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Best Things to Do in Jaisalmer

Sam Sand Dunes offer an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Thar Desert where you can camp in luxurious accommodations, surrounded by the dramatic beauty of the desert. Located at about 40 kilometers from the Jaisalmer city center, the camping site gives the feeling of an oasis or an old village Qasba with several tents placed one next to the other.

Here, you can enjoy stargazing at night, go on desert safaris, light a bonfire and enjoy a camel ride. Not just camels, the desert is home to a variety of wildlife, some of which are exclusive to the region, and can be spotted on a desert safari.

Jaisalmer has a plethora of Camel Safari options to choose from, no matter what time of the day you have free. There are many well-known sand dune sites where you can enjoy a thrilling camel ride into the desert. If you want someplace more secluded, then you can arrange for a safari in the lesser-known parts of the Thar desert.

You can witness the changing shapes of the sand dunes, wild insects and animals of the desert and also the different hues of the sky as the day goes on. You can choose to camp overnight, enjoy stargazing and then wake up early for a breathtaking sunrise before you head back to the city.

Boating at the picturesque Gadisar Lake is one of the best things to do in Jaisalmer if you love being on the water! This is an artificial lake which is situated in the heart of the city, making it an ideal place to escape the bustle of the city. Surrounding the lake are several Hindu temples and ghats where you can enjoy the enchanting music of the evening Aarti as you ride your boat. In winters, the boat rides become even more beautiful as you can spot several species of migratory birds at the lake that come from the nearby Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.

About 15 kilometres away from Jaisalmer is an abandoned Indian village, which narrates inspiring and fascinating tales. This destination is known as Kuldhara. The village, which looks more like a town, was once known for its large population. Travellers who wish to imagine a world through its ruins are recommended to visit the abandoned village of Kuldhara.

The streets here were wide and designed beautifully, the settlement here was planned. Aesthetics were kept in mind when it came to construction of this village. Though abandoned now, earages, temples, step wells and other structures were constructed here in large numbers.

While travelling through this abandoned village, tourists will hear the legend that describes why villagers left this settlement. According to this legend, the minister of the ruling kingdom was evil and wished to marry the younger daughter of a village chief. He forced him to give her in marriage and gave him a deadline. Scared, the chief called upon a meeting of chiefs from 84 villages located nearby and it was decided that the entire population of Kuldhara would leave, so that the honour of the chief’s daughter could be protected.

Today, this story is reflective of the fact that chiefs and Rajput warriors during those times kept their honour at the highest level. Their respect and self esteem was so important that an entire village decided to leave their homes and settle elsewhere so that the young daughter of the chief could be protected from the evil clutches of the minister from the ruling kingdom. This indicates how valiant Rajasthani people are.

Today the ruins of this village are a tourist site, giving travellers the opportunity to think and understand what happened centuries ago.

Situated at a distance of 122 kilometers from Jaisalmer fort, this temple is considered as a reincarnation of Goddess Hinglaj. There are many stories shrouded around this temple during the Indo-Pakistan war in 1965, stories reciting that the temple stood unharmed even after being under attack with heavy bombs and shelling.

•    Price: No entry fee.
•    Location: Tanot Road, Near India- Pakistan Border, Tanot, Rajasthan 345022
•    Duration: 10 to 20 minutes.
•    Timing: Open on all the seven days of the week, the preferred time to visit is 9AM to 3 PM.

Khuri Sand Dunes are the lesser populated, just as beautiful cousin of the Sam Sand Dunes. The ever-changing shape of the dunes, the soft white sand and the strikingly barren landscape, make this just the escape you would want in a desert. Here, you can go on the long camel safaris, witness breathtaking sunsets and even more beautiful sunrises.

Camping at the site, under a sky full of stars, is simply an unforgettable experience. Out of all the things to do in Jaisalmer, camping at the Khuri Sand Dunes is one of the most rewarding, especially for nature enthusiasts, photographers and adventure seekers.

There is no better place to experience the true Jaisalmeri culture in its unadulterated form than at the cultural show at Sam Sand Dunes. After the sun sets, this remote desert destination turns into a full-blast festival with lights, dance performances, delightful acts and colourful costumes.

You can light a bonfire and warm yourself as the temperatures drop after sunset and enjoy delicious Rajasthani food. If you like exploring the local culture and interacting with other travellers, then this will be one of the most fun activities in Jaisalmer for you.

If you are still thinking, dune bashing is a popular adventure sports of the Gulfs and the Arabs, you should think again! Thar Desert areas near Jaisalmer are also considered as ideal locations for dune bashing and off-roading as well. The Sam Sand Dunes are thronged by thousands of adventure junkies who has a yearning for these two sports and make it part of their Jaisalmer trip.

