Kanak Jaisalmer

Waking to sand stretched flat under dawn light, you hear camels stir at the edge of camp. Ozaki Desert Camp stands at Sam Sand Dunes, 42 kilometres from Jaisalmer in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. The camp opened in 2016 as a family operation on land between the dunes and the Aravalli range. Swiss tents and luxury tents hold double beds, attached bathrooms with hot and cold water, and private sitting areas outside each entrance. Family tents accommodate larger groups. All tents include mineral water, toiletries, and head showers.

Guests ride camels into the dunes at sunrise or late afternoon, two to a camel or four in a camel cart. Jeep safaris cross the sand in four-wheel-drive vehicles holding up to six passengers. Quad bikes run offroad trails through the dunes. Parasailing lifts riders 100 metres above the sand for views over the desert and Jaisalmer. Evening dinners take place away from the main camp, on the dunes, with bonfires and Rajasthani folk performances. The camp serves Marwari cuisine at a central dining area. Parking, room service, and a doctor on call are available. The camp operates from September to March.