A city embellished with historic palaces and rich culture, Jaisalmer has plenty of elements to impress you. From witnessing the splendid forts to trying a fun camel ride, you can do many things here to keep yourself engaged throughout your trip. And the flavour-rich delicacies found here will make the trip even more amazing!
With so much to offer, this city can be one of the best places to visit in Rajasthan on your next trip. And if you agree with us, here’s a complete guide to Jaisalmer to plan out an incredible trip.
To reach Jaisalmer, you can fly to Jaisalmer and then take a cab to your hotel or wherever you want to go in the city. You may also take trains from Delhi, Jodhpur or Jaipur to Jaisalmer. Take our suggestion and take a ride on the most luxurious train, Palace on Wheels. And if a road trip is your thing, a bus ride or car ride from the major Indian cities to the city will be your cup of tea.
As it is a desert city, we recommend you to come here in the winter months to avoid the extreme heat of summer. So, the best time to plan your trip to Jaisalmer will be between October and March to get the ideal weather for sightseeing.
When you go to Jaisalmer for a holiday, you will have an array of places to see and explore. To help you choose some, below are some watch-worthy places to visit in Jaisalmer.
On your trip to Jaisalmer, you can’t miss visiting one of the Jaisalmer famous places, the Jaisalmer Fort. Pay a fee of Rs. 50 and head on to explore the gorgeous monuments that this fort houses. Raj Mahal, Jain Temples, Merchant Havelis and Lakshminath Temple are just to name a few popular monuments that you will find here. But before all these structures enchant you, you will fall in love with the intricate architecture and the golden radiance of this fort.
Walk towards this lake after exploring Jaisalmer Fort to spend some relaxing time. Sit by the lake or opt for boating to enjoy the cool breeze, watch birds fly by and admire the view of the Jaisalmer Fort from here. You can go boating anytime between 8 am and 8 pm. But we suggest you visit this lake in the evening so you can witness the sunset while boating.
You must plan a visit to this temple dedicated to Hinglaj Mata. Here’s why! The temple is known to have miraculous properties and had served as the safe house for Indian soldiers during a terrifying bombing attack from Pakistan. When you reach the temple, the contrast of the white building and the colourful interior will charm you seamlessly. Go inside to pray in front of the revered Hinglaj Mata whose idol is beautifully adorned with garlands and jewellery. After offering your prayers, you can also check out the Tanot Museum inside the temple complex where collections from the Indian army, including unexploded bombs are stored.
If you’re a wildlife lover, this wildlife park is your place to be in Jaisalmer. Visit this park any time between 7 am and 5 pm to see numerous wild animal and plant species. Here’s a tip! Go for a jeep safari here to cover the entire park in a short time and check out plenty of animals. Now, an interesting fact to intrigue you. You will get to see the state-bird of Rajasthan, Great Indian Bustard here. Besides, you will also find some unique creatures like chinkara, blackbuck, sandgrouses and desert cat.
Among the places to see in Jaisalmer, Patwon Ki Haveli is one of the most beautiful places that you must consider visiting. Built by a rich trader, this place houses five havelis that you can explore. As you approach the haveli, the detailed carvings, the colourful mural paintings, the complex architecture, everything will arouse your curiosity to explore more. So, pay a fee of Rs. 20 and start exploring them all! By the way, if you are planning to come here, remember the visiting hours are from 9 am to 5 pm.
There are varied Jaisalmer things to do that you can participate in for making your trip full of fun and adventure. Here are some of our top picks:
While speaking of the interesting things to do in Jaisalmer, a great option is camping overnight at the desert adventure camp Jaisalmer. Lie down to gaze at the stars above, participate in fun activities and try delicious Rajasthani foods. At the campsite, you will be provided with all the basic amenities for a comfortable stay. The traditional singing and dance performances will be the cherry on top!
How about witnessing the golden city of India from up in the sky? If that sounds intriguing to you, try parasailing in Jaisalmer. For a cost of around Rs. 500, you can enjoy this adrenaline-inducing sport. Feel the breezes brush against your face while you get a spectacular view of the city and the deserts. Ask the organisers to click pictures of you while parasailing to serve you as memoirs.
Give your Jaisalmer trip plan a unique touch by trying a camel safari in the desert. Riding on the hump of a camel itself will be a one-of-its-kind experience for you. You might also opt for such safaris that provide cultural performances and refreshments while on the go.
A great way to know about Jaisalmer’s culture is through its unique cuisine. So, why not go for a food walk through the lanes of this city and devour some mouth-watering delicacies here. Stop by the famous food joints and restaurants selling Rajasthani dishes and see the unique methods of preparing those dishes. Dal bati churma, laal maas, mohanthal and mawa kachori are some of the local dishes that you must try!
While planning your trip, the first thing you must do is book a resort or a hotel in Jaisalmer to avoid last-minute hassles. You will get many palace hotels, budget hotels or resorts to lodge in. Among resorts, you can book a room in the Jaisalmer Marriott Resort and Spa, which is considered the best resort in Jaisalmer by many tourists. Other than that, hotels like the Suryagarh Palace, The Gulaal, Desert Tulip Palace and Gorbandh Palace can be some of the best accommodation options for you.
We guess you have already bookmarked this travel guide to Jaisalmer! Just a few more steps like booking a flight ticket and a hotel, and you will be all set to kickstart your journey.
