Laying 45 km west of Jaisalmer, Sam sand dunes and before that the Khuri village, are popular desert excursions. Sam sand dunes are possibly the most picturesque spot of natural beauty in entire Rajasthan. As far as the eye can see, shifting sands mesmerize and tantalize.
Do not venture here alone, without a guide as sand can be treacherous. However, vast tracts of sand are also immensely beautiful, particularly under the star light sky. Accompanied by campfire, a barbeque dinner and haunting folk music make this an unforgettable desert experience.
Khuri is a desert village that has circular huts made of a mixture of clay and cow dung. They are practical for this climate as they can withstand temperatures upto 50 degrees centigrade and desert winds of over 130km per hour. The folk designs with which the huts are decorated are exquisite, the most striking being the mandana patterns. Drawn with white lime paste or red earth, the walls are decorated with animal figures and floor with geometric designs.
A camel safari is the best way to enjoy the sights not just in Jaisalmer but at various other locations in Rajasthan, like Bikaner, Khimsar and Osian. With trips ranging from 2 to 7 days, these safaris are well planned and have night halts, giving adequate time for sight seeing, rest and entertainment.