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Deep
in
the
Thar
Desert
lies
the
medieval
fortress
town
of
Jaisalmer.
Surrounded
by
a
stark
landscape,
Jaisalmer
creates
a
powerful
mood
of
overwhelming
isolation
that
is
almost
sinister
in
effect.
Except
for
some
isolated
hamlets,
not
a
soul
is
to
be
seen
for
miles
around
and
the
eye
reaches
far
out
to
an
ever
receeding
horizon.
There
is
no
better
way
of
experiencing
the
romance
and
mystery
of
Desert
than
on
camel
back
safari.
The
Camel
Safaris
in
Rajasthan
traverse
along
totally
rural
terrains
still
ruled
by
its
romantic
past
of
chivalry,
love
and
passion.
The
camp
is
around
hamlets
along
the
route
so
that
the
tourist
gets
a
closer
look
into
the
world
of
the
desert
inhabitants.
The
herding
of
sheep
and
the
life
inside
a
thatched
mud
hut
being
the
thorny
inhabitants.
The
hot
Lunch
is
served
under
a
cluster
of
trees.
The
day
is
rounded
up
with
dinner
being
served
around
a
roaring
campfire
under
the
starlit
sky
with
local
folks
singing
haunting
Rajasthani
folk
music.
Jodhpur,
Bikaner
and
Jaisalmer
-
three
stone
sculpted
cities
rising
out
of
the
golden
sands
of
Rajasthan.
Here
the
blazing
sun
creates
illusion
of
shimmering
lakes
in
eerie
silence
and
sand
storms
rage
occasionally.
Yet
the
Romance
of
the
Desert
overwhelms.
Life
vibrates
to
the
sound
of
music
and
sways
in
a
profusion
of
colours.
Sturdy
moustached
men
in
colourful
turbans,
cheerful
women
in
multi-hued
skirts,
caparisoned
camels…
Enticing
Gair,
Fire
and
Snake
dancers,
Folk
musicians
and
festive
gaiety.
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Camel
Safaris
in
Rajasthan
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Generally
speaking,
the
Thar
Desert
extends
from
Karachi
(Pakistan)
to
Jalore
in
Rajasthan,
traversing
an
oblong
shape,
taking
in
parts
of
Harayana,
Gujarat.
The
intense
desert
exists
in
the
districts
of
Bikaner,
Jaisalmer,
Jodhpur,
Barmer,
Jalore
and
Bhuj(Gujarat)
covering
a
wide
belt
of
arid,
semi-arid
and
fertile
soils.
Collectively
classified
as
“MARUSTHALA”
(region
of
death)
the
Thar
is
divided
into
three
distinct
parts:
(a)
Plains;
(b)
Bushy
Sand;
and
(c)
Shifting
sand.
Parts
of
the
plains
around
Bikaner
have
a
volcanic
soild,
devoid
of
underground
water.
The
bushy
and
shifting
sand
areas
have
ample
of
underground
water.
Unlike
the
Sahara
desert,
where
the
Sahara
has
many
Casis
due
to
its
being
based
on
rock,
the
Thar
has
none,
but
ample
of
deep
wells,
dug
in
recent
times.
From
11th
to
16th
century,
it
drew
many
races
of
people
to
settle
in
Thar.
The
tribes
of
Meena,
Gujars,
Johias,
Jats,
Mohils,
Banjaras
and
Rathore
Rajputs
moved
in.
They
established
Mandore,
Jodhpur
and
Bikaner
in
quick
succession.
In
the
16th
century,
the
Vishnois,
the
predominantly
agriculture
oriented
community
worshipping
the
antelope
and
nature
God
settled
and
are
now
a
big
socioeconomic
political
force.
Generally
the
people
of
the
Thar
desert
are
hospitable
and
simple.
Majority
of
them
are
Hindu.
The
people
who
form
the
agriculture
community
live
in
small
villages
called
Dhanis.
Dhanis
consists
of
a
few
homes
and
are
seperated
from
the
main
villages.
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Riding
a
camel
is
not
the
easiest
thing
in
the
world.
Nor
is
it
a
great
test
for
endurance.
Yet,
it
most
certainly
is
a
great
experience.
We
provide
good,
trained,
riding
camels,
which
can
cover
upto
60
km
a
day.
Normally
the
safari
moves
30/40
km
a
day
over
a
span
of
5/7
hours,
with
halts
for
lunch,
tea
and
photography.
The
client
rides
up
in
the
front
seat,
with
the
camel
rider,
taking
the
pillion
seat.
This
provides
clients
with
better
view
and
opportunity
for
photography.
One
must
sit
like
on
horse-back,
yet
keep
knees
loose,
so
as
to
avoid
rashes.
Clothes
must
be
loose
fitting.
Ladies
can
ride
side
saddle
if
they
want
to.
On
safari
plenty
of
liquids
in
the
form
of
tea/coffee,
fruits
and
juices
are
provided.
Aerated
drinks
are
less
advised.
Food
is
hygienically
cooked.
Camps
are
set
up
in
collapsible
tents,
near
villages.
Recommended
items
to
be
carried
on
safari
are
head
covers (cap
or
hat),
sun-glasses
and
sunburn
lotions.
Recommended
Period
:
mid-September
to
mid-March.
The
recommended
areas
for
Camel
safari
are
from
Jaisalmer,
Bikaner,
Jodhpur,
Shekhawati
(Mandawa
and
Rattangarh)
and
Safaris
from
2
to
12
days
duration
can
be
organised.
Most
recommended
are
4
to
7
days
only.
Rajasthan
is
the
home
of
the
tigers,
black
bucks,
chinkara,
the
rare
desert
fox,
the
endangered
caracal,
the
great
Indian
bustard,
gavial,
monitor
lizard,
wild
boars,
porcupines.
Migratory
birds
like
the
common
cranes,
ducks,
coots,
pelicans
and
the
rare
Siberian
cranes,
imperial
sandgrouse,
falcons,
buzzards.
Rajasthan
boasts
of
two
National
Parks,
over
a
dozen
Sanctuaries
and
two
closed
areas. |