Jaisalmer is a major tourist spot located in the northwestern state of Rajasthan in India. It is known as the ‘Golden City’ due to its bounteous golden dunes and castles clad in golden honey sandstone. Jaisalmer is beautiful with lakes, Ornate Jain temples, and Havelis. Climb on to the camel saddle and your way through this desert or camp under this night sky in this golden land for an unforgettable experience.

The Jaisalmer Fort stands as a citadel and is surrounded by narrow alleys inhabited by people residing there for generations .with shops selling colorful handicrafts and Havelis that will make you back travel back in time, Jaisalmer is an amalgam of exotic Indian desert culture, heritage, and adventure. 

Best Time to Visit Jaisalmer

It was from November to March but visiting in Off-Season can benefit you in many other ways.

I with my four other friends took the ‘Runicha Express’ at 17:35 from Old Delhi Railway Station and reached there at around 12:30 noon the next day. This long train journey doesn’t feel that long with the never-ending game of Ludo, sharing haunted stories, asking local passengers about Jaisalmer and places to visit near it. Also, Don’t forget to click pictures at the Pokhran railway station where the train stops approx. for about 30min.

How to Reach Jaisalmer?

By road: From Delhi, it is 826 Km. it is a good option for those who want to enjoy the road journey or visiting other places also along with Jaisalmer.

Train: There are direct trains from Delhi to Jaisalmer

Flight: For going from Flight you need to go via Udaipur/Jodhpur/Jaipur airport. From there either you can hire a cab or by any local bus.

Top 10 Places To Visit In Jaisalmer:

1.Jaisalmer Fort

Jaisalmer Fort is situated in the city of Jaisalmer, in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Jaisalmer Fort is famously known as the Golden Fort of Rajasthan. It was constructed by Raja Jaisal. It was built in 1156 AD by the Rajput  Rawal (ruler).

It ranks amongst the largest forts in the world. The golden and yellow mixed sandstone offers a magical look to the fort. Rising from the desert sands like a mirage, the fort is a real sight with its 99 turrets during the night. The Fort stands tall and proud displaying the magic of Rajasthani architecture.

Visitors Information for Jaisalmer Fort:

• Famous for – History, Architecture, Photography.
• Tickets – 30 INR for Indians, 70 INR for other nationalities. 50 for still camera and 150 for videography.
• Opening Timing – Open all days (9 AM – 5 PM)
• Duration – 2-2.5 hours .

Things to do at Jaisalmer Fort: 

• Street Shopping.
• Sampling Cuisines in the many eateries.

2.Bada Bagh

Bada Bagh means ‘Huge Garden’. Maharawal Jait Singh’s period saw its construction, which was at the beginning of the 16th century. This made the desert green in this area.

After his death on 21  September 1743,  his son Lunakaran completed the construction after the death of his father. The garden served as a memorial where the nobles and their families were cremated. The garden offers a stunning view.

The place is isolated. If you visit the place during sunrise and sunset, you are guaranteed of beautiful moments, which you cannot avoid clicking.

Visitors Information

• Famous for – History, Architecture, Photography, Gardens.
• Tickets – 50 INR for Indians and 100 INR for foreigners.
• Opening Timings – Open all days (9 Am – 6 PM)
• Duration – 45 min to 1 hour.

3.Patwon-ki-Haveli

Patwon-Ki-Haveli is located in the main city. It was built by a famous trader named Guman Chand and his sons. This massive five-storied construction has five intricately decorated huge suites. The large corridors and the decorated walls are excellent representations of the art form that prevailed.

The entire construction is made of yellow sandstone. The grandeur and the architecture of the monument add immense value to the cultural heritage of the city. Out of the five havelis, one is converted into a museum. The third haveli houses the works of local craftsmen of the bygone era.

Visitors Information

• Famous for – History, Architecture, Photography, Gardens.
• Tickets – 20 INR for Indians and 100 INR for other nationalities plus 50 INR for still camera and 100 INR videography.
• Opening Timings – Open every day (9 Am – 5 PM).
• Duration – 1.15 hours.

4.Sam Sand Dunes

One of the most popular tourist attractions of Jaisalmer, Sam Sand Dunes is a must-visit in the Rajasthan state. If you visit the ‘Golden City’, then it is a must that enjoys a Desert Safari because if you do not explore the vast Thar on a camel’s back, you really miss all the fun.

Visiting Sam Sand Dunes is the highlight of the Jaisalmer tour. To have a feel of the desert, you need to undertake Desert Safari. Sam Sand Dunes is the ideal location to set off for the Desert Safari. You will love the safari on camelback that would take you along crests and troughs and you could watch the picturesque sunset on the desert.

Jeep Safaris are available as well. Desert Festival is organized in the months of February and March. If you are around this time, you would not want to miss the folk dances, camel races, and other cultural events conducted here.

Things to do at Sam Sand Dunes 

• Desert Camping.
• Desert Safari.
• Paragliding and other adventure sports.
• Camel rides.
• A visit to the nearby Desert National Park and Sanctuary. 

Visitors Information

• Famous for – History, Photography.
• Tickets – No entry fee.
• Opening Timings – Open every day.
• Duration – It depends upon the activity you perform here.

5.The Thar Heritage Museum

Thar Heritage Museum is located in the main market of the city. Laxmi Narayan Khatri was the founder of this museum. The museum presents you with the history, culture, art, and architecture of the famous Thar Desert.

