Category: India Travel Blog

If you are looking for the perfect holiday destination between October and March in Rajasthan then you must consider Osian. About 60 Kms from Jodhpur, Osian is a great place to experience a rich memorable holiday with family and friends.

Osian, is known for stunning desert landscape, beautiful sunsets and ancient temples. Osian is a small rustic town stuck in time. Once a prominent silk route trade center and center for art and culture, Osian met destruction from the invading muslim armies. The population was to flee Osian and settle elsewhere. In time, the fragrance of faith and charm of the land brought back its people.

Today, Osian is known as the gateway to the Thar Desert where Desert Safari Camps offer Luxury Tents and Deluxe AC Rooms furnished with all the modern amenities and facilities.

Go, explore the desert landscape with camel safari and jeep Safari. Enjoy traditional rajasthani folk music & dance program in the evenings and savor the mouthwatering Rajasthani cuisine. Create rich and memorable holiday experience with tours of ancient temples, Katan Baori Step Well and Khichan Bird Sanctuary.

Osian is one of the top travel destinations in Rajasthan after Jaisalmer for people looking for desert camping vacation. What makes it popular is its accessibility. Jodhpur by road is 1 hour drive. So, if you are staying at Jodhpur and want a day out at Osian, it is convenient. Osian has its own railway station which connects it with all major cities. An overnight journey brings you straight to Osian – ready for an experience of a lifetime. Furthermore, roads are amazing and smooth, so, if you love to drive, road to Osian will bring a smile to your face.

Desert Safari Camps Osian offer excellent value for your money and fun filled adventure for all.

Here is the list of Top 5 Desert Safari Camps in Osian.

Reggie’s Camel Camp

Reggies Camel Camp is an easy 60 Km drive from Jodhpur. With expansive views of the mighty Thar desert on one side and the ancient 8th century temple town of Osian on the other, Reggie’s Camel Camp, the original luxury tented camp in India, offers an unappalled experience of rural Rajasthan.

Venturing out on camel or jeep, one can meet the proud local tribes, the Bishnois and Bhils, potters and weavers and shepherds in their natural surroundings, not to mention the various varieties of desert wildlife such as blue bulls, gazelles, foxes, peacocks and partridges.

Address: Khetasar – Osian Rd, Rajasthan 342303

Phone: 099280 09608

Website: https://www.reggiescamelcamposian.com/

Rohida Camp Osian

Set on 40 acres of private sand dunes, the Rohida Camp Osian is an ideal destination for relaxing and adventurous, letting you seek solace in the desert, while also exposing you to with adrenaline-soaring activities like jeep safari, camel safari, long guided walks across the dunes and more.

With the famed Rajput hospitality, the entire experience is designed to make your vacation nothing but extraordinary. The site features 13 Luxury Air-conditioned Tents, alongside an array of exciting activities that will keep you spell bound.

Address: Rohida Camp, Pratap Nagar, Khetasar – Osian Rd, Osian, Rajasthan 342303

Phone: 094135 22188

Website: https://www.booking.com/hotel/in/rohida-camp-osian.html

Camp Thar Osian

Camp Thar is considered as one of the best resorts which offers Safari-style permanent tents & cottages in a desert resort with a restaurant & live entertainment. Experience the pleasure to view the dunes from the camp window and enjoy the accommodation with Maharaja style bedroom, attached with a modern washroom.

The Property features 35 Swiss Tent, 26 Luxury Tent Accommodation, 16 Royal Tents Accommodation, 5 Luxury Dhani Cottages, Conference Hall, Roof Top Canopy Bar, Leisure Room, Hygienic Open Kitchen for Traditional Food, Machan/Tree house, Indoor Dining Option.

Address: Pratap Nagar Road, Jodhpur District, Osian, Rajasthan 342303

Phone: 0291 264 7555

Website: https://www.goibibo.com/hotels/camp-thar-hotel-in-osian-2613175764249341703/

Safari Camp Osian

Safari Camp Osian is the largest camp and resort located on the finest dunes of the Thar Desert. Here you can enjoy the experience of Desert Camping, Camel /Jeep Safari, Folk Dance and Music Programs, Hot Air Ballooning in the Thar Desert. Furnished with all the modern amenities the camps are exquisitely designed to put forth an experience of a lifetime.

Safari Camp Osian offers the perfect dessert safari camp packages, which includes plenty of facilities and amenities for you to explore and choose. The camp is also ideal for pre-wedding shoots, destination weddings / parties and corporate events.

