Jaisalmer Things to Do

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Jasialmer is a peaceful town with a spectacular citadel and splended palaces and havellis made of yellow sandstone which are splended examples of rajasthani stone work and these bulidings from it sgolden age stand clusted around its magnificent fort..Explore the Fort and its surrounding havelis an dlook for Salims singhs haveli, Patwon ki Havelli.The entrance of most havellis is on a plinth raised high above street level to prevent the dessert sand from blowing into the rooms.the outer of the havellis are lined with intricately carved facades and retain their traditional ambience.
From jaisalmer take a jeep trip to the sam village and a camel ride on the Great thar dessert.For the adventerous try out a dessert safari. touts will try to sell you one.

Bhang Lassi is an intoxicating traditional yogurt-type drink which is laced with a liquid form of cannabis. There are many different flavours, of which the sweet type is more popular. Liquid yoghurt(lassi) with a kick!
Bhang Lassi is legal in Rajasthan, and is sold at Goverment approved outlets.
Used at various religious and celebratory occasions by many Indians, it is extremely popular with western tourists. The Bhang shop at Jaisalmer is always doing a busy trade.
Feeling in need of a pick-up? Go have a Bhang Lassi.

I went on a 2 -days camel trek with 2 French girls, 2 porters and 4 camels. We took a jeep at the start of the trek and stopped in a temple and village before meeting the porters and the camels.
I have to point out that the porters were great; they really worked very hard to make sure we had a good time. I've never ridden a camel before but they are used to people and very docile. The desert views are great, sleeping by the dunes is an unforgettable experience and being the guess of the porters gives you a great opportunity to experience the hard life in the desert.

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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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The camels are very messy,snorting & spitting as they trot along, and they make a lot of funny noises(?) but the ride was such fun. The guide was always close by in case we needed him. We did not.Sunset is the very best time for this activity.........it was breathtaking. On the horizon, we could see other more camel-riders,silhouetted. And the quiet serenity of nature all around.
After the ride, the fireside meal at the camp ( we had around 40 people seated in a circle) was served, and then the real fun began!!Whirling dervish dancers,beating drums & cymbals, and fire-dancing....but beware, the dancers love to drag anyone up,and take part. I could not keep up, needless to say. But it was fun trying anyway. We were the only western tourists present, and got special attention...not something we like, though. All in all,it was a wonderful afternoon & evening. We got taken back by jeep to our hotel at about 10.30pm,tired, dirty but exhilirated.

You will make lots of friends by exploring the local villages. The photo opportunities are endless. I advice to have a pocket full of coins, saying that don't feel pressurized to give money for a photo. Follow your instincts and be more generous with the right people (the ones who don't ask for it).

The camel 'Rocket' decided to have a drink while we were in the safari. This was the only time the camels drank water. They were allowed to taste some local vegetation in the evening (the porters tied their front legs together with a rope to make sure they didn't go too far). Their dinner was a mix of grains from a sack.

This water reservoir is at the south east of the fort. It is a nice break from the busy and noise city. It has some interesting ghats and temples. I walked around the lake and came across some interesting local fauna.