Half day safari
Half Day Desert Safari in Jaisalmer
A sunset camel ride, a folk night by the bonfire and dinner at Sam, then back to your Jaisalmer hotel the same night.
At a glance
The half day desert safari is the easiest way to see the Thar Desert when you're short on time. In one evening at the Sam Sand Dunes, you ride a camel to watch the sun set over the dunes, see Kalbeliya dancers perform by the bonfire and eat dinner at Camp e Khas.
There's no overnight stay, no packing and no early checkout.
- Duration
- About 6 to 7 hours, afternoon to after dinner
- Location
- Camp e Khas, Sam Sand Dunes, 45 km from Jaisalmer
- Highlights
- Sunset camel safari, Kalbeliya dance, Langa music, bonfire
- Meals
- Welcome drink, evening tea and snacks, dinner
- Overnight stay
- Not included, can be added
- Starts and ends
- Your hotel in Jaisalmer city
Is it for you?
- Travellers staying in Jaisalmer city who want the desert without changing hotels
- First-time visitors who want the classic camel ride and sunset
- Families with kids and senior travellers who prefer a shorter outing and their own bed at night
- Travellers on a tight schedule pairing a day of city sightseeing with a desert evening
- Couples looking for a sunset and a candle-lit dinner on the dunes
Itinerary
Afternoon to after dinner
Pickup from Jaisalmer
Your driver picks you up from your hotel in Jaisalmer. The drive west to Sam takes you out of the golden city and into open desert.
Kuldhara, the abandoned villageOptional
On the way, stop at Kuldhara, a village left empty for around two centuries and known for its ghost-village legends. Walk through the roofless sandstone houses and narrow lanes.
Arrival at Camp e Khas
Reach the camp on Lakhmana Dunes Road, just before the Sam Sand Dunes parking. You're greeted with a traditional Rajasthani welcome and a drink.
Sunset camel safari on the Sam Sand Dunes
Ride out across the rippled, wind-shaped dunes, passing rural desert life on the way, then stop on the sand to watch the sun go down over the Thar. It's the best light of the day for photos.
Evening tea and snacks
Back at camp, relax with tea and snacks on the lawns beside the Talai pond as the camp lights come on.
Rajasthani folk night by the bonfire
In the camp's 500+ seat open-air amphitheatre, Kalbeliya dancers from Rajasthan's snake-charmer community spin in black skirts trimmed with silver, faster as the drums speed up, and Langa musicians play live folk music.
Dinner at the camp
Eat at the multi-cuisine restaurant, which seats over 100 guests, or book a private candle-lit dinner out on the dunes.
Drive back to Jaisalmer
After dinner, your driver takes you back to your hotel in Jaisalmer.
Timings
Sunset moves by more than an hour across the year, so the pickup time changes with the season. The reservations desk will confirm the exact time for your date.
| Season | Approx. sunset | Suggested pickup |
|---|---|---|
| October to February | Around 6:00 pm | Early afternoon |
| March to September | Around 7:00 to 7:30 pm | Mid to late afternoon |
Inclusions
What's included
- Welcome drink on arrival
- Camel safari on the Sam Sand Dunes
- Sunset in the Thar Desert
- Evening tea and snacks
- Kalbeliya dance and Langa folk music by the bonfire
- Dinner at the camp restaurant
Add-ons you can book
- Hotel pickup and drop in Jaisalmer
- Kuldhara village stop on the way
- Jeep safari, village safari, parasailing or dune bashing
- Private candle-lit dinner on the dunes
- An overnight stay in an AC Swiss tent
What's not included
- Overnight stay, unless added
- Monument entry fees
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Anything not listed under included
| Half day safari | 1 night 2 days | |
|---|---|---|
| Camel safari and sunset | Yes | Yes |
| Folk night and bonfire | Yes | Yes |
| Dinner | Yes | Yes |
| Night in an AC Swiss tent | No | Yes |
| Morning in the desert and breakfast | No | Yes |
| Best for | Short trips, city-hotel guests | A slower, fuller desert experience |
Why Camp e Khas
- A 4-star desert camp run by a team with more than 20 years in hospitality
- A 500+ seat open-air amphitheatre for the folk night, and a 100+ seat restaurant for dinner
- A clean, well-kept camp with lawns and the Talai pond, just before the dunes parking
- Booking directly confirms your evening is with us, as we aren't on MakeMyTrip or most portals
“Food and service is very good. Staff is very cooperative.”
