Riding the ship of Desert
Tale of a Camel Ride
Truly an awesome experience. And that’s what I wanted it to be.
But the day when I planned, I was not that confident. There were various things that ran inside me. (a) Would it be safe? (b) I have my son travelling with me. He is 5 years now. Will he enjoy the experience? (c) What do they (the tour planner’s) actually want us to experience? (d) Are they really that experienced that they say? And it continued ……….
But whenever I thought of planning my trip to Rajasthan, camel ride was what I always wanted to experience. So I could never wanted to rule out this opportunity.
But the day when I planned, I was not that confident. There were various things that ran inside me. (a) Would it be safe? (b) I have my son travelling with me. He is 5 years now. Will he enjoy the experience? (c) What do they (the tour planner’s) actually want us to experience? (d) Are they really that experienced that they say? And it continued ……….
But whenever I thought of planning my trip to Rajasthan, camel ride was what I always wanted to experience. So I could never wanted to rule out this opportunity.
The day and time finally came when we wait eagerly in our hotel lobby for our ride to come and take us to the experience.
Hearing a honk, I eagerly saw towards the main gate of the hotel. Through the gates I saw our vehicle entering the hotel portico. What is it? Mahindra Bolero? To my expectation our first transfer vehicle would be something with 4WD. As we are going to the desert and I believed it would be a rough one. But seeing the Bolero, I was feeling a bit low. Stepping in the vehicle first thing what I asked our driver, where are we heading? He replied, Sir, we will first go to our office for change of transfer vehicle. Ah, that’s what I wanted to hear. So this is not the vehicle.
Through the busy streets of Jaisalmer, our vehicle reached their office. Mr Sawai gave us a warm welcome and briefed us about the plan. And then was the time when I first saw our 4WD standing bold, ready to rock the roads. That was the moment from when I got my excitement started.
It was October 10, 2016 and the time was around 15:45HRS when our 4WD ignited with a roar and our journey starts. . The city faded away as our vehicle speeded towards the desert. Leaving the city behind the view outside the windows changed. The view was dominated by parched region. Mostly it included rocky terrain. And my mind boggles with that roughness. It felt good.
So how would you draw a picture of desert in your mind? I am sure it would be dunes of sand waving away till the horizon. But initially after leaving the city it was mostly land filled with thorny scrubs. After a few more kilometer we could view the onshore wind farm of Jaisalmer. They are massive sized windmills used for power generation.
Hearing a honk, I eagerly saw towards the main gate of the hotel. Through the gates I saw our vehicle entering the hotel portico. What is it? Mahindra Bolero? To my expectation our first transfer vehicle would be something with 4WD. As we are going to the desert and I believed it would be a rough one. But seeing the Bolero, I was feeling a bit low. Stepping in the vehicle first thing what I asked our driver, where are we heading? He replied, Sir, we will first go to our office for change of transfer vehicle. Ah, that’s what I wanted to hear. So this is not the vehicle.
Through the busy streets of Jaisalmer, our vehicle reached their office. Mr Sawai gave us a warm welcome and briefed us about the plan. And then was the time when I first saw our 4WD standing bold, ready to rock the roads. That was the moment from when I got my excitement started.
It was October 10, 2016 and the time was around 15:45HRS when our 4WD ignited with a roar and our journey starts. . The city faded away as our vehicle speeded towards the desert. Leaving the city behind the view outside the windows changed. The view was dominated by parched region. Mostly it included rocky terrain. And my mind boggles with that roughness. It felt good.
So how would you draw a picture of desert in your mind? I am sure it would be dunes of sand waving away till the horizon. But initially after leaving the city it was mostly land filled with thorny scrubs. After a few more kilometer we could view the onshore wind farm of Jaisalmer. They are massive sized windmills used for power generation.
The abandoned village :
After an hour’s drive our 4WD stopped in front of a huge gate. The gate was the main entrance for the famous abandoned village of Kuldhara. It was once a prosperous village inhabited by Brahmins. There are various local legends about this village. After crossing the main gate we entered the village by the road which might have been built ages ago. As we were entering the village I was getting astonished by the planning done when the village was established. As years passed this village acquired the reputation of a haunted village and there is a strong belief that the village have remained uninhabited for more than 200 years. There was a beautiful temple inside the village and to my belief it might have been the main temple of the village. Seeing the village I was still happy seeing that the village was under the maintenance of Archaeological Survey of India as a heritage site.
It was thrilling feeling the chill sweeps over me as we explored the abandoned huts of Kuldhara.
As the sun sets, the gates of Kuldhara are closed by the locals of the neighboring villages. I am not sure what actually the story is, but the legend leaves me intrigued.
