Well we weren't sure whether we were coming to Jaisalmer but we are
glad when we arrived. Despite it being on the outer most reaches of
India, it is a really nice place with an amazing fort. And we had some
great times with the people we met.
We were acosted as we arrived at the train station with lots of people
trying to sell their hotels with offer of free trip to their hotel;
great considering it was so hot! And it seemed no commission either!
We hadn't thought about doing the safari but every hotel in the town
was very keen on us doing it! We decided to check out the fort and
came across the nice Desert Havali Guest House. Maanu, the manager,
was very kind with free chai tea and we sat chatting. His safari
seemed well recommended in his books and it seemed a great price, only
400 rupees! The rooms at desert havali guest house started from 100
rupees with the usual negotiations of course on the price!
We met a nice couple from Finland and Germany the next day and decided
we would all go on safari, only to find out from Manu it was 400 PER
DAY for 2 days (always check the total price for the safari and that
it's not per day price). A big difference from what we were expecting.
What followed was some tense and long negotiations but we finally came
to an agreement of 650 rupees for 2 day safari if we could find 2
other people.
Next day we were checking out prices at hostels when an English couple
who were sick offered us their afternoon camel safari for free but we
had to go in 30 mins! It was a great afternoon camel safari and met 2
other Brit girls. They paid 550 rupees each just for the afternoon
with nothing like food or drink included!
That evening we were having a nice thali with friends (we met the 2
other americans who were coming on the safari too) when this jeep of
Indians pulls up, next minute they were challenging our friends to an
arm wrestling competition! Very surreal like we were in a dream!
Next day visit to v nice Jain temples 30 rupees each. Finished our
safari negotiations (always make sure you have everything supposedly
included on the trip on your receipt, very important to make sure not
ripped off.)
Following day the desert camel safari 2 day trek began
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