Jaisalmer Travel Guide – Places to Visit and Things to Do

My holidays in Rajasthan started with this Jaisalmer Trip. With a Jaisalmer travel itinerary for 3 days I could explore several offbeat places in Jaisalmer. You can modify this Jaisalmer travel guide to suit 2 days Jaisalmer travel itinerary too.

Jaisalmer is the westernmost full fledged city of Rajasthan, close to international border with Pakistan. Jaisalmer is located 124 km from Longewala, a border town where the famous Battle of Longewala took place during Indo-Pakistani War 1971. Most of the road network around Jaisalmer city is maintained by Indian Army so the road conditions are good and ideal for road trips around the city.

Jaisalmer Travel Guide for 3 days

Jaisalmer is a lively interesting city with lot of places to see, umpteen things to do and experience. The first part of this blog consists of 10 best places to see in Jaisalmer and the second part deals with top 10 experiences in Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer Travel guide – This is exit path from Gadsisar Lake

10 Best Places to Visit in Jaisalmer

This list of top 10 attractions of Jaisalmer city has a good mix of history, temples, architecture, science and natural sites like lakes and sand dunes.

Jaisalmer Fort to Visit in Jaisalmer [in 2 days]

This is largest living fort of India, continuously inhabited fort ever since it was made in 12^th century. Even half a day would be insufficient to tour the beautiful golden fort of Jaisalmer. Include the Jain temples and popular haveli (mansions) of medieval times in your tour itinerary within the fort. There are plenty of small hotels to stay and restaurants serving different cuisines within the fort.

Jaisalmer Fort is listed in UNESCO World Heritage sites since 2013. See below Jaisalmer Fort information

Tickets: 50INR for Indians and 250INR for foreigners.
Open timings: 6am to 5pm
Tour duration: 3 to 4 hours

Jaisalmer Travel Guide – the Jaisalmer Fort

Lodurva Temple to Visit in Jaisalmer

Even if you are not religiously or spiritually inclined this temple is a must visit for its beautiful architectural details. The delicate and detailed craftsmanship on yellow stone leaves one spell bound! Lodurva was the first capital of Bhatti dynasty before they shifted to Jaisalmer, 16 km away. Ask a temple priest and he will tell you the stories related to the temple and the place Lodurva.

Tour duration: Half an hour

See more at: Lodurva Jain Temples

Amar Sagar Jain Temple [Place to Visit Jaisalmer in 1 day]

Yet another ridiculously bewitchingly beautiful Jain temple, close to Lodurva Temple is the Amar Sagar Jain Temple. I almost swooned seeing the intricate stunning details. The arches, the ceilings, the jharonkha (windows), pillars are infused with designs. You are here in the westernmost city of Rajasthan, don’t give this architectural gem a miss, a must visit if you love Rajput architecture.

No tickets are required. Tour time is half an hour.

Lodurva Temple – Jaisalmer Places to Visit and Things to Do

Amar Sagar Jain Temple – Jaisalmer Places to Visit and Things to Do

Jaisalmer Travel Guide for Khaba Fort

This is the smallest fort of Rajasthan.

Khaba Fort was the Sarai Fort (fort at the frontier). The traders who entered Rajasthan from neighbouring countries via the Silk Route trade stayed inside this fort for a night. Only after they paid taxes to the ruling king they were given the permission to go ahead for trade.

It was never cared for really well as it was never used during wars. Today major renovation work is on. There is a museum with information on fossils found here. Suryagarh Resort arranges experiential dining destination to this place, you can have breakfasts with peacocks of Rajasthan here.

No tickets are required. Closes before sunset.

Read more: Khaba Fort in Jaisalmer Rajasthan

Kuldhara Haunted Village to See in Jaisalmer [in 2 days]

In for little scary adventure? Make a night visit to Kuldhara village which is believed to be a haunted place in Jaisalmer. You can make a day trip too to see how a village lays abandoned, all houses vacant with no roofs. It gives an eerie feeling to be roaming within the walls of the ruins.

Jaisalmer Travel Guide to Akal Wood Fossil Park

This Fossil park has a very well preserved collection of wood fossils. It surprised me to see the fossil trees are caged, an indication how precious they are. There are no animal fossils on display only wood fossils, nothing to second this anywhere else in India! But it is believed once this area was under ocean. The park keeper guides the visitors. The park has a few emus which roam around the park, making it more interesting for the kids.

