Jaisalmer Tour Packages and Travel Guide: The Golden City of Rajasthan

Our Jaisalmer tour packages take you to the Golden City of Rajasthan, a town of honey-coloured stone in the heart of the Thar Desert. Walk through a living fort, ride a camel across the sand dunes and sleep under the stars in a desert camp. This guide tells you what to see, when to go, where to stay and which tour suits you best.

Welcome to the Golden City, Jaisalmer. Shamrock Journeys is a trusted Rajasthan tour operator. We plan all Jaisalmer private tours with your own car, driver and local guide.

Why Visit Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer was founded in 1156 by Rawal Jaisal, a Rajput king. For hundreds of years it was a rich stop on the camel trade routes across the desert. Its fort, havelis and temples are all built of yellow sandstone, which glows like gold at sunset. That is why Jaisalmer tour packages are a highlight of every Rajasthan desert tour.

• Jaisalmer Fort: a living fort and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• The Thar Desert: camel rides, jeep safaris and sunsets at Sam Sand Dunes.
• Desert camps: folk music, dance and dinner under the stars.
• Carved havelis: some of the finest stonework in India.

Top Places to Visit in Jaisalmer

All our Jaisalmer guided tours cover these famous places.

Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Quila)

Jaisalmer Fort rises from the desert like a giant sandcastle. It is one of the few living forts in the world, and many families still live inside its walls. A Jaisalmer Fort tour takes you through its narrow lanes, the royal palace and the carved Jain temples.

Patwon Ki Haveli

Patwon Ki Haveli is a group of five grand houses built by a rich merchant family. The stone balconies and windows are carved as finely as lace.

Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Nathmal Ki Haveli

These two havelis are known for their unusual shapes and detailed carving. Salim Singh Ki Haveli has a roof shaped like a peacock.

Gadisar Lake

Gadisar Lake is an old water tank ringed with small temples and shrines. Come at sunrise or sunset for a boat ride and beautiful photos.

Bada Bagh

Bada Bagh is a garden of royal memorials on a low hill outside the town. The domed pavilions look their best in the evening light.

Sam Sand Dunes

Sam Sand Dunes lie about 40 km from the town. This is the place for a Jaisalmer camel safari, a jeep ride over the dunes and a sunset you will never forget.

More Things to Do in Jaisalmer

• Walk through Kuldhara, a village that was abandoned two hundred years ago.
• Visit the quieter dunes at Khuri, south of the town.
• See the Jaisalmer War Museum and the Longewala war memorial.
• Drive to Tanot Mata Temple, close to the border.
• Look for rare birds in the Desert National Park.

Desert Safari and Desert Camp

Where: Sam Sand Dunes, Thar Desert, Jaisalmer.

A night in the desert is the heart of every Jaisalmer desert safari tour. You reach Sam Sand Dunes in the afternoon and ride a camel to the top of the dunes for sunset. Camel rides are slow and gentle, and jeep safaris are also available. In the evening, the desert camps come alive with a bonfire, folk music, Kalbelia dance and a Rajasthani dinner.

You can choose a simple camp or a Jaisalmer luxury desert camp, with large tents, proper beds and private bathrooms. Camps fill up fast from November to February, so please book early.

Our Jaisalmer Tour Packages

Every tour is private and can be changed to suit your dates and budget. These are our most popular Jaisalmer tour packages:

• 7-day Jaipur Jodhpur Jaisalmer tour: the Pink City, the Blue City and the Golden City, with a camel safari.
• 10-day Rajasthan tour: Jaipur, Ranthambore, Pushkar, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.
• 12-day Rajasthan tour: the full circuit of Rajasthan, with all six destinations.

