Jaisalmer is a tiny beautiful city in the western part of Rajasthan. The Jaisalmer is also known as Golden City or Land of Sand Dunes. If you like to enjoy the true desert then Jaisalmer is the destination you need to go. Most people think the entire Rajasthan is a desert state but only a limited part of the land has sand dunes.
Best time to visit
Jaisalmer is not your typical place where you can go in any season. If you truly want to enjoy the Jaisalmer then time is very limited. The best time to visit Jaisalmer is from 1 November to 15 December and then from 15 January to 20 March. Avoid the peak Winter season as you’ll find it difficult to roam around because of Gusty Cold winds and summer, monsoon is also not an ideal time.
TIP: Avoid Diwali time, as the city is flooded with Gujrati tourists and everything becomes ted expensive.
How to reach
Jaisalmer is a popular travel destination and is accessible by flight from Delhi, and Jaipur, and can reach via personal car.
By Train
Limited trains run from Jaisalmer railway station. I advise you to not pick this option unless you’ve time.
By Bus
Jaisalmer is connected with most of the major cities of Rajasthan. If you’re on a Rajasthan trip then you can take a bus from any major city in Rajasthan.
By Road
The road is the best way to reach Jaisalmer, you can start from Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, or from Gujarat and you’ll love the road trip here. Most of the roads are in a straight line and are very in good condition. If you’re taking the Jodhpur route then you’ll find lots of windmills and dear.
By Air
Jodhpur is connected with a few of the cities and a very limited number of flights run especially in Season time. The schedule is not fixed, as usually Airlines announce the new flight just start of the winter and end those flights when summer arrives.
Accommodation
Jaisalmer is one of the oldest cities in Rajasthan and most of the people live around the old area. All those are Budget & mid-range hotels are in the main city. Normally you’ll find a decent hotel at Rs. 1000 per night. Through room won’t be big and the old city has a space problem. Also if you want you can live inside the fort there are some hotels & hostels available inside the fort.
If you want to experience tent life and then you had to Sam Village which is around 40 KM away from the main city and from there you’ll find my tent that fits in your budget. Make sure to stay in a tent for 1 Night. Do not extend your night here, 1 Night is more than enough.
Food
Jaisalmer is the backpacker hub and you’ll find all sorts of food here at affordable prices. Just make sure not to eat near Fort as food is expensive there. You’ll find both Veg & Non-veg food in the City.
Food in the Sam dunes village is limited and most of them serve Non-veg only, so eat only in Jaisalmer city.
Top Things to See and Do in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort is the second oldest fort in Rajasthan and is one of the very few living forts in the world. People still live inside the fort, inside the fort you can find old homes, hotels, restaurants, and temples. There is no entrance ticket but you’ve to get the guide in order to understand the fort otherwise you’ll be lost inside the narrow lanes.
Visiting Hours: 24×7
Price: FREE
Gadisar Lake
Gadisar Lake is a beautiful small lake in Jaisalmer where you can enjoy the boat ride and is also a good place for photography. Also if you’re a bird watcher then you can enjoy the migratory bird in winter. It’s a small lake and the main source of water is from Monsoon rain so the water level depends on how good was Monsoon in the city.
Visiting Hours: 24×7
Pricing: Free
Patwon ki Haveli
If you love architecture then you must visit the Patwon ki Haveli. The 18th Century Haveli is one of the main attractions in Jaisalmer and you’ll be amazed by the honeycomb-shaped work. The Haveli is now turned into a museum and is comes under ASI.
Visiting Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Pricing: Rs. 100 / Person
Bada Bagh
Bada Bagh is a royal cenotaph of Maharajas of Jaisalmer state. It’s built near the dam and you’ll get a 360-degree view from here. The best time to visit here is sunset time which is a great time for photography. Often this place is flooded with Pre Wedding photographers.
Visiting Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Price: Rs. 100 / Person
Sam Sand Dunes
Sam Village is around 50 KM away from Jaisalmer. This is where all the adventure activities happen and all tents are there in this village. If you like to stay intent and want to see the sand dunes then you must head to this village. You can find private taxis and bike rental services from Jaisalmer village. There are no sand dunes in Jaisalmer and to see sand dunes you must visit this place.
Visiting Hours: 24×7
Price: NA
Camel Ride (Sam Village)
You can enjoy the Camel Ride at Sam Sand Dunes. I recommend you to just do it as not only you’ll get a beautiful view from the sand dunes but also you provide a livelihood to local people here. As the tourist season is limited to winter months only, they get a very small window in a year to earn. There is no fixed price, and different types or rides are available here from a short ones to longer ones.
Visiting Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Pricing: Rs. 30 – Rs. 500
Sand Bashing in Thar (Sam Village)
Another popular adventure sport here is Sand Bashing. They’ll take you on to adventure journey in Sand dunes where Thar will go up and down in dunes. The entire journey will be full of adrenaline.
Visiting Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Pricing: Rs. 800 / Ride
Tips for Best Experience in Jaisalmer
Hire a Bike – Most of the locations are far away from the main cities especially the Sam Dunes which is 50 KM Away from City and Longewallah Border which is 100 KM away. So make sure you hire a bike or scooter (Prefer a bike if you planning to cover Longewallah).
Winter is the Best Month, there is no off-season – Winter is the only month when you can enjoy the Jaisalmer otherwise the in summer temperature rises to almost 50 degrees, and the sam dunes are closed during the summer weather. You’ll get only 3-4 months in a year which is suitable for tourists.
