If you have been on an adventure tour to India earlier, you must have heard about the Thar Desert, mostly falling into the north western state of Rajasthan. The vast sandy desert expands over an area of around 200,000 sq km. Ever shifting sand dunes, clumsy camels, scrub and sporadic vegetation and some of the rarely seen wildlife species – the Thar Desert in India brings back the memories of the traders who passed from here centuries ago. Though the desert covers western and northwestern parts of Rajasthan mostly, it also has some of its parts stretching into the states of Gujarat, Punjab and Haryana. To the west of the Thar Desert lie the Indus plain and to its southeast are the ranges of Aravalli while the Runn of Kutch and the Punjab plains border it on the south and the northeast respectively. A holiday spent in and across the Indian desert provides travelers with the opportunity to feel the heartbeat of India.

Adventure Activities in Desert
Adventurers and adrenaline junkies keep flocking to the Thar Desert all the year round. Particularly the desert trio cities of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner provide abundant options to enjoy an adventure holiday in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. Exploring the expansive sands of the Thar through a camel safari or a jeep safari is truly a lifetime experience. Getting to the sand dune, watching them shift and ripple, spending night in camps under the desert sky, visiting desert villages and interacting with locals – a desert adventure offers all this and much more.

Wildlife Species in the Desert
Stunted scrub and sporadic trees grow in the desert. Plant species like the gum Arabic acacia and euphorbia grow in the hilly areas while plains support species like khajri (scientifically known as prosopis cineraria). Animals inmates of the Indian desert mainly include black buck and chinkara. The desert is also home to numerous resident and migratory bird species. Generally spotted bird in the Thar Desert are quail, great bustard, francolin, sand grouse, ducks, geese etc.

Villages in Thar Desert
During a camel safari or a jeep safari, travelers can visit numerous Rajasthani villages en route. While visiting these desert villages, travelers are advised to respect the traditional culture and dress themselves modestly so as to avoid unwanted attention. These villagers are really very warm and hospitable and would not mind sharing a few moments with you. Some must-see desert villages in Rajasthan are Bishnoi village, Pokhran, Falsund, Baniyana, Bhikaji ki Dhani, Digri, Chelak, Narsingh ki Dhani, Barna and Kanoi among others.

Climate of Thar Desert
The Indian Thar Desert experiences extremes of temperatures. During winter time, the temperature may plummet to below freezing point while during summers it can be as high as 52 degrees. Dust storms are frequent during summers. Rainfall in the desert varies between 4 inches and 20 inches, increasing from west to east. Severe frosts occur during peak winter time.

So, are you ready for your adventure holiday in the Great Indian Desert?