EYE OF COMPASS

Standing in the thar desert

Jaisalmer: the what, the when, the how?

Planning is the key to exploring Jaisalmer, a royal golden city. Having a plan will help you stay informed about all your options and ways to explore the city.

Royal Palaces, Laxminath Temple, Patwon Ki Haveli, buying Rajasthani souvenirs like silver jewellery in Pansari Bazaar, or Seema gram are further attractions nearby Jaisalmer. These Jaisalmer travel tips will serve as your go-to manual for making the most of your time there by allowing you to explore as much as you want and in the ways that you intended to enjoy the best of the city!

Because Jaisalmer successfully balances an authentically Indian experience with an India that welcomes visitors. We enjoyed the mix of several tourist sites and a relaxed atmosphere. You may engage with people, have an authentic experience, and fully immerse yourself in Jaisalmer’s daily life.

The following are the most important travel advice for Jaisalmer that anyone considering visiting this beautiful city in Rajasthan should bear in mind. So, read on to find an ultimate guide for your next Jaisalmer trip:

1. Know About The Ways To Explore The City

There are several methods to explore the city of Jaisalmer when you visit. To make the most of it, though, you must prepare ahead and make the necessary reservations. There are many possibilities, so planning is necessary for things like how to explore Jaisalmer, how to get there, where to stay, how to get around there, and what you will do while you are there. The city has something for every price range. Even if you might want to reserve a specific tour and then sit back and relax while they take care of everything else, you must still be aware of what they are giving and what you might be missing out on. So, here are your options to get around the city:

  • Rent a car/bike:

We had booked a Zoomcar and made a trip from Jaipur to Jodhpur to Jaisalmer, so we had that ease to travel anywhere. There are also many bike rentals or scooty rentals available in the city.

  • Hire a taxi:

The best part is that whatever hotel you stay at can arrange a taxi for you for the day and that taxi will take you to all the places on your itinerary.

  • Walk

If you like to walk then almost everything is close-by and you can cover all the places by foot as well.

2. Places To Stay While In Jaisalmer
Casa De Kaku entrance

With so many alternatives, choosing where to stay in Jaisalmer is also a significant decision. If possible, you should consider staying in a hotel room that has a royal atmosphere. Several alternatives are offered at varying price points. Hotels are a specialization in Jaisalmer. Even modest, low-cost hotels are constructed in the shape of palaces. You really cannot skip out on this. You can reserve a variety of locations with extra facilities depending on your budget, but every one is built similarly, much like a royal palace. If you reserve a hotel online, simply look at the images of your accommodation and the amenities that hotel offers. The proximity of your accommodation to the city’s attractions would be another consideration. Even if it costs a bit more to stay near the city’s forts and lakes, it would be worthwhile because you could take a late-night stroll to enjoy the area in a completely other way without being bothered by daytime tourists and vendors.

Here are a few suggestions for hotels based on your budget:

High budget (above Rs. 15k+ per night):

  • Suryagarh
  • Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa
  • Fort Rajwada

Medium budget (Rs. 5k – 15k per night):

  • Hotel Jaisalkot
  • Casa De Kaku
  • Hotel Rangmahal

Low budget (less than Rs, 5k per night):

3. Best Time To Be In Jaisalmer

Standing in the thar desert

The major travel advice for Jaisalmer also includes the best time of year to visit. It is popular to travel the Golden Triangle and stay in five-star hotels while visiting Jaisalmer, which would be a truly royal experience. Or, you can just buy a train ticket, go to Jaisalmer, stay in a hotel that won’t cost you more than Rs.2000, take the local transportation, and explore everything on foot to find new, special gems. But what time should you visit? The best time to visit the city depends on the weather. Some people who celebrate Holi come here during March.

I would personally say the best time to visit Jaisalmer is between October to March. Being a desert city, winter is the best season to visit Jaisalmer as the sun is perfect for all the sightseeing that the place is famous for. During this time, the days are not too hot and you can enjoy the sites to the fullest.

4. Famous Local Cuisines Of Jaisalmer To Try

You must try the native cuisine while visiting Jaisalmer, and you should also try “chaat” along the nooks of the roads. Several eateries would be happy to provide you food while pleasant Rajasthani melodies were being played on the instruments by the musicians. Explore the market and sample the various cuisines there as another way to enjoy the city’s cuisine.

