Desert Valley Resort, Jaisalmer

Desert Valley Resort is at Sam, about 40 km west of Jaisalmer city, in the part of the Thar that most travellers picture when they think of the desert. The main dunes are roughly 300 metres from the gate, and the Sam sunset point is a five-minute walk. This matters because the evening camel ride starts from almost right outside instead of after a jeep transfer. The resort is bigger than most camps in the area. It has close to a hundred units spread across tents, cottages and villas: Swiss tents and Royal Suite tents for couples, Majestic family tents for larger groups, and Thar Pool Villas plus jacuzzi tents for guests who want some privacy after a day in the heat. Evenings follow the usual Sam routine, but done properly. You get a welcome aarti on arrival, a sunset camel safari, Rajasthani folk music and dance around a bonfire, and a buffet dinner under a very dark sky. Jeep safaris, ATV rides and parasailing on the dunes can be arranged as extras. There’s also a swimming pool, which is very welcome in the October and March shoulder months, and a banquet hall for 70–250 guests. That makes the resort a practical option for desert weddings and group tours as well as family trips.