Desert Attractions in Rajasthan

The Thar Desert, spreading from the southern part of Pakistan into the border of the Indian state of Haryana, is an integral part of Rajasthan. The desert is more than a fixture in the geographical maps of Rajasthan. It is a living, breathing entity, coloring the life of its people with its many moods, creating a world of joy in the simple and hard life of the desert nomads, and playing host to a myriad plants, animals, insects, and birds that find a home in this most inhospitable of terrains.

The monotony of the sand dunes is broken here and there by salt marshes, little ponds, and magnificent lakes, quite undreamed of in a desert. But that is the charm of Rajasthan – you set out with certain notions and find yourself surprised at every turn of the camel or horse or jeep you may be riding.

The Thar is over 5,000 years old. It has witnessed much in that period – caravans of traders bound for Persia, cavalries bound for yet another war, meetings between lovers, the sacrifices of the Rajput warriors and their consorts. There is not much that the Thar has not witnessed; tragedy, joy, romance – it has seen it all. And to the traveler keen on exploring the history, culture, and magic of Rajasthan, the Thar has many stories to tell.

Camel safari in Rajasthan is old – as old the majestic forts and colorful cities that break the monotony of the unending sand and dunes. The first caravans traveling from East to the West on a trade mission, or ambassadors sent from kingdoms in the Middle East to India, completed the journey on camel back. Not much has changed today, except for the fact that the journey is safer and more comfortable now. You do not have to worry about desert marauders, about enemy armies, or getting hopelessly lost in the vast stretches of sand.

The Desert Triangle in Rajasthan covers the three major cities in the Thar – Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner. Your Desert Triangle tour, in most cases, is not limited to these cities, however. Some of the equally beautiful, though little known, destinations covered in most Desert Triangle safaris are the regions of Shekhawati, and some of the smaller towns in the area.

Then there is the horse safari, another one of the reasons you must explore the region. There was a time when a ruler or warrior was known by his horse; the horse’s cunning, loyalty, speed, and stamina would determine the course of a battle. Today, the challenges for the average horse in Rajasthan are not that difficult, but their owners take pride in them, and on the desert safari, your comfort depends on them. If you love the desert, if you love adventure, and if you love horses, do try the horse safari.