Jaisalmer is amazing city located in the heart of Thar desert. This is must visit destination when traveling in Rajasthan. Uncover the magic of Jaisalmer, where ancient fortresses, hidden gems, and desert safaris await. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture of Rajasthan and discover true desert adventures! Learn more about amazing things to do in Jaisalmer.
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How to get around
Getting around Jaisalmer is really simple. You can get almost anywhere by foot. This city is not very big and the major tourist attractions are located in the old town. If you want to explore more distant areas then you can use auto-rickshaws. It’s common and convenient way to get around the city. They are easily available and you can always negotiate the fare.
Where to stay
Jaisalmer has a variety of accommodation options to suit different budgets and preferences. We stayed close to Jaisalmer fort. There are many hotels and it’s really easy to choose one. We had everything close to us – restaurants, shops, street food, fruit market and Jaisalmer fort. You can find many cheap guesthouses and hostels as well as more luxurious hotels so everything is up to you.
Top things to do in Jaisalmer
1. Visit Jaisalmer Fort
Jaisalmer Fort, also known as the “Golden Fort,” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major attraction in Jaisalmer. Fort is open from 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM, and closed on every full moon night. They is no entrance fee. Unless you wish to visit a few places inside, such as some temples. Once you are inside, you can explore the fort’s many palaces, temples, and havelis, which offer a glimpse into the rich history and culture of Jaisalmer. You can also enjoy beautiful views of the city and the surrounding desert from the fort walls.
2. Visit Gadi Sagar Lake
Gadi Sagar Lake is a popular tourist attraction in Jaisalmer. It’s located just a few kilometers from the city center. Lake is open 24 hours a day and can be visited at any time. There is no entry fee to visit the lake. Gadi Sagar lake is a popular spot for watching sunset and it can be a great way to end the day. You can also rent a boat here.
3. Desert safari
Everyone who comes to Jaisalmer should also explore Thar desert. There are many tour agencies in Jaisalmer. They offer various tour packages. You can choose one which suits you best. We had the best experience we could have ever wished for. We decided to go on desert safari with company Real Desert Man. The price is affordable considering what they offer.
Our experience
We chose to spend first night sleeping on the desert under clear sky and second night in a desert camp. Our trip started with jeep ride. Driver took us to an abandoned village on the way to the desert. We were told that this village is haunted and no one stays there after sunset. We spent only 15 minutes in the village. There were just a few houses and nothing else. After 1 hour we finally arrived to the place where camel ride started.
Camel ride was fun because it was the first time for me. I was really excited. It hurts a lot because i had to sit with spread legs but it was definitely worth it. Thar desert is actually living desert. That means there is not only sand but also many bushes and some grass. It took us 1 hour to get to the dunes. There is not so many dunes like in Sahara or other huge deserts. There was just a narrow and relatively long line of not so big dunes. But still it was very beautiful.
Our guide was an older man. We had unique opportunity to see how locals cook in a desert with minimum suplies. We had delicious dinner prepared right on a desert. Evening couldn’t be better. We spent a really nice time listening interesting stories of our guide while we were sitting around a bonfire. Night was truly magical and memorable. We had the best experience ever. Sleeping on a bed under millions stars is something we will never forget. This night we also saw many shooting stars and it was just amazing.
The next day we woke up early in the morning to catch a sunrise with a cup of chai in our hands. Meanwhile our guide prepared delicous breakfast which we really enjoyed. Everything felt so unreal. Adventure on dunes was over and we were heading to a local village where our guide lives.
We had great opportunity to interact with the locals and learn more about their way of life. We spent couple of hours inside his house surrounded by his family. They showed us many things like how they live, how their day looks like and shared their culture and tradtitions with us. They also prepared a fresh lunch for us and we had a time to rest for a while.
After amazing stay in a local village with one incredible family we had last camel ride ahead of us. We were heading to a safari camp. There we spent one night in a Swiss tent. I have never slept in such a luxurious tent. We had everything inside. Huge comfortable bed, eletricity, AC and big bathroom with hot water. Later in the evening we experienced the traditional Rajasthani culture and enjoyed a bonfire and traditional music.
Everything was well organized and we were really satisfied with whole stay with Real Desert Man. They were helpful all the time. You should definitely book a desert safari with them and you will not be disappointed!