Explore the Golden City of India – Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer is a city that is also a western frontier of Rajasthan that lies in the heart of the Thar Desert. Jaisalmer has been an important trading centre in Medieval India dating back to the 12th century. It is recognised as “The Golden City” due to its plenty of yellow sandstone architecture and has been known World Heritage Site. It is very popular among the tourists due to its desert festival, Jain temples, Royal Museums and Lavish Palaces.

Best Places to Visit in Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer Fort

Jaisalmer Fort is a massive construction nestled in the heart of Thar Desert. It is listed in the category of 'Hill Forts of India' and has been declared UNESCO's World Heritage Sites. It is named after the former Bhati Rajput ruler Rao Jaisal and was founded in 1156 AD.

This fort is having many entrances among those the last one connects to the public square named Dassehra Chowk. This fort is located on a higher surface with an altitude of 250 feet, secured by 30 feet long walls. This Fort gives you a chance to have a priceless view of 'Golden City.

It is the jewel of this Golden City and is popularly called Sonar Qila means Golden Fort. It was built over the Trikuta Hills hence; this fort was initially known as 'Trikut Garh' and to some extent due to its triangular shape as well. This fort is stood like a mini-town in the city, it houses temples, shops, and restaurants inside the fort.

Desert National Park

Desert National Park is one of the largest wildlife parks in the country with a covered area of 3,162 sq. kilometres. Desert National Park is home to a variety of species and showcases some of the very rare species such as desert fox, Bengal fox, desert cat, blackbuck, chinkara, wolves, and camels.

Along with it also preserves suitable conditions for various migratory and regional desert birds which includes the rarest The Great Indian Bustard, short-toes eagles, tawny eagles, spotted eagles, larger falcons, kestrels, harriers, and vultures. This park is designed in such a way that preserves the suited ecosystem to these animals, craggy rocks, salt-lake bottoms and 20% of the area is fixed dunes.

Travellers can enjoy the safari ride to explore the park. This park also displays a very fine collection of fossils of animals and birds, some of those are more than 180 million years old and some of the fossils date back to the 6-million years old dinosaurs. This park would be a great spot to visit for nature lovers, animals, bird enthusiasts, and students to explore the true means of wildlife species.

Top Tourist Attraction in Jaisalmer

Gadisar Lake is situated on the outskirt of Jaisalmer in the arid region of Rajasthan. This reservoir was founded by Raja Rawal Jaisal to fulfil the water and irrigation requirements of people. It is residing close to the Jaisalmer Fort and it gives you a picturesque view of the fort and the scenic landscape of the lake.

You can enjoy the boating here or can take a long walk with your loved ones around the embankment. This lake is a popular spot to spend some good and peaceful time with yourself and with your loved ones. In the winter season, you can spot several migratory bird species in the nearby bird sanctuary of Bharatpur.

Sam Sand Dunes in Jaisalmer is a majestic location in the middle of the Thar desert, amidst the royal forts and crowded market. Some of these are tall as 30-60 metres at a distance of 40-42 kilometres from the Golden city of Jaisalmer and just 2 kilometres far from the Desert National Park.

It would be the best place to witness a magical view of sunrise and sunset but the best part to visit here would be the experience of a bonfire with your tourists' fellows, friends and loved ones. The entire atmosphere in the evening is cool, cosy, peaceful and romantic. Sometimes at the campfires, you will get a Rajasthani cultural dance and music performances by locals to have happy memories.

Best Time to Travel Jaisalmer

The Winter Season in Jaisalmer stays from October to March and Jaisalmer’s temperature ranges between 5 degrees Celsius to 20 degrees Celsius. Generally, climate conditions in desert areas are a bit harsh and dry but the weather of this season in Jaisalmer offers you warm days with the touch of cool evenings and nights can be cold.

This season is ideal to engage in activities like sightseeing with your friends, can enjoy the camel rides and desert safari, and can take pleasure in the bonfire in the evening, which makes your trip more romantic and memorable.

This season also gives you a chance to be witnessed of famous Desert Festival organised in January-February, this three-day festival offers you the true colour and taste of Jaisalmer, plenty of traditional musicians, artists and dancers enhanced the fun of this festival by their performances.

Another festival that is more local and cultural is Gangaur Festival in March, a marital bliss for married women and hope for a good partner for single girls, in this festival women decked up in their traditional finery and crowded in streets singing and dancing. It is the peak season of Jaisalmer hence; travellers are suggested to make bookings on accommodations and hotels in advance to avoid the rush.

