Jaisalmer Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India)

Known for being a fairly remote desert city, Jaisalmer does manage to boasts some very enticing tourist attractions and currently enjoys a booming tourism industry. Apart from its famous fortress, tourists flock to Jaisalmer each year to sightsee around its many grand Indian residences (havelis), and to enjoy the temple attractions surrounding the enormous Gadsisar Lake.

The bustling streets within the ancient city walls combined to make an interesting labyrinth of sights and sounds, while those wishing to experience a taste of the desert come to Jaisalmer for its acclaimed camel safaris. Ideally, the very best time to enjoy the attractions offering with a camel safari is between October and February, when the climate is at its most pleasant.

Gadsisar Lake (Gadi Sagar / Gadisar)

Gadsisar Lake is a beautiful and stately expanse of water, located on the southern side of the city walls. Once supplying the entire city of Jaisalmer with water, the lake operated as a conservation tank as far back as the 2nd century and is known locally as the Gadi Sagar, being surrounded by a series of shrines, temples and similar tourist attractions. Huge numbers of waterfowl flock to the Gadsisar Lake during the winter months. Tourists often enjoy boating in this tranquil setting, around the lakefront, and boats can be hired here for periods of 30 minutes upwards.
Open hours: daily - 24 hours
Admission: free, charge for boat hire

Camel Safaris

Camel safaris have long been one of the biggest reasons that so many tourists regularly pay a visit to Jaisalmer, offering the perfect way to sample real desert life. Most camels tend to be individually owned and can be booked through your hotel or travel agency, and so there is much competition between the safari organisers. The actual safaris vary greatly, with some lasting a matter of hours, and others lasting a week or more and including meals and camping around bonfires. Camel safaris take their passengers past numerous desert attractions, although don't expect to see sweeping sand dunes - you are more likely to see barren scrubs, ruins, small villages, fields of millets and flocks of goats. Do always check that you will have a camel to yourself and will not be sharing with a driver, and be clear about where you are going and what you are seeing. If you have booked a three day excursion, be aware that many return straight after breakfast on the third day, making it more like a two day safari. Generally, the more money you pay, the better the service and food, although it is always a good idea to try and bargain a better price.
Open hours: daily, seasonal variations
Admission: charge

Havelis

There are a number of extremely beautiful 'havelis' scattered around Jaisalmer, which is the Indian named for a private residence within northern India.

These finely sculpted attractions are made from sandstone and built by the wealthiest of Indian merchants. The most impressive of all the city's numerous havelis include:

• Nathmal-ki-Haveli - a late-19th century haveli built by a former prime minister, when Jaisalmer was once a major Indian state, and known for its stunning facade, which features elaborate carvings of birds, elephants and exotic flowers - if you look closely you will even be able to find a carving of a steam train. The Nathmal-ki-Haveli is guarded by a pair of large stone elephants and its first floor is home to some very valuable paintings, created from gold
• Patwa-ki-Haveli - a truly magnificent haveli and perhaps the very best that Jaisalmer has to offer, with beautifully carved stonework and enviable rooftop views across the fort. Construction of the Patwa-ki-Haveli was built in the early part of the 19th century, at the request of a family of extremely wealthy jewellery merchants, and was only finally completed some 55 years later
• Salim Singh-ki-Haveli - a very distinctive private haveli, the Salim Singh-ki-Haveli was also once the residence of an Indian prime minister. The main attractions here include arched balconies, sky-blue cupolas and carvings of peacocks, all of which date back to the end of the 17th century