View from Cafe De Kaku

My personal recommendations would be these restaurants:

  • The Seven Spice Restaurant, which specializes in Indian and Tibetan food, and the local cuisines of Jaisalmer, which include a menu with items like Kadhi Pakora, bharwan aloo, vegetable kebabs, Gatte Ki Sabzi, and kulfi, are a few of the eateries that are recommended.
  • Café de Kuku for its exotic cold coffee and amazing Rajasthani menu. The views from this terrace restaurant are incredible as you can see the entire city and the Jaisalmer Fort. At night, you can see the Jaisalmer fort lit up and their seating is an authentic Rajasthani style
  • Green Park Restaurant has got amazing food and their outdoor seating is relaxing and quiet as well.
  • Fredy Foods is a good place if you just want to have snacks or

To try local Rajasthani treats, you should visit authentic stalls; in particular, the Gatte-ki-sabzi is a must-try while visiting Jaisalmer.

Image source: Unsplash
5. Plan Your Visit To Sand Dunes

A visit to the dunes, where one can camp out while receiving royal treatment, should not be missed. When visiting Jaisalmer, people frequently reserve a night among the dunes. To get to the location where your camps are put up, you must first go to your pick-up point. From there, you can either ride camels or go on a jeep safari. Around the campfire, you may enjoy freshly prepared dishes and live music. Spending the night outside beneath a starry, moonless sky is delightful. This enables you to experience both the camel ride and the camping experience on sand dunes. You should not miss any fairs that are being held in the city close to your dunes. You’ll be able to appreciate their culture’s authentic moments as a result. These festivals frequently host a variety of camel races as well as celebrity appearances and performances.

 

Basically, you can plan your visit to the sand dunes in this way:

  • Leave Jaisalmer city in the afternoon, enjoy the scenic route to the dunes. Stop by at the Kuldhara Village (abandoned village).
  • Check-in at your camp site. Usually one night is enough in the sand dunes. Almost all the camp sites provide the same amenities which include: Pick up and drop, welcome drink, jeep safari, desert safari, evening cultural program, snacks, dinner and breakfast. You can book the government camp site (RTDC Sam Dhani) or the private ones ( I would recommend Oasis Desert camp, Desert Adventure camp or Limra adventure camp). Usually, all the camps start at the price of Rs. 2000 per night and this include all the things I mentioned above.
  • Enjoy the sand dunes.
  • Leave the camp site in the morning and head to Jaisalmer city or your next destination!
6. Explore The Ancient Market Streets

Jaisalmer’s streets are magical on every corner. There are markets where you can buy anything you want, including shoes, clothes, carpets, antiques, leather goods and souvenirs. Famous shopping areas include Sadar Bazar, Bhatia Bazaar, Pansari Bazaar, and Manak Chowk. One of the oldest markets, Bhatia Bazar is well known for its sarees, silk, and other goods. A trip to Jaisalmer wouldn’t be complete without buying at the local market.

7. Chill Out At Gadsisar Lake

This beautiful artificial lake in Jaisalmer is a great place to relax. The views from all sides of the lake are truly spectacular and is an amazing place to take photograph of Jaisalmer Fort early in the morning. Not only this, it is also a bird viewing site and a popular site to watch the gorgeous sunset. You can enjoy boating here as well. The views during sunset are incredible!

The beauty of Jaisalmer!

Jaisalmer is vibrant and alive with life. In the midst of the red and gold sand, there is a vibrant city that is not just a collection of houses and alleys but is kept alive by the intricate art and music of the various neighbourhoods. Enter these narrow streets to discover the many art forms that are still alive and well in the centre of Jaisalmer if you want to learn more about this city. Therefore remember these important Jaisalmer travel tips when you make trip plans to Rajasthan and have a blast in this city.

Frequently Asked Questions

 

  • How many days in Jaisalmer is enough?

3 days is a perfect amount of time to explore and enjoy the city.

  • How do you travel around in Jaisalmer?

The little city may be easily explored on foot, but bikes can also be rented to travel further outside the city. Bicycles and auto rickshaws are two other regularly used modes of transportation in Jaisalmer.

  • What shoes to wear in desert safari in Jaisalmer?

Flip-flops are a really bad choice, and neither should sandals or high heels be worn. Instead, go for leather shoes, sneakers, or shoes with breathable lining. Yet the sand will enter. If you decide to get off the camel and stroll on the sand, it always seems to enter your shoes so be prepared for that.

  • Is there Ola or Uber in Jaisalmer?

In Jaisalmer, there are no Ola or Uber services available. The city is really little. When travelling outside of the city, you must hire a private vehicle.

  • What is Jaisalmer famous for?

The Jaisalmer Fort, popularly known as Sonar Qila, is the most notable monument in the city (Golden Fort). Jaisalmer Fort is not merely a tourist destination, in contrast to the majority of other forts in India. In addition to historic havelis (homes), it also has stores and hotels. The history of Jaisalmer begins in the 12th century.

 

 

 

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