Osian Camels, INDIA
Airing Date: Jun 12th, 2006
The ancient village of Osian is legendary for its mesmerising 6th and 8th century temples, sand-dunes and diversity of Rajasthani culture and tradition.
It is also the gateway into the merciless Thar Desert and the Osian Camel Camp. The camp itself stands on top of a sand-dune and the experience here is pure Rajasthan - cocktails by an open fire and feasts under a canopy of stars, accompanied by folk musicians and wailing and whirling dancers. There's little else to do except be still and drink in the desert silence come night time. The camp is perched on the highest sand due (200ft - 60m), with an excellent view of the desert on one side and Osian village on the other.
The only way to get there is either by camels or by foot (a steep climb). Being the first of its kind in India, this permanent camp makes it possible for even a single traveller to experience the desert and a camel safari near Jodhpur rather than travelling all the way to the desert at Jaisalmer. The Swiss and African tents are fully carpeted and mosquito and insect proofed. All tents have an attached toilet and some have baths and showers, and there's also old-style mud brick buildings as the camp centre. It is an exotic, fantasy inspired destination.
It has the stylish simplicity of a colonial bush camp, with a classic safari bar. There's little else to do except be still and drink in the desert silence. Other wild comforts here include traditional white-canvas safari tents with colourful block-printed linings, regal beds, generator electricity, and flush loos and showers in a zipped-off bathroom. The camp also has a swimming pool. By day, it's camelback in comfort - normally a contradiction in term - but it's feasible at Osian, where saddles are layered with enough quilts to give you a fighting chance of being able to walk afterwards!
Further Information
12 day Highlights of Rajasthan small group journey from
$3793 a person. Based on twin share. Includes taxes. Conditions apply. Includes one night at Osian Camel Camp
Travel Indochina
1300 365 355
Qantas return to Mumbai from $1700 ex Sydney, $1784 ex Brisbane, $1793 ex Melbourne and $1810 ex Adelaide. Prices available online and include surcharges, fees & taxes, subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
Website: www.qantas.com
Connect to Jodhpur from $258 one way. Price includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.
Jet Airways
02 9244 2132
Prices correct at 11/5/06