Akal Wood Fossil Park is located about 15-20 minutes drive from Jaisalmer. This a good place of interest for students and all those who are interested in archaeology, fossil study, science and history.

Tickets cost: 20INR

Gadsisar Lake to Visit in Jaisalmer [in 1 day]

It was so enchanting to see Gadsisar Lake with its beautiful heritage monuments. Lakes are always pleasant but one that is in a desert makes it extra special and beautiful. The ethnic structure placed so elegantly in the middle of the lake makes it like a scene from fairy tale. Ideal place for sunset photography and bird watching.

There are boating facilities and small souvenir shops have mushroomed around the place. During peak hours it is hard to find boats free, so time yourself to avoid disappointment.

Jaisalmer City Guide – Gadsisar Lake

Sam Sand dunes to Visit in Jaisalmer [in 3 days]

Sam Sand dunes is the most ideal destination near Jaisalmer for authentic experience of sand dunes, sunset and sunrise photography behind the dunes. You can choose to spend a night in one of the desert camps there. It is a kind of cultural hub of the Jaisalmer city. Plan a visit during Desert Festival in months of Feb-Mar to see variety of entertainment programs with traditional dances.

Sam Sand Dunes are 45 km from Jaisalmer city. Road trip is the only option. You get state transport buses and private taxis to reach the place.

Read more: Highlights of Sam Sand Dunes Thar Desert

Bada Bagh Cenotaphs to Visit Jaisalmer in 1 day

Bada Bagh, the big garden as it is locally called, has garden, a tank and a dam. But it is the cenotaphs nearby which are more popular. These cenotaphs, sandstone chhatris, silent sentinels of history, are dedicated to male members of royal family. Each chhatri has a stone slab with the image of a king. Interior is devoid of design, very plain and simple. But as a group, they make a wonderful photo subject especially during sunsets.

Nothing much is around, very solemn sombre kind of place. No tickets are required and no timings are specified. But it is advisable to leave the place before it gets too dark.

Jaisalmer Travel Guide to Desert National Park

The Desert National Park stretches between the cities Jaisalmer and Barmer. It is in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, Category: Natural since May 2009. This park is barren with several sand dunes. It is possible to do a road trip through this region. 60 species of mammals, 8 species of amphibians, and 51 species of reptile are known from the Thar Desert. It has been recorded that 14 species of lizards and 7 species of snakes have been found in this area. Chinkaras and Black Bucks are the most easiest to spot.

FAQS About Places to Visit in Jaisalmer:

Is one day sufficient for Jaisalmer?

A perfect amount of time to spend in Jaisalmer can be 3 days!
Read the entire post to get a comprehensive guide to Jaisalmer and suggestions for how to organize
each of those days there.

Which are Jaisalmer’s top 5 tourist destinations?

The most popular sights to see in Jaisalmer are:
1. Jaisalmer Fort
2. Longewala War Memorial
3. Jain Temples
4. Kothari’s Patwaon-Ki-Haveli
5. Tanot Mata Temple

Will three days suffice for Jaisalmer?

Jaisalmer can be visited in 2 nights and 3 days, but this is entirely up to you. Three nights should be sufficient for you, even though the things you want to do might need a little more time.

What does a Jaisalmer camel safari cost?

Price List for the Jaisalmer Desert Safari:
Tour: An hour-long camel safari tour
Location: Sam and Khuri
Fare per person: 500 INR
Tour: Premium Camel safari tour
Location: Sam sand dunes
Fare per person: 1250 INR
Tour: Camel safari with camp stay
Location: Sam sand dunes
Fare per person: 2000 INR
Tour: 1 hour Jeep safari tour
Location: Sam and Khuri
Fare per person: 500 INR

Which month is ideal for Jaisalmer?

When visiting Jaisalmer, when temperatures range from 10°C to 27°C, the best months to go are between October and March. Winter is the ideal time to visit Jaisalmer because it is a desert city and the weather is ideal for all the sightseeing that the area is known for.