Address: Pratap negar khesra no 808, Osian, Rajasthan 342303

Phone: 070234 77221

Website: https://safaricamposian.in/

Rawla Osian Camps

Rawla Osian Camps are located in the heart of the Thar desert near the ancient and picturesque desert town of the Osian on the Jodhpur – Jaisalmer Highway. Designed like an old desert fortress, located in a huge belt of Sand Dunes, Rawla Osian Camps offers guest a chance to spend time in the midst of the desert, away from all disturbances.

Rawla Osian Camps also provide visitors a comfortable stay in Swiss tents and A/c Deluxe Rooms. The tents have permanent bathrooms with running hot and cold water.The restaurants offers a choice of Rajasthani and Indian Continental cuisines in a cosy rural ambience. The camp is also ideal for marriage / theme parties and Gala dinners.

Address: Khetasar – Osian Rd, Pratapnagar, Osian, Rajasthan 342303

Phone: 063500 20768

Website: https://www.osianresortcamps.com/

The details for the camps can be checked on their respective websites.

FAQs

Where is Osian Located?

Osian (also spelt Osiyan) is an ancient town located in the Jodhpur District of Rajasthan state in western India. It is an oasis in the Thar Desert. Osian is located 60 Km from Jodhpur in Rajasthan.

How to reach Osian?

By Air – Jodhpur is the nearest airport to Osian. From Airport, take a taxi and you will reach in about an Hours time.

BY TRAIN – Osian has its own railway station. However limited number of trains cross through Osian. Jodhpur Railway station is 60 Kms away and offers better connectivity.

BY ROAD – Traveling by own vehicle or private cab is a joy as the roads are smooth and a driver’s dream come true. Regular bus services connect Osian to nearest cities and towns.

What to do in Osian?

Osian is situated at the edge of the great Thar Desert and has beautiful sand dunes which present a great opportunity for holiday makers who like camel and jeep safari and wish to stay in desert safari camps, experiencing a new way of live. There are luxury camps and resorts located around these dunes and they offer all the modern amenities and facilities for the travelers.

The evenings are charmed by Rajasthani folk dance and music program where guests are entertained by tribal artisans. Watch the sunsets, go bird watching, meet the locals, click pics, enjoy the delicious rajasthani cuisine, experience the famous rajasthani hospitality and relax as you watch the star studded sky that will take you back to your childhood! The best time to visit Osian is from October till March – during the winter months.

Katan Baori Stepwell is an ancient stepwell and probably the earliest symbol of woman empowerment in the world. The story goes that due to water shortage in Osian, the women folk were forced to travel a few kms on foot everyday to fetch water for home. They asked the men to get a well built, but the men refused, saying that it required a lot of money. The ladies then, decided to fund it themselves. They started weaving and sold merchandise to merchants on silk route. The work on Katan Baori started in this way, however, it could not be completed as the muslim armies invaded the region destroying much.

Ancient Temples – Osian has some of the most beautiful temples – of what ever was left after the invasion and these temples are truly amazing. Hari Hara temples have beautifully intricate carvings and statues carved everywhere. The Jain Oswal temple is beautifully preserved and enchants everyone who visits it. There is Osian Mata Temple and others nearby which are worth a visit.

Khichan Bird Sanctuary is located some 50 Kms from Osian. It is a place visited by thousands of migrating Demoiselle Cranes during winter months in India. Khichan is but a small village, made world famous because of this. It has an amazing story – how these birds first came there and how their numbers grew over time. It is a love story between a man and these birds. The prominent place here is the Chuga Ghar, where the birds visit early morning between 7am and 8 am for feeding. They fly in groups, waves upon waves as the sky is full of them. They circle, wait for their turn and come to feed. After feeding they fly of to lakes and water bodies nearby. Watching these birds – in thousands from just a few meters away is a spell binding experience.

PVC Major Shaitan Singh Memorial – This small monument is dedicated to Major Shaitan Singh (in rajasthani the name sounds – Haitan Hingh), who lead a small group of soldiers in 1962 indo china war and defended Indian post from scores of invading Chinese soldiers. Overwhelmingly outnumbered and with little ammunition to counter such a large attack, he displayed exceptional courage and valor by motivating his fellow soldiers who gave a huge toll to the chinese army, before getting killed in action. The shock they sent across chinese army halted their progress and kept India safe. He and his fellow soldiers received Param Vir Chakra for the sacrifice.

