Sam sand dunes, is one of the most authentic desert dune site in whole India, where you will find 30-60 meter tall sand dunes, and many travelers enjoying Desert Safari on camels or jeep, Sam is 45 km west from Jaisalmer city, where you can reach by hiring a can from Jaisalmer city and then stay in one of many desert camps, built in 2-3 km radius of sand dunes.
The best time to reach Sam sand dunes is around evening (sunset) at around 4-7 PM or early morning, during sunrise time of 4 to 6 am. You can book a camel or jeep (which is available at desert camps) to reach.the sunset point, that is 20-30 minutes from the campsite.
The best time to visit Sam or even Jaisalmer is from October to March (Feb) as in the renaming months, all the camps are closed and only few camel riders will be available. As as many travelers love to attend the evening musical program at Sam (at the desert camps), you won’t be able to attend them in summer and monsoon months.
A view on Sam Sand Dunes by Lonely Planet
A rare desert area which lies just in the edge of Jaisalmer Desert National Park and is also rated as top 10 must see tourist destinations in Rajasthan by Lonely Planet & Tripadvisor, Sam Sand Dunes are simply amazing. These dunes are 42-45 Kms away from the golden city (Jaisalmer) and has a nice sealed non-bumpy road which is maintained by Indian Arm forces.
If you ask me, these sand dunes are the very much similar to Sahara desert. The best time to visit these dunes is either sunset (around 4-7 PM) or sunrise (4-6 AM). There are many other activities which once can enjoy like these dunes have many locals who offer camel safari & jeep safari.Plus there are many desert camp owners who offer Swiss tents and mud cottages just next to Sam dunes. Here once can enjoy special Rajasthani musical and dance program & by night can have dinner prepared by these camps (both veg and non veg.
And if you are a keen observer of desert then let me also suggest you to shoot some images of desert dung beetle who collects camel dung twice their size.
Despite all these, Jaisalmer isn’t a solo traveler destination or a place where you are like the only person alone in th sand. From the month of October to December, Sam dunes have many domestic and foreign tourists (in good numbers) but still these dunes will offer you space to frame images of vast desert, locals welcoming you at camps, safari vendors following you for a paid camel ride etc.
I will say that Sam dunes in India’s winter is an amazing destination and the best way to judge this point is by exploring these dunes your self.