Jaisalmer: A Complete Travel Guide to India’s Golden City

Jaisalmer: A Complete Travel Guide to India’s Golden City

All about Jaisalmer:

Located in the Western Indian State of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer is a historic city with many stories that reside upon itself. Jaisalmer is popularly known as the “Golden City”, specifically because most of its architecture is designed with yellow sandstone. The forts and havellis have historical intricacy that build-up the heritage of Jaisalmer. The historical richness is captivating in all essence driving all the aesthetics in one place. The forts, the activities, the food and the cultural diversity, makes it all the more attractive to witness this beautiful place and enjoy the aesthetics of the city. Meanwhile, Jaisalmer has significant stories and facts that interest visitors from all over the world to have a look into the life Jaisalmer provides. Here’s a Jaisalmer tour guide for you to map through.

 

Jaisalmer Golden City:

Jaisalmer, with all the jewels in its head, truly looks like gold in all aspects. The warm glow of the cityscape comes from the irresistible views that the city provides. There are so many reasons why Jaisalmer is known as the Golden City, primarily because most of the architecture in this city is made of yellow sandstones. These sandstones are locally made and are widely used in the architectural works of Jaisalmer, not to forget how, when they blend with the sunlight, they absolutely create a magical cityscape. The mesmerizing golden glow can also be seen through Jaisalmer’s crown jewel, Sonar Quila or the Golden Fort, which contributes to the golden shades rising out of the shades.

Jaisalmer, as a golden city, contributes a lot to the aesthetics of the city. However, it is not just about the aesthetics of the colour, but this colour also holds a strong symbolism in the background of historical importance. The locally sourced sandstones are used in the architecture of Jaisalmer, as these work as natural insulators and help in keeping the indoors cooler in comparison to the outside temperature. The golden hue, moreover, symbolizes the rich heritage and wealth of Jaisalmer through its appearance. The enchanting view of Jaisalmer is truly mesmerizing with its golden shades that just elevates the aesthetics.

Planning Your Trip:

Jaisalmer is a huge city to cover and has a lot of tourist destinations that serve as major sights for anyone visiting this place. To plan a trip to Jaisalmer, a tad-bit of preparation and planning can reduce the pain of exhaustion and result in a smoother trip.

To visit Jaisalmer, it is important to plan out the best time to visit. Summers are extremely hot in Jaisalmer, whereas winters are extremely chilly. The months of September and October are the ideal months to enjoy the beauty of Jaisalmer to its fullest potential. Since the climate of Jaisalmer is pretty warm, it is important to pack light weighted clothes that will provide comfort during your tour.

Research is a must do before going for any tour. A trip can be most enjoyable if it is well-planned and executed with proper timing. Planning a proper date before executing a trip is crucial to avoid confusion in Jaisalmer tourism. Personal preferences should be kept in mind such as which festivals are needed for the bucket list. Checking the weather forecast is important to have a hassle-free travel experience. This is Jaisalmer city travel guide to help you understand the basic needs.

While planning for a trip, research regarding the travel parameters and accommodations needs to be kept in mind. There are popular booking sites that help in booking the perfect accommodation according to the needs of customers.

An itinerary is a must to keep in the planning as it will reduce time in decisiveness while being on the tour and will create a smooth transition of choice. Choosing the destinations which need to be visited beforehand is important as it makes it less exhausting and more enjoyable.

Booking tickets and activities beforehand helps in avoiding excessive crowds and saves a lot of time that will otherwise consume both energy and waste a lot of time that can be used in other ways. A Jaisalmer guide can be arranged to have a hassle free tour.

 

Best Time to Visit Jaisalmer:

Considering the weather situation of Jaisalmer, the best time to visit Jaisalmer is the winter, especially the months of October and November, when the temperature is under control, and it is more comfortable to tour around. There are several festivals that happen during that season, such as the Desert Festival, Camel Races, Folk Music, and Cultural Dances. Summer temperature is unbearable as the heat raises to a really high temperature and makes it really challenging to enjoy any moment, whatsoever. Whereas Monsoon is very unpredictable and cannot be relied upon to make any plans.

