Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: The ultimate travel guide
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: The ultimate travel guide
Ishita Khemariya
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This is an ultimate 3–4-day guide about traveling in Jaisalmer the golden city of India in the state of Rajasthan. Jaisalmer, a mesmerizing destination nestled in the heart of the Thar Desert, is a jewel in the crown of Rajasthan.
It captivates visitors with its sandstone architecture, picturesque landscapes, and rich cultural heritage. The city is adorned with lakes, ornate Jain temples and royal palaces.
You can take parts of my guides and combine them with your own research to build your own custom itinerary. The guide consists of everything you need to know about visiting Jaisalmer:
📍Places to visit
🛵 Getting around
🏠Stay options
✈️How to reach
🧳3-day itinerary
⌛ Best time to visit
Note: If this is your first time in this golden city you need at least 3 days to make the most of your Jaisalmer trip.
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How to reach
✈️Flight
There are direct flights from Delhi and Jaipur to Jaisalmer but they operate only in the peak winter months.
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🚂 Train (cheapest)
You can reach Jaisalmer by taking a train from Jodhpur (4.5 hr journey). There are trains available from Delhi and Jaipur railway station also.
Railway station Jaisalmer
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Jaisalmer railway station . There are 24 weekly trains running from Jaisalmer
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Getting around
Jaisalmer is a small city. You can either take rental scooters (budget friendly and convenient) if you want to self-drive as a solo traveler or a couple. If coming in a group, you can take a private full day tour of Jaisalmer by a tuk tuk or a car.
Best time to visit
October to March is the best time to visit Jaisalmer. The weather during this time is pleasant and breezy and the best time to enjoy the colorful sandy terrain.
Situated in the heart of Thar Desert, the summers are extremely dry and hot and must be avoided.
During winters, the temperatures fall up to 1 or 2 degrees Celsius, especially during the night, so warm clothing is necessary.
Stay options
If it is pocket-friendly accommodations you are after, Sadar Bazar is the top pick. The neighborhood features many options with simple sandstone hotels and backpacker hostels complemented by the conventional havelis.
Fort Road is lined with top-end hotels and resorts steeped in opulence to enrich your experience as you explore the majestic forts, ornate temples and rustic havelis of Jaisalmer. The hotels and resorts echo the beauty of the royal Rajasthani architecture and feature rooms offering splendid views of the desert city's most famous architectural highlights.
Budget:
Hotel Amazing Jaisalmer
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Hotel Amazing Jaisalmer features a garden, shared lounge, a terrace and restaurant in Jaisalmer. This 2-star hotel offers room service and a tour desk.
An à la carte breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation.
Popular points of interest near the hotel include Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli and Salim Singh Ki Haveli. The nearest airport is Jaisalmer Airport, 3 km from Hotel Amazing Jaisalmer.
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Hostel desert home stay
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Boasting a terrace, restaurant and views of city, Hostel Desert Home Stay is situated in Jaisalmer, 200 metres from Jaisalmer Fort. Located around 8.5 km from Bara Baag, the hostel is also 48 km away from Desert National Park. This pet-friendly hostel also has free WiFi.
Popular points of interest near the hostel include Salim Singh Ki Haveli, Patwon Ki Haveli and Lake Gadisar. The nearest airport is Jaisalmer Airport, 4 km from Hostel Desert Home Stay.
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Hotel Fotiya Jaisalmer
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Featuring 3-star accommodation, Hotel Fotiya jaisalmer is set in Jaisalmer, 1.2 km from Jaisalmer Fort and 700 metres from Patwon Ki Haveli.
Boasting a 24-hour front desk, this property also welcomes guests with a family-friendly restaurant and a sun terrace.
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Explore Hostel Life Jaisalmer
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Explore Hostel Life Jaisalmer features free bikes, shared lounge, a terrace and restaurant in Jaisalmer.
Featuring a bar, the 3-star hostel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The accommodation provides a shared kitchen, room service and currency exchange for guests.
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Mid-range:
Jaisalmer Hostel Crowd
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Set in Jaisalmer, 1 km from Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer Hostel Crowd offers express check-in and check-out and free WiFi.
The property is close to several noted attractions, around 1.3 km from Salim Singh Ki Haveli and around a 17-minute walk from Patwon Ki Haveli. The property is 1.7 km from Lake Gadisar and 7 km from Bara Baag
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Hotel Garh Jaisal Haveli, Jaisalmer
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Hotel Garh Jaisal Haveli is located just 100 metres from the sacred Jain Temple. It is within 2.5 km of the historic Jaisalmer Fort, the scenic Gadi Sagar lake and the famous Patwon-Ki-Haveli.
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Zostel Jaisalmer
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Zostel Jaisalmer in Jaisalmer provides adults-only accommodation with a shared lounge, a terrace and a restaurant.
Popular points of interest near Zostel Jaisalmer include Salim Singh Ki Haveli, Patwon Ki Haveli and Lake Gadisar. The nearest airport is Jaisalmer Airport, 4 km from the accommodation.
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Moustache Jaisalmer
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Featuring free WiFi and a sun terrace, Moustache Jaisalmer offers accommodation in Jaisalmer, 100 metres from Jaisalmer Fort. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant.
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Luxury:
Hotel Lal Garh Fort And Palace
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Situated in Jaisalmer, 1.1 km from Jaisalmer Fort, Hotel Lal Garh Fort And Palace features accommodation with a terrace, free private parking and a restaurant.
An à la carte, continental or Full English/Irish breakfast is available each morning at the property.
