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Camel Safari in Rajasthan
 The Camel Safari Circuit in India
comprises of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Bikaner, all in Rajasthan. They
were the princely kingdoms in the desert belt of India Rajasthan. Each
was comparable in size to many modern nations of Europe.
You can see Rajasthan on a jeep
safari. Or, if you’ve a penchant for the high life, aboard the Palace on
Wheels, Rajasthan’s luxury train. But to really get a hands-on feel of
the desert state, there’s no beating a camel safari. A camel safari is a
great way to see the desert - visiting the villages, seeing wildlife,
and riding across the open desert sands.
Camel safaris in India are a
quintessentially rajasthani affair. Safari as a term in English language
refers to a long journey, an odyssey with the distance to be traveled to
be through a wilderness in order to give the goose bumps to the wary
traveler, which is a unique aspect of adventure tourism in India. For
longer camel safaris, which cover a few days, camps are usually set up
at night in the vicinity of villages. Camel safaris are only held in
rajasthan in India with the key zones to reach out being, the
traditional and historical townships of Jaisalmer and Bikaner.
The camel fair at Pushkar can be
another added attraction if the travelers want to witness a camel dance
in all its elegant glory.
Travel Kit for Camel Safari
in India
1. The climate is extreme in the desert-afternoons may
seem much hotter than the actual 26-30 degree
 temperature may suggest.
Night temperatures may drop below zero on the dunes. It is essential to
stock both woolen and cotton clothing. Shorts and skirts are comfortable
wear for camel safaris but remember some of the off beat routes visit
villages that have not seen many tourists and locals may look askance at
ladies who do not wear ankle length clothing and men in shorts.
2. At Jodhpur you can buy umbrellas that are quite convenient for camel
safaris. Sunscreen cream, moisturizers and lip salve area must. A water
bottle can be comfortably slung on the camel saddle and it is practical
also to carry tangerines as even on a deluxe safari it may not be
practical to dismount each time to drink from the carted water supply.
3. During the daytime, the sun can
be blistering, so make sure you’ve got along your sun hat, a pair of sun
glasses, and suntan lotion. Carry a first aid kit along with you, as
well as any other essentials you might need- out there in the desert,
trying to find a shop which will sell you your favourite brand of soap
can be a problem.
4. It’s a good idea to carry along
extra blankets to cover the wooden saddle which you’ll probably be
sitting on. Blankets are excellent padding, and can protect you from a
sore bottom after a hard day’s riding.
Getting there
Most camel safaris start from Jaisalmer, which is
connected by air, train and road to the rest of India. Rajasthan’s
capital, Jaipur, is also a convenient base for exploring the
state, whether on camel or otherwise. Jaipur has a well-connected
airport, as well as regular train and bus links to a number of cities
across India. All camel-safari towns in Rajasthan, such as Bikaner
and Mandawa, are connected by road to Jaipur. Buses run between
all the major towns of the state, and private cars or taxis can be hired
to do the trip.
Few
things to be Remembered
 >>When you do start on the camel safari, keep a few things in mind.
Remember that you’re travelling through the desert- it’s dry, and if
you’re not careful, you could get dehydrated. Drink plenty of water- at
least 2 to 4 litres a day- and keep yourself well covered, to prevent
sunburn.
>>Wear a sunhat and sun glasses and slap on the suntan lotion if you don’t
want your skin to start peeling.
>>Rajasthan, although it’s fast
getting as commercialised as any other part of India, still is pretty
unspoilt- especially as far as the desert is concerned. Keep it that
way; please don’t leave a trail of junk behind you or harm the ecology
and culture of this beautiful region.
Popular circuits for camel safaris are
Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Mandawa |
