You Can Float Without Swimming Here, And It’s Not the Dead Sea

Let’s get one thing out of the way: if you think floating in water means you need to know how to swim, think again. Turns out, you can just lie back and relax, no effort required, if the water’s salty enough.

The Dead Sea is the classic destination for this. But here’s the surprise: you don’t need to hop on an international flight just to float like a cork. We’ve got our own saltwater lakes in India that pull off a pretty similar trick, minus the jet lag.

That said, if the Dead Sea has always been on your wish list (and honestly, it should be), we’ve got some pretty good tour packages from India to Jordan that won’t eat up your life savings.

Let’s talk about both.

Sambhar Salt Lake is in Rajasthan and is just about two hours from Jaipur. It’s India’s largest inland salt lake, and it’s got this otherworldly vibe. huge flat expanses, mirage-like reflections, and salty pools that feel like you’ve stepped into another planet, or a really good sci-fi film set.

During late summer, the lake’s evaporation ponds get salty enough for you to float. Not quite Dead Sea levels, but floaty enough to feel weird in the best way. Just lie back, and your body does its thing, no swimming needed.

And it’s not just the floating. There’s birdlife, salt harvesting scenes, and this quiet stillness that hits differently.

We run Sambhar day trips from Jaipur, and they’re pretty relaxed.

You get picked up early (coffee in hand if you like), head out on scenic roads, stop at chai joints along the way, and reach the lake by mid-morning. We take you to the right spots, some shallow brine ponds where you can get your feet wet (or your whole body if you’re up for it).

By the way, bring water, sunscreen, and sandals. The salt crust can be sharp, and you don’t want your feet to learn that the hard way.

Trip cost starts at ₹3,500 per person. That includes travel, basic snacks, and a guide who won’t talk your ear off unless you want them to.

Tucked away in Nagaur district, this one’s a bit quieter than Sambhar. Less foot traffic, more reflection time. Same salt magic though, and if you’re the type who prefers fewer people in your frame, this might be your spot.

Not too far from Jodhpur, Pachpadra is where salt meets silence. It’s still used for harvesting, so you get to see the work behind those shimmering crystals. Fewer selfies, more stillness.

We do custom Rajasthan salt-lake tours, which combine Sambhar, Didwana, and Pachpadra into one neat little loop. Add in some heritage stays and local food and you’ve got a trip that feels far from ordinary.