• Language: The predominant language used in Jaisalmer is Rajasthani. Hindi is another communicable language that is widely used in the city of Jaisalmer. Urdu and Sindhi languages are also predominant languages which are spoken in Jaisalmer among the Muslim and Sindhi community, respectively Other than that, English also remains as one of the commonly used medium of language. There are multiple languages that are also used considering varieties of cultures residing in the city. 
• Currency: The official currency used in Jaisalmer is the Indian rupee. Notes and coins are used in the city for all the transactions. If you are an international tourist, currency change to Indian is suggested since most of the localities don’t accept international currencies.
• Travel Tip: Covering such a huge place with so many options are not a matter of ease at once. Certain tips could actually save all the hustle and help out having a safe trip without missing out on things. First is, it is crucial to choose the correct time to visit Jaisalmer. Visiting Jaisalmer during the winter months of September and October should be more favorable and is advised to follow the same. Next up, mixing up with the locals will create an easy route to understand the city and help in navigating through the vastness. Experiencing local cuisines is a must to understand the cultural diversity of any place. And last but not the least, clicking a lot of pictures as going down the memory lane will definitely contribute to making you smile.

 

Popular Tourist Attractions in Jaisalmer:

Jaisalmer is popular for its popular forts and palaces. The beauty of this city can be enjoyed thoroughly while experiencing them first hand as there are several tourist places. There are so many facts of Jaisalmer, yet here’s a few of these palaces listed below which can give a map of destinations and are popular tourist attractions in Jaisalmer that can be visited.

1. Gorbandh Palace: The Gorbandh Palace was built by the royal family of Jaisalmer. Gorbandh Palace has the aesthetics that talks about the royal lifestyles and gives a sneek peek into the same. The designs, the intricacy and the well-carved structures gives a thorough experience of the royal living.
2. Khaba Fort: If you are someone who is interested in the Thar Desert, Khaba Fort is one of the top tourist places in Jaisalmer and is a destination that will take you to a real time experience of the same. The Khaba Fort is not a typical palace, it is rather a collective fort which holds in it the history of the Thar Desert. The Khaba Fort was a 14th century citadel and that’s how it got turned into a camp. The Khaba Fort gives a wide panorama of the landscape beneath it.
3. Suryagarh Palace: The Suryagarh Palace is a heritage site turned hotel which has a keen outlook to the historical background of Jaisalmer. The Suryagarh Palace has a built-in architecture consisting of domes, well-carved balconies and intricate designs on it which paints the stories of Rajasthan’s historical visuals and is apparently turned into a state of art heritage hotel.
4. Fort Rajwada: As well known is the history of Rajasthan, Fort Rajwada brings in the history with details in it as it comes in one of top luxury hotels in Jaisalmer. Fort Rajwada is heritage palace turned hotel designed in a way that symbolizes the traditional Rajasthani royal lifestyle, which it provides the visitors with all the luxurious accommodation to make it as comfortable as possible to have a seamless experience.
5. Jawahar Niwas Palace: Jawahar Niwas is an aesthetic beauty which is a perfect blend of history and heritage that represents the culture of Jaisalmer. The Rajasthani designs and the intricate details showcase the history of Rajasthan embedded in itself as it is a palace which celebrates the grandeur of royal endeavor.
6. Narayan Niwas Palace: Situated very near the Jaisalmer Fort, Narayan Niwas Palace is convincingly one of the most iconic palaces in Jaisalmer that visitors should have in their bucket list. This palace is one of the best tourist destinations in Jaisalmer. The grandeur of the palace can be seen through its intricate details, aesthetic carvings, and large courtyard.

 

Top Things to Do in Jaisalmer:

There are several activities that can be done while being in Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer is an interesting place that lists so many fun things that can create a memorable arcade for anyone touring around. Desert Safaris can be thoroughly enjoyed which range along the long sand dunes, along with camel safaris and jeep safaris. With the mesmerizing desert as the backdrop, sunsets can be enjoyed during the golden hour. There are many famous temples of Jaisalmer that can be experienced. Desert camping can be thoroughly enjoyed and experienced under the night sky, which comes under the top things to do in Jaisalmer. There are a lot of festivals that Jaisalmer witnesses throughout the year, such as the Jaisalmer desert festival, and these festivals are worth experiencing the hype. The other things to enjoy include visiting Desert Culture Centre and Museum, going for shopping sprees at famous shopping places in Jaisalmer, and enjoying the cuisines that Jaisalmer has to provide.

 

 Top Restaurant in Jaisalmer:

While Jaisalmer has many options to give life to your taste palette, there are a few that truly stand out in terms of quality and taste. The Trio Restaurants, Dhani Restaurant, the Lal Garh and the Tibet Restaurant. These top restaurant in Jaisalmer  are filled with a wide variety of choices that cater to every preference. There are several rooftop cafes in Jaisalmer while several unique restaurants in Jaisalmer.