After an hour’s drive our 4WD stopped in front of a huge gate. The gate was the main entrance for the famous abandoned village of Kuldhara. It was once a prosperous village inhabited by Brahmins. There are various local legends about this village. After crossing the main gate we entered the village by the road which might have been built ages ago. As we were entering the village I was getting astonished by the planning done when the village was established. As years passed this village acquired the reputation of a haunted village and there is a strong belief that the village have remained uninhabited for more than 200 years. There was a beautiful temple inside the village and to my belief it might have been the main temple of the village. Seeing the village I was still happy seeing that the village was under the maintenance of Archaeological Survey of India as a heritage site.
It was thrilling feeling the chill sweeps over me as we explored the abandoned huts of Kuldhara.
As the sun sets, the gates of Kuldhara are closed by the locals of the neighboring villages. I am not sure what actually the story is, but the legend leaves me intrigued.
The Oasis :
Leaving behind the main gate of the village we headed for our next stop. It was an Oasis (locally called as Jaseri). It was another 15 minute drive through the desert and we reached the beautiful water body in the middle of this barren rocky terrain. The view of the oasis was mind blowing with the floating clouds in the clear blue sky above us. There were some trees at the bank of the oasis.
I have never experienced such comfort of sitting in the shades beside an oasis. Only read about oasis in school and in story books. First-hand experience will be remembered this life long.
Leaving behind the main gate of the village we headed for our next stop. It was an Oasis (locally called as Jaseri). It was another 15 minute drive through the desert and we reached the beautiful water body in the middle of this barren rocky terrain. The view of the oasis was mind blowing with the floating clouds in the clear blue sky above us. There were some trees at the bank of the oasis.
I have never experienced such comfort of sitting in the shades beside an oasis. Only read about oasis in school and in story books. First-hand experience will be remembered this life long.
The camel :
Gradually the sun sets and we head towards the final part of this half day tour. Our 4WD drove to our last point where we found huge camels waiting for us. The saddles were placed on the camels as they gazed us. Our camel handler was a small kid.
I asked him. Will you be comfortable managing this camel?
I don’t think you can for your size.
Because finally the time has come when all my questions will be answered.
He replied. “Don’t worry bhai (brother). You will not feel any discomfort.”
Our handler guided us how to sit on the camel. I followed the steps and after a minute my camel stood up high and I was sitting approximately 8 feet off the ground. They lifted my son too and he was to sit with me. We made ourselves set on the camel as we waited for rest of the camels to stand on their foot. I kept on querying my son if he was feeling uncomfortable sitting on the camel. And he assured that he was enjoying every time I asked.
When I understood that he was really comfortable, that is the time from when I too started enjoying. With long steps in a single line all the camels started to walk as per the guidance of the handlers. All handlers were walking on foot with us.
It was a long ride. Initially it was the same terrain as before, but as we went deeper, the view started changing. We found ourselves nearing the dunes. It was like an awestruck on hitting the dunes. On entering what we could see was endless sea of sand all around us.
Gradually I felt that riding a camel is easy as they don’t spook like horses. It’s the getting on and off that’s the difficult part. Especially on the descent, I felt like tumbling forward over the camels head. You need to hold the saddle tight and balance yourself.
It was the time when I started believing that camel indeed is the only easy and comfortable transport on deserts. So when your turn comes for the ride, take a deep breath and believe that you too can do it with ease.
The place where we descended from the camel was in the middle of this endless sea of sand which I referred earlier. There was nothing much that we could see other than a worn out hut and some cots provided by the organisers for taking rest.
Who wanted to rest?
We could see the sun setting in the horizon and the view was spectacular. Everybody took their photography gear out and started clicking. I crossed a few small dunes thinking that beyond it I would get a better view of the setting sun. But what I could understand that it really was endless and it would be like playing in a loop.
Gradually the sun sets and we head towards the final part of this half day tour. Our 4WD drove to our last point where we found huge camels waiting for us. The saddles were placed on the camels as they gazed us. Our camel handler was a small kid.
I asked him. Will you be comfortable managing this camel?
I don’t think you can for your size.
Because finally the time has come when all my questions will be answered.
He replied. “Don’t worry bhai (brother). You will not feel any discomfort.”
Our handler guided us how to sit on the camel. I followed the steps and after a minute my camel stood up high and I was sitting approximately 8 feet off the ground. They lifted my son too and he was to sit with me. We made ourselves set on the camel as we waited for rest of the camels to stand on their foot. I kept on querying my son if he was feeling uncomfortable sitting on the camel. And he assured that he was enjoying every time I asked.
When I understood that he was really comfortable, that is the time from when I too started enjoying. With long steps in a single line all the camels started to walk as per the guidance of the handlers. All handlers were walking on foot with us.
It was a long ride. Initially it was the same terrain as before, but as we went deeper, the view started changing. We found ourselves nearing the dunes. It was like an awestruck on hitting the dunes. On entering what we could see was endless sea of sand all around us.
Gradually I felt that riding a camel is easy as they don’t spook like horses. It’s the getting on and off that’s the difficult part. Especially on the descent, I felt like tumbling forward over the camels head. You need to hold the saddle tight and balance yourself.
