The Sam sand dunes are the dune field most visitors to Jaisalmer head for, about 45 km west of the city by road. Most people drive out in the afternoon, take a camel ride to watch the sunset, and either return to Jaisalmer or stay the night in a desert camp with dinner and folk music. Rajasthan Tourism names October to March as the best time for camping in the desert.
Know before you go
- Where: Sam village, about 45 km west of Jaisalmer by road (OSRM, rounded).
- Best season: October to March, the camping season given by Rajasthan Tourism. Days are hot outside these months.
- Camel rides: offered by local camel owners at Sam and at Khuri, and by camps as part of their packages (Rajasthan Tourism).
- Other activities: jeep safaris and dune bashing near Sam and Khuri, and quad biking along the Jaisalmer-Sam road.
- Prices: set by private camps and camel owners, so agree the price and what it includes before you start.
- Nearby: Kuldhara, the abandoned village about 18 km from Jaisalmer.
- Last checked: 2 November 2026 on the Rajasthan Tourism Jaisalmer page.
In this guide
Where the Sam sand dunes are
Sam lies west of Jaisalmer, towards the Desert National Park. The road is good, and a taxi or a camp’s pickup takes you out in the afternoon. Many people come to Jaisalmer as part of a longer loop; our 7 day Rajasthan itinerary ends here after Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur.
The dune area near the road gets crowded around sunset, with camels, jeeps and stalls in one place. If you want a quieter patch of sand, ask your camel owner or camp to take you further from the main parking area, or go to Khuri, the other dune area the state tourism department lists for camel safaris.
Camel safari at Sam
Rajasthan Tourism says camel and camel cart safaris at Sam and Khuri are mostly run by local camel owners, with some resorts and camps adding a ride to their packages. Rides range from a short loop on the dunes to longer trips timed for sunset.
Before you get on, agree three things with the owner: how long the ride lasts, where it ends, and the total price for everyone in your group. Prices are not fixed by the state, and they vary with season and demand. A short ride is enough for most people, and a camel cart is easier for young children and older travellers.
Getting on and off is the bumpy part, since the camel rises back legs first. Hold on to the saddle handle and lean back as it stands.
Sunset on the dunes
Sunset is the main event at Sam. Plan to reach the dunes at least an hour before it, so you have time for a ride and can still find a spot on a ridge. Bring a scarf or a buff for the wind, and keep phones and cameras in a bag when the sand blows.
The light goes quickly once the sun drops, and the drive back to Jaisalmer is in the dark. If you are not staying out at a camp, arrange your return taxi in advance.
Desert camps at Sam
Camps line the road near Sam and further out in the desert. Rajasthan Tourism describes tents with a bedroom, a sitting area and an attached bathroom, and lists Sam among the main camping areas. Packages usually bundle the evening ride, a cultural programme, dinner and breakfast, but the details differ between camps, so read what is included before you book.
Check a few things before paying: whether the tent has its own bathroom, whether the camp is right on the main road or further out, whether transfers from Jaisalmer are included, and what time dinner and the music end if you want a quiet night. Winter nights in the desert are cold, so ask about blankets or heating between December and February.
Jeep safaris and other activities
Rajasthan Tourism lists jeep safaris and dune bashing at Lakhmna dunes and on isolated tracks near Sam and Khuri, and quad biking at points along the Jaisalmer-Sam road. These are run by private operators. Ask about safety gear and the condition of the vehicle, and skip dune bashing if anyone in your group has back or neck trouble.
The Desert National Park lies in the same part of the district. The tourism department describes dunes, rocky ground and salt lake beds, with blackbuck, chinkara, desert foxes and the endangered Great Indian Bustard. Visits need permits and a guide; check the current rules with the forest department before you plan one.
Jaisalmer’s Desert Festival
Rajasthan Tourism describes the Desert Festival as a celebration of folk culture, with puppeteers, acrobats, camel races, camel polo and folk dance. Events are held in and around Jaisalmer, including on the Sam dunes. The dates change each year, so check the festival calendar on the Rajasthan Tourism site before you book, and reserve a camp early if you plan to go then.
Kuldhara and other stops on the way
Kuldhara, about 18 km from Jaisalmer, is the village said to have been abandoned by its residents overnight in the 1800s. You can walk among the roofless houses and a restored building or two. It is a short detour on the road to Sam, so many drivers stop there on the way out. Ask your driver to include it.
Leave a full day for Jaisalmer itself. The fort is still lived in, and our Jaisalmer guide covers the fort, its Jain temples and the havelis in town.
How to get to Sam from Jaisalmer
- Taxi: the easiest option. Book a return trip with waiting time, or a one-way drop if your camp collects you.
- Camp transfer: many camps include pickup from Jaisalmer in their package.
- Own car: the road to Sam is straightforward, but driving back after dark on desert roads needs care.
Jaisalmer has a railway station and an airport with limited flights. Check current trains and flights before you plan the trip.
FAQ
### How far is Sam sand dunes from Jaisalmer? About 45 km by road, going west from the city.
### What is the price of a camel safari at Sam? There is no fixed government rate. Camel owners and camps set their own prices, so agree the price, the length of the ride and where it ends before you start.
### What is the best time to visit Sam sand dunes? October to March, which is the camping season given by Rajasthan Tourism. Arrive about an hour before sunset.
### How far is Kuldhara from Sam sand dunes? Kuldhara is about 18 km from Jaisalmer, off the road towards Sam, so it fits on the way out. Ask your driver for the exact route.
### Is it safe to stay overnight in a desert camp at Sam? Most visitors stay in camps without trouble. Choose one with recent reviews, check what the tent includes and confirm transfers before you pay.
### How cold does it get at Sam at night? Desert nights in winter are cold, especially from December to February. Carry warm layers even if the afternoon is hot.
Official resources: Rajasthan Tourism: Jaisalmer; Rajasthan Tourism: fairs and festivals
Photo credits
Featured image: Roshanrajverma / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Camel safari at Sam: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0; Camel safari at Sam: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0; Sunset on the dunes: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves. Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would much appreciate if you send me an email tagooty@yahoo.com or write on my talk page, for my information. Please contact me before commercial use. Please do not upload an edited image here without consulting me. I would like to make corrections only at my own source to ensure that the changes improve the image and are preserved.Otherwise you may upload an edited image with a new name. Please use one of the templates derivative or extract. / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Sunset on the dunes: Vijay.dhankahr28 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Desert camps at Sam: DineshLKotia / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Desert camps at Sam: Chandanpawar / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Jaisalmer’s Desert Festival: (WT-en) Yogeshmankar at English Wikivoyage / Wikimedia Commons (public domain); Kuldhara and other stops on the way: कृष्ण कान्त शर्मा / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0; Kuldhara and other stops on the way: Clément Bardot / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
