Let us know more about  one of India's most sought after Tourist Destination State...Rajastan, a state visited by one third of the foreign tourists visiting India.  Rajastan has been in the Deep history of India for centuries owing to its royalty and natural beauty.  The Aravali Hills run diagonally dividing the state into two  with the Thar Desert in the north east and the Rann of Katch in the south west. 

 

Today we are passing through Jaisalmer, also known as "The sun city" .  Jaisalmer is  a shimmering mirage in the Thar desert and a very important place of tourist interest in Rajasthan. The city was named after the founder of the city, Maharawal Jaisal Singh. He was a Rajput king. The city of Jaisalmer is also known as ‘the Golden City’. This is because the yellow sand and the sandstone used to make the structures in this city which give it golden yellow appearance.

 

We suggest the following must visit destinations for an enthusiastic tourist who visits Jaisalmer :

          Jaisalmer Fort

          Patwon-Ki-Haveli

          Sam Sand Dunes

          Gadisar Lake

          Desert Nation Park and

          

 

Apart from the above points, there are many nmore attractions in and around the city .  Located on Jodhpur-Jaisalmer highway – 10km before Jaisalmer is the JAISALMER WAR MUSEUM.  Well laid out with an array of captured Pakistani tanks and vehicles and a few Indian tanks.  A couple of halls display the advent of the modern Indian Army and its achievements.  There’s a lone Hunter aircraft which played a stellar role in the ’71 war.  A short 15 minute video is also played for visitors and is surprisingly crisp, sharp, to the point and upto date.

 

Another account you must not miss is the QUEEN HARISH DANCE. This dance is done by an entertainer performer. You have to reserve tickets in advance You can have a glance of his dance videos  in : http://www.queenharish.com/video.php

Address & contact number : Address: Suthar para, Jaisalmer, India Phone Number: +91 94 14 149115

 

Another site which though not so relevant, is a nice place to visit is BADA BAGH.  This is the burial place of past rulers. Watching sunset through the cenatops is very nice .  This place is for history lovers. Bada Bagh  means big garden but its is not at all a garden. This place have sand stone tombs for royal family members of Jaisalmer and is located about 15 Km from the city.

 

KULDHARA ABANDONED VILLAGE   is a must watch during the day time. At night time no one is allowed to visit this place.  This is one of the best places in Jaisalmer to visit. Very near to Sum desert. This village is abandoned and no one stays here. You can still see the broken houses and empty roads. Many people say different stories about this place. So say that there are ghosts, so say that the place is cursed because of the king's deed. The reality no one knows but you will like to explore the barren houses, land and the surroundings. As the story goes the entire village was abandoned in one night due to fear of Salim singh  about 200 years ago. The village was cursed that no good can happen to its resident.The place is deserted and resembles movie set of haunted village. It's bit scary for kids. Can be visited for curiosity. It's on way to sand dunes..

 

POKHRAN FORT is located on the road from Jodphur to Jaisalmer.  This fort also houses a mini museum containing dresses, armours of erstwhile Rajas.  Many have heard the name Pokhran in connection with neuclear tests of India.  Simple fort with less of tourist around, so you can walk around comfortable. Half of it has been converted into a hotel.  The restaurant serves authentic (awesome) Indian food and the service was amazing too .

 

VYAS CHHATRI is a place for photography lovers. Awesome Sunset among the remains of an old Cenotaph. Prepare your camera! And arrive early prior to the sunset hour to find a good spot to enjoy!

 

Best Time to visit

November to Marchis the best time to visit Jaisalmer.  These months constitute the winter season in Jaisalmer.  Sightseeing and other outdoor activities like camel ride, desert safari are more enjoyable during this time as the maximum temperature does not go beyond 24 degree Celsius. Evenings are cooler and at night, the temperature can further drop down to 7 or 8 degree Celsius in the desert area, especially in the months of December and January.  Heavy winter clothing is preferable during this period. You can include Long coats and Outsiders in your luggage. In daytime, light pullovers are sufficient.  The well-known Desert Festival in Jaisalmer is held in January/February. Hence it is better to opt for this period for your visit.

 

Worst time to visit

September to October, during the monsoon season, this place experiences medium to low rainfall. The level of humidity rises making it unsuitable for a visit.   Summer season prevails from April to August when average Maximum temperature remains around 40°C. Therefore it will be better if you bring light cotton clothes. These clothes are fit for the summers of Jaisalmer. We recommend you to fully cover your body parts with appropriate clothes in order to protect yourself from Suntan and heat strokes.  