The name Jaisalmer itself brings out the vibrancy and charm. It floods the heart with the true feeling of culture at one end and the feeling of royal exuberance on the other. The daylight hues, the yellow sands, the pink and red forts, the royal palaces, and the Arabian night dances are set to capture your hearts.

Overnight desert safaris are the most thrilling way to explore Jaisalmer’s wild landscape. You can choose to ride a camel into the desert, enjoy the breathtaking sunsets and camp under the stars as the sun goes down. You can choose to camp in the desert and spend your time gazing at the stars and also notice the planet’s rotation through the movement of the galaxies. It is a truly thrilling experience. Apart from the stars, the sunsets and sunrises are also spectacular offering many photography opportunities.

Jaisalmer Desert Festival is a historic part of Jaisalmer and is deeply intertwined in legend and myth. It has been celebrated in the desert for centuries and today, it is bigger than ever. If you are in Jaisalmer in February, you can be a part of the festivities as the desert lights up for three days for uninterrupted fun.

You can witness camel races, camel polo, Air Force displays fun acrobatic performances and other activities. You can also participate in camel tattoo competitions, tug-of-war, turban-tying competitions, cricket matches and more. It is an extravaganza that kicks off by a parade from the Jaisalmer Fort with the residents flaunting traditional dresses and putting up fun acts and skits.

If you want to participate in some out of the ordinary activities in Jaisalmer, then, a visit to the Indo-Pak border must be on your list. You will get an opportunity to visit some of the major posts of the Indian army, including Longewala and Tanot. Apart from some amazing tank displays and army men going about their day, you can also enjoy the beautiful views of this mostly unoccupied area.

You can head over to the Indira Gandhi canal to enjoy the views and sample some delicious local food. The border also has some ancient temples which makes for an interesting stopover on the way to or back from the border.

Puppeteering has been a part of Jaisalmer and its history for centuries. From buying handmade puppets to watching interesting puppet shows which tell age-old tales, there are a lot of fun things to do in Jaisalmer for the puppet-enthusiasts. You can hop over to the Thar Heritage Museum to witness this ancient folk art form.

The puppet shows last for around 40 minutes and include puppet dancing, singing and story-telling, making it a fun activity for the entire family. The museum also has a souvenir shop where you can stop to buy puppets to take home with you after the holiday.

Located in the Western Indian state of Rajasthan, Desert National Park is one of the largest national parks in the country and should be included in you list of things to do in Jaisalmer. This national park must be included in all travel and to-do lists for Jaisalmer as the park is a fine example of the ecosystem of Thar Desert and Sand Dunes.

The craggy rocks here along with company salt lake bottoms are the best places for having a rendezvous with the wild. The place has an abundance of birdlife and animals, which makes it even more alluring. Every year, thousands of travellers visit this place to see migratory and resident birds in action.

Desert National Park is home to a number of birds, including eagles, vultures, buzzards, falcons, harriers and kestrels. Bird species such as short toed eagle, spotted and tawny eagles are widely sighted here. But mostly, the park is famous for the Great Indian Bustard, an endangered species of bird, which is found in relatively fair number during the season from November to January.

Apart from elusive avian species, the park also features a collection of animals and fossils that dates back to at least 180 million years ago. Dinosaur fossils have been found in this region. Sam Sand Dunes and Gadsisar Sagar Tank are also located here.

The place is widely famous for its fauna, including chinkara, blackbuck, wolf, desert cat and Bengal fox. Reptiles such as spiny tailed lizard and Russell’s viper can be easily captured on the camera. Cranes arrive here during winter season, making this place a hub for bird watchers from all over the world. Opt for jeep safari to cover the place in a relatively small period of time.

Jaisalmer is home to quite a few rooftop restaurants that flaunt the beauty of the Golden City and its surroundings through their well-positioned locations and enchanting ambience. You can enjoy authentic European cuisine in the heart of Jaisalmer when you choose to dine at Jaisal Italy.

Located at one of Jaisalmer’s Fort’s boundary walls, you can take in the beautiful views of the surroundings and the fort as you enjoy tasty food. Another excellent roof-top option is The Trio. Here, you can sample some of the best traditional Rajasthani food while you sip on some cold beer, as you sit underneath its large canopy.

For some finger-licking Tibetan cuisine and spectacular views, you can head over to the Free Tibet rooftop restaurant or dine in luxury at Zoya by Zayka which is a boutique restaurant with delicious food. 

This Haveli is slightly different from the other Havelis in terms of art and sculpture. The roof of this Haveli has been built in the form of a peacock. At the entrance of the Haveli, there are tuskers made of sand stones guarding the haveli.

