Deserts are the regions that experience very little to no precipitation, resulting in arid to semi-arid land with sparse vegetation. A large part of the land mass on Earth falls under either the cold desert region or the hot desert region. The Thar Desert in the Indian Subcontinent is the hot desert of our country and Sam Sand Dunes in Jaisalmer is the best example of dunes in India. ‘Footlooseinme’ takes you to Sam Sand Dunes Jaisalmer to see the Great Indian Desert.
Unveiling the Charms of Sam Sand Dunes in Jaisalmer
The Enchanting World of Dunes
A mound or a ridge in the sand is known as a dune. Dunes are formed in different sizes and are generally taller on the windward side and shorter on the leeward side. The lack of vegetation in the desert areas facilitates the formation of the dunes. Dunes are more than 7 cm tall and may have less than 3 cm tall ripples. Lack of rainfall makes this region harsh for any life to thrive. Yet, various life forms flourished in this desert region along with the humans.
Adventures in the Great Indian Desert
Sam Sand Dunes is located at a distance of 45 km from Jaisalmer city. This small dune within the desert region has become a primary attraction among the tourists visiting Jaisalmer. During the tourist season (October to February) visitors flock here for desert camping, camel safari, jeep safari and jeep paragliding. Almost every desert camp here organises cultural programmes in the evening.
We came here to breathe in the desert air, meet the people who have overcome the harshness of the terrain and successfully thrived, experience the night sky, watch the avifaunal life form (I will share my birding experience in the Desert National Park soon,) and to taste the local food. We booked our stay in a desert camp that was a little far from the Sam Sand Dunes Jaisalmer, wishing to get the experience of a dark sky.
Our stay in the camp also included the camel safari and cultural programme in the evening. We were more inclined to witness the desert life than indulge in the activities that came clubbed with our stay. Our camp was at Kanoi a few kilometres from the Sam Sand Dunes. We were taken to the Dunes where we walked and climbed over the mounds of sand as the sun was gradually slipping into the sands. We met two confident kids who were cameleers and were busy in their brisk business taking passengers to the dunes and back.
I was shocked to see the kids handling the customers easily and confidently. They were even comforting the customers who were scared of riding the camels. I was greatly impressed by the confidence of these tiny kids but was also sad thinking about their future. I feared to ask about their studies and school as it seemed they lived the life of nomads and were busy earning for the family in the short tourist season. The topic may reveal the harsh reality that I may not have the power to change and in turn, would make me sad.
Cultural Evenings and Local Delights
After the designated time of desert safari on the camel was over we returned to the camp. Pretty young ladies dressed up in traditional attire welcomed us with ‘tilak and aarti’. They were from nearby villages and came to perform in the evening with local musicians. The evening went well with folk music and dance.
Stargazing in the Vast Desert Expanse
It was an awesome experience to stay in the tents in the desert. I have been in tents before, but never in a desert. (Read my previous experience in the tents of Pangong Tso.) This was a new experience staying in the vast desert expanse with tall windmills. We chose the new moon night to experience the dark sky. We also expected to capture the Milkyway but the light pollution created by the numerous camps around did not give us the opportunity.
A Farewell to Sam Sand Dunes: Carrying Desert Memories
Yet we enjoyed the view of the star-studded sky while taking a long walk through the desert after dinner. We did not get the opportunity of astrophotography but we had an amazing experience of staying in the desert at Sam Sand Dunes Jaisalmer. Stay tuned for my next post to learn more about my experience riding through the desert.
Beautiful pictures from the desert. Jaiselmer is indeed beautiful during winters
Thank you Arv.