10 Best Things to Do in Jaisalmer

Shopping in Jaisalmer Local Bazaar – Best Shopping to Do in
Jaisalmer

Shopping in Jaisalmer can never be a disappointing affair. Jaisalmer is well known for its silver jewelry and leather works. Besides these there are lot of handicraft home decor items, golden sandstone artifacts.

Some specific markets are popular for each of these items which can help you decide what to shop in Jaisalmer. But in general you will find all these in little souvenir shops near the tourist sites like Jaisalmer Fort, Gadisar lake and Sam sand dunes.

The popular local markets for Jaisalmer shopping are:

• Seema Gram and Pansari Bazaar for handicraft and home décor items.
• Manak Chowk is stuffed with leather based items.
• Sonaron ka Baas as the name indicates is famous for jewelry.
• You must head to ‘Bhatia Bazaar’ if you are looking for silk fabrics and Mirror Work Embroidery. The famous mirror work embroidery on vibrantly colored fabrics reflects the colorful culture of the state of Rajasthan.
• Sadar Bazaar is famous for paintings and carpets.

Jaisalmer travel guide – Desert Cultural Center & Museum

This place showcases the desert culture and puppetry. It has a large collection of traditional instruments, medieval coins, ethnic artifacts, weapons and fossil works. You will be blown away at their collection of ethnic Rajasthani jewelry and handicrafts. It is a long list of collections there worth seeing to understand the rich heritage of the city.

Highlight of this museum is the hour long puppet show in the evenings, a major hit with tourists travelling with families and kids.

Timings: 10am to 8pm
Tickets: 20INR for Indians, 30INR for foreigners, extra 20INR for camera
Puppet Show Tickets: 30INR for Indians, and 50INR for foreigners

Jaisalmer City Guide – Museums

What to eat in Jaisalmer

There are excellent vegetarian and non vegetarian restaurants in Jaisalmer. The street food of Jaisalmer too are popular with both locals and tourists. You can also take Jaisalmer food tour that will help you taste what is special in Jaisalmer.

Nevertheless if you are on your own try the famous food of Jaisalmer

• Rajasthan Thali
• Dal Baati Choorma, lentils cooked in Rajasthani spices with round balls of hard unleavened bread and sweet dish with jaggery (molasses).
• Kadi Pakora, prepared out of flour dumplings and yogurt, an ideal Jaisalmer dish.
• Bhanon Aloo, a veg dish – potatoes stuffed with mint paste cooked in thick gravy.
• Gatte ki Sabzi, a dish of Gram flour sausages dipped in creamy yoghurt gravy.
• Murgh-e-Subz, a popular local non veg dish, is prepared out of boneless chicken pieces and chopped vegetables.
• Dhanraj Ranmal Bhatia sweets
• Famous local drink Makhania Lassi which you cannot drink! Surprised? It is served with heaps of dry fruits; you will need a spoon to finish it.

Check this: Great Indian food in Suryagarh Resort

Rajasthani Cuisine in Jaisalmer – clockwise from bottom – salad, gatte ki sabzi, kadi pakoda, aloo methi, dal, baati, choorma.

Jaisalmer Desert Festival

Desert Festival Jaisalmer is a popular annual cultural of Rajasthan. It almost seems like a festival! Dates of the festival depend on lunar calendar; 3 days prior to the full moon in the Hindu month of Magh, that is usually between last week of Jan to first week of February. Venue of the festival is amidst the beautiful Sam sand dunes of the Thar Desert. Jaisalmer Tourism has done well to promote this yearly event.

Where to stay in Jaisalmer

Suryagarh Resort in Jaisalmer

Enjoy dinner amidst sand dunes or lunch beside an oasis or breakfast with peacocks in an old historic fort. Suryagarh Resort offers some of the best destination dining experiences in whole of India. They offer several packages to accommodate the different requirements of tourists and tour groups.

Pricing is on the higher side and comes in luxury category but definitely worth the money.

Suryagarh Resort Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer Adventure Activities in Sam Sand dunes

If you are keen in some adventure activities in desert Sam sand dunes has plenty of options to choose from. Parasailing, Quad biking, dune bashing are some of the activities offered by safari organizers in Jaisalmer. Each of them is charged separately and is for different duration. So depending on the time you can spare you can choose the adventure activities.

