Holiday in Jaisalmer

About Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer, the "Golden City" in the heart of Rajasthan's Thar Desert, rises like a mirage from the endless sand. Its golden-yellow sandstone walls glow at sunset in a warm honey tone, which gave the city its poetic name — and indeed, Jaisalmer seems to shimmer as if it were built from pure gold. The fort of Jaisalmer is unique among India's fortresses: it is not a museum, but a living city. A quarter of Jaisalmer's population still lives within its walls, in a labyrinth of narrow alleys, temples, havelis, and shops. It is the oldest inhabited fort in the world and feels like a journey back in time to the Middle Ages. The havelis — magnificent merchant houses from the 18th and 19th centuries — are masterpieces of stone craftsmanship. The Patwon-ki-Haveli, the largest and most elaborate, impresses with facades so intricately carved that the sandstone looks like lace. The Salim-Singh-ki-Haveli and the Nathmal-ki-Haveli complement this ensemble of stony perfection. The ultimate Jaisalmer experience is an overnight stay in the Thar dunes. Camel tours lead to the Sam Sand Dunes, where golden dunes stand out against the clear desert sky. At the camp, meals are served under the starry sky while Rajasthani musicians and dancers put on a show that brings the magic of the desert to life. Gadisar Lake, an artificial lake on the outskirts, offers an unreal view of the illuminated fort and the temples and chattris standing by the shore at sunrise. Boat rides at dawn are among the most peaceful experiences in Rajasthan. Jaisalmer's remote location in the desert has preserved the city from the mass tourism that has long reached Jaipur and Udaipur. Here, one still experiences the Rajasthan of caravans, craftsmen, and desert nights — authentic, golden, and unforgettable.