Plan your evening
Best time for a half day desert safari
October to March is the best season: pleasant afternoons and cool evenings for the bonfire. December and January evenings get cold, so bring a warm layer. From April to September, the evening safari is the most comfortable way to see the dunes, as you ride out while the heat drops. Christmas, New Year and the Desert Festival (January or February) fill up fast, so book ahead.
Things to know before you go
- Share your hotel name and location when you book, so pickup can be planned
- Camels carry two riders on many rides; tell us if you'd like your own
- The desert is dusty on windy days, so sunglasses and a scarf help
- Phone signals can be patchy on the dunes
- Kids and senior travellers can join; let us know their ages in advance
What to wear and carry
- Light, comfortable cotton clothes, plus a jacket or shawl from November to February
- Flat, closed shoes for walking on sand
- Sunglasses, a cap and sunscreen
- A water bottle and a charged phone or power bank
- Some cash for small purchases and a valid photo ID
Half day desert safari price
The price depends on your date, group size and the add-ons you choose. Send your date and number of guests, and the reservations desk will reply with availability and the rate.
More packages
Before you book
- What is a half day desert safari in Jaisalmer?
- It's an evening trip to the Sam Sand Dunes without an overnight stay. It includes a sunset camel safari, evening tea and snacks, a Kalbeliya and Langa folk night by the bonfire, and dinner at Camp e Khas.
- How long does the half day desert safari take?
- About 6 to 7 hours, from the afternoon pickup to the drop back at your hotel after dinner.
- Can I do a desert safari in Jaisalmer without staying overnight?
- Yes. That's what the half day desert safari is for. You return to Jaisalmer the same night.
- What is the best time for a desert safari in Jaisalmer?
- October to March is the best season. In summer, the evening safari is the most comfortable option because you ride as the heat drops.
- How far is Sam Sand Dunes from Jaisalmer?
- Camp e Khas and the Sam Sand Dunes are 45 km from Jaisalmer city.
- Is dinner included?
- Yes. Dinner at the camp restaurant is included. A private candle-lit dinner on the dunes can be added.
- Is the camel ride included?
- Yes. A camel safari on the Sam dunes is included. Jeep safaris, village safaris, parasailing and dune bashing can be added.
- Do you offer hotel pickup in Jaisalmer?
- Yes, pickup and drop from your Jaisalmer hotel can be arranged. Share your hotel when you enquire.
- Can we visit Kuldhara on the half day safari?
- Yes. Kuldhara can be added as a stop on the way to the dunes.
- Is the half day desert safari safe for kids and senior citizens?
- Yes. The camel ride, folk night and dinner suit all ages, and the camp has lawns, seating and a restaurant. Tell us the ages in your group when you book.
- What should I wear for a desert safari?
- Light clothes, closed shoes, sunglasses and a cap. Add a warm layer in winter, as evenings get cold.
- Can I extend the half day safari to an overnight stay?
- Yes. Ask to add a night in an AC Swiss tent when you enquire.
- Do I need to book in advance?
- It's best to book ahead, especially from October to March and over Christmas, New Year and the Desert Festival.
- Can I book this on MakeMyTrip?
- Camp e Khas isn't on MakeMyTrip or most online portals. Book directly by phone or email.
Send your date, number of guests and hotel name. The reservations desk will reply with availability, timings and rates.