Rajasthan’s desert has a way of making history feel close enough to touch. This Jaisalmer and Longewala package takes you through the “Golden City” and the landscapes around it, mixing heritage with a good dose of adventure.
In Jaisalmer, you’ll walk narrow lanes lined with finely carved havelis and look up at the commanding Jaisalmer Fort. When evening arrives, head out into the dunes for a desert safari with camel rides, followed by a night beneath an open, star-filled sky.
The journey also takes you to Longewala, where you can pay your respects to the soldiers who defended the nation. Standing on the very ground where the battle was fought is a moving experience, and it brings a quiet rush of pride. This trip is about more than sightseeing. It blends culture, history, and wild desert scenery into something you’ll remember long after you return.
About Jaisalmer & Longewala
Best Places to Visit in Jaisalmer
Top Attractions
Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Qila): This golden sandstone citadel rises above the city's rooftops. People still live and work inside its walls, in homes, shops, and guesthouses, so it feels like a medieval town. The ramparts give wide views over the desert.
Patwon Ki Haveli: A cluster of five mansions that show Rajasthani architecture at its finest. Built in the 19th century by wealthy merchants, they are known for their carved balconies (jharokhas), painted walls, and mirror work.
Gadisar Lake: Built in the 14th century as Jaisalmer's main water source, this reservoir is now a calm spot lined with ghats and small temples. You can take a boat ride, watch migratory birds, or sit by the water.
Sam Sand Dunes: About 40 km from the city, these dunes are the best place for a classic Thar Desert experience. Ride a camel, watch the sunset, and camp under the stars.
Bada Bagh: The name means "Big Garden." This complex of royal cenotaphs (chhatris), about 6 km north of Jaisalmer, honors the city's former rulers. It is quiet and scenic, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Jain Temples: Inside the fort, these temples were built between the 12th and 15th centuries. Their yellow sandstone is covered in fine sculpture and carving that reflect the region's Jain heritage.
Desert National Park: A large stretch of the Thar ecosystem, with dunes, rocky ground, and dry lake beds. It shelters desert wildlife and is one of the few places to spot the Great Indian Bustard.
Kuldhara Abandoned Village: About 18 km from Jaisalmer, this ruined village is wrapped in legend. The story goes that its Paliwal Brahmin residents left overnight and never returned. Curious travelers and history lovers still come to walk its empty lanes.
Thar Heritage Museum: A small museum on desert life and history, with fossils, old musical instruments, turbans, and other Rajasthani artifacts.
Nathmal Ki Haveli: A 19th-century mansion designed by two brothers who each carved one half of the facade. The two sides look alike but are not identical, which gives the stonework its distinctive character.
Longewala and the Border Region
Longewala War Memorial: A tribute to India's soldiers, with captured Pakistani tanks, a war museum, and displays that explain the 1971 battle.
Longewala Battle Site: The ground where, in 1971, a small Indian post held off a much larger Pakistani assault. You can see the original bunkers and trenches.
Tanot Mata Temple: A revered shrine near the border that is said to have survived the 1965 war unharmed. The Border Security Force maintains it, and unexploded shells are on display. Pilgrims and history enthusiasts both visit.
Border Pillar 609: A marker on the India-Pakistan frontier near Longewala. Visitors generally can't go close, but it can be viewed from a distance, and it shows the strategic importance of this desert border.
Abandoned Pakistani Tanks: The rusting tanks left near Longewala are a stark reminder of the 1971 battle and make powerful photographs against the desert backdrop.
Things to Do in Jaisalmer
Desert safari: Camel rides, jeep tours, and overnight camping in the Thar.
Sunset at Sam Sand Dunes: Watch the sky turn gold while folk music and dance fill the evening.
Haveli walks: Visit Patwon Ki Haveli and Salim Singh Ki Haveli to study the carved facades up close.
Boating on Gadisar Lake: Most beautiful around sunrise or sunset.
Shopping: Look for colorful textiles, embroidery, and silver jewelry in the busy bazaars.
Cooking class: Learn Rajasthani dishes and spice blends from local cooks.
Desert Festival: Held around February, with music, dance, and camel races.
Photography at Longewala: Capture the war relics set against open desert.
What to Eat
Jaisalmer's cuisine suits its dry climate. Try Ker Sangri (a tangy desert bean and berry dish), Gatte ki Sabzi (gram-flour dumplings in curry), and Laal Maas (a fiery red mutton curry). Daal Baati Churma, Bajre ki Khichdi, and the sweet Ghotua round out an authentic Rajasthani meal.
How to Reach Jaisalmer
By air: Jaisalmer Airport is about 5 km from the center, with limited flights. Jodhpur, about 285 km away, has wider connections, and from there you can take a taxi or bus.
By train: Jaisalmer Railway Station links to major cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Jaipur. The luxury Palace on Wheels also stops here.
By road: Good highways connect Jaisalmer with Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Bikaner. Regular buses run, or you can drive or hire a taxi for a scenic desert ride.
To Longewala: About 120 km from Jaisalmer, usually done as a day trip by taxi or guided tour. Because it lies near the border, a permit may be needed.
Best Time to Visit
October to March is the ideal window. Days are pleasant at roughly 24°C to 30°C, good for sightseeing and desert activities, while nights turn cool.
Related Rajasthan packages: Udaipur Tour Packages, Udaipur Jodhpur Jaisalmer Backpacking, New Year Rajasthan Backpacking, Pushkar Udaipur Bikaner Backpacking, Udaipur Jodhpur Jaisalmer from Delhi
Gather at the Delhi pickup point, Kashmiri Gate (as informed), and say hello to your Trip Captain.
Set off on the overnight journey to Jaisalmer, and get to know your fellow travellers along the way.
DAY01
Once you reach Jaisalmer, check in to your campsite at Sam Sand Dunes, freshen up, and take some time to relax.
Then head out on a camel safari across the Thar Desert and watch the sun sink below the horizon from your saddle. Add a burst of adrenaline with a jeep ride over the dunes.
As evening falls, gather around a warm bonfire for Rajasthani folk music, Kalbelia dance, and light snacks.
Enjoy a home-style Rajasthani dinner, then spend the night in the camp.
DAY02
Rise and enjoy a hearty breakfast, then drive from Sam Sand Dunes to Longewala Post, close to the India-Pakistan border.
On the way, stop at Kuldhara, an abandoned village said to be around 200 years old.
At Longewala Post, visit the war memorial and museum near the border, and pose for a picture-perfect group photo. If time allows, also stop at Tanot Mata.
Head back to the camps for a traditional Rajasthani cultural evening, with dancing around the bonfire and light snacks.
Enjoy a home-style dinner and spend the night in the camps.
DAY03
Rise and enjoy a hearty breakfast, check out of the property, and drive from Sam Sand Dunes to Jaisalmer city.
Head to Jaisalmer Fort, often called India’s only living fort, and stroll through its historic lanes while hearing the legends tied to the place.
Stop by other highlights such as Gadisar Lake and Patwon Ki Haveli.
Take some free time to browse the local market and sample different dishes at recommended themed cafés and restaurants.
Come evening, bid farewell to Rajasthan’s Golden City and begin the return journey to Delhi.
DAY04
Arrive back in Delhi in the early hours of the morning, carrying plenty of happy memories and experiences you won't forget.
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