Jaisalmer

Buy

You are in Jaisalmer, it means items are made of leather (primarily goat, as camel leather is now illegal to sell in Rajasthan), embroidery-silk and cotton. Most of the works are done locally or by the 'widows' of villages. There is a shop inside fort just opposite the 'German Bakery' which has got good collection of the handcrafted garments and bedsheets, silver jewelry, Antiques (knives, swords, utensils, etc.)

Within the fort there is an amazing silver artist named Roop Kashore. His custom, hand made rings are worth checking out. Local advice is to seek out shops outside of the fort for better value and service.

Eat

thumb|Part of the city, viewed from the fort Lots of local eateries which offer sumptuous lunches and dinners for a measly ₹20. Artist Hotel Restaurant Near the sunset view point - in the middle of the Jaisalmer artist colony. The very best food in town (₹50). Everything is made fresh. You will get Western (also nice Austrian food) food as well as very nice Indian dishes. The restaurant is placed on rooftop and you can enjoy your meal while listening to Rajasthani music performed live.

Drink

Drink delectable bhang (marijuana) lassi at the government authorized shop close to the entrance of the fort. The original bhang shop, open since 1977, is now known as the Lassi Shop. The bhang from the new government shop is weaker and has been known to cause stomach ailments in travelers. It is best to purchase from the Lassi Shop, featured in Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations. The Lassi Shop is west of the entrance to the Fort while the newly authorized government shop is east of the entrance to the fort.

Packs of bhang-infused cookies and chocolates are also available for takeaway, and can be savored on trips into the desert to great effect. A word of caution: It can take a while before you get high from bhang, hence you should not take multiple drinks in quick succession. Excessive consumption of bhang dehydrates the body and one can experience effects like high sweating, anxiety, palpitation and hallucinations. These effects vary from person to person and depend on the amount of bhang consumed. To overcome the adverse effects of high bhang consumption, drink plenty of water with glucose (not for diabetic patients) and have food along with bhang (try not to take bhang on an empty stomach). Not more than a glass should be consumed by first timers unless you want to spend next day holding your bed trying not to fall.

Sleep

Moonlight Khuri Resort, 40 km from Jaisalmer at Khuri village, surrounded by natural sand dunes. Accommodation in mud cottages, huts and tents with campfire, dinner, music, folk dance & camel rides. Paradise Inn, Jaisalmer. Daily check-in from noon, check-out by 11AM. Known for its incredibly kind staff, great location just inside the gate of Jaisalmer Fort, and stunning views from the rooftop restaurant. The hotel offers clean, spacious rooms with traditional decor. It also features free Wi-Fi and various amenities for a comfortable stay. Entry fee: ₹1000. . (updated July 2024)

Stay safe

Jaisalmer is a very safe city and security is high compared to other cities in Rajasthan. Though it is very close to the Pakistan border, visitors are not allowed to wander around the border areas.

Unlike other cities, Jaisalmer has narrow lanes which are always crowded with hawkers and shoppers. Most of the times, people on motorcycles or scooters drive in an erratic way. So be careful while walking on such lanes.

If your gut flora is not suited to Indian conditions, limit what you eat from street hawkers or vendors and don't eat dairy products in particular, which are often the chief cause of digestive troubles.

Go next

Barmer - Around 153 km away from Jaisalmer, Barmer is a popular place for fortresses along with delicate woodcarving, block printing, carpets and embroideries. Some other attractions of Barmer include a few historic and aesthetically pleasing temples. Khuri - It is a place from where you can get cheaper camel rides and easy access to sand dunes. The bus leaves from a 'bus station' 100m east of the entrance to the lake, on road 15, just after it splits from Gadisar Road. You'll be surprised to know you're in the right place if there is a small shrine at the base of a sloping tree. Buses leave from that side of the road on a rough schedule, so you'll have to take proper advice. The ticket sellers on this route are particularly fond of overcharging, so make sure you don't overpay. They charge ₹35 for a one-way journey. Luderwa - It lies around 16 km to the northwest of Jaisalmer. Luderwa was the ancient capital of Jaisalmer and this now deserted town is famous for artificial divine tree and Jain temple.