Thar Desert (Sam Sand Dunes)

Natural site near Jaisalmer

should-see attraction

Address: Kanoi, Rajasthan (40 km from Jaisalmer)

Ticket price: vehicle/camel ₹50/80

Visit duration: People typically spend 1 to 2 hours here

About the Thar Desert

An endless horizon of sand covering the western part of Rajasthan and stretching from Punjab and Haryana in the north to Gujarat in the south is the Great Indian Desert, also known as the Thar Desert of India.

With ever-shifting sand dunes due to the presence of high velocity, the desert bears a split personality of being extremely hot in the daytime and becoming cool at night. The only river flowing across the desert is called Luni.

Jaisalmer’s Sam Sand Dunes

The fragile ecosystem of the desert suggests that it needs supervision for continued sustainability so there are a number of sanctuaries developed to maintain nature.

Jaisalmer’s Sam Sand Dunes is a portion of this vast expanse of sand and has become a very popular tourist destination for travellers. Spread across a radius of 3 to 5 km, the dunes are as high as 30 to 60 meters. Travelling on these dunes is an experience that you must have when you visit Jaisalmer.

Desert National Park

Every time you hear the word ‘desert’ as a place, you immediately paint your mind’s canvas with yellow sand, blue sky and the bright hot sun and most importantly, uninhabited. After visiting the National Park in the Thar Desert, this picture will shatter into pieces.

The Desert National Park was gazetted in 1980. The Park is populated with diverse species from the bird and the animal kingdom. The geographical structure of the Park incorporates sand dunes that include both fixed dunes and shifting dunes, salt lake bottoms craggy rocks, small ponds, lakes, thorny bushes, open grassland and intermedial areas. The Park has a collection of fossils that date back as far as 60 to 180 million years old of various birds, animals and dinosaurs.

Despite being a hot desert, birds both resident and migratory like eagles, vultures, buzzards, harriers, falcons and kestrels and sand grouse populate the National Park. Even reptiles of distinctive species like the spiny-tailed lizard, the monitor lizard, the saw scaled viper, Russell’s viper, and common krait are living here. The Chinkara or Indian Gazelle (Gazella bennettii) along with desert foxes, wolves and desert cats reside in the National Park.

Facts and tips about the Thar Desert (Sam Sand Dunes)

• While travelling, you come across places that are so underrated in terms of popularity. One such place is the Village of Kuldhara, it is often identified as a ghost town in the Desert.


• The Great Indian Bustard, an endangered species of bird that is found only in India, dwells in the Desert National Park.


• The Sam sand dunes witnessed the Indo-Pakistan war in 1971.


• The Thar desert is hot but not humid, so there is not much restriction on the attire to bring on the trip but carrying a high SPF sunscreen is recommended.

Other attractions near the Thar Desert (Sam Sand Dunes)

• Patwon ki Haveli - 40 km
• Jaisalmer Fort - 40 km
• Gadisar Lake (Gadi Sagar Tank) - 40 km

FAQs about the Thar Desert (Sam Sand Dunes)

1. What mode of transport is available to enjoy the desert?

You can book a jeep for the Desert safari.

2. What to do if there is nature’s call during the safari in the Desert?

There are tents available that include toilets and showers.

3. According to animal welfare organisations, is it ethical and not cruel to ride camels in the Desert?

Camel ride is traditional and popular but recently people are avoiding it for the sake of animal welfare and on the account of animal cruelty.