Sam Sand Dunes Desert Camp: Stay, Safari and Experiences

The Sam Sand Dunes are the image most people have of Jaisalmer: ridge after ridge of golden sand, camels silhouetted against the sunset. Many visitors see them on a rushed evening trip from the city. Staying overnight at a desert camp on the dunes is a very different experience, and this guide explains why, and how to plan it well.

Where are the Sam Sand Dunes?

Sam (often written “Sam Sand Dunes” or “Sam dunes”) lies roughly 40 to 45 km west of Jaisalmer city, on the road towards the Desert National Park. The drive usually takes under an hour. Along the way the landscape changes from rocky scrub to open sand, and the dunes rise quite suddenly as you approach.

The area is the most developed dune destination around Jaisalmer, with a strip of desert camps along Sam Road. Jaisan Heritage Desert Camp is one of them, at Khasra No. 420/367 on Sam Road, with the dunes immediately behind the camp.

Why stay overnight instead of a day trip

Plenty of travellers drive out from Jaisalmer for sunset and drive back after dark. It is a pleasant evening, but you miss the best of the desert:

• The evening after the crowds leave. Once day visitors head back to the city, the dunes become quiet.
• The night sky. Away from city lights, a clear desert night can show far more stars than most city dwellers ever see.
• Sunrise. Early morning is cool and calm, and the low light brings out every ripple in the sand.
• No late drive. Instead of a night-time drive back, you walk a few steps to your tent.

Sunset on the dunes

Sunset is the centrepiece of any Sam visit. The light turns the sand from pale gold to amber to deep orange in the space of half an hour. To see it at its best:

• Arrive at the camp by mid to late afternoon so you are not rushing.
• Head out on your safari while the sun is still well above the horizon; the best colour comes in the last 20 to 30 minutes.
• Walk a little away from the busiest ridges for cleaner photographs and a quieter view.
• Stay a few minutes after the sun disappears: the afterglow is often the most beautiful part.

Safari options at Sam

There are two classic ways to get out onto the dunes, plus a few faster options.

Camel safari

Slow, quiet and photogenic, a camel ride is the traditional way to reach the dunes for sunset. A camel safari is included in our camp package and starts right behind the camp.

Jeep safari

A 4x4 jeep takes you dune bashing over the crests and hollows. It is fast and exhilarating, and covers more ground than a camel. We can arrange jeep safaris on request.

ATV rides and parasailing

Quad bikes and parasailing are popular add-ons for those who want more adrenaline. Ask us about availability and charges.

Not sure which to choose? Read our comparison of camel safari vs jeep safari in Jaisalmer, or see all activities at the camp.

After dark at the camp

Back at the camp, evenings follow a long Rajasthani tradition of hospitality. At ours, folk artists perform music and dance in the courtyard, the campfire is lit, and a vegetarian Rajasthani buffet dinner is served. Tea and coffee are available, and for those who want to keep going there is a DJ party. For a more private evening, we can set up a candle-light dinner on the dunes on request.

Morning on the dunes

Set an alarm for sunrise. The dunes are cool underfoot, the air is still, and the sand often carries the night’s tracks of beetles and birds. Walk out from the camp, find a ridge facing east and watch the light arrive. Then come back for tea and breakfast before heading on to your next stop: perhaps Kuldhara village, which is easy to combine with a trip to Sam, or back to the city for the fort. Our sightseeing page has ideas.

Photographing the dunes

The Sam dunes are one of the most photogenic landscapes in India, but they can be surprisingly hard to capture well. A few things help:

• Shoot in low light. The hour after sunrise and before sunset gives long shadows that reveal the shape of the dunes. Midday light flattens everything.
• Look for untouched sand. Footprints and tyre tracks fill the most popular ridges by evening. Walk a little further, or go out at sunrise when the wind has smoothed the surface overnight.
• Use people for scale. A lone figure or a camel caravan on a ridge shows how vast the dunes are.
• Expose for the sky at sunset to get strong silhouettes rather than a washed-out sky.
• Try the night sky. On a clear night, a phone on a small tripod with night mode can capture stars. A camera with a wide lens can do much more.
• Protect your gear. Fine sand gets everywhere. Keep cameras in a bag between shots and avoid changing lenses in the wind.

Travelling lightly on the dunes

The Thar is a fragile environment, and the Sam area is close to the Desert National Park, which protects wildlife including the endangered great Indian bustard. A few simple habits help:

• Carry your rubbish back to camp, including bottles and snack wrappers.
• Stay on established tracks with vehicles and avoid driving over vegetation.
• Keep music at a respectful level on the open dunes.
• Treat camels and their handlers with patience; the animals work hard in the heat.

Practical tips

• Season: October to March is the most comfortable time. See our guide to the best time to visit.
• Clothing: layers. Afternoons can be warm and nights surprisingly cold, especially from December to February.
• Footwear: closed shoes or sandals you can easily shake out; dune sand gets hot in the afternoon.
• Camera care: keep a bag or cloth over your camera on windy days, and change lenses inside.
• Connectivity: mobile coverage around the dunes can be patchy; download maps and tickets in advance.
• Booking: tell us your expected arrival time so we can plan your safari around sunset.

Frequently asked questions