Four days in Jaisalmer, the “Golden City,” located in the midst of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan State, India. On my visit, I explored the fantastical streets of the city center and embarked on a very scenic camel safari and overnight camp on the sand dunes.

Itinerary Rundown

DestinationsDetails
Previous
  • Jodhpur: Mehrangarh Fort and the Blue City
Day 1
  • Jodhpur
  • Jaisalmer
  • Jodhpur to Jaisalmer by Bus
  • Jaisalmer Hostel Check-in
  • In and around Jaisalmer Fortress
Day 2
  • Jaisalmer
  • Thar Desert
  • Jaisalmer Camel Safari
    • Overnight camp at Bigi Sand Dunes
Day 3
  • Jaisalmer
  • Jaisalmer Hostel Check-in
  • In and around Jaisalmer Fortress
  • Patwa Ki Haveli
Day 4
  • Jaisalmer
  • Jaisalmer to Jaipur by Train
Next
  • Jaipur: City Center Walk and Amber Fort
Top
  • Northern India
  • South and Southeast Asia

Trip Date — September 2013

Route Map


Itinerary Notes & Tips

Day 1

Jodhpur to Jaisalmer

  • 10:00am to 3:34pm – Ride bus from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer – R200

Jaisalmer Hostel

  • Free shuttle from bus stop to Peacock Guest House
    • Talked into checking the hostel by a man I met at the bus stop
  • Check-in at Peacock Guest House
    • Double fan room with private TB and balcony – R300

Jaisalmer City Center

  • Jaisalmer Fort
  • Mud Mirror Guest House
  • Sunset at Kuku Coffee Shop
  • Arrange Thar Desert Camel Safari for next day at “Trotter’s Desert Safari”
    • 2 days/ 1 night Non-touristic desert camel safari – R1,500
      • Includes food, transportation, sleeping arrangements, and camel ride
  • Dinner at Mud Mirror Guest House
    • Malai Kofta (R90), Mixed fruit shake (R60), Chapati (R10 per piece)

Day 2

  • Eat at Peacock Guest House
    • Eggs and Cheese Toast (R50), Milk Coffee (R20)
  • Check-out
  • Walk to Trotter’s
  • Leave backpack at Trotters
  • Lunch at Hotel Fort View Rooftop Restaurant
    • Mushroom and peas curry, chapati
  • Buy onward train ticket at Hotel Fort View
  • Coffee at Joshi Restaurant
    • Hot coffee – R50

Thar Desert Safari

  • 4×4 jeep ride to Thar Desert
  • Stopover at desert oasis
  • Stopover at abandoned village
  • Camel ride to Bigi Sand Dunes
  • Overnight camping at the sand dunes

Day 3

Thar Desert Safari

  • Camel ride to pick-up point
  • 4×4 jeep ride back to Jaisalmer City Center

Jaisalmer Hostel

  • Check-in at Ajanta Hotel (Near Jaisalmer Fort First Gate, Dhibba Para, Jaisalmer; Mobile: 09828929974)
    • Double fan room with private TB – R200 per night

Jaisalmer City Center

  • Eat at Refreshing View
    • Vegetable curry, chapati, orange Fanta – R130
  • Jaisalmer Fort
  • Patwa Ki Haveli
  • Eat at Joshi Restaurant
    • Mushroom and cheese spaghetti – R110

Day 4

  • Eat at Monica Restaurant
    • Chicken curry – R200

Jaisalmer to Jaipur

  • Ride autorickshaw to Jaisalmer Railway Station – R50
  • 5:15pm to 5:00am – Ride train from Jaisalmer to Jaipur via Train#14660 (JSM DLI Express)