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Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa
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Built in yellow sandstone architecture in Jaisalmer, 1.4 km from Jaisalmer Fort, Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa features a temperature controlled swimming pool, a 24 hours fitness centre and an outdoor lawn, as well as free WiFi
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WelcomHeritage Mandir Palace
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Situated in Jaisalmer, less than 1 km from Jaisalmer Fort, WelcomHeritage Mandir Palace features accommodation with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a garden and a terrace.
This 4-star hotel offers a concierge service and a tour desk.
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4-day itinerary
Day 1-2: Explore the local attractions
The first day can be used to explore the attractions situated in the city center. Spend your evening watching sunset at the beautiful Gadisar lake.
Jaisalmer Fort
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Jaisalmer Fort is a hill fort with houses, temples, shops, and restaurants. More than three thousand people live within the fort walls.
It offers a stunning and panoramic view of Jaisalmer city draped in golden yellow. Also known as Sonar Quila, it is the most popular place to visit in Jaisalmer.
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Kothari's Patwon Ki Haveli / Patwa Haveli
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Also known as the Mansion of Brocade Merchants, Patwon Ki Haveli is a famous tourist attraction in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
At first glance from the narrow street it faces, one would see several windows and balconies with intricate carvings, and once inside, they would get to witness the grandeur of the Haveli. It is a cluster of five small havelis built by a rich trader in the 19th Century
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Gadisar Lake
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On the outskirts of Jaisalmer in the arid state of Rajasthan lies the beautiful Gadisar Lake, which sits like an oasis in the heart of a desert. Back in the middle ages, there were no canals or irrigation system or other scientific methods to bring water to the arid regions of Rajasthan. This reservoir was built by Raja Rawal Jaisal keeping in mind the need of his people.
Located close to the fort of Jaisalmer, the lake is an easy respite from the hot and dry desert climate. Gadisar Lake offers scenic and picturesque views of the lake and the adjacent fort
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Bada Bagh
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Somewhere amidst the ochre-coloured landscape of the Thar Desert, yellow sandstone domes highlight the remnants of a bygone era.
These are the cenotaphs of Bada Bagh in Jaisalmer, built in memory of Rajasthan’s royalty. Perched atop a hill, the site offers breathtaking views of the horizon and the ever-expanding desert.
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Amar Sagar Jain Temple
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The Amar Sagar lake is an oasis near the palace of Amar Singh. It is adjacent to the 17th-century citadel which was constructed by Maharawal Akhai Singh and is located on the outskirts of Jaisalmer city.
It is the best place to enjoy sunset.
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Day 3-4: Explore Kuldhara village and camp in the desert
Spending the night in the Thar Desert is an ideal way to experience the Rajasthani landscape and learn about its culture.
Start with a ride into the desert in a Jeep, passing ghost villages and farming settlements along the way. Arriving at camp, enjoy the colors of sunset with a warming chai, then camp out by the fire as the stars shimmer overhead.
If you want to escape the crowds, head towards Khuri village.
Kuldhara
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Kuldhara Village, located around 20 kilometres from the Golden City Jaisalmer is one of the most interesting and intriguing attraction sites that you should absolutely include in your itinerary. The village, rich with its fair share of legends and myths, is said to be a spooky and haunted village.
The abandoned and eerily beautiful appearance of it, standing solitary amidst the vast stretches of desert, lives up to its reputation
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Khuri
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Khuri sand dunes are located in the outskirts of Jaisalmer, around 40 K.M. southwest from the main city. Khuri is a small and beautiful village with very less population and yet a majestic beauty of its own. Khuri is famous for its desert beauty, here you can experience the traditional lifestyle and Rajastani folklores at its best.
The sand dunes here are enough to keep you awestruck. In the land of Rajput, the scattered mud houses and the simplistic living of the locals will give you the best glimpse of native Rajasthan.
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Sam Sand Dunes Camps Jaisalmer
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Jaisalmerin Rajasthan is frequented by tourists for its large stretches of desert sand. Popular Desert Safaris in Jaisalmer takes place in Sam Sand Dunes. A Jeep takes you to a point near Sam Sand Dunes (around 45km from the city) from where the camel ride starts and lasts for around 90 minutes. You will also stop by at a few attractions on your way.
The safaris can be done in the morning or in the evening followed a delicious meal alongside a musical dance program that showcases the local culture of Rajasthan.
If you don't wish to indulge in this experience and want to go for an off-beat experience, there are a few operators like Trotters that will take you to Khuri Sand Dunes.
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Hope you found my Jaisalmer travel guide useful! Please make sure you save it and subscribe to my Thatch shop for more upcoming Travel guides and useful info.
Also read: Jodhpur, Rajasthan travel guide
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ishita Khemariya
Available for hire
Travelling in a big and diverse country like India can be challenging. But I am here to guide you through every step of planning and research to explore this beautiful country.
Hello wanderers,
I am Ishita Khemariya and I have traveled extensively in many parts of India, exploring its vast majestic landscapes, learning about its diverse culture, history and people. I am the person to trust when it comes to planning your perfect India trip. If it's your first time in India, you can be assured of having a great time. I know all about the overrated tourist hotspots which you should skip and also about the hidden gems which are not found on tourist maps.
I'm thrilled to share my knowledge and tips into my detailed, practical, and exciting travel guides. I will leave no stone unturned in curating your dream vacation.
✅ Whom am I suitable for: Travelers looking for offbeat travel, vegetarian/vegan sustainable travel, budget travelers, couples, backpackers, and slow travelers who enjoy soaking in authentic local experiences.
❌ What I'm not a great fit for: Travelers focused on partying and luxury travel.
It brings me so much joy to know that these guides can help you and your loved ones have the most memorable travel experiences possible.
Make sure you find me on social media. Let's connect. Happy travels, and I'll see you on the road.
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