Jaisalmer

26° 54' 48.04" N 70° 54' 54.11" E [26.9133, 70.915] (KML)

A military airstrip has recently been opened to limited civilian flights, with Kingfisher offering flights from Delhi [M](only from October to March). A new, dedicated airport is planned for 2010.

There is a direct train service from Delhi [M] When arriving by train you will pass the station of Pokharan, India's nuclear testing area!

Bus or car-taxi from Jodhpur [S] or by bus from Bikaner [S]. A daily bus runs to and from Jaipur [M].

Another option is to arrive by camel; Jaisalmer [M] is famous for camel trips. The most grueling is the 14 day trip from Bikaner [S]. When booking a few days in the desert on a camel, remember to shop around in order to get the quality you pay for.

The walled centre is a pedestrian area; from the gates you can get other means of transport. The Sam sand-dunes are 45 km away from the city. The rest of the city is easily walkable from one end to the other.

One of the most magnificent attractions is the Jaisalmer [M] Fort known as the "Sonar Kila" due to the yellow stone it was built out of.

Gadi Sagar is a rainwater lake which supplies water to the city. It is surrounded by temples and tombs of saints. Boat rides are offered. Nearby is the desert cultural centre and a local museum built out of the collections of a local schoolteacher.

Jaisalmer [M] Fort:

Jaisalmer [M] fort is also known as the “Sonar Quila”. Colourful shades of the setting sun and golden hues of the desert ambience give a fairy tale look to this mega structured fort. The interior of this fort is amazing. Tourists can also visit many havelis of rich merchants, which are also having a touch of great classical interior and design.

Jain Temple: There are 7 beautifully curved temples built inside the fort walls. These temples were built in between from 12th century to 15th century. All the temples are connected by walkways and corridors. It is compulsory to remove your shoes, and all other leather articles (belts, wallets, purses etc...) before entering any Jain temple. The very first temple which a tourist can visit is dedicated to Chandraprabhu, who is the eight tirthankar (Jain God). The symbol of the God Chandraprabhu is the moon. This temple was built in 1509. It is built with fine stones.

Just chill, Jaisalmer [M] is a lovely and very relaxing place. Go for a stroll, visit the palace and do the camel safari [S] (trips available from a few hours to 14 days). If you do not feel remotely attracted to camels try a jeep safari into the desert to see the scenery and watch the sun go down. Below the fort are several magnificent havelis with intricate stone carving. Several can be visited for minimal charges and are well worth seeking out.

Camel safari is organized by different tour operators and travel agents in Rajasthan [S]. Most of the camel safaris are organized in Bikaner [S], Osian, Jaisalmer [M] and Pushkar [S]. This camel safari [S] trip can be of 2 to 7 days and if someone wishes to extend it, it can go up to one month. Short trips give a glimpse of the desert to the tourists. Jaisalmer is the land of desert and most of the camel safaris start from this city. In most of the trips, one camel is allotted to one person and a camel cart is also provided with the group which carries all the food material, tents and other stuff.

• Matarr Camel Safari, Jaisalmer [M], ☎ 0091 09829914373. Great non-touristy camel safari [S] away from the crowds. Beautiful dunes and area. You can chose where you go for route itinerary. No pressure to visit villages and buy things. Any trip duration possible. Great cook and food provided with assistants if large group. Sleep out under stars or tent. English spoken very well and a few other languages. Honest and nice guys. Lovely friendly camels, well trained and cared for. Based just outside Jaisalmer city but will come to you. Price negotiable.  

The usual: in Jaisalmer [M] this means items made of camel leather, intricate textiles, especially embroidery and silver jewelry. Local advice is to seek out shops outside of the fort for better value and service.

Lots of local eateries which offer sumptuous lunches and dinners for a measly Rs 20.

• 8July, just inside the fort walls. Owned and run by a lovely husband and wife couple and boast home made apple pie and vegimite toast, mostly organic and all prepared fresh to order. They also make there own homemade ice cream. There is outdoor seating that overlooks the bustling rickshaw pick up and drop area just inside the fort walls which is fun for people watching.  

• Artist Hotel Restaurant [S] Near the sunset view point - in the middle of the Jaisalmer [M] artist colony. The very best food in town(50Rs). Everything is made fresh. You will get western (also nice Austrian food) food as well as very nice Indian dishes. The restaurant is placed on rooftop and you can enjoy your meal while listening to live performed rajastani music!

• Desert Haveli Guest House (Jaisalmer [M] India), In the national museum/monument fort of Jaisalmer (Nr to jain temples), ☎ +912992251555, [1] [S]. 24. this exotic heritage hotel is situated in the national monument/museum Jaisalmer fort on the high altitude on the rampart ,in the closed ended street. it offers unique experience of staying in the apartment of ancient historical fort of Jaisalmer it self , this is the ONLY place which provides tourists a golden opportunity with due permition of arceological survey department as this building was alloted to nobel person of kingdom time for residential pupose of divisional magistrate , which has been converted in to the popular guest house. 2000.00.  

• Desert roof top restaurant, In the fort jaisalmer (Nr the jain temples), ☎ 91 9252022430, [2] [S]. This is all time best oportunity to sit on the rampart ,,, the fort of jaisalmer and enjoy delecious food and acclaimed views of the Golden city  

• The Jaisal Treat ((A Multicuisine Restaurant)), Near Hanuman Circle (Geeta Ashram Road), ☎ +91 9414206055. This is a Multicuisine Restaurant. If you want to have Best meal in your entire tour then go for This Restaurant. They have Full Fort view (Specially at Dinner time Fort covered with Lighting) with candle light. They have best wine (SULA) wight & red both are available. Specially Rajasthani food : In Non vegitarian - Lal Maas, Tanddori Chicken, & Non Veg. Platter And in Vegitarian - Gatta Jaisalmeri, Ker Sangri, Kadhi Pakora. They Have Speciall Bread named Jangi Paratha.  