This haveli has 38 balconies and each balcony has its own artistry. The name given to this Haveli is Jahaz mahal because of the front of the haveli resembling ship stern. Thrillophilia recommends a visit to this Haveli to see how beautiful art can be.

The Patwon ki Haveli is considered to be one of the most important Havelis of Jaisalmer because of two important things: it was the first Haveli to be ever built in Jaisalmer and it is a cluster of 5 different havelis making it one of the biggest Havelis. The other name given to this Haveli is the “mansion of brocade merchants” because the Patwa family used to deal in gold and silver.

Currently, the Haveli is taken care of by the Rajasthan government. The gateways and arches of this Haveli are also masterpieces. The entire Haveli is made of yellow sandstone and the main gateway of this Haveli is brown.

Tazia Tower of Jaisalmer can certainly be considered to be one of the major tourist attractions on your Jaisalmer tour. If you are fond of the Rajputana architectures scattered in the city, Tazia tower will come as a welcome break to you. It is situated in the excellent 'Badal Palace' complex located near Amar Sagar Gate. These were once the homes of the former royal family.

The Tazia tower is a 5-storied structure where each story has significance in its own. On each floor there is a balcony that is famous for their individual designs. This tower was built by Muslim craftsmen and is based on the shape of Tazia; which is actually the replica of Mausoleum of various Imams. The construction is made of wood, thermocol and colored papers. The architects gifted it to the then royal patrons to honour them with love and respect.

A sunset visit at Vyas Chhatri is a must-do activity in Jaisalmer if you want to experience a truly spectacular sunset in the middle of nowhere. These chhatris or umbrella-like structures have been a part of Jaisalmer’s landscape for centuries.

These cenotaphs depict the best of Rajasthani architecture and have been built upon a raised platform with intricately carved domes and pillars. From the Vyas Chhatris, you can see the beautiful Jaisalmer Fort in the distance and sand dunes on the other side. The changing colours of the sky and the sandstone of these chhatris make for a magnificent sight every evening, making it a photographer’s heaven.

This haveli that once used to be the prime minister’s house is today, still partly inhabited. It has derived its origin from the late 19th century and has extraordinary exterior, dripping with carvings. The 1st floor of the haveli has some beautiful paintings that are made using 1.5kg of gold leaf. Apparently, the left and right wings were the work of two brothers-Hathi and Lulu. The competitive spirit in them apparently produced this virtuoso work. If you closely observe, the two sides are similar, however not identical.

There are pictures engraved on pillars and walls that consist of horses, cattle, and depiction of flora among many other things. The most interesting aspect of this haveli that draws instant attention are the modern amenities such as cars, fans etc. It is said and believed that the architect brothers never saw these things in reality and engraved it with mere help of their descriptions. These interesting facts surely make visiting Nathmal ki haveli on your list of things to do in Jaisalmer.

Location: In the heart of Jaisalmer 

Lodrawa, also known as Lodurva or Lodarva is a village in Jaisalmer district of state Rajasthan in India. It is 15 kilometres to the north-west of the popular city Jaisalmer. Lodrawa was the ancient capital of the Bhatti dynasty till 1156 AD, when Rawal Jaisal founded the Jaisalmer state and shifted the capital to Jaisalmer. This village is a popular tourist destination that is known for its architectural ruins and surrounding sand dunes.

It is also famous for the Jain temple which is dedicated to 23rd Tirthankara, Parshvanath destroyed in 1152 AD when Muhammad Ghori sacked the city but was reconstructed in 1615 by Seth Tharu Shah and further additions were commissioned in 1675 and 1687.The temples were rebuilt in the late 1970s, as reminders of the city's former glory. Some of the other places for you to add on your list of things to do in Jaisalmer are Rishabh Nath Temple and Sambhavnath Temple, Hinglaj mata temple, Chamunda mata temple, and old temple of Shiva.

Location: 15 kilometres to the north-west of the popular city Jaisalmer

The Akal Wood Fossil Park is a kind of a destination that is loved by all. People of all ages usually love to go and explore the prehistoric era here. Once you reach the park, you will notice the area is covered with large fossilised tree trunks of various sizes and seashells. The largest of which is about 13 meters long and 1.5 meters wide. There are around 25 numb trees and some of the oldest fossils are about 200 years old. Since the climate here is hot and humid, it helps in preserving these fossils.

Entry Fee:

• For Indians: Rs. 5
• For Foreigners: Rs. 20

Location: The Akal Wood Fossil Park is located 17 km away from the main city of Jaisalmer on Barmer Road