Jaisalmer Travel Guide: Discover the Best of the Golden City

Jaisalmer is located in the Thar Desert of India in the royal state of Rajasthan, amidst the golden hues that seems like you have landed in a different world. Often referred to as the Golden City of Rajasthan because of the yellow sandstone that are used to make structures, and when the sun rays falls on these structures it glows. 

When you land in Jaisalmer, you will be welcomed by the majestic Jaisalemer Fort, nestled on top of a hill, overlooking the surrounding and the rest of the city. You will be surprised to know that it is one of the living forts in the world, till date people live here. Within the fort walls are residencies of the locals, ancient havelis, ancient temples, hotels, restaurants and cafes and the Maharaja Palace which has been turned into a museum.

With Tours India, explore the best of Rajasthan and have unexpected experiences. Whether you want to have desert adventure, or explore the historical sites or visit the nearest international border, Jaisalmer simply offers extraordinary experiences, worth opting for it.

Top Attractions in Jaisalmer

1. Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Quila)

So in your Rajasthan tour packages, include Jaisalmer, start your journey in this breathtaking destination by visiting the Jaisalmer Fort, perched on top of a hill amidst the desert terrain, overlooking the city below and nearby surroundings. 

It is one of the largest living forts in the world, built in 1156 AD by Rawal Jaisal and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its amazing architecture plan and designs. Within the fort complex you can find Royal Palace, residencies of the locals, ancient havelis (like Rai Ka Bagh which is 150 years old), shops, ancient temples (Jain temple, Laxminath Temple, Shiv temple), hotels, restaurants and cafes. 

All these structures are made from the local yellow stone, found in largest number in the region. Have a wonderful time navigating through the narrow lanes tucked with shops and houses of the locals. 

2. Patwon Ki Haveli

Patwon Ki Haveli was the former residence of a wealthy merchant family, and was built in the 19th century. This haveli is a collection of five havelis, belonging to the five sons of a wealthy merchant. 

The architectural style of the haveli is traditional Rajasthani style and has rooms with mirror work, stunning colorful paintings on the walls, detailed facades and balconies with amazing carved work on the stones. At present the first haveli is turned into a museum, and houses many historical and British era artifacts.

3. Sam Sand Dunes

In your Rajasthan tour packages, don’t miss to include desert safari in Jaisalmer which includes camp stay, camel safari, jeep ride, quad biking, cultural dance programs and meals (evening snacks and traditional Rajasthani cuisine for dinner). The best place for desert safari is Sam Sand Dunes, which is about 40 km away from the main hub of Jaisalmer.

4. Gadisar Lake

This lake in situated in the main city and was built in the 14th century as a main source of water for the entire city. Today it is one of the beautiful spots to admire the beauty and to enjoy boat ride. Near the lake there are many temples and shrines that you can visit for a spiritual experience.

5. Jain Temple

With the complex of the fort is the ancient Jain temple which was built in the 12th and 15th centuries. This temple is dedicated to the various Jain Tirthankaras, visitors can visit to admire its great intricate carvings and offer their prayers. To visit the temple, timings are from 8.00 am in the morning to 12.00 pm in the afternoon, visiting during the mentioned temple timings is allowed only.

Cultural Experiences

With the tips and guidance of Tours India, you can have an enriching cultural experience.

• Attend the Desert Festival (organized every year in February): if you visit at the time of festival do attend, it is accompanied by cultural performances, camel races, traditional Rajasthani music and dance, turban-tying competitions, shops with local handmade items, and stalls with local food.

• Try the Local Cuisine: Try the famous traditional Rajasthani cuisine, known as dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, ker sangri, dal papad and kachori, mirchi vada. For sweets you can try ghewar, besan laddoo, and mawa kachori

• Enjoy Shopping in Jaisalmer: The best spots where you will love to shop traditional items include Bhatia Bazaar, Sadar Bazaar, and Pansari Bazaar.