Things to Do in Jaisalmer: Fort, Havelis and Dunes

Quick answer

In Jaisalmer, spend a morning in the living fort and its Jain temples, see Patwon ki Haveli and Gadisar Lake, then head to the dunes at Sam or Khuri for sunset and a night in camp. With a third day, drive to Longewala and Tanot near the border. Two nights is the minimum; three is better.

12 things worth your time in Jaisalmer

01
Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Qila)
Landmark
A 12th-century sandstone fort and one of the few in the world still lived in, with several thousand people in its lanes. Part of the UNESCO Hill Forts of Rajasthan.
2–3 hoursFree to walk in; the Fort Palace Museum charges separately
Water seepage from guesthouses threatens its foundations, so consider sleeping outside the walls.
02
Jain temples in the fort
Landmark
Seven interlinked temples from the 12th to 16th centuries, carved in yellow sandstone as finely as lace.
1 hourSmall entry and camera fee
Visitors are usually admitted only in the morning, until about noon, so see them first.
03
Patwon ki Haveli
Landmark
A cluster of five merchant havelis with intricately carved balconies; one is restored as a museum of period interiors.
1 hourSmall entry fee
Go mid-morning when the light shows the carving.
04
Nathmal ki Haveli and Salim Singh ki Haveli
Landmark
Nathmal's façade was carved by two brothers working on separate halves; Salim Singh's peacock-shaped roof brackets are unique in the city.
45 minutesSmall entry fees
Both are a short walk from Patwon ki Haveli.
05
Gadisar Lake
Nature
A 14th-century reservoir lined with chhatris and shrines; the old city's water supply for centuries.
1 hourFree; boats about ₹100–300
Sunrise is the best time, before the paddle boats come out.
06
Sam sand dunes at sunset
Experience
The tallest dunes near Jaisalmer, about 42 km west. Commercial and crowded, but the sunset over the sand is genuine.
3–4 hoursCamel ride about ₹300–800 per person; jeep about ₹1,500–3,000 per vehicle
Agree the camel ride's length and price before you get on.
07
Khuri dunes
Experience
Smaller, quieter dunes about 45 km south-west, with mud-hut villages and village-style camps.
Half daySimilar to Sam, often cheaper
Better for couples and photographers who want less noise.
08
Kuldhara abandoned village
Day trip
A Paliwal Brahmin village deserted in the early 19th century, now an eerie ruin about 18 km west on the way to Sam.
1 hourSmall entry plus vehicle fee
Stop on the drive to the dunes; afternoon light is best.
09
Bada Bagh
Landmark
Royal cenotaphs on a ridge about 6 km north, golden at sunset with wind turbines on the horizon.
45 minutesSmall entry fee
A quieter sunset alternative to the dunes.
10
Desert National Park
Nature
One of the last refuges of the great Indian bustard, with chinkara, desert fox and raptors in the grassland.
Half dayPermit and vehicle charges
Arrange entry through the forest office or your hotel; bustard sightings are rare.
11
Longewala War Memorial and Tanot Mata Temple
Day trip
The 1971 battle site, with captured tanks and a museum, and the BSF-run temple where Pakistani shells famously failed to explode.
Full dayFree
Indian nationals need only ID; foreign nationals may need prior permission near the border.
12
Evening puppet show
Experience
Traditional Rajasthani kathputli puppetry and folk music at the cultural centre near Gadisar Lake; good with children.
1 hourSmall ticket
Check the show time at your hotel; it changes with the season.

How many days do you need in Jaisalmer?

Two nights is the minimum: one day for the fort, havelis and Gadisar, and one afternoon and night in the dunes. Three nights lets you add Longewala and Tanot, or simply recover from the long drives that bracket a Jaisalmer trip. It is about 285 km from Jodhpur and 330 km from Bikaner.

Sam or Khuri?

Sam, 42 km west, has the tallest dunes and the most camps, which means DJ nights, quad bikes and a crowd at sunset. Khuri, 45 km south-west, has smaller dunes and quieter, village-style stays. Families who want shows and food usually prefer Sam; couples and photographers often prefer Khuri. At both, the dunes nearest the road are dotted with camps, so empty desert needs a jeep drive further out.

Watch for

Camel rides priced 'per person' that become 'per camel' at the end.
'Desert safari' packages that cram jeep, camel, parasailing and dinner into two hours. Ask exactly what is included.
Guesthouses inside the fort that drain water into its foundations. Staying outside reduces pressure on the structure.

The fort's Jain temples admit visitors only in the morning. See them first, then the palace, then lunch on a rooftop facing the ramparts.

Plan the rest

Check the best time to visit Jaisalmer, especially if you are thinking of a summer trip, and compare camps with city hotels in where to stay in Jaisalmer. Jaisalmer sits in the middle of most Rajasthan circuits; see the Rajasthan trip cost for budgets.

Frequently asked questions

Is a desert camp in Jaisalmer worth it?

For most first-time visitors, yes, as long as you pick the right camp. A night in the dunes gives you sunset, a folk music programme, dinner under the stars and a cold, quiet dawn. Budget camps at Sam can be loud and crowded; mid-range Khuri camps or premium Sam camps are calmer. One night is usually enough.

How far are the Sam dunes from Jaisalmer city?

About 42 km west, or 45–60 minutes by car. Most camps pick you up in the afternoon and include a camel or jeep ride at sunset, a folk programme, dinner and breakfast. Day visitors usually hire a taxi for about ₹1,500–2,500 return, including waiting time.

Can you visit Longewala and Tanot from Jaisalmer?

Yes, as a full-day trip of about 8–9 hours. Longewala, site of the 1971 battle, has a war memorial and museum with captured tanks, and Tanot Mata temple is looked after by the BSF. Indian nationals need only ID; foreign nationals may need prior permission for border areas. Carry water and fill up on fuel in Jaisalmer.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.