Camel Safari: Bikaneer or Jaisalmer??

Tbone144

My girlfriend and I are on our way to India next week for a five week excursion. Aside from fear that i'm going to freeze, I'm super excited. Starting to feel like a kid on Christmas Eve.

Anyway, we are really keen on doing a 2 or 3 day Camel Safari while we are there, but am not too sure where to do it from. Jaisalmer or Bikaneer. The general feeling i'm getting regarding Jaisalmeer is that they are really touristy, and bikaneer is a more off the beaten track experience.

Basically what I am wondering, does one provide more of an authentic experience, have whiter sand, or more beautiful scenery? Or is it heavely contingent on which company one decides to go through? I am interested hear from anyone who has anything to say regarding this topic. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Matt

rashichadha

hey i personally feel tht u should definately go for a camel safari in jaisalmer...

A two day camel safari from Jaisalmer is a unique way to savour the mystique of the desert - tiny villages almost untouched by time, incredible sunsets over the wind-swept dunes, a million stars blazing in a velvet sky as you camp out by a roaring fire....

The Desert Circuit, as it is known, is a triangle made up of the cities of Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India. The three cities are surrounded by sand dunes and picturesque Thanis [small hamlets of no more than half a dozen houses] – making it an ideal area for a camel safari. Time and budget permitting, one can either take an entire trail combining these three cities or travel around just one of the cities.



A camel safari from Jaisalmer is a surrealistic experience. Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer magic of this desert city of Rajasthan. The majestic yellow Jaisalmer Fort seems to rise out of the desert haze. The small market located just outside the Jaisalmer Fort is a treasure haven of local crafts. The narrow streets are a pedestrian’s dream - no traffic, no crowds and surprisingly clean. Exquisitely ornamental havelis [residences of the wealthy] built in stone line the narrow cobbled streets.

The Bhatti Rajputs of this city used to live off the levies imposed on caravans, which crossed Jaisalmer en route to Delhi and central India. The levies brought immense prosperity to the city and the locals built these havelis - dream-like visions in stone. Many have survived the ravages of time. The intricately latticed Nathmalji Ki Haveli, the five-storied Patwon Ki Haveli and the blue cupola-roofed Salim Singh Ki Haveli are reminders of a glorious past of this remote citadel also famous for its Jain Temples.

Parts of the Shekhawati region, which is popularly known as India's open art gallery because of its frescoes, painted havelis, temples and bazaars, can also be included in a customised safari.

Most safaris start at 9 a.m. in groups of 10 to 12 camels. Camel carts loaded with supplies and tents accompany the safari. The local musicians and the cooking staff form an important part of the caravan. By noon both man and animal take a break for food followed by an afternoon siesta. The caravan re-starts at around 3.30 p.m. with the accompanying musicians regaling you with their high-pitched singing, at others times acting as tourist guides. Wading through sand dunes, one might spot some of Rajasthan's unique wildlife such as the Chinkara and the desert fox. On a more fortunate day, one might catch a glimpse of the Great Indian Bustard. One of the most stunning sights of the desert is the setting sun. Few scenic outbursts could rival the magnificence of the burning orange sun descending into the desert. A camel safari covers around 20 kilometres a day.

Dusk is fast and swift in the desert. By around 6 p.m. the safari usually stops at a Thani (small village). Curious villagers come out to greet the tourists who are no longer a surprise or an encroachment on their privacy. They are welcome here as their presence means money and prosperity.

By 6.30 p.m. tents are pitched and preparations for the evening commence. The night brings to life a crystal clean sky with stars shining through like gems. With log fires burning to drive away the desert cold, the musicians take over with songs and folktales of valour, courage and romance of these sands, while the safari chefs prepare an ethnic meal.

The musicians with their harmoniums and dholkis [local drums] bring to life the very essence of the desert. Their rasp voices melodiously mingle with the stillness of the night, which in winter can become bitterly cold in sharp contrast to the high day temperatures.

Rustic folk songs bring to life the tales of Rajasthan. Most of these songs and dances are woven around mythology and history of this colourful land.

The best season for a camel safari is from November to March. There are packages available from Rs. 1,000 [approximately $25] per person per day to Rs. 5,000 [$90] a day. The safari can just be a daylong affair with the desert or can be stretched to a seven-day adventure. A costlier package doesn't necessarily offer more to see - it only offers a little more comfort. You still have to camp in the desert, eat the food cooked on campfires, the music is the same and so are the local dances and the surrounding sands.

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Mysterious Girl

Bengal Tiger

lmao !!!

just this link would have been enough......

http://www.the-south-asian.com/July-.../travelraj.htm

ashish0608

This is superd Begal Tiger.. Ha Ha Ha...I cannot stop laughing

Rashichadda.. I am sorry to say that Indiamike does not encourage copy/pasting of information (and this is lesson #2) and you will have to take a pre-test before getting any more lessons from me..and the (dis)qualifying condition is being a travel agent.

Rob_The_Pom

I paid about 300 rps per day from my hotel - Hotel Renuka in Jaisalmere.
Whilst the trip wasn't luxurious, it was everything they said it would be and more.
The guide was excellent and the whole experience was fantastic.
I'd happily give them a whole hearted recommendation.

