Jaisalmer
A living sandstone fort rising out of the Thar Desert, with dunes, camels and nights under the stars.
- Famous for
- Sonar Qila (Golden Fort), carved havelis, Sam sand dunes and the Desert Festival.
- Best time
- October to February; Desert Festival in February
- Suggested stay
- 2 days
- Getting there
- Jaisalmer airport (seasonal flights); trains from Jodhpur, Jaipur and Delhi; Jodhpur is about 5 hours by road
The story of Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer was founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal, a Bhati Rajput ruler, on Trikuta hill. It grew rich as a stop on caravan routes between India and Central Asia, and merchants spent that wealth on intricately carved havelis.
Jaisalmer Fort is one of the few 'living forts' in the world: about a quarter of the old town's people still live inside its walls. It is part of the UNESCO 'Hill Forts of Rajasthan' listing.
Interesting things to see and do
Walk the lanes, Jain temples and palace museum.
Cluster of five carved merchant havelis.
14th-century reservoir lined with shrines; boat at sunrise.
Camel ride and sunset, then a desert camp night.
Abandoned village with a famous legend.
Royal cenotaphs at sunset.
Every February, with camel races and music.
Day-by-day plan
A suggested pace. We adjust it to your dates, hotel and travel style.
Fort & havelis
- Morning inside Jaisalmer Fort and Jain temples
- Lunch on a fort rooftop
- Patwon ki Haveli and Salim Singh ki Haveli
- Sunset at Gadisar Lake or Vyas Chhatri
Into the desert
- Morning at Bada Bagh cenotaphs
- Kuldhara abandoned village
- Drive to Sam dunes, jeep and camel safari at sunset
- Folk music, dinner and night in a desert camp