Jaisalmer Things to Do

Especially for every Indian, the Indo-Pak border is an emotional thing. A must visit. Would suggest first going to Longewala - the scene of the epic 1971 battle. Then go to Tanot mata temple - one of the most revered temple on the western border. Take a permission from the army at the temple and go to the border. It's about 15 km from there. Was pretty emotional for me.

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A very nice experience!
The camel-safari-guys guided us through deserted towns, past wells, bush land and sand dunes. They made us chai and food. And this was actually the first time I tasted pakora. I loved it!
It was really nice to sleep under the stars in the desert, but it was cold, and it was also nice to get back to a bed at the hotel in Jaisalmer. Camels are not the most comfortable means transport...

Warning: We heard from other travellers that Sam Sand Dunes are very touristy and crowded at sunset. We wanted a more calm desert experience and got a relaxed and beautiful desert sunset.

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If you like many decide to stay overnight at the dunes, or even go for a sunset trip, there are a lot of people who provide these services. After much searching, the arrangements made by Swastika Hotel fit best.

Sunset viewing, camel-thing, and return per person from Sam dunes (pronounced: Sum) is about Rs300. Overnight stay is Rs1000. Either way their prices are competitive and can probably offer what you want, more comfortable overnight stays perhaps.

In case you plan to stay overnight, bring a torch and sheet with you. The hut they provide has no electricity. However, your host family will prepare a thoughtful meal and you can know more of the region's real life as you have your dinner amid lovely lambs and assertive goats. Good way to get an idea of how the majority of the community lives here everyday. Quite unforgettable. Especially if that night there happens to be a fierce sandstorm.... :)

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Built in 1156 by the Rajput ruler Jaisala (after which the city is named) , the fort has 99 bastions and stands on the 80m high hill of Trikuta.The last siege at this fort was in 1541, when Humayun took control of it. Being on the trade route, it was of strategic importance.
Its narrow lanes and alleys have many small shops, stalls and bazaars in them.
Along with the beautiful old havelis, there are also magnificent 12th century onwards Jain temples , a Hindu temple and many restuarants and hotels.
Most of the restuarants have fine views over the city, and are heavily frequented by locals and tourists. A perfect place to have a drink or a meal, and watch the sun set.
This fort is the second largest fort in Rajasthan after Chittorgarh, and the only living fort in the world. Sadly- its infrastructure is in peril

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Every year (around Jan-Feb) the Desert Festival is a huge attraction around Jaisalmer.
This colourful event attracts tourists and locals- and is filled with colour, music, dancing and competitions of various catagories.

Snake charmers, acrobats, and puppeteers will mesmerise you.

Camels, the ships of the desert, play an important role, and the camel races are wildly cheered on by onlookers. There is also an exhibition of polo-played on the backs of camels,with their owners dressed in traditional Rajasthani costume.

Rajasthani folk culture is also proudly displayed. Rajasthani men, with their impressive moustaches, and beautiful women dressed in bright costumes sing plaintive ballads ,while the musicians vie for superiority playing their traditional instruments.
Turban tying competition, along with 'Most Impressive Moustache' is extremely amusing. .

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It is an annual affair. So one needs to get the timing right. The dates are fixed quite in advance, and can be checked from the net! There are several activities involved, but I managed the Camel Race! What an event!!! To see the riders having a tough time with some camels and others pulling it through... I bet, these camels are real good animals to watch out for!

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The camel safari should be a long one. I had been taken to a spot from where the Sam desert was about 9-10km. So it was a bumpy camel ride, but a fascinating one. I also tried a camel race. The best part was that my camel was kind of extreme friendly with any camel that passed by, and tried to snuggle a bit, which I thought was his way of kissing! It was great fun...

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The fort is the biggest tourist attraction of the city, it houses a quarter of the population in this city, this effectively ensures that it is badly maintained, with cattle plying the narrow alleys as well as umpteen beggars!
There is a jain temple, the maharaja and rani palaces- now converted into a museum, loads of shopping and restaurants inside this fort. We visited the same last in this city, we liked the Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur more than this one.