The Summer Season in Jaisalmer is marked from April to June and Jaisalmer’s temperature stays from 39 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius. Jaisalmer's weather in this season is quite harsh and hot, it is one of the worst weather condition areas in India and does not offer much chance to explore Jaisalmer.

However, evenings either are humid but give a little relief from the hot sunny days of Jaisalmer to visit local and street markets and to enjoy exploring Rajasthani life. Overall, it is not an ideal season for travellers to visit Jaisalmer due to harsh and humid weather conditions but if you are looking to visit Jaisalmer on a low budget then it is time to have some great deals on accommodations and travel.

The Monsoon Season in Jaisalmer stays from July to September and Jaisalmer's temperature fluctuates between 19 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius. Jaisalmer does not receive heavy rainfall and did not give you a perfect break from harsh conditions but do provide relief to some extent, days are still hot and humid but nights are a bit cooler as compared to the summer nights.

This season does not offer many festivals but in September there is a festival of Bhadon Sudi dedicated to Rajasthan's saint Baba Ramdev, this festival is a treat from and for their devotees who attracts the audience through their traditional songs and bhajans. It is another ideal season for budget-friendly travellers who will get good discounts on accommodations and travel.

How to Reach Jaisalmer

How to Reach Jaisalmer by Air- The Jodhpur Airport is the nearest airbase serving this golden city of Jaisalmer which is residing at a distance of 280 kilometres away from the main city. Jodhpur Airport does enjoy sensible connectivity with other major locations like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

Plenty of airline carriers such as Air India, Jet Airways, IndiGo and Spice Jet do operate regular flights to travellers. Once you reach the airport you can easily hire a taxi or take a cab for a further journey, however, travellers do prefer some other options to travel Jaisalmer due to the long journey from the airport to the destination.

How to Reach Jaisalmer by Train- Jaisalmer Railway Station is the railway station serving this city and is widely connected to other prime cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Mumbai.

Trains such as Jodhpur Junction Jaisalmer Express, Ranikhet Express, Festival Superfast Express, Corbet Park Link, Leelan Express, Runicha Express and Jodhpur Jaisalmer Express are options that travel to Jaisalmer on regular basis. Travellers can reach their hotels by taking state buses and taxis from outside the railway station.

How to Reach Jaisalmer by Road- Jaisalmer enjoys excellent road connectivity to other major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad and Mumbai.

Travellers can opt for the Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation's state buses or private buses which offers luxury, non-luxury and semi-luxury buses options to reach Jaisalmer and you can travel to Jaisalmer via your vehicle as well and if you are heading from Jaipur, you can take NH-11 and if you are heading from Jodhpur which is residing at a distance of 280 kilometres you can reach vi NH-11 and NH-125.

5 Star Accommodation Hotels in Jaisalmer

Welcome, Heritage Mohangarh Fort is located at Mohangarh and it provides you with the services of Café, Restaurant, Coffee Shop, Meditation Room, Spa, Yoga, Activity Centre, Tours and Treks, Paid Pickup and Drop, Concierge Services, Multilingual Staff and 24-hour Helpdesk along with other services.

Jaisalmer Marriott Resort and Spa is situated at Police Line and it offers you the services of Bar, Restaurant, Shuttle Service, Currency Exchange, Spa, Salon, Steam and Sauna, Rental Vehicles, Bonfire, Fireplace, Balcony/Terrace, Indoor and Outdoor Games, Multilingual Staff and Facilities for Guests with Disabilities and some other services.

Apart from these, there are some good 4-star accommodation options as well such as Oasis Camp Sam resides at Sam's Sand Dunes and it gives you the services of Bar, Restaurant, Dining Area, Power Backup, Wake-up call, Doctors on Call, Bonfire, Rental Vehicles, Lawn and 24-hour Helpdesk.

Sky Desert Safari is located at Sam's Sand Dunes and it provides you with accommodation in romantic camps and offers you the facilities such as Restaurant, Barbeque, Dining Area, Paid Shuttle Service, Night Club, Photo Session, ATM, Bonfire, Tours and Treks, Rental Vehicles, Concierge Services, Multilingual Staff and 24-hour Helpdesk. All of these mentioned hotels and resorts do provide the installed sanitisers, masks and gloves due to safety reasons.