Which heritage monuments should you visit in Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer was founded in 1156 by the Rajput king Rawal Jaisal. All the heritage monuments in Jaisalmer belong to that era and the later years, like the 12th century to the 13th century. All these monuments are still preserved very well, and you can visit them on your sightseeing tour of Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer Fort

We can say without any doubt that the number one tourist attraction of Jaisalmer is the Jaisalmer Fort. The fort is a must-visit site in any Jaisalmer trip itinerary. The Rajput king Rawal Jaisal built this fort in the same year in which he founded Jaisalmer in 1156. Today, the fort is one of the largest forts in Rajasthan, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most amazing thing about this fort is that 4000 to 5000 people of Jaisalmer still live inside the fort. They are the descendants of the original population of Jaisalmer. The fort is so large that you will have to keep aside at least 3-4 hours to visit the fort and its various sections. There are numerous havelis and temples inside the fort. You can walk on the cobblestone paths and visit these places.

Havelis

Jaisalmer is a place with spectacular havelis, and one of the best havelis is Patwon ki Haveli. This particular haveli is not just a single haveli, but a collection of five different havelis. The haveli building has a huge courtyard from where you can view and admire the spectacular haveli architecture and carvings. All the havelis in Jaisalmer are made of yellow sandstone and have incredible architecture, carvings and intricate jaali work. You can visit the museum inside the haveli and view the rooms, chambers and medieval furniture. Some other havelis you can visit in Jaisalmer are Salim Singh ki Haveli and Nathmal ki Haveli.

Memorials

In Jaisalmer, you can visit many memorial sites, and these have incredible chhatris on top of them. These chhatris are typical of Rajasthani architecture, and they look like an overturned umbrella. You can visit some memorial sites like Bada Bagh and Vyas Chhatri. The memorials were built to honour the kings and rulers of Jaisalmer. The most spectacular feature of these memorials is their architectural beauty and incredible carvings. Bada Bagh is, in fact, so famous that many Bollywood song sequences were shot here. It is also a favourite pre-wedding shoot location.

Kuldhara Heritage Village

This is a heritage village near Jaisalmer where you can view the ruins and heritage sites. The village has many houses, and you can take a walk on the streets of Kuldhara and view the ruined houses, which are still preserved carefully. The amazing fact about this village is that the residents abandoned their houses in a single night for unknown reasons and left the village in ruins.

Museums

You can visit various museums in Jaisalmer, where you can view the heritage collection of antiquities of Rajasthan. The rich collection includes puppets, ancient manuscripts, sculptures, musical instruments, textiles, wooden carvings, etc. Some of the museums where you can view these things are the Desert Culture Centre, Government Museum, and Thar Heritage Museum. The Jaisalmer War Museum and Longewala War Memorial are museums dedicated entirely to the Indo-Pak wars and have battle tanks and fighter aircraft used in the wars. You can view photographs, trophies, unexploded bombs, ammunition, weapons and other things related to the Indian army.

Tanot Mata Temple

The temple has been a very important place of tourism in Jaisalmer. The temple played a major role in the Indo-Pak 1971 war, and therefore has a special tourist attraction. It is said that the deity of this temple did not let any bombs explode when Pakistani forces fired them. It saved the lives of many soldiers in this divine way. The temple is maintained by the BSF (Border Security Force), and you can visit a small museum where these unexploded bombs are kept.

Gadisar Lake

Though this is a man-made lake, you can enjoy its scenic beauty. You can spend some time near the lake and enjoy the views of temples, shrines, memorials, and chhatris all around the lake. Special attractions in the lake are the catfish, and you can feed them.

Sam sand dunes

To view the best sand dunes landscape in Jaisalmer, you will have to visit the Sam sand dunes area. Here you can view the endless desert dunes spread over a wide area. There are many desert camps here where you can stay for the night and enjoy the Best desert safari in Jaisalmer. The Jaisalmer desert camp packages are the best way to book a trip to Sam and enjoy the desert camping experience.

Khuri sand dunes

Like Sam, Khuri is also an area of sand dunes, but it is more isolated and remote compared to Sam. You will not see crowds of tourists at Khuri, and therefore, it offers more privacy than Sam. You can stay in the earthen mud houses of the locals here and have an authentic tribal experience. The artisans here have incredible artistic skills, and you can view the pottery items which they make.

