08SEP
Planning a desert safari in Jaisalmer: camel, jeep and timing
How to choose between a camel and a jeep safari, when to go, and what to pack for a comfortable afternoon on the dunes.
Read moreTravel notes
Jaisalmer travel blog
3 articles
15SEP
Your first night at a desert camp in Jaisalmer
What typically happens from afternoon pickup to sunrise, how camps differ, and how to prepare for cold desert nights.
Read more
22SEP
How to choose a Jaisalmer tour package that fits your trip
Match the number of days you have to the right mix of city sights, desert time and longer drives, and know what to check in a quote.
Read moreThe Golden City
Jaisalmer was founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal, who built his fort on Trikuta hill in the Thar Desert. The city grew rich on the caravan trade between India and Central Asia. Almost everything is built from local yellow sandstone, which glows in the late-afternoon light and gives Jaisalmer its nickname.
Jaisalmer Fort
Sonar Quila, the Golden Fort, is one of the few living forts in the world: people still live, work and run shops inside its walls. It is part of the Hill Forts of Rajasthan group listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013. Inside, look for the royal palace, the ramparts with views over the city, and a group of finely carved Jain temples built between the 12th and 15th centuries.
The havelis
Wealthy merchants built elaborate townhouses, or havelis, with carved sandstone facades and latticed windows. Patwon ki Haveli is a group of five houses, the first commissioned in the early 19th century. Salim Singh ki Haveli, with its distinctive curved upper storey, and Nathmal ki Haveli are close by.
Gadisar Lake
Built in the 14th century as the city's water reservoir, Gadisar Lake is lined with ghats, shrines and small temples. Early morning is peaceful, and late afternoon is popular with families. The carved gateway at the entrance is a landmark in its own right.
Bada Bagh and Vyas Chhatri
Bada Bagh, a few kilometres north of the city, has rows of royal cenotaphs set on a low ridge. Vyas Chhatri, closer to town, offers a view over the rooftops toward the fort. Both are good places to watch the sun go down.
Kuldhara
Kuldhara is an abandoned village south-west of Jaisalmer. Local stories say its residents left overnight, and it is often visited on the way to the Sam dunes. Walking through the empty lanes and roofless houses gives a sense of how desert villages were laid out.
Sam and Khuri dunes
The Sam Sand Dunes, roughly 40 km west of the city, are the most visited dune area and the base for most camps and safaris. Khuri, to the south-west, is quieter. Both are best in the late afternoon and early morning.
Desert National Park
Much of the landscape around Sam falls within the Desert National Park, a protected area known as one of the last habitats of the great Indian bustard. Chinkara, desert foxes and many bird species also live here. Visiting some parts requires permission, so ask us if wildlife is a priority.
Tanot and Longewala
Near the border, Longewala is known for the 1971 battle and has a war memorial. Tanot Mata Temple is linked to stories from the 1965 and 1971 conflicts. Both are a long day trip from Jaisalmer and require photo ID.
Food to try
Rajasthani cooking is shaped by the desert. Try dal baati churma, ker sangri made from desert beans and berries, and gatte ki sabzi. Ghotua ladoo is a local sweet associated with Jaisalmer, and a thick makhaniya lassi is welcome on a hot afternoon.
The Desert Festival
The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is usually held in January or February and features folk music, dance, camel events and competitions. It is a colourful time to visit but also one of the busiest, so book early.
Amar Sagar and Lodurva
West of the city, Amar Sagar is a lake with a palace and a finely carved Jain temple nearby. A little further, Lodurva was once the capital of the region before Jaisalmer was founded, and its rebuilt Jain temples are known for their intricate stonework. Both are easy additions to a drive toward the dunes.
Khaba Fort
Khaba Fort, near Kuldhara, stands above an abandoned village and offers wide views over the surrounding desert. It is quieter than the main sights and worth a stop if you have time on the way to or from the dunes.
Shopping in the old city
The lanes around the fort and Manak Chowk are lined with shops selling textiles, embroidered cushion covers, mirror work, leather goods and silver jewellery. Take your time, compare quality, and remember that bargaining is common in markets.
Staying in or near the fort
Some guesthouses operate inside the fort walls, while many hotels are in the old city below or on the outskirts. Staying close to the fort puts the main sights within walking distance. Staying further out tends to be quieter and can offer more space.
Getting around the city
The old city is compact and best explored on foot, though the fort approach is steep. Auto-rickshaws are useful for short trips. For sights outside the city, such as Bada Bagh, Kuldhara or the dunes, a car with a driver is the most practical option.
How to use our articles
Our articles are written to answer the questions travellers ask us most often. Start with the safari planning guide if you are deciding between camel and jeep, read the camp article if you are staying overnight, and use the package guide if you are comparing itineraries. Each links to the relevant service pages when you are ready to plan.
Jaisalmer's architecture
Jaisalmer's buildings are made almost entirely from local yellow sandstone. Craftsmen carved the stone into intricate screens, balconies and brackets, which helped keep interiors cool by filtering light and allowing air to move. Walking through the old city, look up: many ordinary houses carry carvings as fine as those on the famous havelis.
Wildlife and birds of the Thar
The Thar supports more life than its dry appearance suggests. Chinkara, a small gazelle, may be seen in open scrub, along with desert foxes and hares. Birdwatchers look for larks, sandgrouse and birds of prey, and in winter, migratory birds visit wetlands in the region. The Desert National Park near Sam is the best place to look, with permission where required.
Music and craft traditions
Western Rajasthan is known for its hereditary musician communities, who have performed folk and devotional songs for generations. Jaisalmer is also a centre for textile crafts such as embroidery, mirror work and patchwork, as well as stone carving and leatherwork. Buying directly from artisans, where possible, supports these traditions.
Dress and etiquette
Jaisalmer is a conservative town, especially outside tourist areas. Light, loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees is comfortable in the heat and appropriate at temples. Remove shoes before entering temples and some homes. Ask before photographing people, and accept a polite no.
Money and practicalities
ATMs are available in the city, and digital payments are widely used, though cash is still useful for small purchases, tips and places outside the city. Carry some cash when heading to the dunes or the border region. Keep a copy of your ID and important documents on your phone.
A short history of the caravan trade
For centuries, Jaisalmer sat on trade routes linking India with Persia, Arabia and Central Asia. Camel caravans carrying spices, silk, opium and other goods passed through, and the city's merchants grew wealthy by trading and taxing them. That wealth paid for the fort's temples and the elaborate havelis. When sea trade grew and the Partition of 1947 closed the western routes, Jaisalmer's commercial importance declined, and tourism later became central to its economy.
Water in the desert
Water has always shaped life in the Thar. Gadisar Lake was built to store rainwater for the city, and traditional step-wells and village tanks collected every drop of monsoon rain. Today the Indira Gandhi Canal brings water to parts of western Rajasthan, changing farming in some areas. Visitors can help by using water carefully, particularly at desert camps, where supplies may be trucked in.
Photography around Jaisalmer
The golden stone photographs best in the hour after sunrise and before sunset. Good viewpoints include the fort ramparts, Vyas Chhatri and Bada Bagh for sunset, and Gadisar Lake at dawn. In the old city, narrow lanes and carved facades reward a slow walk with a camera. Always ask before photographing people, and respect signs prohibiting photography at some temples and near military areas.
Planning a trip with us
When you have read enough and are ready to plan, send us a message with your dates, group size and interests. We will suggest a plan and send a written quote. Our service pages explain each option in detail: desert camp, desert safari, taxi services, taxi packages and tour packages.
Ready to plan your trip?
Send your dates and number of travellers. We reply with options and a quote.