From Wikitravel

Jaisalmer, the "Golden City", is located on the westernmost frontier of India in the state of Rajasthan. Close to the border with Pakistan, the city is known for its proximity to the Thar Desert. Desert Safari in the sand dunes of Jaisalmer is an unforgettable experience.

The city is dominated by the Jaisalmer Fort. Unlike most forts in India, the Jaisalmer Fort is a living fort. There are shops, hotels, age old havelis (homes) inside the fort area.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

A military airstrip has recently been opened to limited civilian flights, with Kingfisher planning to offer flights to Delhi. A new, dedicated airport is planned for 2011.

[edit] By train

There is a direct train service from Old Delhi. Delhi- Jaisalmer Express "Shalimar Exp", departure time at 5.30pm, reaches jaisalmer at 11.30 am next morning. When arriving by train you will pass the station of Pokharan, India's nuclear testing area! The Train leaves NOT from the Station New Dehli next to the Backpacker-Ghetto "Main-Bazar", but a 15min-Rikscharide nort from the Dehli Jn - Station. We almost missed the always fully bokked Train. BTW, booking a "expensive" 3AC (850Rp) or better Ticket is a good invetion, because you will freeze you a%& off in the Sleeper Class with the open windows in Winter.

[edit] By bus

Bus or car-taxi from Jodhpur or by bus from Bikaner. A daily bus runs to and from Jaipur.

[edit] By car

Approximate road distances from various destinations are

Agra	800 km
Ajmer	440 km
Bikaner	330 km
Jaipur	570 km
Jodhpur	300 km
Mumbai	1140 km
New Delhi	800 km
Udaipur	575 km

[edit] By camel

Another option is to arrive by camel; Jaisalmer is famous for camel trips. The most grueling is the 14 day trip from Bikaner. When booking a few days in the desert on a camel, remember to shop around in order to get the quality you pay for.

[edit] Get around

The small city can be easily covered by foot but bikes are also available for rent (near Desert Boy's) to explore the city and outside

[edit][add listing] See

One of the most magnificent attractions is the Jaisalmer Fort known as the "Sonar Kila" due to the yellow stone it was built out of.

GadiSar Lake: is a rainwater lake which supplies water to the city. It is surrounded by temples and tombs of saints. Boat rides are offered. Nearby is the desert cultural centre and a local museum built out of the collections of a local schoolteacher Mr N.K.Sharma. This centre conducts puppet show in the morning and evening

Jaisalmer Fort:

Jaisalmer fort is also known as the “Sonar Quila”. Colourful shades of the setting sun and golden hues of the desert ambience give a fairy tale look to this mega structured fort. The interior of this fort is amazing. Tourists can also visit many havelis of rich merchants, which are also having a touch of great classical interior and design.

Jain Temple: There are 7 beautifully curved temples built inside the fort walls. These temples were built in between from 12th century to 15th century. All the temples are connected by walkways and corridors. It is compulsory to remove your shoes, and all other leather articles (belts, wallets, purses etc...) before entering any Jain temple. The very first temple which a tourist can visit is dedicated to Chandraprabhu, who is the eight tirthankar (Jain God). The symbol of the God Chandraprabhu is the moon. This temple was built in 1509. It is built with fine stones.

[edit][add listing] Do

Just chill, Jaisalmer is a lovely and very relaxing place. Plan at least two days and add time you want to have in the desert. Go for a stroll, visit the palace and do the camel safari (trips available from a few hours to 14 days). If you do not feel remotely attracted to camels, try a jeep safari into the desert to see the scenery and watch the sun go down. Below the fort are several magnificent havelis with intricate stone carving. Several can be visited for minimal charges and are well worth seeking out. It is more comfortable to wander in the city before 9am when there is not many tourists, less shops opened/hassle and still fresh air.

Camel safari is organized by different tour operators and travel agents in Rajasthan. Most of the camel safaris are organized in Bikaner, Osian, Jaisalmer and Pushkar. This camel safari trip can be of 2 to 7 days and if someone wishes to extend it, it can go up to one month. Short trips give a glimpse of the desert to the tourists. Jaisalmer is the land of desert and most of the camel safaris start from this city. In most of the trips, one camel is allotted to one person and a camel cart is also provided with the group which carries all the food material, tents and other stuff. Typical operators for desert/camel safari in Jaisalmer are

• sahara travel. ~1000Rs/pers/night (non-negociated price).  edit
• Trotters. (2:15pm-1pm) with diner/breakfast/water ~1500Rs/pers/night (non-negociated price).  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

The usual: in Jaisalmer this means items made of >camel leather >embroidery-silk and cotton. Most of the works are done locally or by the 'widows' of villages. There is a shop inside the fort just opposite the 'German Bakery' which has a good collection of the handcrafted garments and bedsheets. >silver jewelry. >Antiques (knives, swords, utensils etc) Within the fort there is an amazing silver artist named Roop Kashore. His custom, hand made rings are worth checking out. Local advice is to seek out shops outside of the fort for better value and service.