Osian is not just a travel destination, it is an experience. Keep your camera handy for there is much to capture, go birding in the morning, listen to rajasthani folk music, meet the locals, try the street food, watch the amazing sunsets and the star studded sky looking back at you. Relax in the moment and discover a whole new world around you on your trip to Osian.

How to Plan a Tour of Osian?

Osian Day Tour Plan – Most people prefer a day tour to Osian from Jodhpur, which is great as you start in the morning from Jodhpur, reach Osian, enjoy camel or jeep safari, relax for lunch, explore the temples and then head for an evening music and dance program which ends with dinner. There after you drive back to Jodhpur.

Osian 1N/2D Tour Plan – If you wish to experience life in desert and want to stay in Desert Camps or  a Resort then, you can have a relaxed schedule in which you can visit Khichan Bird Sanctuary early morning from Osian, have breakfast, visit Major Shaitan Singh Memorial, arrive back at Resort for Lunch, Relax, Enjoy the evening music and dance program, have dinner and go to sleep. Next day, go for camel and jeep safari after breakfast. You can check out and visit Katan Baori Stepwell and Explore the temples at leisure. Go Shopping handmade stuff in the local market, buy spices, pickles and chutneys. Have Lunch on your way back home.

Travel Options

If you have One more day, then you must explore Jodhpur, the world famous Blue city. Here is the list of places you must visit on your trip:

Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur

Mehrangarh Fort stands a hundred feet in splendor on a perpendicular cliff, four hundred feet above the sky line of Jodhpur. Considered as one of the most formidable and magnificent forts of Rajasthan, Mehrangarh fort was built by Rao Jodha in the year 1459, though most of the existing structure is from the 17th century. The fort museum has amazing collection of antiquities and to explore it all you will need 2-3 hours. The city view from the palace windows is magnificent. Explore Sheesh Mahal, Phool Mahal, Jhanki Mahal, Mehrangarh Fort Museum, The Chamunda Mataji Temple and Chokelao Mehran Terrace.

Jaswant Thada, Jodhpur

The Jaswant Thada is an architectural marvel with intricate carvings. Famed as one of the most beautiful white marble memorials, it was built in 1899 by Maharaja Sardar Singh in commemoration of his father Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. This white marble wonder of Rajasthan is often called the Taj Mahal of Marwar. Jaswant Thada serves as the cremation ground for the royal Rajput family of Marwar. A Museum in Jaswant Thada displays portraits of Marwar rulers along with information which serves as orientation space to understand the history of Marwar through the Portraits. Walking around Jaswant Thada surrounded by lake and rocky structure is a wonderful experience. This is surrounded by well maintained garden. A waterbody next to Jaswant Thada is home to water birds and pigeons.

Clock Tower Jodhpur, Ghantaghar

Located in the Sadar Market square is the The Ghanta Ghar in Jodhpur, which is a magnificent clock tower in the centre of the city, built by Maharaja Sardar Singh about 200 years ago. It is a popular landmark that signifies the start of Old Jodhpur. The vibrant Sardar Market nest to the tower, and narrow alleys lead from here to a bazaar selling vegetables, spices, Indian sweets, textiles, silver and delicious street food.

Umaid Bhawan Palace Museum, Jodhpur

Built between 1928 and 1943, the sprawling Umaid Bhawan Palace can be seen for miles around. Part of the grand palace is a luxury hotel run by the Taj Group. This museum, placed in the mid of the Umaid garden is well maintained and displays many of the antique belongings of the Maharaja and the royal family. The museum exhibits glass, porcelain wares, memorabilia followed by the information on building of the palace. The classic cars of the Maharajas are also on display. A part of museum, Darbar hall, and miniature paintings are a rare collection of the expensive household paraphernalia

The Sardar Government Museum, Jodhpur

Located in the verdant green lawns of Ummed Bagh, the Sardar Government Museum is a quiet yet popular tourist attraction in Jodhpur. The museum is named after Sardar Singh, a maharaja of Jodhpur, and was constructed under the reign of his son, Maharaja Umed Singh. It was built by Henry Vaughan Lanchester in 1909 and formally opened to public on 17 March 1936. The Museum is divided into four archaeological areas; armoury, arts and crafts show, and historical section. The exhibits history dates back to nearly the sixth century. The museum’s pride is the paintings with different royalties and the Jain Tirthankaras.

While at Jodhpur, don’t forget to enjoy the local delicacies like Dal Baati Choorma, Mava Kachori, Gajar ka Halwa and the mouth watering Jalebi.

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