City of Jaisalmer

Far out in the western Thar Desert, close to the frontier with Pakistan, Jaisalmer rises from the sands like a mirage. Built almost entirely of golden-yellow sandstone that glows amber at sunrise and sunset, it has earned its lasting nickname, the Golden City, and few places in India feel quite so romantic.

At its heart stands one of the world's rare living forts. Within the honey-coloured ramparts of Jaisalmer Fort, ordinary life still goes on, with homes, temples, shops and havelis tucked along its winding lanes. Below, the town is famous for its exquisitely carved merchant mansions, the Patwon Ki Haveli and Salim Singh Ki Haveli among them, their stone facades worked as finely as lace.

The desert is Jaisalmer's other great pleasure. Camel safaris into the rolling dunes of the Thar, evenings of folk music and dance under vast starlit skies, and nights in elegant desert camps offer an unforgettable taste of Rajasthan's nomadic soul. Local Rajasthani cuisine, with its robust dal, bati and churma, suits the setting perfectly.

A visit here rewards a leisurely pace. Lingering on a rooftop as the fort turns to gold, browsing for embroidered textiles and silver, and venturing out to the dunes at dusk are the moments travellers remember most fondly.

We include Jaisalmer because it captures the desert romance of Rajasthan like nowhere else, marrying living history, dazzling architecture and the silence of the Thar. For many of our guests, it proves the most magical chapter of the entire journey.