• Jewel Caravan, Sadar Bazaar (Next to Dhanraj Bhatia sweet shop), ☎ 918239101312, [1]. 9h-21h. Large choice of silver jewellery, tibetan jewellery, precious and semi-precious gemstones. Lovely Kashmiri textiles collection. Singing bowls and statues. Great place. Just opened 2 months ago. (26.91501,70.913551) edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

Lots of local eateries which offer sumptuous lunches and dinners for a measly Rs 20.

• 8July, Just inside the fort walls. Owned and run by a lovely husband and wife couple and boast home made apple pie and vegimite toast, mostly organic and all prepared fresh to order. They also make their own homemade ice cream. There is outdoor seating that overlooks the bustling rickshaw pick up and drop area just inside the fort walls which is fun to watch. The spaghetti and pizza are highly recommended!!  edit

• Artist Hotel Restaurant Near the sunset view point - in the middle of the Jaisalmer artist colony. The very best food in town(50Rs). Everything is made fresh. You will get western (also nice Austrian food) food as well as very nice Indian dishes. The restaurant is placed on rooftop and you can enjoy your meal while listening to rajastani music performed live! The service is not good at all...specially if you are Indian! The service is pathetic and the surroundings are dirty! Best avoided!

• Desert Haveli Guest House (Jaisalmer India), In the national museum/monument fort of Jaisalmer (Nr to jain temples), ☎ +912992251555, [2]. 24. This exotic heritage hotel is situated in the national monument/museum Jaisalmer fort at high altitude on the rampart, in a closed ended street. It offers the unique experience of staying in an ancient historical fort. This is the ONLY place which provides tourists with a golden opportunity to stay in a building that was once alloted as a place of residence to a noble person who held the position of Divisional Magistrate. It has been converted into a popular guest house with due permission from the archeological survey department. 2000.00.  edit

• Lakeview Lounge Restaurant, On Fort, Kotri Para, Jaisalmer (On the fort and attached to Hotel Surja), ☎ 0091-02992-254138, [3]. 24 Hours. This restaurant serves some of the best food I've had while traveling. The Porridge w/ Banana Honey (40rs), Mushroom Cheese Tomato Burger (65rs) and the 'Speghatti Spinesh Tomato Cheese' (70rs) are highly recommended but almost everything we ate was delicious and reasonably priced for the area. The service is excellent as well because of the speed and courtesy of their staff. The restaurant has some of the best views in all of Jaisalmer, at the second level of the restaurant. They also have free WiFi at the restaurant and the attached Hotel Surja. Mains 40-90.  edit

• Seema Restaurant, Just outside the fort.. The main appeal is everything is made fresh. Only bad thing is the restaurant is a little dingy. Really good and cheap food (50Rs).  edit

• Anchal Sweet Shop, In main market. Fresh Kachori & Samosa.  edit
• The Seven Spice Restaurant, Gandhi Chowk (Maansarowar Guest House), ☎ 9571634057. 0700 - 2300. the seven spice restaurant give you a real taste of Indian spice with Indian cuisine or Tibetan food. located at heart of the city with nice market view. best sunset location 100 - 350.  edit
• Midtown restaurant (eating meeting point), gopa chowk (main gopa chowk), ☎ 9414052144, [4]. 7am to 11 pm. we presenting our special menu with great indian,chinese,continantle,italian food with rajasthani cousin. the unique view of The Golden Fort. watch the sunrise and natural light reflection on golden fort....and in dinner time fort covered with yello lighting...try our homemade Dutch Apple Pie..  edit

[edit][add listing] Drink

Drink delectable bhang lassi at the government authorized shop close to the entrance of the fort. Packs of bhang-infused cookies and chocolates are also available for takeaway, and can be savored on trips into the desert to great effect. A word of caution, it can take a while before you get high from Bhang, hence you should not take multiple drinks in quick succession. Not more than a glass should be consumed by first timers unless you want to spend next day holding your bed trying not to fall.

