If an overnight safari sounds like too much, a sunrise camel ride gives you the dunes in a few easy hours. You leave town before dawn, reach the sand as the sky pales, and ride a camel across the ripples while the light turns from grey to pink to gold. After the ride you sit down to a simple breakfast of tea, bread, eggs or fruit, and then return to your hotel in time for a second breakfast or a nap. The dunes are empty at this hour, the air is cool and the colours are soft, so it is both the most comfortable and the most photogenic time to visit the desert.
Mornings in the Thar are special. The temperature is at its lowest, the wind is calm and the sand holds the patterns of the night, including the tracks of beetles, lizards and birds. As the sun rises, long shadows stretch across the ridges and the dunes seem to change shape. Photographers love this light, and it flatters everyone, so bring your camera.
The ride itself is short, usually one to two hours, led by a handler who knows the route. Camels move with a swaying gait, and you hold on to the saddle frame as the animal rises and sits. Wear long trousers and closed shoes, and bring a layer for the cool start, since the desert is cold before the sun clears the horizon in winter. A scarf helps with dust.
Breakfast is part of the charm. Many operators serve tea, toast or flatbread, boiled eggs, fruit and sometimes a hot dish, laid out on a mat in the sand. If you have dietary needs, tell the operator in advance. The mix of fresh air, quiet and warm food is surprisingly memorable, and it gives time to talk with your handler about desert life.
Compared with sunset trips, sunrise rides are quieter and less commercial. You are likely to share the dunes with only a few other people, and the camel handlers have time to chat. It is also a good option in the hotter months, when midday is unpleasant, and when you want to fit a desert experience around a busy sightseeing schedule. Check the departure time carefully, because starts are early.
Combine the ride with a stay at a camp near the dunes if you want to avoid the early drive, or book it from a Jaisalmer hotel with a pick-up. Return in time for a rest, then spend the afternoon in the fort or at a haveli. If you are travelling with children, the shorter ride and cool weather are usually easier than a long afternoon safari, though check age and height limits with the operator.
The early start is easier if you prepare the night before. Lay out warm clothes, charge your camera and phone, and set two alarms. Drink water before bed and eat lightly. If you are staying in the old city, confirm the pick-up point, because lanes can be confusing in the dark. After the ride, you may want a rest, so avoid scheduling a major sight straight afterwards, and plan a late breakfast or nap before the afternoon.
What to expect
The experience
A pre-dawn transfer to the dunes, a camel ride at sunrise and a simple breakfast on the sand.
Best time
Sunrise, with an early start; October to March is most comfortable.
How long
Three to four hours including transfers.
Tips
Wear layers and closed shoes, tell the operator about dietary needs and bring a camera.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Photographers, early risers and travellers short on time.
- Families
- Cooler and shorter than an afternoon safari, so good for children.
- Couples
- A quiet, soft-lit start to the day.
- Pair with
- A fort visit or haveli walk in the afternoon.
- Time needed
- A morning.
Good questions
What time does the tour start?+
Usually before dawn, so confirm the pick-up time with your operator.
How long is the camel ride?+
Typically one to two hours, depending on the route.
What is for breakfast?+
Often tea, bread, eggs and fruit, though menus vary by operator.
Is it cold?+
Mornings can be chilly in winter, so wear layers.
Is it good for children?+
Often yes, because the ride is shorter and cooler, but check age limits.
