Covering 77,000 square miles in northwest India and southeast Pakistan, the Thar Desert is a landscape of sand dunes and desert scrub punctuated by small, colorful villages and soaring sandstone forts. Much of the desert lies in the Indian state of Rajasthan, which you can easily reach from the international travel hub of Delhi by car, bus or train. Whether you want to rough it on camel or pamper yourself on a luxury train tour, hop out for a half day or dedicate multiple weeks, you can arrange a tour that best fits you and your travel plans.
Day Trips
- You can easily book a guided day trip into the Thar Desert after your arrival in India through tour operators in the cities of Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner. A short jeep ride gets you out of the city and into the desert, where you meet your camel and continue on into the dunes. Many operators offer half-day tours to take in the desert sunset, as well as full-day tours that include lunch, village visits and cultural programs. Day trips can also be customized to your interests, such as wildlife spotting and bird watching.
Overnight Camel Safaris
- You can also arrange guided camel safaris for two days, three days and beyond, allowing you to sleep under the star-filled night sky far from the bright lights of towns and cities. Stay safe in the sun by bringing sunblock, a sun hat, lightweight clothing in light colors and plenty of water. Check that your operator brings enough blankets, as temperatures in the desert can drop sharply after sunset. Be prepared for aches and pains caused by your camel companion -- and note that you will be sleeping on the ground.
Train Tours
- If the bumpy back of a camel isn’t for you, a luxury train tour might be. Indian Luxury Trains operates two trains that pass through the Thar Desert: the Palace on Wheels and the Maharajas’ Express, both beginning in Delhi and offering stops at Jaipur, Jodhpur and Bikaner. With private cabins, well-appointed restaurant cars, air conditioning and even Wi-Fi, they provide a desert experience that doesn’t require long days in the hot sun. However, this level of luxury comes with a much higher price than independently organized desert tours.
When to Go
- Weather can make or break a trip to the Thar Desert. Spring and summer can be extremely hot, with temperatures sometimes exceeding 110 degrees from April through June. The summer monsoon hits much of the country from June to September, and though it doesn’t bring much rainfall to the Thar Desert, travel plans to Delhi and other areas of Rajasthan could be affected by heavy rains. Travel is most comfortable from October to March, though nighttime temperatures can drop to freezing in the winter.
