Packing for the Thar: what to carry on a desert trip
Warm layers for desert evenings, essentials for a night outdoors, and the small things that make fort lanes and dune days easier.
By Team TripclicPublished 3 min read
Photo: Roadside Traveller
Warm layers for desert evenings
Our itineraries say it plainly: carry warm layers for desert evenings. Evenings at Sam bring the sunset on the dunes and a bonfire at the camp, so pack clothes you can add as the light goes.
We suggest several layers rather than one heavy coat, so you can adjust as the day turns to night:
- A warm jacket or fleece.
- A lighter layer to wear underneath.
- Something to cover your head and ears.
- Warm socks for the evening.
Essentials for a night outdoors
On the 4N/5D journey, Night 4 is spent in the open desert. Beds and bedding are provided, with no tent roof above you, and the itinerary asks you to carry warm layers and personal essentials.
What counts as essential is personal, but we suggest keeping these in a small bag beside you for the night:
- Your warmest layer, plus a cap or scarf.
- Toiletries and any medicines you take.
- A torch or phone light, and a power bank.
- A change of clothes for the morning.
The 3N/4D has no open-desert night — your third night is at Sam Desert Camp — but the same warm layers will serve you well at the camp's bonfire evening.
Carry warm layers for desert evenings.Carry warm layers for desert evenings.
Shoes for fort lanes and sand
Both journeys are full of places to explore on foot: Mehrangarh Fort and its museums, the Blue City lanes, Jaisalmer Fort and its havelis, Kuldhara village and, of course, the dunes.
Pack comfortable walking shoes you have already broken in, and consider a second pair you can slip off easily for the sand.
Sun, water and the road
Pack sun protection — sunglasses, a hat or cap and sunscreen — for the safaris, the sunset on the dunes and your time outdoors between sights.
We suggest a reusable water bottle for every day of the trip. You travel by SUV or Tempo Traveller between Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and the dunes, so keep the things you want on the road in a small day bag.
ID, cash and your train or flight
We suggest carrying a government-issued photo ID, as hotels may ask for one at check-in. Hotel check-in and check-out policies apply on every stay.
Monument and attraction entry fees are not included unless your quotation says so — and neither are lunches, tips or souvenirs. We suggest carrying some cash for these alongside your cards.
Pickup and drop are both in Jodhpur, and travel to and from Jodhpur is not included. Coordinate your onward train or flight timing with Tripclic before you book it.
