The Desert trail to Osian, Jodhpur

Osian (Osiyan) is an ancient town located in the Jodhpur District of Rajasthan state in western India. It is an oasis in the Thar Desert, 65 km north of the district headquarters at Jodhpur, on a diversion off the main Jodhpur – Bikaner Highway.
The nearest airport is at Jodhpur. National Highway 11 passes through Osian. Osian Railway Station is situated on the Jodhpur – Phalodi line of North Western Railway.

Famous for its temples, Osian showcases the splendor of Rajasthan, India. Some of the Jain and Hindu temples in Osian date back to as far back as the 8th century.

Are you planning a trip to the deserts on your visit to Jodhpur? VISIT OSIAN.

Desert....sand dunes...golden sand...dancing blue-green peacocks is perhaps the fantasy of people like us who live far away from deserts and can see them only through films and documentaries. Thank you so much for sharing this information with us.

Please tell us more about Osian. Is there a desert retreat to spend days and witness the beauty there. I guess it'll be very hot now. Is there any other desert retreats also.

Thanks in advance.

For sand dunes and the 'real' desert experience you can go to Osian village manned by Taj group - Camel safari camp with a swimming pool, which is 60 kms from Jodhpur. Osian also has several ancient Jain temples.

Alternatively you can go to Manvar Desert Resorts on Jodhpur-Jaisalmer Highway, 150 kms from Jodhpur near village Shergarh. Its a wonderful resort with a swimming pool and they take you for desert safaris to near by sand dunes on jeeps - once in lifetime experience! You are sure to see herds of deers, some typical Rajasthani villages on way. So pack your food/drinks and enjoy it on dunes!

Mountains and seas is what we all travel. But adventure in desert...it rarely comes by. I'm really-really interested to go on a desert trail in the Osian sand dunes.

Please let me know more details about the camp. How many days tour should we plan. I'd like it to be a lifetime experience. Thanks in Advance

Holidaying in desert amidst the sand dunes! sounds really exciting. Even I'd like to know about the options available for camping in the deserts of Rajasthan. Can you please share some information. I guess the season to visit Osian might have been over. But, I can still plan my winter holidays there.

Cheers!
Pam

Osian Camel Camp has packaged tours to be availed in preferences like:
1 Night / 2 Days tour
2 Nights / 3 Days tour
3 Nights / 4 Days tour
4 Nights / 5 Days tour

For Osian Camel Camp - 1 Night / 2 Days Tour
Destinations: Jaisalmer - Khetasar - Jaisalmer

Day 01: Arrival
Check in at a rustic camel camp on arrival in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India on day 01 of Osian Camel Camp tour package. Store your luggage in tents and relish a mouthwatering meal served at the camel camp.

Enjoy a 2 and a ½ hour camel ride to Khetasar. Enjoy rare wildlife like gazelles, birds, and deer while you cross Bishnoi settlements en route. Later in the evening the Indian Horizons representative arranges for you to be driven to the Jaisalmer camel camp in jeeps. Enjoy a grand cultural evening at the camel camp.

Day 02: Jaisalmer
Enjoy enlightening and enchanting tours to ancient Jain temples located close to Osian in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.

Tour ends.

Osian Camel Camp - 2 Nights / 3 Days tour
Destinations:Bikamkor - Dabdi Dunes - Khetasar - Jaisalmer

Day 01: Bikamkor - Dabdi Dunes
Ride to the Osian camel camp at Bikamkor with the Indian Horizons representative. Bikamkor lies at a distance of 16 kilometers from Osian, Jaisalmer. Interact with the camel safari staff at the Osian camel camp. Embark on an exciting camel safari to Dabdi sand dunes, located close to Osian. Camp overnight at the enchanting desert shelter located near Dabdi dunes.

Day 02: Khetasar - Osian
Today you continue your camel safari to Khetasar. Ride along Bishnoi territory and enjoy the cultural splendor of spectacular Rajasthan, India. On arrival at Khetasar, stop for lunch and continue riding to Osian. Pitch camp tents near Osian. Stay overnight at the camp in Osian.

Day 03: Osian - Jaisalmer
Today you visit the ancient Jain shrines located at a little distance from Osian.

Tour ends.

Osian Camel Camp - 3 Nights / 4 Days tour
Destinations:Lorta - Nathrau - Dabdi Dunes - Khetasar - Osian

Day 01: Lorta - Natharau
Arrive at Lorta on day 01 of the Osian camel camp. Relax before setting out on a camel ride to Natharau. On arrival at Natharau check in at a local camel camp. Enjoy a fascinating campfire and cultural extravaganza before retiring in your tents for the night.

Day 02: Dabdi Dunes
Ride to Dabdi dunes on day 2 of the Osian Camel Camp. See the attractions of a local potters village as you ride past Barnau and stop for a traditional Rajasthan meal at Jharriyon ka bera. Stay overnight at the camel camp near Dabdi dunes.

Day 03: Khetasar - Osian
Breakfast and ride through a desert trail on the fascinating Thar. Relax at desert tents on arrival at Khetasar, a desert oasis. Tour a weaver's hut and visit a village potters hut before riding your camel to Osian. On arrival check in at a camel camp and stay there overnight.

Day 04: Osian - Departure
The Osian Camel Camp comes to an end after a whirlwind tour of the Jain temples of Osian.

Tour ends.

Osian Camel Camp - 4 Nights / 5 Days tour
Destinations: Osian Camp - Khetasar - Natharau - Pilwa - Pokhran

Day 01: Osian Camp
Check in at camel camp tents on arrival at the Osian camel camp near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. Visit the local stables and choose the camel you wish to ride. Get acquainted with the camel safari staff. Relax and enjoy your first night of the Osian camel camp with Indian Horizons.

Day 02: Khetasar
Set out on a camel ride through desert trails to Khetasar. Visit desert settlements, potters huts and weaver's huts till you reach the camel camp at Khetasar in Rajasthan, India. Spend the night around a happening campfire before retiring to your desert tent for the night.
Day 03: Natharau
A 17-kilometer enchanting desert trail takes you to Natharau. Visit Barnau and have a scrumptious meal at Jhariyon ka Bera. Enjoy the splendorous culture of desert Rajasthan as you see local craftsmen at work. Check in at the desert camp near Natharau and spend a cultural night around a blazing hot bonfire with local artists singing and dancing infusing the desert expanse around you with new life.

Day 04: Pilwa
Ride a camel to Pilwa; check in at a camel camp hut on arrival. Rest and have your meal before setting out tours to the Kolu Pabuji temple located in the area.

Day 05: Pokhran - Departure
Ride a jeep to either Bikaner or Jaisalmer and continue your journey back home.

Tour ends.

Thanks Meera for this great piece of information. Osian Camel tour has always been my most favorite 'adventure trip' as I always say.

Gals, those who haven't had a trip down the desert in Rajasthan, make sure you do...or else you'll never know what you are missing.