If you’re planning a vacation with your family and you’re in search of a tourist location that offers an offbeat holidaying experience, then Jaisalmer is the right spot to be. If you’re looking to visit a city that impresses you with its own charm and aura, then Jaisalmer is the place to be. If you’re thinking of exploring an area that has an undaunted spirit to keep you alive, then there is no better site than Jaisalmer.
Widely renowned for its battled-scared forts, breathtaking sand dunes, ancient temples, and havelis, Jaisalmer is a prominent destination located in the western part of India. It is also known as the "Golden City" due to the yellow sandstone used to construct the buildings in the city.
While on one side, you can experience its rich history and diverse cultural heritage, the other side of this hidden jewel in Rajasthan allows you to try your hand at desert safari, which is a must-try activity here. One can also indulge in parasailing, quad biking, and luxury desert camping to add more fun and adventure to their trip.
Don’t worry as Jaisalmer is also dotted with numerous vibrant marketplaces where you can stop by to purchase some souvenirs for your loved ones back home. Other than that, it is also known for its good Rajasthani food that will surely make you head to this place time and time again.
To have a great time, we recommend you book a travel package that takes care of everything related to your trip in the backend so that you can enjoy a week off from your boring, monotonous life without any worries. Not only does a complete travel package offer world-class services within budget but also manages things exactly the way you want. What else?
How about going ahead with our all-inclusive Jaisalmer tour package?
At Jaisalmer Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, we strive to present the best of our services to our diverse clientele. Our all-inclusive packages can also be customized as per your holiday budget, duration, and other needs. We also help our holiday-goers in curating an itinerary of their choice.
From booking the flight tickets to reserving the accommodation, shortlisting the sightseeing places, deciding on the things to do, and checking out the fine-dine eateries, our team of experts undertakes everything on your behalf. Please fill out the Contact Us form to learn more about us.
History of Jaisalmer
Tracing its history back to the 12th century, the city of Jaisalmer was founded by Rawal Jaisal who was the then-Rajput ruler of the area. According to legend, he was searching for a new capital for his kingdom when he came across a sage who told him to build a city at a particular spot. The sage said that the city would be blessed by Lord Krishna and would prosper for centuries.
The city was built around a fort, which was strategically located on a hilltop. The fort was made of yellow sandstone, which gave it a golden hue, and was fortified with walls and bastions. The fort was named Sonar Quila or the Golden Fort.
Jaisalmer was an important trading center on the Silk Route, which connected India with Central Asia and China. The city's location in the desert made it a natural stopover for caravans traveling between India and Central Asia. The merchants who traveled through Jaisalmer brought with them goods such as spices, silk, and precious stones.
Jaisalmer was ruled by the Rajputs for centuries. In the 16th century, the city came under the control of the Mughal Empire, which was then ruled by Emperor Akbar. The Mughals built several palaces and other structures in the city, which added to its architectural splendor.
In the 18th century, Jaisalmer came under the control of the Bhatti Rajputs, who were the original rulers of the city. The Bhattis were known for their bravery and valor, and they defended Jaisalmer against many invaders. However, in the 19th century, the city came under the control of the British Empire, which ruled India at the time.
After India gained independence in 1947, Jaisalmer became part of the newly formed state of Rajasthan. Today, the city is a popular tourist destination in India, known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning architecture.
Places to Visit in Jaisalmer
There are plenty of tourist places in Jaisalmer that make this tourist destination a heaven for holiday-goers. Whether you’re traveling as an individual, with family, or with a group of friends, you can surely find things of your interest that will keep you occupied throughout the time. You can curate an itinerary of your choice based on your 1-day, 2-day, and a 3-day visit to this city to have the best time of your life.
Start your trip with a getaway to the Jaisalmer Fort. Also referred to as the Golden Fort, Jaisalmer Fort is amongst the popular points of interest that invite people of all age groups to witness its magnificent architecture and soak in the panoramic views of the surrounding areas from a height of 250 feet.
Another architectural marvel that deserves your attention is the Patwon ki Haveli. Located at a distance of 1.5 km from Jaisalmer Railway Station, the Patwon ki Haveli impresses everyone with its intricate carvings and murals that are a sight to behold. Here you can also see an impressive collection of rare artifacts and paintings belonging to the Patwa family.
From there, enjoy a short drive of 7.5 km to reach the Bada Bagh. It is a sprawling garden where you can soak in the lush greenery and admire the breathtaking sunrise or sunset to provide a feast for your eyes. The entry fee to explore its beauty is INR 20 per head for Indians and INR 50 per head for foreigners.
Head to Gadsisar Lake to relax and unwind away from the chaotic city life. It is an ideal escapade for tourists to enjoy a delightful evening with their near ones and create some unforgettable memories for a lifetime. To seek solace and solitude under one roof, the city also boasts the Amar Sagar Lake where you can attain peace of mind in utmost tranquility.
For wildlife enthusiasts, the city boasts a Desert National Park that provides a home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. For religious lovers, the city has Tanot Mata Temple, Shantinath Temple, Ramdevra Temple, and a set of Jain Temples.
For people wanting to step back into history, the city is dotted with Jaisalmer War Museum, Desert Culture Centre and Museum, Jaisalmer Government Museum, and the Thar Heritage Museum. And for shopaholics, there is a Sadar Bazaar that offers a perfect retail therapy experience to everyone looking to purchase typical Rajasthani handicraft items at reasonable prices.
In addition to this, you can also enjoy strolling around the Silk Route Art Gallery and Sonaron Ka Baas market to bring some beautiful pieces of jewelry back home.
Don’t miss the adventure-filled desert safari in Jaisalmer if you’re seeking to enjoy your Jaisalmer tour to the fullest. You can choose from either Camel Safari, Jeep Safari, Dune Bashing, or One Night Safari. The long safaris are also available for your convenience but to make the most of them, you need to plan your holiday during the winter season as the summer can be extremely unbearable for people.
Other ancient monuments and age-old buildings such as Maharaja’s Palace, Salim Singh Ki Haveli, Mandir Palace, Khaba Fort, Tazia Tower, Pokhran Fort, Nathmal Ki Haveli, and Vyas Chhatri can also be visited in Jaisalmer if time permits. Adding to these sightseeing places are Akal Wood Fossil Park, Kuldhara Village, Dussehra Village, Manak Chowk, Jaisalmer Wind Park, and Longewala War Memorial.
How to Reach Jaisalmer?
Getting to Jaisalmer is quite easy. Depending on your holiday style, budget, and travel preference, you can choose to access the city the way you want. The following are the main 3 modes of transportation available:
By Train: Jaisalmer maintains a great railway network with the metro cities of India like Delhi, Jaipur, and Jodhpur and hence, receives direct train services on an everyday basis. Outside the station, you can look for autos and rickshaws to reach your desired destination located in the city.
By Road: Another convenient way is via road. However, it would be worth noting that Jaisalmer doesn’t have direct buses from the urban regions. You first need to catch a bus to either Jaipur or Jodhpur and from there, you can avail of the facility of a direct bus to Jaisalmer. It takes nearly 6-7 hours to cover the required distance from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer.
By Air: Lastly, if you like traveling by air, board a flight to Jodhpur Airport as it has frequent flights from Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Udaipur, Chennai, etc. After deboarding your flight at Jodhpur Airport, book a taxi from the list of top car rental companies in Jaisalmer to experience a hassle-free journey to Jaisalmer in your utmost comfort.
