Jaisalmer travel guide: Golden Fort, Sam Sand Dunes and best time

Golden FortThar Desert

A golden fort in the middle of the Thar Desert

A living fort of yellow sandstone in the middle of the Thar Desert, still home to several thousand residents. Sam Sand Dunes, around 40 km west, is where the camel and jeep safaris run.

Ideal stay1–2 nightsOne night with a dune evening is the minimum. A second lets you see the fort, the havelis and Gadisar Lake without rushing.

Getting thereAbout 5 hours from Jodhpur by roadJaisalmer is far in the desert, so most visitors arrive by road or overnight train from Jodhpur. Sam Sand Dunes are about 40 km west of the fort.

Time zoneGMT+5:30Same time as India

Getting around. The fort is a living town of narrow lanes, best on foot. Cabs and jeeps run to Sam Sand Dunes, and desert camps usually send their own transport.

Part ofRajasthanJaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaisalmer and 4 more cities

Things to do in Jaisalmer

4 experiences from our activity catalogue

ScenicGadisar LakeA man-made rainwater reservoir on the south-eastern edge of Jaisalmer, edged with sandstone ghats, chhatris and small temples, with boats for hire.1 hrFree

CastleJaisalmer FortA 12th-century yellow-sandstone hill fort above Jaisalmer that is still a working town, with roughly a quarter of the old city living inside its walls.2 hr 30 minFree to walk the fort lanes; Fort Palace Museum ₹200 (Indian) / ₹600 (foreign national)

Old quarterPatwon Ki HaveliA cluster of five linked 19th-century merchant mansions in yellow sandstone, one run as a government museum and the others privately ticketed.2 hr

NatureSam Sand DunesAn open stretch of Thar Desert dunes about 40 km west of Jaisalmer, used for camel and jeep safaris, sunset viewing and overnight tented camps.3 hrFree

Packages that include Jaisalmer

Ready-to-book itineraries with Jaisalmer on the route

See all

6 nightsRoyal RajasthanJaipur · 2NJodhpur · 1NJaisalmer · 2NUdaipur · 1N6 Nights | 7 DaysFrom₹62,000 per personView package

7 nightsRajasthan Heritage CircuitJaipur · 2NPushkar · 1NJodhpur · 1NJaisalmer · 2NUdaipur · 1N7 Nights | 8 DaysFrom₹72,000 per personView package

9 nightsRajasthan Grand TourJaipur · 2NBikaner · 1NJaisalmer · 2NJodhpur · 1NUdaipur · 2NPushkar · 1N9 Nights | 10 DaysFrom₹88,000 per personView package

10 nightsRajasthan Wildlife & HeritageJaipur · 2NRanthambore · 2NJodhpur · 1NJaisalmer · 2NUdaipur · 2NPushkar · 1N10 Nights | 11 DaysFrom₹1,01,000 per personView package

12 nightsComplete RajasthanJaipur · 2NBikaner · 1NJaisalmer · 2NJodhpur · 1NMount Abu · 2NUdaipur · 2N+1 more12 Nights | 13 DaysFrom₹1,14,000 per personView package

Hand-picked hotels

Stays our experts book in Jaisalmer

Weather and best time to visit

Tap a month to see the details

Best time to visit

November

High / Low29° / 17°CRainfall3 mm

Best timeGoodOff seasonOpen-Meteo historical weather (ERA5), 2015–2024 averages

WinterNovember–FebruaryBest Time

The season the state is built around. Days run 20–28°C and clear, nights are cool. Forts, desert camps and lake palaces are all at their best, and so are the prices.

SpringMarch–April

Comfortable in March, heating up fast through April. Good for Ranthambore — thinning cover pushes wildlife towards the waterholes and improves sightings.

SummerMay–June

Daytime highs of 42–47°C across the desert districts. Sightseeing works only early morning and late evening. Mount Abu, at 1,220 m, is the one cool exception.

MonsoonJuly–September

Rain is light by Indian standards and the landscape briefly turns green. Ranthambore closes for the monsoon, roughly 1 July to 30 September.