Mayara Fort Magic in the DesertPlan Your Stay

EXPERIENCES AT SAM SAND DUNES

Desert Safari
in Jaisalmer.

Camel rides, jeep drives, sunsets on the dunes and nights under the stars, planned from your stay at Mayara Fort.

THE THAR, UP CLOSE

Every way to experience the desert

Mayara Fort sits in the Sam Sand Dunes area, about 40 km from Jaisalmer, which puts some of the most beautiful stretches of the Thar Desert right on your doorstep. From the camp you can ride out on a camel at golden hour, take a jeep deep into the dunes, sit down to dinner on the sand or simply lie back and watch the stars.

This page brings together every desert activity our guests ask about, with a short guide to each one so you can decide what fits your trip. Some experiences, like the cultural programme and DJ night, are part of your stay. Others, such as camel and jeep safaris, dinner on the dunes, stargazing and sightseeing, are arranged on request and quoted separately. Share your dates and interests in one WhatsApp message and our team will help you put the plan together.

ON THE SAND

Camel Safari

Ride into the Sam Sand Dunes at golden hour, at the unhurried pace of the desert.

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INTO THE DUNES

Jeep Safari

Open 4x4 drives with experienced local drivers, deep into the dunes and back for sunset.

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ABOVE THE THAR

Parasailing

Rise above the Sam Sand Dunes for a bird’s-eye view of the Thar, arranged on request during your stay.

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FOR THRILL SEEKERS

Quad Biking

Take the handlebars of an ATV and ride across the sand at Sam, with the open desert all around you.

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A SPECIAL EVENING

Dinner on the Dunes

A private table on the sand, lit by lanterns, for the evening you want to remember.

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AFTER DARK

Stargazing

Far from city lights, the desert sky over Sam opens up into constellations, planets and the Milky Way.

Read more →
Camel Safari near Mayara Fort, Jaisalmer

01 · ON THE SAND

Camel Safari

A camel safari is the classic way to meet the Thar. Riding at the slow, rolling pace of a camel, you move away from the camp and into open sand, where the noise of the road fades and the dunes take over. It is the experience most guests picture when they plan a trip to Jaisalmer, and it suits almost everyone, from first-time visitors to families travelling with older children.

Rides usually set out in the late afternoon so that you reach the higher dunes as the light turns gold. A local camel handler leads each animal and walks alongside, so no riding experience is needed. Short rides suit a first taste of the desert, while longer routes give you more time on the ridges for photographs and quiet. Tell our team how long you would like to ride, who is travelling with you and whether anyone needs a gentler option, and we will suggest the right format.

  • Best in the late afternoon
  • Led by local camel handlers
  • Short and longer routes on request
Enquire about camel safari
Jeep Safari near Mayara Fort, Jaisalmer

02 · INTO THE DUNES

Jeep Safari

If you would rather cover more ground, a jeep safari takes you deeper into the Sam Sand Dunes in an open four-wheel-drive vehicle. Experienced local drivers know how the sand shifts through the season and pick routes that climb and drop across the dunes, giving you a sense of how far the desert stretches beyond the camp.

A jeep safari is a good choice for groups, for guests who want to see several dune areas in one outing, or for anyone short on time. It can be paired with a sunset stop or combined with a camel ride for a fuller afternoon. Routes, duration and the number of guests per vehicle are confirmed with the team before you go, and children should always travel with an adult.

  • Open 4x4 with a local driver
  • Good for groups and short visits
  • Can be combined with a camel ride
Enquire about jeep safari
Sunset at Sam Sand Dunes near Mayara Fort, Jaisalmer

03 · GOLDEN HOUR

Sunset at Sam Sand Dunes

Sunset is the hour the Thar is known for. As the sun drops, the dunes shift from pale gold to amber and then to soft rose, and long shadows trace every ripple in the sand. Most camel and jeep safaris are timed to end on a high dune so you can watch the light change before returning to camp for the evening.

Arrive a little early to find your spot, keep a light layer handy for when the temperature falls, and leave time to simply sit and watch. Photographers will find the half hour before sunset the most rewarding, when the side light brings out the texture of the dunes.

  • Plan to be on the dunes before sunset
  • Carry a light layer for the evening
  • Ideal for photographs
Enquire about sunset at sam sand dunes
Dinner on the Dunes near Mayara Fort, Jaisalmer

04 · A SPECIAL EVENING

Dinner on the Dunes

For a celebration, an anniversary or simply a night you want to remember, ask about a private dinner on the dunes. Set away from the main camp, the table is laid on the sand and lit by lanterns and candles, with the desert sky opening above you as the evening goes on.

Dinner on the dunes is arranged separately from the standard stay inclusions. Share your date, the number of guests and any occasion you are marking when you enquire, and the team will confirm the location, menu, timing and charges for your evening.

