Pix courtesy: SOTC Holidays

Remember the excitement when you watched the Feluda trio negotiate the golden dunes of the Thar on camels in Sonar Kella? Deserts around the world have attracted adventurers forever with their rugged and dangerous beauty. Whether you are marvelling at the snowy White Desert in Egypt or riding a Bactrian camel across the Gobi, you will surely be awe-struck by the starkness of the desert. Check out these safaris to visit some of the greatest deserts on the planet.

Thar Desert, India

If the Great Indian Desert is on your mind, drive along NH 11 to the desert camp of Osian, 65km from Jodhpur. The ancient town, renowned for its 8th-century temples, is an oasis complete with a permanent camel camp. A camel safari takes you to explore the rugged beauty of the Thar through the villages of Dabdi, Khetasar and Osian. Get up, close and personal with the traditional way of life of the local settlements. There will also be a bit of game watching — keep an eye out for the Great Indian Bustard, gazelle, black buck, desert fox and a wide variety of birds. As the sun sets over the dunes, enjoy an evening livened up by Rajasthani folk dances.

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The India Safari Club offers a 2-night and 3-day package starting from Bikamkor, 16km from Osian. The camel safari takes you from Bikamkor to Dabdi, Khetasar and Osian. At Rs 30,000 for two persons, the package includes accommodation in deluxe double tents, all meals, camel and fodder costs, a standby jeep and evening folk entertainment. A Calcutta-Jodhpur round flight will cost you an additional Rs 12,000 (approximately). Call 0291-2437023 / 2610192 or log on to www.indiasafariclub.com.

Gobi Desert, Mongolia

The Gobi is largely covered by ice from November to May. Hit the trail on a jeep safari from Dalanzadgad, 540km south of Ulaanbaatar and explore Bayanzag and Yolyn Am National Park in the desert. You can ride a Bactrian camel as you go visiting the ‘singing’ dunes of Hongoryn Els in Gurvan Saikhan National Park. The singing dune is found in some deserts, where a rumble emanates from crescent-shaped dunes. Don’t miss the Yolyn Am’s ice-capped canyon and the Flaming Cliff of Bayanzag.

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Destiland Travel has a 5-day Gobi Desert Explorer tour starting from Ulaanbaatar. Fly to Ulaanbaatar and take the off-road safari to Dalanzadgad, Bayanzag and Yoliin Am. At $1,590 (Rs 74,843 approx.) per person on a double occupancy basis, it includes camping, meals, surface transfer, Bactrian camel and horse rides in Gurvan Saikhan National Park, guided tour, entrance fees and taxes. Airfares are excluded. A Delhi-Ulaanbaatar round trip will cost about $2,288 (Rs 1.06 lakh approx.). Log on to www.mongoliatravels.com.

Kalahari Desert, Southern Africa

The Kalahari Desert brings you face-to-face with the raw and wild beauty of Africa. It’s home to the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park. A desert safari starts from Uppington, South Africa, and takes you through Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Molopo river, Riemvasmaak Hot Springs and Waterfalls and Aurabies Falls National Park. You’ll get an insight into the life of the locals and do some wildlife watching too. Keep your eyes peeled for lions, leopards, cheetahs, wildebeests, jackals, hyenas and more.

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AAAX Tours has a 5-day Kalahari Desert Backroad Safari in an AC mini-bus from Uppington to Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Molopo river, Riemvasmaak Hot Springs and Waterfalls and Aurabies Falls National Park. At 6,990 Rand (Rs 42,716 approx.) per person, the tour includes tented accommodation, meals, and guided tours. One-way airfare from Delhi to Johannesburg will cost an additional Rs 21,015, from where a flight to Uppington will cost about Rs 7,490. Log on to www.aaax.co.za.

White Desert, Egypt

The White Desert is unique. Located in western Egypt, the snow white desert is made of chalky soil and is dotted with massive wind-sculpted chalk rock formations. The jeep safari starts from Cairo from where you drive to Bahariya and on to the White Desert. Explore its beauty as you check out the rock minarets, castles and domes formed by the vagaries of desert storms. You can even squeeze in a visit to the desert camp in El Akabat Mountains where you can take a camel ride to get a glimpse of rare sand flowers.

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Select Egypt has a 3-night and 4-day safari by private jeep starting from Cairo and taking you to Bahariya and Akabat. For 190 euros (Rs 13, 267 approx.) per person on a double occupancy basis, the package includes tented accommodation, meals, surface transport and guided tour. A one-way flight from Calcutta to Cairo will cost an additional Rs 34,406. Log on to http://whitedesertegypt.com/index.html.