If you are planning a trip to Jaisalmer, you probably already know about the Golden Fort. And yes, the fort is worth your time — it is one of the very few living forts in the world, with people still going about their daily lives inside its walls. But the real reason most travellers come to Jaisalmer, and the reason many of them stay longer than planned, is the desert.
The Thar Desert is not a single dune with a camel waiting on it. It is a vast, quiet landscape of sand, scrub, villages and sky — and the best way to understand it is to spend a night in it. Here is a practical guide to the best things to do in and around Jaisalmer, based on what we have been doing with guests for years.
Sleep Under the Stars
If you only do one desert experience, make it this one. Our off-grid camel safari takes you away from the tourist camps into the open dunes, where you sleep on mattresses and blankets beneath the Milky Way. There is no tent, no ceiling, just the sky. Your guides cook a simple Rajasthani dinner over a campfire and make music with bottles and plates. It is raw, quiet and genuinely memorable.
If you prefer a bit more comfort, the Blissful Night in the Desert gives you the same sunset camel safari plus a luxury en-suite tent, folk music and a full vegetarian dinner. For many travellers, this is the perfect balance.
Take a Camel Safari at Sunset
Not every camel safari needs to be an overnight one. The Cultural Evening in the Desert is a half-day experience that gets you onto the dunes for golden hour, with Sufi and gypsy music around a campfire and a full dinner before you head back to your hotel. It is a good choice if you have limited time or are travelling with people who do not want to sleep in the desert.
Explore the Villages by 4x4
Not everyone wants to ride a camel, and that is fine. The 4x4 Jeep Village Safari takes you off-road through the Thar to the abandoned village of Kuldhara, a living gypsy settlement, and out to the dunes for sunset. It is ideal for families, seniors or anyone who prefers the thrill of a 4x4 to the sway of a camel.
See the Golden City by Tuk Tuk
The Jaisalmer City Tour by Tuk Tuk is a half-day ride through the living fort, the carved havelis, Gadisar Lake and the Sadar Bazaar. It is a great way to get your bearings on your first day, and the open-air tuk tuk is part of the fun. If you prefer air-conditioned comfort, the Private City Tour with Car and Guide covers the same sights at a more relaxed pace.
Visit a Working Desert Farm
The Desert Farm Tour is one of the quieter, more grounded experiences we offer. You walk through fields of millet and mustard, learn about traditional rainwater harvesting, meet the farming family and share a home-cooked Rajasthani meal. It is not touristy — it is a real farm and a real family.
How Many Days Do You Need?
Most travellers spend two to three days in Jaisalmer. One day for the fort and city, one day (or night) for the desert, and a third day for something like a village safari or a farm visit. If you have more time, our 2-Night Holiday Special combines the fort, the havelis and a night at the desert camp into a single package.
What About the Weather?
The best time to visit Jaisalmer is from October to March, when the days are warm and the nights are cool. The desert gets cold at night in December and January, so bring a warm layer. We cover this in more detail in our upcoming guide to the best time to visit.
Ready to experience the Thar Desert?
You can browse all our experiences and book online, or get in touch if you have questions about which one is right for you. Every booking is private, with pickup from your hotel or the station included.
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