Desert National Park

The Jaisalmer travel guide 2026 also includes national parks, and one of the finest in Jaisalmer is the Desert National Park. You can view desert creatures here and vast desert landscapes in this park. The park guides will explain the delicate ecosystem of this park and show you spots where you are likely to view desert creatures.

Amar Sagar Lake

The lake is a bit dry, but when you make a trip to Jaisalmer after the monsoon rains, you might see the water in the lake. There is a Rajasthani temple and shrine near the lake, and you must visit this temple to view the incredible sandstone carvings and temple architecture.

Lodhruva

The site of Lodhruva has a magnificent temple with incredible architecture and carvings. The place was the capital city of the past kingdoms of Jaisalmer, and today it is a tourist site. You can include Lodhruva in the Jaisalmer trip package.

Khaba Fort

This is a much smaller fort compared to Jaisalmer Fort and is located in a remote location near Jaisalmer. But you can visit this fort for its heritage beauty and vintage appeal. The local population of Jaisalmer inhabited Khaba Fort, but they abandoned it completely at one time in history.

Jaisalmer Desert Festival

The major festival which takes place in Jaisalmer is the Jaisalmer Desert Festival. You can book the Jaisalmer desert safari camp package from Here4Trip and enjoy the festival. In 2026, the festival will take place from January 30 to February 1. During this time, you can enjoy various events at the festival like traditional music and dance performances, camel races, camel polo, turban tying, moustache competitions and much more.

What things to do in Jaisalmer

In a place like Jaisalmer, where you may view only the desert sands, you can do so many adventurous things. You just need our best Rajasthan tour packages to visit Jaisalmer and do these things. You can visit heritage monuments in Jaisalmer city and enjoy desert activities in the Sam or Khuri sand dunes. All these activities are highly exciting and will make your Jaisalmer holidays even more memorable.

• Visit Jaisalmer Fort and view the striking architecture of the fort and temples inside.
• View incredible architecture and carvings of the havelis like Nathmal ki Haveli, Patwon ki Haveli, and Salim Singh ki Haveli.
• Boat ride in Gadisar Lake
• Camel safari in Sam sand dunes
• Visit Bada Bagh and Vyas Chhatri and view the incredible sandstone architecture and sunsets.
• View desert wildlife in Desert National Park
• View the abandoned Kuldhara Heritage Village
• Experience the divine power of the deity at Tanot Mata Temple
• Adventure things in Sam sand dunes safari, like paramotoring, quad biking, dune bashing
• Enjoy the Rajasthani dance and music performances in the evening at the desert camp
• Marvel at the incredible architecture of the temple at Lodhruva
• View the war exhibits at Jaisalmer War Museum
• Eat Rajasthani food and dishes in restaurants
• Enjoy a desert camp stay for a night

Desert experiences in Jaisalmer

These activities are done primarily in the desert sites near Jaisalmer city. You can try all these activities in the Jaisalmer desert camp packages.

Camel rides

• Duration: 4.30 AM to 6.00 PM (Sunrise camel safari), 5 PM to 7 PM (Sunset camel safari)
• Cost: Rs 1000 per person. Rs 2500 per person
• Places: Sam sand dunes, Khuri sand dunes, Lodhruva sand dunes

Desert camping

• Duration: 1 (one night stay) or evening stay only, also 2 (two) night stay
• Cost: Rs 2900 to Rs 5500 per night (depending on package)
• Places: Sam sand dunes, Khuri sand dunes

Jeep safari

• Duration: 45 to 60-minute jeep safari ride with dune bashing, 1.5 to 2 hours (depending on package)
• Cost: Basic is Rs 500 per person for 1-hour jeep safari, Rs 3500 per jeep for a private jeep safari
• Places: Sam sand dunes, Khuri sand dunes

Dune bashing

• Duration: 30 minutes to one hour
• Cost: Rs 500 per person for a standard 30-minute ride, Rs 3500 for a 4x4 jeep, prices can depend on the type of vehicle, like Fortuner, Jeep or Quad Bike.
• Places: Sam sand dunes, Khuri sand dunes

Quad biking

• Duration: 10 to 20 minutes
• Cost: Rs 1350 per person for basic starting package (includes helmet, instructor, knee cap and quad bike ride
• Places: Sam sand dunes, Khuri sand dunes

Paramotoring

• Duration: 15 minutes
• Cost: Rs 4500 per person for a 10 to 15-minute flight (depending on provider and package)
• Places: Kanoi village on the Sam sand dunes road

