heritage Sightseeing+
Explore Jaisalmeru2019s celebrated desert architecture after breakfast. Visit Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli, Salim Singh Ki Haveli, Gadisar Lake and selected museums or Jain temples according to the final sightseeing plan. The evening is free for the old-city markets and local crafts. Overnight stay in Jaisalmer.
Day 13Jaisalmer to Jodhpur+
After breakfast, drive from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur through the western Rajasthan landscape. Check in at the hotel on arrival and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon or evening at leisure around the Blue Cityu2019s markets and old quarters. Overnight stay in Jodhpur.
Day 14Jodhpur Sightseeing+
Spend the day exploring Jodhpur with visits such as Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada and the Clock Tower/Sardar Market area according to opening hours. Enjoy panoramic views over the blue-painted old city and return to the hotel after sightseeing. Overnight stay in Jodhpur.
Day 15Jodhpur to Jaipur+
After breakfast, drive from Jodhpur to Jaipur. Check in at the hotel on arrival and spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the local markets and neighbourhoods of Rajasthanu2019s Pink City at your own pace. Overnight stay in Jaipur.
Day 16Jaipur Royal Heritage Tour+
After breakfast, explore Jaipuru2019s royal landmarks including Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar and the Hawa Mahal area, with Jal Mahal viewpoints included where suitable. Any animal-riding activity is excluded from the base package; transport to the fort is arranged by standard road vehicle or other currently authorised visitor transport. Overnight stay in Jaipur.
Day 17Jaipur to Delhi & Departure+
After breakfast, check out and drive back to Delhi. On arrival, transfer to the airport, railway station or your independently booked hotel according to the onward travel plan, concluding the Desert Trail Tour in India.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
- 16 nights accommodation as per itinerary
- 11 nights in hotels or heritage-style accommodation
- 5 nights in organised desert camps/tented accommodation during the Jaisalmer trail
- Daily breakfast at hotels
- Selected lunches and dinners during the desert-camping sector as confirmed
- Delhi Airport arrival transfer and Delhi sightseeing
- Private AC road transfer Delhi to Mandawa
- Mandawa havelis and fresco sightseeing
- Mandawa to Bikaner private transfer
- Bikaner sightseeing including Junagarh Fort and selected heritage sites
- Bikaner to Jaisalmer private transfer
- Jaisalmer pre-desert hotel stay
- Guided multi-day Thar Desert trail from the Jaisalmer region subject to seasonal and route conditions
- Camel safari or camel-cart experiences on selected desert sectors only when confirmed with a suitable local operator
- Visits to Badabagh, Ramkunda, Ludharva/Lodurva, traditional desert villages, Sam Sand Dunes, Kanoi area and Kuldhara as operational
- Camping equipment and camp support for the confirmed desert sectors
- Drinking water and basic camp logistics during the organised desert trail as per final operator plan
- Rajasthani cultural programme at Sam/desert camp when included and operational
- Jaisalmer sightseeing including Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli, Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Gadisar Lake
- Jaisalmer to Jodhpur private road transfer
- Jodhpur sightseeing including Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada and Clock Tower area
- Jodhpur to Jaipur private road transfer
- Jaipur sightseeing including Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar and Hawa Mahal area
- Jaipur to Delhi private road transfer
- Parking, driver allowance and road taxes for included private vehicle
- Saar Holidays travel assistance
Exclusions
- International or domestic airfare
- Travel insurance
- Monument, fort, museum, temple and attraction entrance fees unless specifically included
- Camel-riding charges or private camel upgrades beyond the confirmed base arrangement
- Any animal-riding activity not specifically selected by the traveller
- Jeep dune bashing, quad biking, parasailing and other optional desert adventure activities
- Meals and beverages not mentioned under inclusions
- Premium desert-camp upgrades and private cultural programmes unless specifically included
- Personal porterage and excess luggage transport during the desert sector
- Personal expenses such as shopping, beverages, laundry and telephone charges
- Early check-in and late check-out charges
- Tips and gratuities
- Any additional cost caused by extreme weather, desert-route changes, road closures, camp relocation, local authority restrictions or operator safety decisions
- Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions
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