It is that time of the year when deserts cool down and open up for fun and sports. It might be timely, we thought, to pack your bags and head to Dera Dune, an isolated resort located in the Jamba village between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, well off the tourist trail. Opened in November, it is amongst the first few luxury retreats to be located on top of a hundred feet high sand dune, in the heart of the Thar desert, approachable by four wheel drives only. The location of the resort makes it perfect to witness a blanket of stars or go click-happy with photos of the sunrise and sunset. Initially a group of tents set up on the dunes, popularity among international tourists made the owners consider a permanent structure.

Dera Dune in Rajasthan, built on a 100 ft sand dune, is one of several resorts offering winter dune safaris