India - our Rajasthani adventure! BIKANER

Bikaner (12th - 13th March)

 

We arrived into Bikaner early in the morning, after an overnight sleeper train and were welcomed by a beautiful sunrise.

Bikaner Railway Station

The hotel was beautifully decorated and a great place to relax for a few hours before our camel safari we had planned!

Bikaner Hotel
 

We rode camels for three hours in total through the desert, passing by a small village, fields of wheat crops, herbs and spices and of course stopping for the hard working camels to get some food and water!

 

Camel leader

A local tending to his wheat crops

All aboard!

 

All very happy to get off the camels, we arrived to our camp which was beautifully set up with a large communal table, kitchen tent, and two person tents – all very colourful.

 

A very friendly camel!

 

We climbed the sand dunes to watch the sunset and enjoyed a warm cup of chai before dinner.

 

 

Beautiful sunset over the dunes

 

Fireworks and dancing around the fire to the sound of drums was a lovely way to end a great day.

 

Back in Bikaner after our safari, we visited the famous 'Karni Mata' Rat Temple which really lived up to its name.

 

'Karni Mata' Rat Temple (outside)

Rats surrounded the temple, drinking milk from tin bowls and climbing up the rails. Unfortunately (maybe fortunately) we didn’t spend too long here...

 

Rats having their milk