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Where to stay in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer is a golden sandstone city in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, crowned by a living fort where people still live and work. You can stay inside the fort walls, in the old city at its foot with views up to the ramparts, or in desert camps near the Sam and Khuri dunes for a night under the stars.
Inside Jaisalmer Fort
Small hotels and guesthouses inside the fort walls have rooftops overlooking the city and the desert. You are steps from the Jain temples and the Raj Mahal palace. Lanes are narrow and cars cannot reach most of them, and heavy tourism puts strain on the old fort's drainage, so some travellers prefer to stay outside.
Old city below the fort
Hotels in the old city, near Gadisar Lake and the merchant mansions of Patwon ki Haveli, often have rooftop restaurants looking up at the floodlit fort. Cars can reach more easily, and you can walk to the main sights and the bazaars.
Sam and Khuri desert camps
About 40 kilometres west, the Sam dunes have tented camps with folk music and dinner under the stars, while Khuri, to the southwest, is quieter. Camel safaris leave in the late afternoon for sunset. One night is usually enough.
One thing to think about
Choose desert camps carefully: some at Sam are very crowded and loud, with dozens of camps side by side. Ask exactly where the camp is and whether the camel ride reaches open dunes.
Other places to stay in India: Oberoi · Trident · The Leela
Once you have a bed
The things that sell out first in Jaisalmer are the small-group tours and the skip-the-line tickets.
Common questions
Should I stay inside Jaisalmer Fort?
Staying inside the fort is atmospheric, but it is a living monument under pressure from tourism and water use. Many travellers choose a hotel just outside with a view of the fort, then visit the lanes, temples and palace on foot during the day and at sunset.
When is the best time to visit Jaisalmer?
The cooler months from about October to March are best. Days are warm and nights in the desert can be cold, especially in December and January. The Desert Festival, usually held in February, brings music, camel races and crowds. Summers are extremely hot.
How do I get to Jaisalmer?
Jaisalmer is linked by overnight and day trains with Jodhpur, Jaipur and Delhi, and by long-distance buses. The drive from Jodhpur takes about five hours. The airport has limited, mostly seasonal flights, so check schedules carefully before planning around them.
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