Jaisalmer Holiday Guide – Para Gliding Camp in Jaisalmer https://campinjaisalmer.in/index.html

Desert Camping Jaisalmer Holiday Guide

Jaisalmer Desert Camps are best way to experience desert atmosphere in luxurious surroundings. Far away from the din of the city, under star lit skies, surrounded by 30 to 40 m tall sand dunes; it is a different experience altogether. They arrange for evening musical dance program and camel safaris. Desert camping in Thar desert is one of the best places to visit in Jaisalmer for couples.

There are no concrete structures. All are well furnished tents. The desert camps in Sam sand dunes focus more on outdoor adventure activities while the desert camps of Khuri focus more on village safari tours. Do a good study of the various camps and their facilities before you decide on one.

Jaisalmer Holiday Guide – Rajputana Desert Camp – http://rajputanadesertcamp.in/

Camel Safari Tours in Jaisalmer

Desert tour organizers curate different kinds of Safari – expeditions – to experience the natural habitat. Camel safari tours offer an hour of camel ride through the dunes of the desert. The camel owner too accompanies you by foot. Include a camel back ride in your list of things to do in Jaisalmer with family, your kids will love it.

You can decide the time of tour and accordingly you are charged. Full day ride option too is available. The hourly rates are about 150INR per camel. It is a means of livelihood for the locals who own camels. A place devoid of any kind of vegetation they have to depend only on camels for their daily survival.

Check my experience: Desert Camel Safari Jaisalmer

Here is Google road map of the route along the Jaisalmer places to visit and things to do.

Jaisalmer Road Trip Google Map

Jaisalmer Desert Safari

Are you looking for adventure activities in Jaisalmer? Desert Jeep Safari fits the bill. The safari will take you through desert national park, Sam sand dunes and to Padholi, and a bird sanctuary 150 km from Jaisalmer. It is a fun filled trip in an open top jeep. You can feel the wind brushing your cheeks and blowing your hair as the jeep speeds through the sandy roads of Thar Desert.

Longewala War Memorial in Jaisalmer

Longewala Border post is 124 km from Jaisalmer. The memorial here is in memory of Battle of Longewala won by the Indian Army over Pakistan Army in the year 1971. Include this in your Jaisalmer trip plan to connect with patriots who have laid their lives for our country.

2000 Pakistan soldiers with a tank brigade faced a humiliating defeat from Indian detachment of only 80 soldiers. A war museum there displays the captured Pakistani Tank. Longewala Tourism includes this in its tour itinerary.

If you are serious about visiting the site you need to take prior permission from Jaisalmer Military headquarters and plan ahead. I came to know this very late and had to miss my visit to Longewala War Museum and battlefield. Also read: Art Salute by Tribal Artists to Indian Army.

Longewala War Museum timings: Open every day 8am to 6pm.
Tickets: No tickets are required. It is free entry.

FAQS About Things to Do in Jaisalmer:

What is it that makes Jaisalmer famous?

The magnificent fort that encircles the city of Jaisalmer is the reason for its fame. The fact that this fort is a functioning urban hub is what I find most amazing about it. About 3000 Jaisalmer residents live within the fort’s walls. It is beautifully woven in small, winding lanes and lined with homes and temples.

Which Jaisalmer dish is famous?

Popular Foods famous in Jaisalmer:
Pyaz Ki Kachori
Gatte Ki Sabzi
Makhania Lassi
Daal Baati Choorma
Ker Sagri
Bhang Lassi
Mirchi Bhajiya
Chane Jaisalmer Ke

What can I buy in Jaisalmer?

Best 5 Items to shop in Jaisalmer
1. Mirror Work Embroidery.
2. Camel Leather Products.
3. Jewellery.
4. Jaisalmer Fossil Stone
5. Items for souvenirs and gifts include brassware, carpets, shawls, rugs, antiques, lamps, and
boxes carved out of wood.

What to wear in Jaisalmer?

To avoid getting sunburned on your hands and arms, wear full-sleeved tops or shirts. Make sure you have enough woolens (including sweaters, caps, and jackets) because nights are typically much cooler. Carrying thermals is also a good idea if you tend to feel colder than other people do.

How far away from Jaisalmer is the desert?

Approximately 45 km away. Town and Jaisalmer desert are approximately 45 km apart.

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