Camel Safari

The heat and silence of the desert is loathed by many. But for those who want to have a rendezvous with the desert and its people, there is no better way than to embark on a camel safari. It is the best way of witnessing the desert from its closest and also having a great adventure. A ride on the back of the camel through one of world's most inhospitable places is sure to turn out into an exhilarating experience.


Types of Camel Safaris
Duration of camel safaris differ. It depends a lot on the destinations that shall be covered. It is obvious that safaris of shorter duration shall cover less destinations while longer duration safaris shall cover more destinations. The duration may range from a single day to a month or even higher. It may be mentioned that one or two week safaris are the most popular. Different types of safaris are offered to suit the needs of different tourists.


Destinations covered
It is again obvious that camel safaris would revolve round the desert areas only. This makes the north western state of Rajasthan the exclusive destination in India for such safaris. Thar in north western Rajasthan is the only desert in India. The main regions in Rajasthan where camel safaris take place are Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Pushkar and the Shekhawati region.

Best Time For Safaris
The safaris are arranged in winters from November to February. It may be added that temperature in the desert region may shoot up to a high of 45-50 degrees in the peak summer months. This rules out such adventures completely. Winters in the region are pleasant and are the most propitious time for safaris.


Precautions
Organizers take all necessary precautions before embarking on a safari. All necessary arrangements in the form of food, tents, sufficient water, foam mattresses, medicines and other required items are made well in advance. Still, on the personal front, certain things should be kept in mind. As desert conditions are dry, lots of water should be consumed to avoid dehydration. Sunscreen lotions could also be applied on the body to avoid sunburns. Tourists having a history of chronic ailments should consult their doctor first before embarking on a safari. But it is always advisable to act according to the instructions of the tour guides as they are the best people to guide on the spot.

Other Details
Riding on top of a camel is always an exciting and soft adventure. One may find it difficult to adjust initially but it becomes very enjoyable once the rider gets settled and accustomed to it. The camel safari itinerary is fixed in such a way that that riders come in close contact with the local populace and also get to know the kind of lifestyle that they lead. Safaris are also a good opportunity for the riders to understand local customs and traditions. To ensure this, the caravan also halts on occasions for lunch or dinner in villages close to the desert where the local people enthralls them with traditional dances and music. They may also be given a chance to taste local desert delicacies.

The itinerary also does justice to the monuments and other places of historical importance that falls on the safari route. Though the main emphasis is on the desert, some of Rajasthan's most stunning attractions in the form of forts and palaces that fall on the safari route are never left out of the itinerary.

But the best excitement take place only after sunset when the caravan halts in the midst of the desert at night. Dinner may also be prepared on sand dunes as riders rest and converse in the light of a bonfire.