  

Top Hotels in Jaisalmer:

Jaisalmer gives a lot of luxurious options, and comfortable varieties where one can stay with all the facilities needed, as these come under the top hotels in Jaisalmer. The top hotels that are in the list are the Suryagarh Jaisalmer, the Serai, Jaisalmer Mariotte, Fort Rajwada and Hotel Rang Mahal. These hotels cater to every need and comfort for anyone visiting Jaisalmer. There are other hotels and resorts in Jaisalmer that also come under budget friendly options in the city.

 

What to Eat and Drink:

Jaisalmer provides so many options to try in the menu of cuisines, that can absolutely not be missed while being in the city. Some of the famous food among these are Dal Bati Churma and Ker Sangri which are premium choices. Laal Maas and Gatte Ki Sabzi are widely loved and tried by different people. Mohan Thaal and Rajasthani Thaali are very popular among the masses and are worth a try. The chai and thandai of Jaisalmer are the show-stealers and if you do not try it, you are going to regret it.

  

Where to Stay:

Jaisalmer provides a range of options to stay, ranging from luxurious accommodations to budget-friendly guesthouses. Staying in Jaisalmer Fort is an excellent option where visitors get direct access to the authentic experience of heritage makes it convenient to immerse in cultural experience. Another unique experience will be living in desert camps at the Sam Sand Dunes while enjoying the camel safaris and the stargazing nights. To have a peaceful and countryside vibe, staying outside the city can also be considered as it serves an ideal ambience for rejuvenation. Considering the budget and the itinerary, many budget-friendly accommodations are available which also serve as a better option depending on the preferences.  

  

How to Reach Jaisalmer?

Jaisalmer can be reached through multiple transportation, with options available via flight, train, and road.

•   By Air: Flights are available from major cities like Delhi and Mumbai to Jaisalmer city which takes around 2 to 2.5 hours. From the Jaisalmer airport, cabs are available to the main city as an easy route.
•  By Train: Via train, major cities like Delhi, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Ahmedabad, there is a route till the Jaisalmer Railway Station and these journeys take approximately 12 to 18 hours.
•   By Road: Nearby cities are connected to Jaisalmer via national highway. Both self-driving and cabs along with private buses are available for a drive. The time that it takes depends on the route taken.

 

How many days do you need in Jaisalmer?

A recommended stay of around 4-5 days can be taken in consideration to cover the city and all the tourist spots. An extended stay of a week can be kept in the itinerary to have a relaxed tour throughout.

 

Money Saving Tips:

A few tips to have a budget-friendly tour in Jaisalmer includes travelling during off-season, opting for budget accommodations and planning for the same in advance, using public transportation, negotiating prices and being careful about the extra costs.

 

About JCR Cab (Taxi, cab, tempo, bus, luxury bus):

JCR cabs is a cab service company that caters to the needs of visitors be it for a solo traveller or a large group. JCR cabs are easy to access, and they provide services such as taxi services in jaisalmer , cab services, tempo traveller services in jaisalmer and bus service, and luxury bus services in jaisalmer  , all the way to make it easier and hassle free for the visitors on their tour. They have a proper itinerary and well-trained staff who take care of the needs of the passengers. JCR Cabs take away the burden of exhausting travelling and makes it easy for the visitors to make their holidays memorable.

 

• Frequently Asked Questions:

1.       What are the must-visit attractions in Jaisalmer?

The most important spots that need to be visited are the Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon Ki Haveli, Gadisar Lake, Sam Sand Dunes, and Kuldhara Village.

 

2. What is the best time to visit Jaisalmer?

   Keeping the weather conditions in mind, visiting Jaisalmer during the winter months, from October to March, is the ideal time for visiting Jaisalmer.

 

3. How do I reach Jaisalmer?

Jaisalmer is connected by multiple transportation through air, train and road, as the city has its own airport (JSA), a railway station (JSM), and is well-routed by roads to major cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Jodhpur.

 

4. What are the popular activities to do in Jaisalmer?

   Popular activities in Jaisalmer include adventuring through forts and havelis, experiencing desert safari, cultural performances, going for shopping sprees, and tasting local cuisine.

 

5. Is it safe to visit Jaisalmer?

   Yes, Jaisalmer is very safe to visit, considering all the laws and ambience of the city.

 

6. What should I pack for a trip to Jaisalmer?

   Light-weighted clothes, sunscreen and sunglasses are essentials to cope up with the heat. Having extra cash and a camera is important to enjoy trip to the fullest.

 

7. How many days do I need to explore Jaisalmer?

   A typical 4-5 days are enough to explore Jaisalmer comfortably.