Please be careful though, Jaisalmere is a tourist town par excellent and there are scams everywhere with camel safaris.

Cheers

RTP

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The solution to your troubles is at the bottom of a glass

soulstation

My 2 cents: Went with Ganesh Travels (recommended by LP), inside the fort area in Jaisalmer for a 2 day 1 nite safari. Ganesh Travel's Manager Sebastian was straightforward. He did tell us that Thar desert is not like Sahara...its semi-desert. So u wont find endless sand dunes... Our exp was gud. He delivered wat he promised. we went for the non-touristic route and did not encounter any other travellers on the way. You get ur own camel...no sharing, fud is basic. But be very specifc that u want to get to the dunes...no point going in circles near the windmills!

Cost: 1day Rs.375/- as on Dec 04....everything included.

You may like to see some of my deset safari pics here

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2005: Jodhpur, Pragpur, Garli, Chamba Patan, Kaleshwar Mahadev, Dada Sibba, Pong Lake, Kangra, Dharamsala, McLeod Ganj (Saw HH Dalai Lama preaching!), Kasauli, Kathmandu & Corbett
2004: Kuchesar, Brijghat, Rishikesh, Glasshouse on Ganges, Mukteshwar, Naukuchiatal, Lucknow, Ajmer, Pushkar, Jaipur, Jaisalmer & Jodhpur
2003: Mussoorie, Varanasi, Lucknow & Goa
Visit my photo gallery

michellemm

So, the recommended travel agency for this Camel Safari in Jaisalmer is Ganesh Travels?

Does anybody have their contact?

Thanks!

Rob_The_Pom

I'm sure Ganesh are fine. As I said above the in-house agency at Hotel Renuka is also very good.
I think the key is to shop around a little. Talk to other travels etc.
And ignore any deals which sound to good to be true.

Jeroen

I did the trek from Bikaner (organised by 'camelman' listed in the Rough Guide) last year, as I heard that the Jaisalmer treks were less interesting from a traveller. I can't compare the two areas, but the one I did was great. We paid a little more than we would have in Jaisalmer, but we got a great English-speaking guide along and the trek was great.
We passed some beautiful villages with mud huts and houses (with beautiful patterns made on the walls with their fingers), witnessed a wedding, had the best food ever, and had a dip in a farmer's water storage pool while the camels tanked up. The landscape is more like the Sahel (pretty flat with shrubs, occasional trees) than Sahara (ie wild sand dunes). I was surprised by the wildlife we saw - jackals, chameleons, deer, lots of birds and plenty of vultures and eagles; in fact I saw more animals here in the desert than in the jungles of Kerala. Also, we stopped at a farm where a farmer had spent half a million rupees on a water pump, and had turned a patch of desert into a green oasis; the desert is very fertile but just lacks water.

I don't know how this compares to a Jaisalmer trek; you'd have to ask others.

Our guides told us of a village near Jaisalmer that has destroyed all plants in a certain area to make the formation of Sahara-type dunes possible (which only exist in a few places in the Thar desert), just in order to get the tourism in - people want to see dunes, after all. Although this may be just a rumour, I'd rather not contribute to that sort of thing.

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'To see the world in a grain of sand; and heaven in a wild flower; to hold infinity in the palm of your hand; and eternity in an hour'

Rob_The_Pom

We went through the Sam sand dunes - which are the most tourist infested in the desert. They were a complete mess and thankfully we moved on quickly.
We spent our two nights in the desert at much less visited dunes - we were the only ones there. They were in great shape and rubbish free.

I think a key thing is to make sure you go with an agency who brings all rubbish out.
I was very pleased that mine did that.

SitaParityaga

Has anyone heard of short rides out of Jaisalmer? I don't think our backs can take more than two hours.....I read one post from a 25 year old on IM who said he was aching for days, and recommended shorter trips. Now Ed and I can ride horses all day...but I think the movement of camels looks to be quite different.
Has anyone done a camel quickie outside of Jaisalmer, may-be to a place not trashed?

Bengal Tiger

i did a quckie with a camel.. er on a camel...

but the place was the much visted sam dunes.....

i suggest that the car/jeep be stopped somewhat before the sand point. all along the road one will find camel jockeys wth ther camels in groups of 4-5... at sam its like 400 camels. its better to catch a few of those along the way. there will be no hassling (or jousting) from the 100s of jockeys, and most likely you can get a longer better "other tourist free" ride for good money. say 100-ish for a 1.5-2 hr journey

Rob_The_Pom

If you can ride a horse you'll soon adjust to a camel - even though the movement is different.
And the butt ache at the end is well worth it!

Jeroen

Maybe I had a good saddle or something, but at the end of the second day when the crew asked if I wanted to come sit on the provisions cart they were surprised when I opted for more quality time on top of the camel. I had no back or ass problems at all. I did have stirrups though, I hear that's not standard.

soulstation

here u go...

ganeshtravel45@hotmail.com
OFFICE--02992250138
RESIDENCE--02992253119

cell phone no. 9414319891
sebastian(manager)
c/o ganesh travels

One nice place to stay is Hotel Suraj inside the Fort. Awesome views of the Jain Temples frm the hotel's rooftop.