Jaisalmer itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Jaisalmer

1. 01

   Day 1: Fort, havelis and dunes

   Arrive at the fort entrance by 7 a.m., before the day heats up. Spend two to three hours inside: climb the palace (Maharaja's Palace) for views over the town and dunes, walk through the Jain temples and the four-storey Patwon Ki Haveli, and browse the small Government Museum if time allows. Return to your hotel for lunch and a rest. In the late afternoon, take a jeep to Sam Sand Dunes, roughly 40 minutes away, for a walk on the sand and sunset views back toward the city. Stop at Gadi Sagar Gate on the drive back.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 02

2 days in Jaisalmer

1. 01

   Day 1: Fort and old town

   Begin at the fort gates at opening time. Spend a full morning inside: palace, Jain temples, havelis and the museum. Walk to Gadi Sagar Lake and gate on foot from the fort (about 20–30 minutes), a gentle descent through old stone lanes. Return to the bazaars near the fort for lunch and an afternoon rest. In the late afternoon, walk through Sadar Bazaar and Manak Chowk, stopping for kachoris or mirchi vada at street stalls, then end with evening chai overlooking the fort from outside the walls.

2. 02

   Day 2: Desert and temples

   Hire a jeep for a morning or full-day excursion to Sam Sand Dunes (40 minutes) or Khimsar Sand Dunes (45 minutes), depending on energy and comfort. Both allow short walks on sand and views of the desert. Return for lunch and a rest. In the late afternoon, visit Amar Sagar Lake and temple ruins, or explore Salim Singh Ki Haveli, which is less crowded than Patwon Ki Haveli and has fine carved balconies.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 03

3 days in Jaisalmer

1. 01

   Day 1: Inside the fort

   Start before dawn at the fort gates. Spend the morning on the palace, Jain temples and Patwon Ki Haveli, then rest in your hotel through the hottest hours. In the late afternoon, walk the fort lanes again to see streets and houses, visit the Government Museum, and end with sunset views from the palace walls.

2. 02

   Day 2: Cenotaphs and sand

   Visit Amar Sagar Lake and Lakshminath Temple in the morning, then return to the city for lunch. In the afternoon, hire a jeep for Sam or Khimsar Sand Dunes, or visit Lodhruva, an ancient ruined city, if you prefer history to dunes. Both are about 45 minutes away. Stop at Gadi Sagar Gate on the return.

3. 03

   Day 3: Bazaars and hidden sites

   Explore Nathmal Ki Haveli and Salim Singh Ki Haveli in the early morning to avoid crowds. Have breakfast at a bazaar café, then browse Sadar Bazaar and the lanes behind the main streets for textiles, mojari shoes and souvenirs. In the afternoon, visit a smaller sight such as Tazia Tower or the Government Museum if not seen earlier. End with an evening walk through the bazaar as it lights up, or take a short desert excursion if you have not yet.

Guides for the stops on this route

Pacing

Make the plan work for everyone

• Visit the fort early, before 8 a.m. The shade is limited, and the stone gets extremely hot by noon.
• Use autos or a hired jeep between main sights rather than walking long distances in open sun. Distances in the bazaars are deceptive.
• Choose a hotel with lifts and good water supply. The old town has many guesthouses without elevators in steep multi-storey buildings.
• The palace and Patwon Ki Haveli involve real climbing. If mobility is a concern, admire them from outside or rest between levels.
• Hire a jeep and driver for desert outings; do not attempt dunes on foot in the heat. Early morning or late afternoon safaris are gentler on energy.
• Carry a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and a scarf for the desert and fort. The Thar sun is unforgiving even in winter, and reflection off sand is intense.