  • Private setting away from the camp
  • Ideal for couples and celebrations
  • Arranged and quoted separately
Enquire about dinner on the dunes
Stargazing in the Thar near Mayara Fort, Jaisalmer

05 · AFTER DARK

Stargazing in the Thar

Far from city lights, the night sky over the Thar can be strikingly clear. On a good night you can pick out constellations, follow the faint band of the Milky Way and catch the odd shooting star. It is a quiet, unhurried experience and a favourite with families whose children have never seen so many stars.

Clear skies depend on the season and the phase of the moon, so share your stargazing plans when you enquire. The team can advise on the best nights during your stay and confirm any arrangements separately.

  • Best on clear, moonless nights
  • Winter months are usually clearest
  • Arranged on request
Enquire about stargazing in the thar
Cultural Programme and DJ Night near Mayara Fort, Jaisalmer

06 · RAJASTHANI EVENINGS

Cultural Programme and DJ Night

Evenings at Mayara Fort come alive in the courtyard. Folk musicians and dancers perform traditional Rajasthani music and dance around the fire, followed by dinner and a DJ party for guests who want to keep the night going. The cultural programme, evening snacks, dinner and the DJ party are part of your stay.

It is the easiest way to experience the music of the region without leaving the camp, and a relaxed way to end a day spent on the dunes.

  • Included with your stay
  • Folk music and dance by the fire
  • Followed by dinner and a DJ party
Enquire about cultural programme and dj night
Adventure Activities near Mayara Fort, Jaisalmer

07 · FOR THRILL SEEKERS

Adventure Activities

The Sam area also offers a range of adventure activities for guests who want more pace. Depending on the season and local operators, these can include quad biking across the sand, dune bashing in a 4x4 and other desert sports. They are run independently, and availability, safety requirements and age limits vary.

If any of these interest you, mention them in your enquiry. The team can tell you what is running during your dates and help you plan them around your safari and evening programme.

  • Subject to season and operators
  • Age and safety rules apply
  • Ask the team what is available
Enquire about adventure activities
Jaisalmer Sightseeing and Heritage Trips near Mayara Fort, Jaisalmer

08 · THE GOLDEN CITY

Jaisalmer Sightseeing and Heritage Trips

Many guests combine a night in the dunes with time in Jaisalmer itself. The city is known for its living fort, Sonar Qila, where people still live and work inside the sandstone walls, as well as its carved havelis such as Patwon ki Haveli and the calm waters of Gadisar Lake. Closer to the camp, the abandoned village of Kuldhara and nearby heritage sites make for an atmospheric stop on the way to or from Sam.

Our team can help you plan a sightseeing day, arrange transfers between the city and the camp, or build a customised tour around your stay. Tell us how many days you have and which places you would like to see.

  • Sonar Qila, havelis and Gadisar Lake
  • Kuldhara and nearby heritage sites
  • Transfers and tours on request
Enquire about sightseeing

PLAN YOUR TIME

Sample desert itineraries

Simple outlines to start from. Our team will adjust timings around your arrival and the season.

ONE NIGHT

A taste of the Thar

  1. Afternoon: Arrive and check in, then relax by the swimming pool.
  2. Late afternoon: Camel or jeep safari to the dunes for sunset.
  3. Evening: Evening snacks, cultural programme by the fire, dinner and DJ night.
  4. Morning: Breakfast at the camp before you head back to Jaisalmer or onward.

TWO NIGHTS

The desert at an easy pace

  1. Day one: Arrive, settle in and spend the evening at the cultural programme.
  2. Day two: A slow morning, a visit to Kuldhara or nearby heritage sites, then a camel safari at sunset and a private dinner on the dunes.
  3. Night two: Stargazing away from the camp lights.
  4. Day three: Breakfast and a Jaisalmer city tour on your way out.

GOOD TO KNOW

Before you head out

Best time to visit
The cooler months from October to March are the most comfortable for safaris and evenings outdoors. Days can still be warm in the sun, while nights in December and January can get cold.
What to wear
Light, breathable clothing for the day, closed shoes or sandals that handle sand, sunglasses, a hat and sunscreen. Bring a warm layer for after sunset, especially in winter.
Travelling with children
Camel rides, sunset and the cultural programme are popular with families. Let us know the ages of the children so we can suggest suitable activities and timings.
Photography
The hour before sunset and the first light of morning give the best colour on the dunes. Keep a cloth or bag handy to protect cameras and phones from fine sand.
Charges and booking
Camel and jeep safaris, dinner on the dunes, stargazing, adventure activities, sightseeing and transfers are not standard stay inclusions. Timings, availability and charges are confirmed by our team on WhatsApp before you travel.

LET’S PLAN YOUR ESCAPE

The desert
is calling.

A royal stay. Golden dunes. Unforgettable evenings.

Illuminated sandstone entrance of Mayara Fort at dusk

Managed by Shrinath Hospitality Jaisalmer

Plan your royal escape

Tell us your dates. We’ll take care of the details.

Availability and your quote confirmed on WhatsApp.

Call usWhatsApp enquiry

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