The Desert Festival Odyssey
Odyssey starts at ₹13500 per person
(min. 2 people)
Celebrate the iconic ‘Desert Festival’ in the Thar Desert that illuminates the city of Jaisalmer for just three days in a year.
The desert festival odyssey starts at around 10:00 in the morning and ends at around 11:00 am on the fourth day.
Overview
Be a part of the much waited yet fascinating desert festival in Jaisalmer that is held in the Hindu month of Magh (February) three days prior to the full moon.
The legend says that Lord Krishna once told Arjun that one successor of the Pandavas would set up his kingdom over Trikuta Hill and this prediction by Lord Krishna became true when Maharaja Jaisal Singh (a descendant of the Yadav clan) established his kingdom on the Trikuta Hill in 1156 AD.
So, the celebrations erupted throughout Jaisalmer and continue so, every year from the past so many centuries. These celebrations soon transformed into a desert festival which is now organized by the Government in collaboration with the local community.
The desert festival is an expressive to witness the glorious heritage of Jaisalmer as you will be witnessing the Maha Aarti and Shobha Yatra (Ceremonial Procession). Moreover, you will witness various mind-blowing performances by local as well as international artists and different type of competitions like Mr. Desert, Miss Moomal, horse race, camel race, etc.
This tour has been further designed to enhance your travel experience as you will not only be witnessing the desert festival, but will also indulge in various other sought-after activities like local sightseeing, camel safari and jeep safari.
Apart from that, you will be staying in three different reputed properties on all four nights to have a fantabulous staying experience.
Itinerary
Day 1
- The desert festival odyssey will start at around 10 am from the Trotters Office near the Fort Gate.
- Our professional English-speaking guide will escort you to the Jaisalmer Fort where you will visit the Maharaja Palace, Shri Lakshminath Ji Temple, Shri Chandraprabhu Temple, Shri Parshvanath Jain Temple, the Surya Temple and the cannon point.
- After this, you will head towards the havelis and will visit the Salim Singh ki Haveli, Nathmal ki Haveli & Patwon ki Haveli.
- Then, you will continue your journey towards the Gadisar Lake where you may go boating.
- After this, you will head towards Khuri for the Desert National Festival.
- On reaching Khuri, you will witness a decorated camel cart ride, a musical performance by renowned local artists.
- After the festival, you will head back to your room within the fort, which will make you feel as if you’re living in the begone era.
Day 2
- The next day, you will wake up a bit early, have breakfast and start the day by to witnessing the Maha Aarti, and the Shobha Yatra (Ceremonial Procession).
- Later, you will witness performances by local folk artists and various competitions like Turban Tying Competition, Moomal – Mahendra Competition, Moustache Competition, Miss Moomal Competition, Mr. Desert Competition.
Day 3
- On the third day, you will wake up, have breakfast and then you will proceed towards the Dedansar Stadium to witness a Camel Decoration Competition, Shan-E-Marudhara Competition, Tug of War Competition, Panihari Matka Race Competition, Camel Polo Match, Kabaddi Match (men) and a Camel Tattoo Show by the BSF.
- Then you will proceed towards the Gadisar lake where you will witness a Deepdaan Ceremony, Algoza Vadan and several other performances by folk artists & a celebrity.
Day 4
- On the fourth day, you will wake up early, have breakfast and then head towards Lanela to witness a mesmerizing horse race.
- After the race, you will proceed towards Kuldhara to witness beautiful Rangoli, Mandana & Wall Painting Competitions.
- After this, you will head towards the Sam Sand Dunes and check-in to your desert camp. Here you will be greeted in a traditional way with dhol & tilak. Then you will be served a welcome drink and will engage in a thrilling jeep safari & a captivating camel ride.
- Later, you will head towards the festival area and witness an enchanting camel dance, camel race on the dunes, tug of war, a horse dance, and a musical performance; followed by fireworks.
- After this, you will head back to the desert camp for dinner and for a comfortable sleep in a Swiss Tent.
Day 5
- Today, you will wake up to a fresh new morning, have breakfast and then head back to Jaisalmer with sweet & unforgettable memories.
Key Highlights
- Venue for Desert Festival
The venue for the Desert Festival changes every year. However, last time the venue for the first day were the Khuri Dunes. On the second day, it will be the Jaisalmer Fort and Shaheed Poonam Singh Stadium. On the third day, the festival will continue at the Dedansar Stadium & Gadisar Lake. The fourth day will be the final day, and the festival will commence at Lanela, and will then continue in Kuldhara & Khaba, followed by Sam Sand Dunes in the end.
Please Note: We will skip Khaba to indulge in a engaging jeep safari & a captivating camel safari. - Ceremonies & Shows at the Desert Festival
You will witness the alluring Maha Aarti, the Shobha Yatra (Ceremonial Procession), and the Deepdaan Ceremony. Apart from that you will also witness a Camel Dance, Horse Dance and a Camel Tattoo Show by the BSF. - Musical Performances in the Desert Festival
It is said that ‘music is the food for the soul’ and hence there will be numerous musical performances throughout the desert festival by local folk singers, musicians and international celebrities. - Competitions in the Desert Festival
Each year hundreds of people participate, and thousands come to support them in the various kinds of competitions held during the Desert Festival. These include the Turban Tying Competition, Moomal – Mahendra Competition, Moustache Competition, Miss Moomal Competition, Mr. Desert Competition, Camel Decoration Competition, Shan-E-Marudhara Competition, Tug of War Competition, Panihari Matka Race Competition, Camel Polo Match, Kabaddi Match (men), and Rangoli, Mandana & Wall Painting Competitions. - Transfers
You will travel from one place to another throughout the tour in a tuk tuk, car and jeep. - Drinks & Meals
We will provide you breakfast on the second day, third day, fourth day and the fifth day. Dinner and snacks will be served on the fourth day. You will have plenty of packaged drinking water throughout the tour. - Night Stay
The first night will be inside the fort, to help you live like the inhabitants of the begone era. The second and the third will be in the city outside the fort so that you may enjoy the exterior view of the mighty ‘Sonar Killa’. The fourth night will be in a desert camp at the Sam Sand Dunes, to help you live the truly nomadic yet luxurious life of the desert. - Local Sightseeing
You will indulge in a local sightseeing tour on the first day to ensure proper utilization of your precious time as it might get a bit too crowded for the later ones. - Camel Safari
You will indulge in a short camel safari on the Sam Sand Dunes for about 10-15 minutes. There will be 2 people per camel. - Jeep Safari
Wander through the desert and experience dune bashing on the sand dunes in a 4x4 SUV.
Please choose the date & the number of travellers.