Introduction
This Jaisalmer Travel Guide will help you plan your first trip to the Golden City without rushing from one place to another. Jaisalmer feels different from most cities in Rajasthan. The old streets, yellow sandstone buildings and the Thar Desert give the city a character of its own. Once you move away from the city towards the dunes, the experience changes completely.
The main attraction in Jaisalmer is Jaisalmer Fort, also known as the Golden Fort or Sonar Qila. While many historic forts are now mainly tourist attractions, Jaisalmer Fort is different because it is still a living fort. Families continue to live within its walls, and you’ll find homes, shops, small temples and old havelis inside.
But the fort isn’t the only thing worth seeing in Jaisalmer. Patwon Ki Haveli is another place you shouldn’t miss, especially if you enjoy old architecture and detailed craftsmanship. For a quieter evening, you can head towards Gadisar Lake.
Then there is Kuldhara, the abandoned village outside Jaisalmer. The history and stories surrounding the village make it an interesting stop, particularly if you’re already travelling towards the desert.
And of course, a Jaisalmer trip wouldn’t feel complete without spending some time in the Thar Desert. Sam Sand Dunes, located roughly 40 km from Jaisalmer, is one of the popular places to experience the desert and watch the sunset. If you’re planning to visit Kuldhara as well, it is around 18 km from Jaisalmer city.
For a first trip, I would suggest keeping at least 3 days for Jaisalmer. Spend the first day exploring the fort and old city without rushing. On the second day, head towards the desert and make sure you reach the dunes before sunset. If your budget allows, you can also spend a night at a desert camp. Away from the city lights, the desert can also be a great place for stargazing.
Keep the third day a little more relaxed. You can visit places you missed earlier, explore Kuldhara, walk through the local markets and try some local food before leaving Jaisalmer.
In this Jaisalmer travel guide, I’ll cover the places to visit, the best time to go, how to plan a desert safari, where to stay and a practical 3-day itinerary for your trip.
Best Time to Visit Jaisalmer | Jaisalmer Travel Guide
If you are planning a visit to Jaisalmer, the period from October to March is considered the best time. As is well known, Jaisalmer is located in the Thar Desert; during the summer months, the heat becomes so intense that it is difficult to move around outdoors—you simply cannot stay outside for long, even when visiting the fort or the markets.
Most visitors arrive between November and February, a period considered quite comfortable, as the days become very pleasant for sightseeing and exploring. However, while the daytime weather is pleasant, the nights tend to get cold. If you are staying near the sand dunes, the nights will feel even colder.
Should You Visit Jaisalmer in Summer?
Jaisalmer can be visited during summers too, but if you’ve the flexibility with your travel dates, I’d suggest avoiding summers for your first visit. A major part of a Jaisalmer trip involves walking. You’ll find yourself walking through the fort, around the havelis and markets, and eventually through the deserts. Walking during the afternoons can get really draining and when combined with high temps, it can really take away from your trip. So, if you wish to go on a desert safari and stay overnight at a camp, October to March is a safer window.
Best Places to Visit in Jaisalmer | Jaisalmer Travel Guide
Jaisalmer Fort
Make sure to add Jaisalmer Fort to your itinerary if this is your first time visiting the city. Also known as the Golden Fort and the Sonar Qila, this fort is unique compared to other forts due to the fact that it is still inhabited. It’s narrow, winding streets are lined with houses, shops and temples. Rajasthan Tourism
It’s easy to just take a few pictures at the fort and leave, but be sure to allot enough time to truly experience everything the fort has to offer. The fort and the old city attractions would be great additions to your first day’s itinerary.
Patwon Ki Haveli
Once you are finished exploring the fort, you can head to Patwon Ki Haveli. It is considered to be one of the most magnificent havelis in Jaisalmer. Rajasthan Tourism states that it is the largest and most elaborately carved of all the havelis in Jaisalmer.
If you appreciate architecture, be sure to explore the haveli further to find intricately carved balconies and windows.
Gadisar Lake
When you’re worn out from all the walking through forts and narrow streets, Gadisar Lake is a nice place to take a break and spend some time. You can also take a short boat ride if you’d like.
Half a day is a bit much to spend there, but it’s nice to plan for some down time in the evenings to unwind, and to keep Gadisar Lake in mind if you need a break from the city. Rajasthan Tourism also includes Gadisar Lake in their itineraries of Jaisalmer, along with the fort and havelis.
Kuldhara Village
Kuldhara is an intriguing abandoned village near Jaisalmer. Many legend have sprung up around it and its history. Kuldhara is a great detour and makes for a fun little side trip for any visitor to Jaisalmer.
Practically speaking, the easiest way to include Kuldhara in your trip is to include it on the day you’re heading towards the Thar Desert. After you’re finished exploring the village, you can carry on to Sam Sand Dunes.