It was the time when I started believing that camel indeed is the only easy and comfortable transport on deserts. So when your turn comes for the ride, take a deep breath and believe that you too can do it with ease.
The place where we descended from the camel was in the middle of this endless sea of sand which I referred earlier. There was nothing much that we could see other than a worn out hut and some cots provided by the organisers for taking rest.
Who wanted to rest?
We could see the sun setting in the horizon and the view was spectacular. Everybody took their photography gear out and started clicking. I crossed a few small dunes thinking that beyond it I would get a better view of the setting sun. But what I could understand that it really was endless and it would be like playing in a loop.
The stars :
With the setting sun, it became dark. Having spent my entire life in cities, this is the first time when I felt an entirely new and unexpected sensation of no light pollution.
With the setting sun, it became dark. Having spent my entire life in cities, this is the first time when I felt an entirely new and unexpected sensation of no light pollution.
The food :
Our organizers on reaching proved their professionalism. First thing that they did was lighting up the fire and started preparation for cooking.
As we were busy clicking photos they cooked fried chips for all the tourists. Everything that we were experiencing was unique and new for us. As time went everyone started getting involved in the cooking. It was fun cooking under the open sky.
Our package that we have booked with Real Desert Man Safari’s was a half day desert safari which concluded with dinner. When the food was all cooked our organizer served it for us and we enjoyed hot dal, sabji and roti with local pickle and green chilli.
What a day we had with series of experiences that will be remembered life-long.
Our organizers on reaching proved their professionalism. First thing that they did was lighting up the fire and started preparation for cooking.
As we were busy clicking photos they cooked fried chips for all the tourists. Everything that we were experiencing was unique and new for us. As time went everyone started getting involved in the cooking. It was fun cooking under the open sky.
Our package that we have booked with Real Desert Man Safari’s was a half day desert safari which concluded with dinner. When the food was all cooked our organizer served it for us and we enjoyed hot dal, sabji and roti with local pickle and green chilli.
What a day we had with series of experiences that will be remembered life-long.
The End :
Finally the time arrived when after this eventful day, our driver called us for our return.He guided us through the dark dunes to our car. It was around 21:00 HRS. We hopped in our 4WD and through the dense dark desert we headed back towards the city.
At around 21:45 HRS we were dropped in our hotel.
It felt awesome when I walked through the lobby to our hotel room feeling that we did something new out of our comfort zone and finally we are back with loads of memories which will be cherished. Thank you Real Desert Man Safari for this experience.
Finally the time arrived when after this eventful day, our driver called us for our return.He guided us through the dark dunes to our car. It was around 21:00 HRS. We hopped in our 4WD and through the dense dark desert we headed back towards the city.
At around 21:45 HRS we were dropped in our hotel.
It felt awesome when I walked through the lobby to our hotel room feeling that we did something new out of our comfort zone and finally we are back with loads of memories which will be cherished. Thank you Real Desert Man Safari for this experience.
Important information’s :
Distance of Kuldhara from Jaisalmer city is 18 km. For more detailed stories on Kuldhara there are various sites which elaborate paranormal activities been experienced. Even I would recommend viewing various documentaries on the village. You will find them on YouTube.
Distance of Kuldhara from Jaisalmer city is 18 km. For more detailed stories on Kuldhara there are various sites which elaborate paranormal activities been experienced. Even I would recommend viewing various documentaries on the village. You will find them on YouTube.
My recommendations
Do tip the camel handler. They play a special part in all the experiences you gather.
Those who are afraid of riding on the camel can try out these options. I won’t recommend anyone missing this remarkable and magnificent tour. They can try out this tour in a different way after consulting with the package makers.
Walk with the camel and camel handlers. When they walk through the desert for the last destination you too can trek with them. Be prepared with a good pair of walking shoes to walk through this rough terrain and sand.
Do tip the camel handler. They play a special part in all the experiences you gather.
Those who are afraid of riding on the camel can try out these options. I won’t recommend anyone missing this remarkable and magnificent tour. They can try out this tour in a different way after consulting with the package makers.
Walk with the camel and camel handlers. When they walk through the desert for the last destination you too can trek with them. Be prepared with a good pair of walking shoes to walk through this rough terrain and sand.
Some more informations :
- Carry mosquito repellent to keep yourself safe.
- Carry a bandana or desert cap to protect yourself from the heat. The same will be useful when the sun sets and the temperature drop.
- Avoid wearing slippers. I recommend wearing shoes.
- After night beetles come out from the sand. Though I haven’t seen them harming anyone.
- The vehicle was of good condition and the organizers provided knowledgeable and responsible drivers. The drive throughout this trip was enjoyable and safe.
How to book this tour
Real Desert Man Safari’s website link - http://realdesertmansafarijaisalmer.com. Refer to their website for details of packages with rates and contact information.
Real Desert Man Safari’s website link - http://realdesertmansafarijaisalmer.com. Refer to their website for details of packages with rates and contact information.