Overview

Jaisalmer, often referred to as the “Golden City,” is a charming destination in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Here’s an overview:

Geography and Climate

Location: Jaisalmer is situated in the heart of the Thar Desert in the western part of Rajasthan, close to the India-Pakistan border.
Climate: The city experiences an arid desert climate, with extremely hot summers, mild winters, and scanty rainfall. Temperatures can soar above 45°C (113°F) in summer and drop to around 5°C (41°F) in winter.

History

Founding: Jaisalmer was founded by Maharawal Jaisal Singh in 1156 AD.
Historical Significance: The city has a rich history of trade, serving as a significant stop on the trade routes between India and Central Asia. Its strategic location made it a key player in the medieval politics of the region.

Architecture and Attractions

Jaisalmer Fort: Known as Sonar Quila or the Golden Fort, it is one of the largest fully preserved fortified cities in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built of yellow sandstone, it blends seamlessly with the golden sands of the desert.
Havelis: The city is famous for its intricately carved havelis (mansions) like Patwon Ki Haveli, Salim Singh Ki Haveli, and Nathmal Ki Haveli, showcasing exquisite Rajasthani architecture.
Gadisar Lake: A man-made reservoir built by Maharawal Gadsi Singh in the 14th century, surrounded by temples, ghats, and cenotaphs.
Jain Temples: Located within the fort, these temples date back to the 12th and 15th centuries and are known for their exquisite carvings and architecture.

Culture

Festivals: The Desert Festival, held in February, is a major cultural event featuring camel races, folk music, dance performances, and local handicrafts.
Cuisine: Jaisalmer offers a rich culinary experience with traditional Rajasthani dishes like dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi, and various sweets such as ghevar and churma.

Economy

Tourism: The primary driver of the economy, with tourists flocking to experience the desert culture, heritage sites, and unique architecture.
Handicrafts: Jaisalmer is known for its traditional handicrafts, including embroidery, jewelry, leather goods, and textiles.

Modern Amenities

Accommodation: The city offers a range of accommodations from luxurious heritage hotels to budget guesthouses.
Transportation: Jaisalmer is well-connected by road and rail. The Jaisalmer Airport also provides limited connectivity to major Indian cities.

Adventure and Activities

Camel Safaris: A popular activity, offering a chance to explore the Thar Desert and experience traditional Rajasthani life.
Desert Camping: Visitors can stay in tented camps in the sand dunes, enjoying cultural performances and traditional cuisine.

Jaisalmer’s unique blend of history, culture, and desert landscape makes it a must-visit destination for travelers seeking an authentic Rajasthani experience.

The holiday itinerary has planned in a way that you won’t miss out any place (3N 4D), must visit to Jaisalmer for some adventures, which will give you the unforgettable memories.

Day 1 :

Jaisalmer Fort

I’m not going to bother telling you where it is, because you can see it from literally any point of the city so you won’t struggle to find it.

It’s a huge, 12thcentury golden fort, filled with maze-like paths, stone carvings, ornate temples and markets. It’s so big that roughly a quarter of the population of Jaisalmer live behind the walls.

We spent almost an entire day wandering along the pathways, climbing up staircases, stopping at cafes and all in all having a great time. The paths are not wide enough for cars or cows, so once you get out of the main square it’s fairly quiet. It was a nice break from the crazy Indian roads we were used to.

We also had dinner at an Italian restaurant on the actual wall of the fort, called Jaisal Italy, again something I’d recommend. The food was ok, but the main reason to go is for the spectacular the view of the fort. Maybe consider popping in for a drink to admire the view. It’s particularly spectacular at night as the fort is illuminated by lights, very romantic!

Day 2 :

Spend a night in the desert

This is my number 1 must do activity for any Jaisalmer itinerary. There are several different ways you can do this for all budgets.

The owner of Swan Hostel where we stayed runs one of these, and set us up with a camel safari in the Jaisalmer desert, followed by dinner over a campfire and sleeping amongst the dunes. This particular Jaisalmer desert safari package cost just 1600R (£16) each. Since they organised it for us, it meant that we weren’t charged for that night in the hostel. We just left our stuff in their safe room and came back the next day. Nice and easy.We got to the camp just in time to see one the best sunsets I’ve ever seen. If you want to see a short video, we uploaded one to our instagram of our night in the desert.

The food was pretty nice, the camel guide cooked it over the fire. We slept on essentially camp beds with blankets, no tent or anything. The lack of light pollution meant that we could lie in bed and watch the stars, again something I’ll never forget. Plus, we counted around 30 shooting stars! This is a must for your Jaisalmer Itinerary.Sleeping out in the dunes without a tent isn’t for everyone though, but don’t worry, there’s plenty of luxury camp experiences on offer too.

Day 3 :

Go quad-biking

Couple quad biking in the Thar desert, an activity on the Jaisalmer itinerary
Making the most of the desert is what a trip to Jaisalmer is all about. There’s a number of desert activities that you can do, including a couple of places that hire out quad bikes/ dune bashers to ride in the dunes, so we had to give it a go.

We did nearly flip it a couple of times, much to the owner’s worry, but ripping a quad bike through the sand was great fun and something I’d recommend.

You could also try parasailing.

Day 4 :

Visit Gadisar Lake

Man made by the first Maharaja of the city to help with water conservation, Gadisar Lake is a must see spot in Jaisalmer. Spend some time walking around the lake and watch the sunset. You can even hire pedalos to cruise around it, or jump in with a group and enjoy someone else doing the hard work.

We did that, and had a really nice evening on the lake.

I’d definitely recommend this for your 4 day Jaisalmer itinerary. Spend an evening here watching the sunset and then go for some food afterwards in the fort.