Camel Ride in Jaipur: A Unique Way to Experience the Rajasthan Countryside

The camel is an icon of Rajasthan. For centuries before tractors, buses, and cars penetrated the interior countryside, camels and camel carts were the main mode of transport for both people and goods, and as draft animals for crop cultivation (like bulls). For the average Rajasthani family, the relationship with their camel(s) was rather like that of an earning family member. Today, you can still experience a camel ride in Jaipur as a way to connect with Rajasthan’s rich heritage.

Since the late 1980s, camel carts have become a less common sight, particularly in eastern Rajasthan where Savista is located. The region, including Jaipur — the state’s vibrant capital — has experienced significant development, with rising land values encouraging many rural residents to capitalize on their land assets in new ways. And one of the first things they buy are cars and motorbikes.

Raju the camel and Gopal the camel cart man, are among the last vestiges of a bygone era in the village of Sanjharia where Savista is situated. Gopal was financed by the owners of Savista to create a camel cart service, so that he could supplement his agricultural income by hiring himself out with his cart to people wishing to transport farm produce to the market, fetch construction material, earth, manure or firewood, or just about anything. He also hires himself out to us to give rides to our guests.

A camel ride in Jaipur needs to be booked in advance (by at least a few hours). Typically, guests could spend between two and four hours wandering through the countryside along the now-dry bed of the Sujalam river that once flowed by Savista and through farms and hamlets. They also have the choice of visiting the homes of agriculturists known to Gopal who feel delighted when the “world” comes to them, so to say, and are eager to offer chai, display their babies, kitchens, granaries, agricultural equipment, and livestock, and be photographed and shown the results on the digicam! The camel cart ride is a totally non-touristy way to savour the Rajasthan countryside, and is one of the unique experiences that Savista offers.

For those seeking more adventurous experiences, we also offer a camel ride in Rajasthan, giving you the opportunity to explore the desert landscape in the traditional way. It’s a perfect way to experience the beauty and serenity of the rural surroundings. This is truly a one-of-a-kind camel ride experience in Jaipur, offering an intimate view of the desert that most tourists never see.