Rajasthan in April...questions about the desert and camel safaris

HollyF9986 · Apr 1st, 2008, 04:15

Hi everyone! This will be my first time in India, and I am very very excited. I am looking forward to the desert the most, but

I was hoping to have a few questions answered...I will be there early April, and I was hoping to do a camel safari for at least a week. Is it going to be too hot to do that?

I also wanted to know if anyone knew of a way to hire a more private sort of guide? I hate doing big group trips or tours, but I can't seem to find any other way to go into the desert or the dunes...am I wasting my time looking? I really just want to get the most out of the desert that I possibly can.

Thanks so much for any help!

camelgirl · Apr 1st, 2008, 06:52

It's very hot in April. Probably between 90 and 110 in the daytime. It could even be higher. I don't do well in that kind of heat but maybe it won't bother you. I assume you are planning your camel safari out of Jaisalmer. It's the most popular place to go from.

You can definitely hire a private guide. There are heaps of them available. Don't know if you can do it in advance though. It's usually quite easy to organize it once you get there. I don't honestly know if they even do camel safaris in the hot season. Maybe someone else here on IM knows.

zoltan · Apr 1st, 2008, 08:34

Hi again Holly,

As camelgirl suggests, it will be HOTin Jaisalmer. During the daytime (now), it's in the high 30's (cel).

I honestly don't know if camel treks are still going during the hot season - but if they are, have a look at "Trotters Independent". They were the last group that I did a safari with (I've now done 3 on different visits to Jaisalmer) and it was without question *the best* that I've done.

They have a web-site (you'll have to google the details) and to answer your more specific questions, you'd have to ask the operators directly.

At a guess, given the time of year that you are intending to head out, you won't have much problem avoiding other tourist groups.

Cheers
Zoltan

edwardseco · Apr 1st, 2008, 11:29

I salute thee who are about to fry.

Quote:

At a guess, given the time of year that you are intending to head out, you won't have much problem avoiding other tourist groups.

.

A wry sense of humor..

jyotirmoy · Apr 1st, 2008, 11:51

A week of camel safari in April? Think again. Long camel rides are known to result in painful muscle cramps.

camelgirl · Apr 1st, 2008, 20:38

If you do decide to try it in April, instead of a week try a day trip out and back. You really do get the whole sense of the desert & the camels. And this is also commonly offered. But as Zoltan said, they may not operate in the hot season.

cicliced · Apr 9th, 2008, 16:59

Hi, I did an overnight camel trek from Bikaner in February, organised with camelman (search google for website). I'm sure they can help you with your requirements, the trek we did was brilliant - nice guides, excellent food, good tents and blankets provided. And we didn't come across any other tourists at all - something that I heard can be a problem in Jaiselmer with so many operators.

My only concern would be how long you go for, I did 2 days (1night), I would have liked to do 1 more night but I think a week would be too long, could be very uncomfortable. If you do decide on such a long trek I think its possible to go from Bikaner to Jaiselmer by camel, quite an achievment but this may take around 10days i think.

Any other questions let me know....

Apr 1st, 2008, 04:15	#1
HollyF9986 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Farmingdale, NY Posts: 3	Rajasthan in April...questions about the desert and camel safaris Hi everyone! This will be my first time in India, and I am very very excited. I am looking forward to the desert the most, but I was hoping to have a few questions answered...I will be there early April, and I was hoping to do a camel safari for at least a week. Is it going to be too hot to do that? I also wanted to know if anyone knew of a way to hire a more private sort of guide? I hate doing big group trips or tours, but I can't seem to find any other way to go into the desert or the dunes...am I wasting my time looking? I really just want to get the most out of the desert that I possibly can. Thanks so much for any help!

Apr 1st, 2008, 06:52	#2
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,022	It's very hot in April. Probably between 90 and 110 in the daytime. It could even be higher. I don't do well in that kind of heat but maybe it won't bother you. I assume you are planning your camel safari out of Jaisalmer. It's the most popular place to go from. You can definitely hire a private guide. There are heaps of them available. Don't know if you can do it in advance though. It's usually quite easy to organize it once you get there. I don't honestly know if they even do camel safaris in the hot season. Maybe someone else here on IM knows. __________________ My selected India photos http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...r/7030/cat/500

Apr 1st, 2008, 08:34	#3
zoltan Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 655	Hi again Holly, As camelgirl suggests, it will be HOTin Jaisalmer. During the daytime (now), it's in the high 30's (cel). I honestly don't know if camel treks are still going during the hot season - but if they are, have a look at "Trotters Independent". They were the last group that I did a safari with (I've now done 3 on different visits to Jaisalmer) and it was without question the best that I've done. They have a web-site (you'll have to google the details) and to answer your more specific questions, you'd have to ask the operators directly. At a guess, given the time of year that you are intending to head out, you won't have much problem avoiding other tourist groups. Cheers Zoltan __________________ India (and other) photos click here

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Apr 1st, 2008, 11:51	#5
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 4,621	A week of camel safari in April? Think again. Long camel rides are known to result in painful muscle cramps.

Apr 1st, 2008, 20:38	#6
camelgirl 10 year Visa okee dokee Join Date: May 2005 Location: Swannanoa NC usa Posts: 1,022	If you do decide to try it in April, instead of a week try a day trip out and back. You really do get the whole sense of the desert & the camels. And this is also commonly offered. But as Zoltan said, they may not operate in the hot season.

Apr 9th, 2008, 16:59	#7
cicliced Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: London Posts: 36	Hi, I did an overnight camel trek from Bikaner in February, organised with camelman (search google for website). I'm sure they can help you with your requirements, the trek we did was brilliant - nice guides, excellent food, good tents and blankets provided. And we didn't come across any other tourists at all - something that I heard can be a problem in Jaiselmer with so many operators. My only concern would be how long you go for, I did 2 days (1night), I would have liked to do 1 more night but I think a week would be too long, could be very uncomfortable. If you do decide on such a long trek I think its possible to go from Bikaner to Jaiselmer by camel, quite an achievment but this may take around 10days i think. Any other questions let me know....

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