Stargazing

• Duration: 1 to 2 hours
• Cost: Rs 2000 per person (includes instructor and telescope charges)
• Places: Sam sand dunes, Khuri sand dunes, Jaisalmer Fort, Desert National Park

Cultural performances

• Duration: 2 to 4 hours (after sunset) (includes live folk singers and dancers, bonfire, colourful costumes, Rajasthani food)
• Cost: generally included in the package, ranging from Rs 2500 to Rs 4000 per person
• Places: Sam sand dunes, Khuri sand dunes, Jaisalmer Fort, Gadisar Lake, Kuldhara

Combined Packages

You can book the Jaisalmer desert camp packages, which include camel rides, jeep safari, folk dances, buffet dinner, and tent camping. The cost of this package depends on the package inclusions and customisations it includes. A standard package may cost you Rs 1500 per person for a standard package to Rs.2500 per person for an overnight package with camp stay. A more luxurious package can cost you Rs. 7000 to Rs. 8000 per couple. You can contact Here4Trip and know the exact prices and rates.

What to buy and where to shop in Jaisalmer

Shopping is a favourite activity for tourists in Jaisalmer. These markets are spread all over Jaisalmer and offer a Rajasthani shopping experience to visitors.

Sadar Bazaar

• This market is best for buying local handicrafts such as paintings, wooden items, textiles, garments, jewellery, carpets, etc.
• What to buy: bandhani dupatta, sarees, scarves, anklets, bangles, necklaces, leather bags, sandals, wallets, accessories
• Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM

Sonaron ka Baas

• The particular market is famous for its gold jewellery items. The artisans here have been traditional gold jewellery makers for many decades. You can buy traditional gold jewellery items with interesting designs and patterns in Sonaron ka Baas.
• What to buy: gold jewellery and stone-studded ornaments, bridal jewellery, temple jewellery, jewellery embedded with precious and semi-precious stones.
• Timings: 9 AM to 9 PM

Pansari Bazaar

• This is a very old market in Jaisalmer, and you can buy Rajasthani handicraft items here. This market is famous as Villager’s Market as it offers ethnic items, traditional dresses, puppets, home décor items, etc.
• What to buy: woollen/ cotton carpets and rugs, Rajasthani miniature paintings, handmade jutis
• Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM

Manak Chowk

• This market is just outside of Jaisalmer Fort, and you will find traditional dresses, garments, jewellery items, leather items and a lot more items here.
• What to buy: traditional jewellery items like rings, necklaces, trinkets, earrings, gemstone jewellery, brass utensils, home décor items, antique decorative items, sandstone utensils
• Timings: 10 AM to 8 PM

Bhatia Bazaar

• It is also a very old market, and you can buy traditional Rajasthani items. This market is located near Jaisalmer Fort and is bustling with tourists and sellers. You can get daily-use items here and also antique home décor items.
• What to buy: cotton and silk fabrics in traditional prints, Bandhani and Leheriya, kurta, spices
• Timings: 9 AM to 8 PM

Seema Gram

• This is a store where you can buy ethnic garments, jewellery, khadi clothes and Rajasthani handicraft items.
• What to buy: scarves, shawls, khadi clothes, dupattas
• Timings: 9 AM to 7 PM

Where to stay in Jaisalmer

Here4Trip will arrange the stay and accommodation in Jaisalmer. The stay will be in Jaisalmer city hotels and in the desert camp at Sam. You will find most hotels in Jaisalmer Fort itself, and others are near the fort in Jaisalmer city. Almost all the hotels are Rajasthani-themed hotels with aesthetic Rajasthani-inspired architecture and interiors. The hotels are in 3-star and 4-star categories, and luxury hotels are of the 5-star category. The desert camps are luxury types and they have double beds, attached bathrooms, and other facilities. There is a common dining area in the desert camp, and some luxury camps have private verandahs. Some popular hotels in Jaisalmer are shown below.