• Jaisalmer desert safari package: a camel safari at Sam Sand Dunes with a cultural evening.
• Jaisalmer tour package with desert camp: two days in the Golden City and one night in a desert camp.
• Jaisalmer heritage tours: the fort, the Jain temples and the havelis with an expert guide.
• Jaisalmer cultural tours: village visits, folk music and local crafts.
• Jaisalmer and Thar Desert tour: the town, the dunes, Kuldhara and Khuri.
• Jaisalmer family tour packages: easy days, short camel rides and a safe, comfortable camp.
• Jaisalmer Udaipur tour package: the desert and the City of Lakes, by way of Jodhpur. Read our Udaipur guide.

Jaisalmer in Our Rajasthan Tour Packages

Jaisalmer is the desert chapter of our Rajasthan tour packages. A Jaisalmer Rajasthan tour fits well into longer trips:

• Rajasthan desert tour: Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner.
• Rajasthan heritage tour: the forts and palaces of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer.
• Jaipur Udaipur Jaisalmer tour package: the Pink City, the City of Lakes and the Golden City.
• Rajasthan private tour package: your own route, hotels and pace.

Suggested Jaisalmer Itineraries

This is how our Jaisalmer tour packages usually run.

Jaisalmer in Two Days

On day one, visit Jaisalmer Fort, the Jain temples and Patwon Ki Haveli, then watch the sunset at Gadisar Lake. On day two, see Bada Bagh and Kuldhara, then drive to Sam Sand Dunes for a camel ride, a cultural evening and a night in a desert camp.

Jaisalmer in Three Days

Follow the two-day plan, then add the War Museum, Longewala and Tanot Mata Temple, or spend a quiet day at the Khuri dunes.

Best Time to Visit Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer tour packages run mainly from October to March.

• October to March: the best time to visit Jaisalmer. Days are sunny and nights in the desert are cold.
• April to June: extremely hot. Most desert camps are closed.
• July to September: quiet, with a little rain and lower prices.

The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is held in February, with camel races, folk music and dance on the dunes.

How to Reach Jaisalmer

All our Jaisalmer tour packages include pick-up from your hotel, airport or railway station.

• By air: Jaisalmer airport has flights in the main season. At other times, fly to Jodhpur and drive from there.
• By train: trains link Jaisalmer with Jodhpur, Jaipur and Delhi.
• By road: Jaisalmer is about 285 km from Jodhpur, a drive of about five hours. Bikaner is about 330 km away.

Where to Stay in Jaisalmer

Our Jaisalmer tour packages offer a choice of luxury, deluxe and standard hotels. In town, you can stay in a carved haveli or a hotel with a view of the fort. At the dunes, you can choose from many desert camps. Most guests spend one or two nights in town and one night in the desert.

What to Eat and Buy in Jaisalmer

• Ker sangri: a desert dish of dried beans and berries.
• Dal baati churma: the best-known dish of Rajasthan.
• Ghotua ladoo: a local sweet.
• Shopping: camel leather goods, mirror-work embroidery, silver jewellery and stone carvings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days are enough for Jaisalmer?

Two to three days are enough, including one night in a desert camp.

Is a night in a desert camp worth it?

Yes. The sunset, the music and the night sky are what guests remember most about their Jaisalmer tour packages.

Are Jaisalmer tour packages good for families?

Yes. Children love the camel rides and the camp. We choose safe camps and plan an easy pace.

Can I combine Jaisalmer with other cities in Rajasthan?

Yes. Most guests travel from Jodhpur and go on to Bikaner, Jaipur or Udaipur.

When is the Jaisalmer Desert Festival?

It is held every February and lasts three days.

What should I pack for a desert safari?

Bring light cotton clothes, a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for the day, and a warm jacket for the night.

How much do Jaisalmer tour packages cost?

The price of Jaisalmer tour packages depends on the number of days, the hotels and camp you choose and the season. Tell us your plans and we will send a clear quotation.

Extend Your Journey

Many guests add more places to their Jaisalmer tour packages:

• Jodhpur: the Blue City and Mehrangarh Fort.
• Udaipur: the City of Lakes.
• Jaipur: the Pink City of India.

See all our India tour packages, browse places to visit in India or read our India travel tips.

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