• Lakeview Lounge Restaurant, On Fort, Kotri Para, Jaisalmer [M] (On the fort and attached to Hotel Surja), ☎ 0091-02992-254138, [3] [S]. 24 Hours. This restaurant serves some of the best food I've had while traveling. The Porridge w/ Banana Honey (40rs), Mushroom Cheese Tomato Burger (65rs) and the 'Speghatti Spinesh Tomato Cheese' (70rs) are highly recommended but almost everything we ate was delicious and reasonably priced for the area. The service is excellent as well because of the speed and courtesy of their staff. The restaurant has some of the best views in all of Jaisalmer, at the second level of the restaurant. They also have free WiFi at the restaurant and the attached Hotel Surja. Mains 40-90.  

• Seema Restaurant [S] Just outside the fort. Really good and cheap food (50Rs). The main appeal is everything is made fresh. Only bad thing is the restaurant is a little dingy.

Drink delectable bhang lassi at the government authorized shop close to the haveli.

• Hotel Shree Govindam (A Budget Class Hotel), Near Hanuman Circle (Geeta Ashram Road), ☎ +91 9414150528, [4] [S]. checkin: After 11 AM; checkout: 9 AM. If you want to stay in budget class category hotel with best accomodation then coose for Shree Govindam Hotel. This is situated at out side the fort, Near of Main Circle (Hanuman Circle). They have 10 Air Conditioner Double Room, Hot & Cold Water, 24 Hrs service, Safari Booking Facility, And Best Restaurant with Full Fort View & Night time Fort covered with lighting. From its terest you can see also best Sun Rise & Sun Set View with enjoying coctail. 1000 C.P..  

• Garh Jaisal, ON FORT, [5]. opened in 2006 and overlooks the entrance to the fort. It has an amazing rooftop deck overlooking the city. Each room is decorated like a jewel tone. It is luxury in the fort and you can book directly on their website. A good combination with a desert trip.>  

• Hotel Moonlight, Opp. Head Post Office, Hanuman Circle, ☎ +91-2992-250267, [6]. checkin: 12.00 Noon; checkout: 12.00 Noon. Traditional-style hotel, rooftop restaurant.>  

• Hotel Jaisal Palace, Behind Royal Palace, Gandhi Chowk, ☎ +91- 2992 - 252717, [7]. checkin: 12.00 Noon; checkout: 12.00 Noon. from 600 to 2100.  
• Thar Vilas, [8].  

• Shanti Residency, S-5, Transport Nagar, ☎ +91-9414149138, [9]. checkin: 12PM; checkout: 12PM. Located at a very approachable area on the State High Way No.11. consists of 24 well equipped and well furnished rooms. The facilities include a multi cuisine Restaurant and a Banquet Hall with capacity of 70-90. 1250.  

• Artist Hotel (Royal Guest House), Artist Colony, Jaisalmer [M], 345001, ☎ 02992-252082, [10] [S]. Built for fun and cultural exchange. The profits go towards a social cause. Rs. 180-600.  

• Hotel Surja Guest House (Hotel Surja), On Fort, Kotri Para, Jaisalmer [M] (Free Taxi from Bus/Train Station), ☎ 0091-02992-254138, [11] [S]. checkin: 24 Hours; checkout: 10am. Located on the fort with one of the best views in all of Jaisalmer. They have rooms varying from 300 to 800Rs. depending on the room and view. They have a free taxi pickup if you contact them in advance...pretty much arrival time, phone or email (surjagh@hotmail.com). They have free WiFi for the hotel as well as their attached Lakeview Lounge Restaurant (see restaurant section). The staff is extremely helpful. 300-800Rs..  

• Titanic Hotel, Shiv Marg (near Fort), ☎ +91 9414760047. comfy, relaxed place, very entertaining owner polu will pick you up from train station if you call in advance. roof-top restaurant / lounge with good Indian and authentic Korean food. Nice old building with fort view. mailto: polutitanic2001@yahoo.com Rs100 per person per night (as of April 2010).  

• Mirvana Nature Resort [S], [12], Sodakore, 1 hr from Jaisalmer [M] along the road to Jodhpur [S]. A tented camp attached to a desert farm. Meals are served under the stars!

• Moonlight Khuri Resort [S], 40 km far from Jaisalmer [M] at Khuri village, surrounded by natural sand dunes. Accommodation in mud cottages Huts and Tents with Camp- Fire, Dinner, Music & Folk Dance & Camel Ride.

• Sam sand dunes [S] Sam is about 40 km from the city. Watch the sunset from the Sam sand dunes. RTDC has limited accommodations (huts) at Sam; or you can chill out at the one of the camps/tents, right in the middle of the desert, organized by many tour operators. You can watch cultural programs and dances organized by RTDC and many private organizers. Highly recommended to spend one night at Sam (early evening to late morning next day).

"Khuri Sand Dunes" Just about 45 Km from the city is the village of Khuri. It is equally famous for the sand dunes as sam. However at khuri you are away from the madenning crowd and the hawkers. As khuri is slowly emerging on the tourism map, it still has all the basic necessities but the crowd is non exsitant. That Means you can have a couple of dunes just for yourself and do whatever you feel like there. Khuri also boasts of numerous private Hut/Tent resorts, available at very reasonable rates with accomodation, food, camel safari [S] to the dunes and folk dance thrown in as accompanients.

Text content was last edited at 09:29, on 1 May 2010 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Claus Hansen, Duke Le, ben neesham, Ravikiran Rao, Prashant Jain and Jani Patokallio, Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel and others. A list of contributors is available at the original article on Wikitravel. This text content is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0.