Sea fossils aging over a million years let us in on how the sea eventually became the Thar Desert. The museum houses unique ornaments of the ship of the desert and houses. Documents and coins of Jaisalmer, ancients manuscripts and weapons are some of the collections found in this museum.

Things to do at Thar Heritage Museum

• Enjoy a puppet show (charges separate).
• Visit the nearby Silk Route Art Gallery.

Visitors Information

• Famous for – History, Photography.
• Tickets – 30 INR for Indians and 70 INR for other nationalities.
• Opening Timings – Every day (9 AM – 8 PM)
• Duration – 2 hours. 

6.Gadisar Lake

Gadisar Lake is one of the most famous tourist places in Jaisalmer which was built by Raja Rawal Jaisal, the first ruler of Jaisalmer. In the later years, Maharaja Garisisar Singh rebuilt and revamped the lake in the 1367 AD.

The people of the desert city depended on this tank for their water needs. You will find temples, Holy shrines, and chattris around the banks of this lake. The artistically carved entrance made of yellow sandstone offers a breathtaking view.

Things to do at Gadisar Lake 

• Picnic.
• Boat riding.
• Visit the historic Tilon ki pol gate.
• Visit the folklore museum nearby.

Visitors Information

• Famous for – History, Architecture, Photography.
• Tickets – Entry free. Boating Charges (Rowboat 10 INR, Paddle Boat 50 INR, Shikara- 100 INR) for a 30 min ride.
• Opening Timings – Open all day (8 AM – 8 PM)
• Duration – 2-2.5 hours. 

7.Nathmal-Ki-Haveli

Nathmal-Ki-Haveli was built by two Muslim Jeweller brothers not stone carvers on the order of the then prime minister. The brothers started working on the opposite sides of the building which lead to a similar but non-identical left and right side.

Apart from its extraordinary outer carvings, this haveli is known for its beautiful interiors filled with paintings and equipped with modern facilities. An amalgamation of Islamic and Rajputana architecture, Nathmal ki Haveli is well justified as being one of the most beautiful Havelis in Jaisalmer.

Visitor Information

• Famous for – History, Architecture, Photography.
• Tickets – No fee.
• Opening Timings – Every day (8 AM – 7 PM)
• Duration –  1- 2 hours. 

8.Jain Temples

Jain Temples situated in the Jaisalmer Fort are a must-visit site in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. You will find these temples to be very old and high pilgrimage as well as the archaeological value attached to them.

These are a group of Jain temples dating back 12th and 15th centuries and are dedicated to various Jain Tirthankars (Hermits). The temples of Mt. Abu. Beautifully carved and well interconnected, these temples are a vision to behold and are completely made up of yellow sandstone.

Things to do at Jain Temples

• Visit the Gyan Bhandar library.
• Visit the Jaisalmer Fort.

Visitor Information

• Famous for – History, Architecture, Photography, Pilgrimage.
• Tickets – No fee.
• Opening Timings – Every day (8 AM – 12 PM)
• Duration –  1- 2 hours. 

9.Salim Singh Ki Haveli

Among all the Havelis in Jaisalmer, Salim Singh ki Haveli is known for its distinctive and eye-catching architecture. It was built by the then minister, Salim Singh who wanted to make as high as the fort but was prohibited by the king.

It was 38 balconies with their own distinctive style of architecture and a peacock shaped roof. This haveli provides a good glimpse in the past and the photographs taken here would be awe-inspiring.

  Visitor Information

• Famous for – History, Architecture, Photography.
• Tickets – 10 INR for Indians and 15 INR for foreigners. 50 INR for photography and 100 INR videography.
• Opening Timings – Every day (8 AM – 6 PM)
• Duration –  45 min.

10.Kuldhara Village

Kuldhara is an abandoned village in the Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan, India. Established around the 13th century, it was once a prosperous village inhabited by Paliwal Brahmins. The reasons why a whole city was abandoned within a night is not clear but the popular belief holds the then state minister Salim Singh responsible for the minister wanted to marry the same. 

The minister wanted to marry the same. The minister wanted to marry the village chief’s daughter and therefore delivered an ultimatum to the village chief to accept his demands or let the whole community face dire consequences. Rather than giving in to the minister’s demands, the whole village decided to move away.

Before leaving, they cursed this place to never have any kind of human settlement and this has been proven true to this date. Visit Kuldhara to get a glimpse of the past and get spooked by its tales.

Visitor Information

• Famous for – Ruins, Ghost Town, History.
• Tickets – Entry free.
• Opening Timings – Every day (8 AM – 6 PM)
• Duration –  49 min (32.0 km).

FAQs Related to Trip to Jaisalmer: The Golden City

Q1. How far is Jaisalmer from Jodhpur?

Ans. It’s around 280kms. It’ll roughly take and 4 hours 30minutes to reach.

Q2. Which is the nearest airport to Jaisalmer?

Ans. You can take a flight to Jodhpur airport, it is the nearest airport to Jaisalmer, or you can also take a flight to Udaipur or Jaipur and have a view to City of Lakes and Pink City. There’s no direct flight To Jaisalmer.

Q3. Which Desert Safari is best in Jaisalmer?

Ans. There are many Desert Safaris, you can choose any one of them. You can also enjoy Desertd camping.

Q4. Where is Rang Mahal located in Jaisalmer?

Ans. Hotel Rang Mahal is around 3kms from Jaisalmer Fort. It is one of the best hotels in Jaisalmer. You can also check out Chokhi Dhani  The Palace Hotel in Jaisalmer.

Enjoy your trip. Have you visited any of these places? Comment below and let us know your experience.