 

Transportation and conveyance facilities

General transportations in Jaisalmer are Auto rickshaw and bicycles as these are a good way to get around. Auto rickshaw is a cheap mode of transportation but drivers might not be friendly all the times. You need to take rickshaw when you take congested roads in order to avoid bottlenecks.   Cabs are also available both government and private operated. If you have some extra dollars left you can opt for Cabs that are costly to hire and a lot of dickering takes place with the cab drivers. If you are low on cash then opt for City tour and site seeing buses, which are downright cheap.

 

Shopping

Shopping in Jaisalmer is all about buying intricately carved wooden boxes, brassware, textiles, woven rugs and blankets, ethnic silver jewellery, leather bags, hand embroidered slippers and slip-ons called mojris and jootis are a specialty of the region. Visitors look for beautiful mirror work and embroidered articles, traditional rugs, blankets and shawls in typical Rajasthani colours of bright greens, vivid blues and oranges and shocking pinks.  The shopping spots are within the fort and include Sadar Bazar, Sonaron ka Bass, Manak Chowk, Pansari bazar, Gandhi Darshan, Seema gram, Rajsthani Govt. shop and Khadi Gramuddyog Emporium.

 

Where to stay

The heritage hotels like Garh Jaisal, Jaisal Castle, Fort Rajwada, Gorbandh Palace, Rang Mahal, Narayan Niwas Palace, Jawahar Niwas Palace, Killa Bhawan, Mandir Palace, Nachana Haveli and Raj Mandir are few good options.  The deluxe hotels in Jaisalmer include Deoki Niwas Palace, Hotel Dhola Maru, Himmathgarh Palace, Jaisalgarh, Mahadev Palace, Rajwansh Resorts and Sonargarh Fort .   If you are not planning to spend much on your accommodation then Jaisalmer has few good mid-rung options as well. Try Hotel Narayan Niwas Palace, Thar Vilas, Deoki Niwas Palace, The Royal Courts or Mandir Palace. Check in Hotel Rang Mahal, Pithla Haveli, RTDC Hotel Moomal or Hotel Mahadev Palace for a budget stay.   Please check internet for websaite of these hotels.

 

Restaurants

My suggestions of veg restaurants are: Sunset cafe, Welcome Restaurant , KB Cafe, Desertboys Dhani.

 

Those visiting Jaisalmer during the Desert Festival will find plenty of exciting things happenings in the evenings what with snake charmers, camel races, camel polo, puppeteers, folk dancers and musicians that enthralls most visitors.

 

Advice regarding tourism can be had from TOURISM BOARD OFFICE : Tourist Office Rajasthan : 00-91-2992-52406 Near TRC Station Road Gadi Sagar Pol Jaisalmer  or   Tourist Guide Service : 02992-52450

 

How to reach Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer is not directly connected to Airways as such.  Jodhpur airport is 300 Km away. Jodhpur is connected to all the major metros of India Jaisalmer is connected to major cities of India through broad gauge as well as meter gauge railway tracks. Direct trains from Jaisalmer are available to Jodhpur as well as Delhi. Jaisalmer is connected through both 'Broad gauge' as well as 'Meter gauge' tracks. You can also travel to Jaisalmer by Palace on Wheels.

 

 

JAISALMER TOUR ITINERARY

 

Day 1  - Visit the popular places : NATHMAL-KI-HAVELI, PATWAON-KI-HAVELI,

after Lunch  and Rest Visit -  the old Bazaars and Gadisar Lake . Visit sunset point at evening.

 

Day2 -  Check out from the hotel Visit the fort and then off to Sam Dunes On the way you can visit Kuldhara. Check in to camps, camel ride , dinner and  try to  have a  night stay over there.

 

Day 3  - Back to Jaisalmer -  enroute  visit amar sagar lake, take some time out for shopping, lunch and depart.

 

An alternate Itinerary is as follows :

 

Reach Jaisalmer around 11:00am.

Fresh up  and change at hotel,

After lunch  move for city sightseeing - visit haveli  and lake.  Night in Hotel.

 

Next day visit Fort ( Jain temple, palace, city view point )

take  lunch and depart for sam sand dunes

enroute visit - bada bagh, amar sagar, Ludrava, mool sagar, kuldhara, Khaba Fort

Stay one night at Camp side in Swiss Tent.  enjoy  camel ride, folk dance and dinner

 

 

After morning  breakfast return to city around 10:00am

spend some time for shopping- Sarre - Krishna Sare Center/ Handicraft - Nirmal Handicraft

 

The above mentioned is only a suggested Itinerary. You can  add more places or re arrange the  programme by including the places menthioed first above or in consultation with your tour agent.