Indian
Wildlife Tours
Camel Safari in
Rajasthan Duration
: 3 Nights & 4 Days
Destination Covered : Jaisalmer - Bikaner


Deserts have since long exerted an irresistible charm on the psyche of the
humans, the landscape inspiring different emotions in different people. And
what better way to explore this magical realm than on a camel back, for a
camel safari is one of the most adventurous of experiences, and indeed a
novel way to 'discover' the desert. Camel safaris trace their origins to the
time of trade between India and China, when camel caravans would journey
along established trade routes laden with spices and herbs and jewels. They
provide an opportunity to get a glimpse of traditional Indian life in the
desert, with all the hardships, the beauty and the desolation.
The accommodation on the way consists of primitive thatched mud huts, and
the way of life-though hospitable-is entirely ethnic.
Camel
safaris generally cover the area around Jaisalmer, Bikaner or Jodhpur,
popularly known as the desert circuit. The duration can vary between one day
and two weeks. Big towns are not usually on the route though there is no
definite route that you have to adopt.
Route navigation in the
desert is an acquired art, and caravans must be manned by riders who not
only know how to study the stars, but also recognise the shifting sands of
the terrain.

A camel safari is exciting, but is not exactly a relaxing vacation. Unless
you are accustomed to horse-riding, a day-long camel ride will be tiring.
Even if you are accustomed to horse-riding, since the gait of the camel is
quite different, it may take some time to get used to it.
Keeping in your seat as the camel raises or lowers itself to the ground, can
appear at first to be a losing battle.
However, whether tiring
or relaxing, a camel safari is bound to be a unique experience.
Day 1 : JaisalmerDrive from Jaisalmer to the starting point of
camel trek at village Bungri via Pokaran-Phalodi-Khichan-Au-Choutina(Laxman
Nagar). Khichan, Au, Choutina is on Phalodi-Nagor road. From Choutina
(Laxman Nagar) turn north for Bungri which is nearly 23 Kms. from Choutina.
Totally it will be distance of 245Kms. approx from Jaisalmer. Lunch will be
served on arrival at village Bungri. After lunch begin camel trek from
village Bungri to Meghwalon-Ki-Dhani. Arrive at Meghwalon-Ki-Dhani and camp.
Dinner will be served at camp over night in the tents. Todays camel
trek will be of 2 hrs. approx. (14 Km)
Village description -
Bungri is a Rajput village with composition of the other occupational casts.
The people of all the casts are basically farmers and cattle breeders.
Day 2
Breakfast at the camp and camel trek Meghwalon-Ki-Dhani to Sainsar. Lunch on
the way during the trek. Arrive Sainsar and camp. Dinner will be served in
the camp over night in the tents. Todays camel trek will be of 22 Kms.
approx.
Village description- Meghwalon-Ki-Dhani is a small
settlement of few huts. Dhani in Desert means temporary dwelling and now a
days these small hamlets(Dhanis) tend to gain permanent character with
growing means of transport and communication in the desert. More and more
families tend to break away from the villages and start settling down in
Dhanis permanently. Meghwalon-Ki-Dhani is a small hamlet where lives a low
cast working on leather. Sainsar is a village where a lot of Bishnoi people
live. Bishnoi people are nature worshipers and they worship the desert
antelope - Gazzel.
Day 3 Continue camel
trek from Sainsar village to Pratapa Nada. Camp will be at Pratapa Nada.
Todays camel trek will be of 21 Km approx.
Village
description - Todays camel trek will pass through beautiful desert
landscape and villages of Rajputs, Jats, Charans, and Dhanis of Nayaks (the
hunter cast of old days). Also desert animals like antelopes (Gazzal),
Desert Fox, Rabbits, Reptiles and birds may be spotted if one is lucky.
Among the casts Charans of village Ratariya are worth mentioning. Charans in
the olden times used to compose and Sing poetry in praise of the nobles and
there feudal lords. It was an oral tradition of poetry in a very old
language called dingal. Nowadays only a few surviving persons in this Charan
cast keep this tradition alive.
Day 4 : BikanerContinue camel trek from Pratapa Nada to village
Dhingsari where the trek will end. Lunch will be served at village
Dhingsari. Drive to Bikaner via Kishnasar, Janglu, Jegla and Deshnoke. On
the way back to Bikaner Deshnoke Rats Temple can be visited. Todays
camel trek will be of 15 Km approx.
Village description -
Dhingsari is the village of Rajput cast. The main cast living in this
village is called Rajvi - they are the direct descendants of the brother of
the 14th Maharaja of Bikaner.
Arrive at Bikaner and check in the
hotel to freshen up. Have lunch and sightseeing before taking the train to
Delhi or proceed to the next destination.