Budget hotels (2-star hotels)

• Chirag Haveli
• Hotel Oasis Haveli Jaisalmer
• Moustache Jaisalmer
• Golden Marigold Hotel
• Hotel Neeraj

Mid-range hotels (3-star hotels)

• Hotel Garh Jaisal Haveli
• Boutique Helsinki
• Hotel Lal Garh Fort and Palace
• Hotel Tokyo Palace
• Himmatgarh Palace

Luxury hotels (4-star hotels)

• Rang Mahal Jaisalmer
• Hotel Rawalkot Jaisalmer
• Desert Tulip Jaisalmer
• Hotel Golden Haveli
• Chokhi Dhani The Palace Hotel Jaisalmer

Heritage luxury hotels (5-star hotels)

• Fort Rajwada, Jaisalmer
• Jaisalmer Marriott Resort & Spa
• Taj Gorbandh Palace, Jaisalmer

Desert camps in Jaisalmer

• Winds Desert Camp
• Sam Sand Dunes Camps
• Prince Desert Camp
• Shama Desert Camp
• Maharaja Desert Camp

Where to eat in Jaisalmer

You can relish Rajasthani food in Jaisalmer and eat the typical Rajasthani dishes in restaurants. You will, of course, get full meals in the in-house restaurants of hotels, but apart from that, the street food you will get in Jaisalmer is very delicious and has an authentic taste and aroma.

Dishes you must try in Jaisalmer

• Ker Sangri: a vegetable dish made from beans and a kind of berry that is grown in the desert areas of Jaisalmer
• Ghotua Ladoo: a sweet dish, which is made from chickpea flour and ghee, mixed and made into balls and then sprinkled with cardamom and saffron
• Dal Pakwan: a combination of pakwan and dal, where pakwan is a deep-fried puri (bread) and dal is a lentil curry.
• Gatte ki Sabzi: a vegetarian dish which is made from gram flour, which is spiced with masalas and then made into small dumplings and served with yoghurt gravy.
• Dal Baati Churma: This is basically a lentil dish where a combination of dal, baati and churma is served with onions and pickles. Baati is a type of bread which is made hard, and churma is a sweet made from flour.
• Laal Maas & Safed Maas: non-vegetarian dish made of spicy mutton, which is cooked in spicy red chilly gravy paste with yoghurt. Safed maas is a milder form of this dish. It is served with roti and rice.
• Pyaaz Kachori: a deep-fried dish with spicy filling of onions, and served with chutneys like mint and tamarind.
• Mirchi Vada: a vegetarian dish, where spicy chillies are dipped in gram flour batter and then deep fried and served with onions and chutneys.
• Kulhad Chai: This type of tea is served in a kulhad (clay cup), and the clay gives an earthy aroma and taste to the tea.
• Sweets (Ghevar, Malpua, Rabri)
• Bhang Lassi (Lassi with Cannabis): Lassi is sprinkled with some bhang (cannabis). Local lassi shops in Jaisalmer are authorised to serve the cannabis-laced lassi.
• Makhania Lassi: thick frothy lassi with cream on top, which lends a creamy texture to the lassi.
• Bengali Thali: This traditional Bengali thali is served in Jaisalmer, as there are a lot of Bengali tourists. The thali has an assortment of various dishes like Aloo Poshto, tomato chutney, cooked rice, cholar dal, paneer paturi and luchi (fried flatbread).
• Kulfi: This is a dessert dish, and it is made from slow-boiling sweetened milk and frozen to form an ice cream.

Restaurants/ sweet shops/ places to eat in Jaisalmer

• Dhanraj Bhatia Sweets: You will get traditional Rajasthani sweets like Ghotua laddoo, etc.
• Natraj Restaurant: an immensely popular restaurant in Jaisalmer serving Continental, Chinese and Indian dishes.
• The Trio Restaurant: Near Mandir Palace and located in Gandhi Chowk, serving Chinese and Continental dishes in vegetarian and non-vegetarian varieties.
• Jaisal Italy Restaurant: Most recommended for the fort view and specialising in Italian and Indian dishes
• Kuku Coffee Shop: located near Jaisalmer Fort, and is famous for its snacks, coffee, and beverages
• Chandan Shree Restaurant : is in Hanuman Circle and offers a range of traditional Rajasthani dishes and snacks.
• Dosa Corner: This is a street food stall which offers different kinds of dosa and a variety of toppings.
• Fotiya's Restaurant Café: offering a range of Korean food dishes along with chaat and a variety of beverages.
• Trikaal Street Café: best for street food lovers and offering a variety of street food dishes like masala maggi, paneer tikka, tandoori chai, etc.
• The Panorama Jaisalmer: this is an open-air rooftop restaurant that offers panoramic views of Jaisalmer and Indian and Asian food dishes.
• Kabab Corner Restaurant: offers delicious brunch dishes and a variety of street food dishes with rooftop views of Jaisalmer.
• Fateh Chand Deewanchand Kachori Wala: offers a variety of freshly-made kachori.
• Cafe Choco Craze (CCC): popular among tourists and teenagers, and offering a range of chocolate dishes, shakes, and waffles

Best time to visit Jaisalmer

You can book the Jaisalmer trip package during the winter season (October to March). Another season which is best for visiting Jaisalmer is from the fourth week of August, all through September and October. The monsoon rains will have receded, and the skies will be clear during this time. Ignore the summer season and rainy season, as Jaisalmer is not a good place to visit during these seasons.