• Midtown restaurant (eating meeting point), gopa chowk (main gopa chowk), ☎ 09414052144, [5]. 7amto11pm. This is multicuisine restaurant.we have unique view of The Golden Fort from our roof.we present great Indian, Chinese. Continental, Italian food with rajasthani cousin. Try our Delicious dishes and homemade dutch apple pie....  edit

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Hotel Shree Govindam, Near Hanuman Circle (Geeta Ashram Road), ☎ +91 9414150528, [6]. checkin: After 11 AM; checkout: 9 AM. 10 AC double rooms, hot & cold water, 24-hr service, safari booking facility, and restaurant with full fort view. From its terrace you can also see a sunrise or sunset while enjoying a cocktail. 1000 C.P..  edit

• Garh Jaisal, on fort, [7]. opened in 2006 and overlooks the entrance to the fort. It has an amazing rooftop deck overlooking the city. Each room is decorated like a jewel tone.  edit

• Hotel Moonlight, Opp. Head Post Office, Hanuman Circle, ☎ +91-2992-250267, [8]. checkin: 12.00 Noon; checkout: 12.00 Noon. Traditional-style hotel, rooftop restaurant.>  edit

• Hotel Jaisal Palace, Behind Royal Palace, Gandhi Chowk, ☎ +91- 2992 - 252717, [9]. checkin: 12.00 Noon; checkout: 12.00 Noon. from 600 to 2100.  edit
• Thar Vilas, [10].  edit

• Shanti Residency, S-5, Transport Nagar, ☎ +91-9414149138, [11]. checkin: 12PM; checkout: 12PM. Located at a very approachable area on the State High Way No.11. consists of 24 well equipped and well furnished rooms. The facilities include a multi cuisine Restaurant and a banquet hall with capacity of 70-90. Rs. 1250.  edit

• Artist Hotel (Royal Guest House), Artist Colony, Jaisalmer, 345001, ☎ 02992-252082, [12]. Built for fun and cultural exchange. The profits go towards a social cause. Rooftop restaurant with live music nearly every night. Fan, no internet, laundry 10Rs/kg, breakfeast as extra, sometimes noisy because of dogs Rs. 180-600.  edit

• Hotel Surja Guest House (Hotel Surja), On Fort, Kotri Para, Jaisalmer (Free Taxi from Bus/Train Station), ☎ 0091-02992-254138, [13]. checkin: 24 Hours; checkout: 10am. Located on the fort with one of the best views in Jaisalmer. They have rooms varying from 300 to 800Rs. depending on the room and view. They have a free taxi pickup if you contact them in advance...pretty much arrival time, phone or email (surjagh@hotmail.com). They have free WiFi for the hotel as well as their attached Lakeview Lounge Restaurant (see restaurant section). This hotel management/staff is not reliable. They over-promise and under-deliver. Foreign guests are particularly misled about the their travel offerings. 300-800Rs..  edit

• Titanic Hotel, Shiv Marg (near Fort), ☎ +91 9414760047. comfy, relaxed place, very entertaining owner polu will pick you up from train station if you call in advance. roof-top restaurant / lounge with good Indian and authentic Korean food. Nice old building with fort view. mailto: polutitanic2001@yahoo.com Rs100 per person per night (as of April 2010).  edit

• Hotel Priya, C.V.S. Colony, Jaisalmer (Behind public hospital), ☎ *02992-252755- 250577, [14]. checkin: 24 hours; checkout: 12:00 PM. Located in the heart of Jaisalmer builded in a traditional Rajasthani style, well decorated, offering different types of rooms and surrounded by a warm staff. Facilities like air conditioner, full WI-FI connectivity, TV, and restaurant are available. It is also provided two camps in Sam Dunes and Khuri Dunes for their customers.  edit

[edit] Outside the city

• Mirvana Nature Resort, [15], Sodakore 00919414440799, 1 hr from Jaisalmer along the road to Jodhpur. A luxury desert resort tented camp attached to a desert farm with nice swimming pool. Meals are served under the stars with Rajasthani folk music and dance and camp fire!

• Moonlight Khuri Resort, 40 km far from Jaisalmer at Khuri village, surrounded by natural sand dunes. Accommodation in mud cottages Huts and Tents with Camp- Fire, Dinner, Music & Folk Dance & Camel Ride.

• The Royal Courts, [16], New Civil Airport Road Jaisalmer +91-141-2231581/681. 15 min away from Jaisalmer town, a quiet location equipped with rooms that have been designed in a modern style, a nice pool, multicuisine restaurant and all type of facilities required by the current traveler.

[edit] Get out

• Khuri

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