Things to do

Experiences & Sights

Camel safaris and desert nights, adrenaline on the dunes, and the royal sights of the Golden City.

Photo: Clément Bardot · CC BY-SA 4.0
Royal heritage

Places to See

Entry fees differ for Indian and foreign visitors. We include the current rates in your quote.

Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Quila)
Living fort

Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Quila)

A 12th-century golden sandstone fort that is still home to thousands of people.

In the city3–4 hours
Patwon ki Haveli
Haveli

Patwon ki Haveli

A cluster of five carved merchant mansions, the grandest in Jaisalmer.

Old city, near the Fort1 hour
Salim Singh ki Haveli
Haveli

Salim Singh ki Haveli

A prime minister's mansion with a peacock-shaped roof.

Old city45 min
Nathmal ki Haveli
Haveli

Nathmal ki Haveli

Twin-brother architects carved its two halves, each in his own style.

Old city30 min
Gadisar Lake
Lake

Gadisar Lake

A 14th-century royal reservoir ringed with temples, ghats and chhatris.

In the city1 hour
Bada Bagh
Royal cenotaphs

Bada Bagh

Royal chhatris (cenotaphs) of the Bhati rulers on a desert ridge.

~6 km from the city1 hour
Kuldhara
Abandoned village

Kuldhara

A Paliwal Brahmin village said to have been abandoned in a single night.

~18 km from the city1 hour
Sam Sand Dunes
Desert

Sam Sand Dunes

The classic rolling dunes of the Thar, with most of the camps and activities.

~45 min driveHalf day or overnight
Khuri Sand Dunes
Desert village

Khuri Sand Dunes

Quieter, lower dunes and authentic village life.

~1 hr driveHalf day or overnight
Tanot Mata Temple
Temple

Tanot Mata Temple

A border-area temple woven into the legends of the 1971 war.

~120 km from the city1 hour (full-day trip)
Longewala War Memorial
Memorial

Longewala War Memorial

The site of the legendary 1971 Battle of Longewala.

~120 km from the city1–2 hours
Lodurva Jain Temples
Ancient capital

Lodurva Jain Temples

Exquisitely carved Jain temples at the old Bhati capital, before Jaisalmer existed.

~16 km north-west of the city1 hour
Amar Sagar
Lake & temple

Amar Sagar

A royal lake palace and a lace-carved Jain temple on the Lodurva road.

~6 km west of the city45 minutes
Vyas Chhatri
Sunset point

Vyas Chhatri

Golden cenotaphs on a ridge, and one of the best sunset views of the Fort.

~2 km from the Fort45 minutes
Desert National Park
Wildlife reserve

Desert National Park

One of India's largest protected areas, home of the Great Indian Bustard.

~40 km (Sudasari area)Half day
Jaisalmer War Museum
Military museum

Jaisalmer War Museum

The Indian Army's tribute to the desert sector, with tanks, aircraft and two galleries.

~10 km on the Jodhpur road1–1.5 hours
Desert Culture Centre & Museum
Museum & puppet show

Desert Culture Centre & Museum

A small museum of desert life, with an evening puppet show by Gadisar Lake.

Near Gadisar Lake1 hour
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