How to reach Jaisalmer

• Flight: You can take direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, and Jaipur to Jaisalmer. However, there are no direct flights from Chennai and Kolkata. In such a situation, a better option would be to take a flight to Jodhpur and then hire a cab to Jaisalmer.
• Train: This is a better option to reach Jaisalmer. There are many trains that you can board from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Chennai and other cities to reach Jaisalmer. Some trains are the Delhi Jaisalmer Express, Lalgarh Jaisalmer Special, and Howrah Jaisalmer Express. Normally, a train takes around 16-18 hours to reach Jaisalmer from Delhi. It is better to take an overnight train as the journey is long. AC compartments are better if you are travelling during the summer season. Runicha Express reaches Jaisalmer from Delhi in about 17 hours and 35 minutes.
• Bus: A bus journey is too long and tiring, so you can switch the bus from Jaipur or Jodhpur if you are travelling from Delhi. You can board the sleeper coach bus and travel by night and reach Jaisalmer in the morning. You can book sleeper coaches from Bikaner or Udaipur, too.
• Road: It is also commonly seen that people take rental cabs or self-drive rental cars from Delhi to reach Jaisalmer by road. It is good to make a night halt at cities like Jaipur or Ajmer, as it will be a long journey by road. Take small halts at tea stalls or take some time for photo breaks during the drive. It will be a lot less tiring, and you can also get refreshed.

How to travel in Jaisalmer

You can mostly travel on foot if the places are located at close distances, i.e. 4-5 km distance. But you will get auto rickshaws and cabs if you want to travel longer distances and visit sightseeing places. Here4Trip offers its best AC cabs in the Jaisalmer trip packages.

Jaisalmer Travel Tips

• You must carry cash and cards as you may need both in Jaisalmer. You might not get ATM facilities at all places in Jaisalmer, and that is why you will need an extra amount of cash. Auto rickshaw drivers will only accept cash or GPay if it is available.
• Avoid getting out of the hotel in the afternoon and carry water bottles and electrolyte packets for hydration.
• You will need shoes with a better grip and sturdy build to walk on the cobblestone paths of the fort and the rugged desert terrain. Avoid wearing slippers, chappals, or sandals as they will not be able to withstand the rugged terrain of Jaisalmer.
• Do not pay attention to scams and false claims, and try to identify genuine package deals and consult your friends about this.
• Wear light cotton clothes, hats, and sunglasses to keep out the sunrays.
• The air can turn chilly at night, so carry sweaters, jackets, windcheaters, and light woollen wear.
• Apply sunscreen before you go to the desert camps and camel rides, as you can get sunburn because of the hot sun.
• Carry a reusable water bottle, moisturiser, toiletries, medicines, and a first-aid kit.
• Always book desert camps and hotels in Jaisalmer in advance, and do not delay the booking as it tends to be full in no time.
• Early mornings are best to explore Jaisalmer Fort and other attractions.
• Plan your Jaisalmer sightseeing trips so that you can visit these places at the most convenient times.
• You must try Rajasthani dishes and street food in popular restaurants and street food shops.
• Book a stay in the heritage havelis and desert camps so that you get an authentic stay experience.

FAQs

Conclusion

You might have got the idea about tourism in Jaisalmer with this Jaisalmer travel guide 2026. The most amazing thing about Jaisalmer is that it is not just a heritage city, but also has many adventure activities in store for tourists. You can not only visit heritage monuments but also have a thrilling time in the Thar Desert near Jaisalmer. You will, of course, enjoy the luxury hotel stay in Jaisalmer city, but the desert camping experience in Jaisalmer is truly an exciting thing to do. If you have never visited Jaisalmer, then Here4Trip has many Jaisalmer tour packages for you. A trip to Jaisalmer will be one of the unforgettable holidays in Rajasthan.