Jaisalmer

1. Jaisalmer Fort
2. Gadsisar Lake
3. Desert National Park
4. Desert Festival
5. Sam Sand Dunes
6. Thar Heritage Museum
7. Patwon-ki-Haveli
8. Salim-ki- Haveli

Jaisalmer Fort is a monument worth visiting and worth retaining in your conscious mind. It is located in the very heart of the city. It is opened till 5 P.M. The fort stands almost 30 metres over the city and houses an entire living area within huge ramparts. Walking through the narrow lanes is an experience worth savouring. It is approached through Ganesh Pol, Suraj Pol, Bhoot Pol and Hawa Pol. Also, within it there are many beautiful havelies and a group of Jain temples. Jaisalmer Fort will immediately command your attention. Made of sand stones and locally known as Sonar Quila, the Jaisalmer Fort is a dominating structure amidst sands. Jaisalmer fort is the second oldest in Rajasthan.

Desert National Park is situated near the town of Jaisalmer. This is one of the largest national parks, covering an area of 3162 km². The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert. Sand dunes form around 20% of the Park. The major landform consists of craggy rocks and compact salt lake bottoms, intermedial areas and fixed dunes.The region is a haven for migratory and resident birds of the desert. Many eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, kestrel and vultures can be seen. Short-toed Eagles, Tawny Eagles, Spotted Eagles, Laggar Falcons and kestrels are the most common among these. Sand grouse are spotted near small ponds or lakes. The endangered Great Indian Bustard is a magnificent bird found in relatively fair numbers. It migrates locally in different seasons.

Sam sand dunes are becoming the major attraction because there is no point coming to the ‘Thar Desert’ if you don’t go for the Desert Safari. This is the closest place from where you can loose yourself in ‘the Great Thar Desert’. Sam has a truly magnificent stretch of sweeping dunes, with sparse or no vegetation. Join a camel caravan at Jaisalmer & ride along the breathtaking crests and troughs. Enjoy the romance of solitude as your camel takes you deep in the hearts of the ‘Thar Desert’. Put yourself in the camp and experience the sun setting behind the horizon. Organize a bonfire with the fellow tourists in the night and enjoy the rustic & earthy music and dance of Rajasthan. In the month of February or March, this whole place turns into a cultural hub. The desert festival organized among these dunes is the showcase of Rajasthani culture. Open-air cultural extravaganzas, puppet shows, folk dance performances and camel races make this annual event.

Patwon-ki- Haveli, the five-storied and the most grandiose, it was the first & the largest haveli erected in Jaisalmer. The whole building is made in yellow sandstone and brown main gateway with good amount of paintings, mirror-works on the wall, exquisitely carved pillars, corridors and chambers; noteworthy that this effort took half a century. The entire haveli is and interesting grid of pillared halls, large corridors, lavishly chiseled ceilings and ostentatiously decorated walls. Haveli has been turned into a museum and a shop that has a vast reserve of antique furniture and decorative goods. The Patwon-ki- Haveli reflects the unique architecture of Jaisalmer of the traditional times in Rajasthan.