There are a lot of things you could do in Jaisalmer. You have the sunrise and sunset and the time in between on the mesmerizing desert sands. Into that scene, you can pack in the Khuri and Sam sand dunes, camel safaris, jeep safari in jaisalmer. You can branch off into the desert, or go back to the town. Jaisalmer, within the Fort and without, has entrances with its exotic charm. However, you find hidden gems, you must seek out offbeat activities at Jaisalmer desert camps.

Jaisalmer desert camps are the base. You have the right royal accommodation. You have the cuisine and the cultural troupes.  Dancing and singing under the stars at the dunes after sunset or before sunrise are all rather expected. Though, of course, you could make even run-of-the-mill touristy experiences totally your own. You could mix personal elements.

Jaisalmer desert camps: photo-ops

If you have a flair for photography. There’s any amount of photography you could do in Jaisalmer. The sand dunes at Sam  and Khuri both present ample opportunities to shoot the dunes. You can capture the tawny, the honey-hue, the pink and the purple as the sunlight slants over cascades of sand. Blue hour photography in the desert , especially at the dunes before sunrise and after sunset, is an experience to cherish. Your technical prowess will be tested to the max, since this sort of photo opportunity will be available for a short time window of 20 minutes. Perhaps you can shoot and preserve images that show that blue when the sun is below the horizon, and the night has not yet had its sway.

Shooting desert denizens

Talking of photography, there’s a real chance you can grab the attention of the denizens of the desert. They can all parade in front of your watching eyes. alternately, you can spy them out. There are birds of all colours, lizards, snakes and vipers.

Desert National Park

Keeping still to the topic, Jaisalmer desert camps might also lead you to the Desert National Park. you can wonder at the larger and smaller creatures you find in the theater. It is unforgivable to pass up on this chance, given that the national park has an area of over 3000 square kilometers. Close to half of the national park is sand dunes. There are a number of small ponds. The aforementioned birds you can find here. Count among them the sand grouse, the kestrel, eagles and falcons.

If you persevere, you can track down dinosaur fossils at the Desert National Park. The chinkara or Indian gazelle is found aplenty. The Great Indian Bustard, a majestic bird, has its most thriving home here in this park.

Gadisar Lake : birdwatchers’ paradise

If you want to photograph migratory birds, come to Gadisar Lake. You can find upwards of 200 bird species here. Mallard, Gray Francolin, laughing dove, red-wattled lapwing. We could go on and on! Originally conceived as a rainwater harvesting project, the centuries old Lake has also become a magnet for birds of all kinds. You can paddleboat to your heart’s content as you marvel at bird-song. All this goodness for a paltry 100 rupee entry fee! Not to be left behind the Sam and Khuri sand dunes in the proffering of sunrise/sunset delights, we know that Gadisar Lake offers one of the best views in town. Another photo-op!

Vyas Chhatri

Vyas Chattri , reachable after 2 kms from the town bus stand,  was built in remembrance of Maharishi Vyas. The sandstone memorial is extensive. There’s a cenotaph dedicated to the Sage. there’s a reverential air to the place. It gets quiet enough sometimes to meditate.

Kuldhara : exotic hauntings

Jaisalmer desert camps offer you the base from which to reach out to the most offbeat places. You will find hidden gems like Kuldhara. You can go prepared with visions of haunted villages and ghost towns. Add to the thrill. We cannot lighten the tragedy that hit the place.

However,even without any introductions, the site is so deserted in the Desert that you are persuaded to admit something awful must have happened to the place.

The village is an archaeological site. Tourists are in, though.it is located nearly 20 kms out of town. On one side you have the river Kakni. The village harks back to the early middle ages. There are remains of cremation sites and cenotaphs.

The river bed nearby is dry. By the beginning of the 19th century, all water reservoirs were drying up. Jaisalmer nearby, that levied taxes, would not make any reductions. Or there were earthquakes, or intrigues and ruthless designs by the Jaisalmer minister Salim Singh, said to covet the village headman’s daughter. Be that as it may, it was not long before the inhospitable conditions repelled the inhabitants. The Paliwal brahmins deserted their own village in droves. Some say it was in just one night. Another account says this desertion was accompanied by similar desertions from villages nearby.

The sadness of this tragedy impacts us when we visit the place. Looking at the remaining vestiges of habitations – cenotaphs and such –  we only wonder at what might have been , had circumstances been better.

Conclusion

There are other offbeat activities to try at Jaisalmer desert camps. Hidden gems will include the Longewala War Memorial, in commemoration of a battle fought here in 1971. Booking your stay with such a desert camp guarantees you will be able to refresh and rewind in no time. Apart from the wining and dining, music and dance performances, there’s so much on offer, in the town, and for miles around.