Sam sand dunes, is one of the most authentic desert dune sites in India. Spread across a large area, across the Thar desert outside Jaisalmer, Rajasthan; close to the Pakistan border, where tourists can find 30 to 60 mtrs tall sand dunes. Many tourists travel to Jaisalmer and then to Sam Sand Dunes to enjoy a desert safari on camels or jeeps.
Sam Sand Dunes are located 45 km west of Jaisalmer, the last major city, in the western part of Rajasthan. Sam Sand Dunes lies just on the edge of Jaisalmer Desert National Park and is rated as one of the Top 10 must-see tourist destinations in Rajasthan by international travel advisory magazines like Lonely Planet.
Sam Sand Dunes is the topmost attraction amongst tourists coming to Jaisalmer from every corner of the world. There are many desert camps, most built within a 2-3 km radius of sand dunes, that offer comfortable stays at Sam Sand Dunes. Sam Sand Dunes can be reached easily by hiring a taxi or jeep from Jaisalmer city. Located at a driving time of 40 to 45 minutes from the city, the best time to reach Sam Sand Dunes is around evening (sunset) between 4 PM to 7 PM or in the early morning, during sunrise between 4 am to 6 am, before heat from the scorching sun makes the travel unbearable.
The biggest attraction of the desert camps are the camel or jeep safari across the desert, and even bike rides across the desert. The best time for camel safari is late afternoon to late evening. The best time for a jeep safari is in the morning. Besides that, these desert camps offer local traditional Rajasthani food (both veg and non-veg), folk music, and dance performances. Many tourists visit Sam Sand Dunes to attend the evening musical programs held at the various desert camps. These camps are closed to visitors during the summer and monsoon months. So the best time to visit Sam sand dunes is from October to March.
Sam Sand Dunes has many desert camps which offer Swiss tents and mud cottages equipped with all civic amenities including king/queen-sized bed, fully equipped bathrooms, and sitting area. Sam Sand Dunes in the winter season is an amazing destination for exploring these dunes, especially cold, clear blue skies that are ideal for stargazing at night; as well as to view sunrise and sunset over the horizon; making the trip overwhelming a photographers’ delight. There are many tea stalls and restaurants alongside desert camps, where tourist can enjoy tea and snacks.
The desert camps also showcase Rajasthani culture in general, especially during the annual Desert Festival where extravaganzas such as camel races, puppet shows, folk music, dance presentations, and various other competitions are held to mark the annual celebration with great splendor. The desert camps have many tents, cottages spread across Sam Sand Dunes offering luxurious, mid-range, and budget accommodation to tourists.
Some of these are Oasis Camp, The Serai Camp, Maharaja Desert Camp, Damodra Desert Camp, Rawla Desert Camp, Chokhi Dhani Camp, Lakhamana Desert Camp, Limra Desert Camp, Dangri Desert Safari Camp, Royal Desert Camp, Winds Desert Camp, Kabila Desert Camp, and more. They offer rooms/tents not just for couples but also for families on vacation. Most of the desert camps provide fenced-in and guarded fixed-quality tents/rooms with net paneled windows, that allow a free flow of fresh air.
The Sam Sand Dunes are known for their golden-colored sand dunes. The sand dunes offer a great view of the massive Jaisalmer fort at a distance. There are no entry fees to come to Sam Sand Dunes, tourist has to pay for enjoying camel rides, jeep rides, or any other activity besides camping, and food. Tourists can also visit the Khuri Sand Dunes and Lodhruva Sand Dunes, as well as Kuldhar village and Khabha Fort. Tourists while visiting the Khuri Sand Dunes can also enjoy walking trips around the village as well as spot some wildlife if luck favors. Sitting beside a bonfire on a chair or hammock, sipping tea, and enjoying the quietness of the clear blue night sky, occasionally broken by performances, is the ultimate draw for tourists to visit the Sam Sand Dunes.
