Jaisalmer

The Golden City: a living sandstone fort in the middle of the Thar Desert.

Jaisalmer was founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal and grew rich on the caravan trade between India and Central Asia. Its fort, Sonar Quila, is built of yellow sandstone that turns gold in the late afternoon, and unlike most forts in India, people still live inside it.

Spend a day in the fort and the havelis, then head out to the dunes for a camel ride, a desert camp and a sky full of stars. It is the trip most people remember longest.

Travelling with Kurja: see the group trips that visit Jaisalmer, or ask for a private trip planned around your dates.

Best time: October to March
Ideal stay: 2–3 days (one night in the desert)
Airport: Jaisalmer (seasonal) or Jodhpur
Railway: Jaisalmer

Top Tourist Places in Jaisalmer

Must visit Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Quila)History and ruins

A living fort of golden sandstone with temples, homes and lanes inside its walls. UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Photo: Gérard Janot · CC BY-SA 3.0

Must visit Sam sand dunesNature, lakes and hills

Camel rides, sunset and desert camps about 40 km from the city.

Photo: sushmita balasubramani · CC BY 2.0

Patwon Ki HaveliHistory and ruins

Five merchant mansions with astonishingly fine stone carving.

Gadisar LakeNature, lakes and hills

Old reservoir with temples and ghats; lovely at sunrise.

Photo: WikiPanti · CC BY-SA 4.0

KuldharaHistory and ruins

An abandoned village of the Paliwal Brahmins, wrapped in legend.

Photo: Dinesh Valke from Thane, India · CC BY-SA 2.0

Bada BaghHistory and ruins

Royal cenotaphs on a ridge, beautiful at sunset.

Photo: Worldthrumaeyes · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Things to Do

Food to try

Ker sangri – Desert beans and berries cooked with spices.
Kadhi pakoda – Yoghurt curry with gram-flour fritters.
Ghotua laddoo – Local sweet made with gram flour and ghee.

Travel tips

Watch sunset from Vyas Chhatri or the dunes.
Choose a desert camp away from the busiest part of Sam if you want quiet.
Carry a scarf for wind and sand.

How to Reach

Most travellers come by train or road from Jodhpur.

Jodhpur · Car or train285 km, 5 hours
Jaipur · Overnight train560 km
Delhi · Overnight train or flightFlights run mainly in winter.

Best Time to Visit

October to March is the time for the desert: warm days and cold nights. Pack a warm layer for the camp.

Winter (best)October–March · 8–28°CWarm sunny days and cold nights (close to 5°C in January in the dunes). Perfect for camps.
SummerApril–June · 40–46°CToo hot for the desert for most people; many camps close.
MonsoonJuly–September · 28–35°CLittle rain; hot and humid.