Sam Sand Dunes
For the first time visitors, Sam Sand Dunes is the main desert experience near Jaisalmer. It is roughly 40-45 km from the city and has camel rides, desert camps and other activities. The official Rajasthan tourism website also has Sam as one of the places to go for a camel safari near Jaisalmer.
Try to reach the dunes with enough time before the sun sets. You can take a camel or jeep safari and watch the sun set before returning to the city, or staying at a desert camp.
If staying at a desert camp, this is the time when you don’t have to worry about checking your watch. Go on the safari, have dinner and enjoy the activities before you head to your tent.
3-Day Jaisalmer Itinerary | Jaisalmer Travel Guide
As covered in this Jaisalmer Travel Guide, three days are enough for a first trip to Jaisalmer if you plan them properly. Instead of trying to cover everything in one day, keep the old city, desert and remaining sightseeing separate. This will give you enough time at each place without making the trip feel rushed.
Day 1: Jaisalmer Fort and Old City
Start your first day with Jaisalmer Fort. Try to reach the fort in the morning so that you have enough time to explore its narrow lanes, temples, shops and viewpoints without constantly checking the time.
After the fort, visit Patwon Ki Haveli. Both places involve a fair amount of walking, so I would avoid packing too many other attractions into the first half of the day.
Later in the afternoon, take a break for lunch and then head towards Gadisar Lake. Keep the evening relaxed. You can spend some time around the lake and then explore the local market before returning to your hotel.
This first day gives you a good introduction to the older side of Jaisalmer without trying to cover the desert at the same time.
Day 2: Kuldhara and Sam Sand Dunes
Keep the second day for the desert side of your trip.
You don’t need to leave for Sam Sand Dunes early in the morning. Have breakfast, take some time to relax and then start your journey later in the day. On the way, stop at Kuldhara Village and spend some time exploring the abandoned settlement.
From Kuldhara, continue towards Sam Sand Dunes. Plan your timing so that you reach the desert well before sunset. You can choose a camel safari or jeep safari depending on the kind of experience you prefer.
After sunset, you have two options. You can return to Jaisalmer city or stay overnight at a desert camp. If this is your first Jaisalmer trip and your budget allows, spending one night near the dunes can be worth adding to the itinerary.
Day 3: Local Sightseeing, Markets and a Relaxed Morning
Don’t make the third day as busy as the first two.
Use the morning to visit anything you couldn’t cover earlier. If you enjoy architecture, you can add Nathmal Ki Haveli or Salim Singh Ki Haveli.
After that, spend some time walking through the local markets. This is also a good day to try local food, shop for souvenirs or simply explore the old streets at your own pace.
If your train, bus or flight is later in the day, keeping the final few hours flexible is better than adding another long excursion.
In short, keep Day 1 for the old city, Day 2 for the desert and Day 3 for anything you missed. It makes a 3-day Jaisalmer trip much easier to manage.
If you enjoy exploring historic destinations, you can also read our Hampi Travel Guide for another heritage trip in India.
How to Reach Jaisalmer | Jaisalmer Travel Guide
This Jaisalmer Travel Guide also covers how to reach the city. Jaisalmer is located in western Rajasthan, but reaching the city is fairly straightforward. Depending on where you’re travelling from, you can reach Jaisalmer by train, road or flight. For many travellers, the train or road journey also works well if Jaisalmer is part of a longer Rajasthan trip.
By Train
Jaisalmer has its own railway station, so travelling by train is one of the practical options. Rajasthan Tourism lists a direct train service between Delhi and Jaisalmer, while other journeys can be planned with connections depending on your starting city.
If you’re travelling during the winter tourist season or around holidays, it is better to check train availability and book early rather than leaving it until the last few days.
By Road
Jaisalmer is connected by road with major Rajasthan cities including Jodhpur, Bikaner and Jaipur, and buses and taxis are available on these routes
Travelling by road makes particular sense if you’re planning a Rajasthan circuit and want to combine Jaisalmer with places such as Jodhpur or Bikaner. You can use a bus, hire a taxi or drive your own vehicle depending on your itinerary.
By Flight
Jaisalmer also has a civil airport. Rajasthan Tourism currently lists direct air connectivity from cities including Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Surat. Flight schedules can change, however, so check the available flights for your actual travel dates before planning the rest of the trip around them.
If you don’t find a suitable flight to Jaisalmer, Jodhpur can be another option for building your route, followed by a road journey towards Jaisalmer.
Which is the Best Way to Reach Jaisalmer?
There isn’t one option that works best for everyone. If you’re travelling from Delhi and find a convenient train, rail can be a comfortable choice. If you’re already travelling around Rajasthan, reaching Jaisalmer by road can fit more naturally into your itinerary.
If you’re short on time, check flights first—but confirm the schedule for your travel dates before booking hotels or other parts of the trip.
