Explore the Golden City of the Desert
Jaisalmer Mid-Trip Extension
Overview
The origins of Jaisalmer go back to the 12th century when Rawal Jaisal, a Rajput chieftain of the Yadav clan, abandoned his old fort at Lodurva and laid the foundation of a new city on a triple-peaked rock. The Golden Fort and its inner citadel crown the 80-meter-high hill and are approached through the Sun Gate. Within the fort is a seven-story palace with its Megh Durbar, or Hall of Clouds. Also in the inner enclosure is a group of finely carved Jain temples that date from the 12th to the 15th centuries. The glory of Jaisalmer faded when sea trade replaced the old land routes, but an “Arabian Nights” quality remains in Jaisalmer's streets and marketplaces. The narrow streets of the walled city preserve a traditional way of life as craftsmen still work in ancient arts, including stone carving and silver jewelry.
Arrive: Delhi, India
Depart: Jodhpur, India
Highlights
- Explore a spectacular walled city whose traditional way of life is preserved
- Visit the 11th century Golden Fort, a labyrinth of palaces and temples
Itinerary
Days 1-2 follow the regular India: Rajasthan Private Journey itinerary.
After a morning for independent exploration in Delhi, fly to Jodhpur, where you make a drive of 4 to 5 hours, with stops along the way, to the desert city of Jaisalmer. Overnight at hotel...BLD
Jaisalmer is a golden city that rises out of the yellow sands like a mirage. Remote and desert-bound, it lies on the ancient trade route that linked India with the trading centers of Central Asia. Camel caravans laden with precious cargos of spices and silks crossed the dangerous mountain passes of the north and halted in Jaisalmer, bringing it great wealth. Jaisalmer's princes and merchants displayed their riches in exquisitely carved and ornamented palaces and mansions within the old walled city. Enjoy a full-day tour, visiting the traditional havelis (mansions) of the merchants and the hilltop Golden Fort. The narrow streets of the walled city preserve a traditional way of life as craftsmen still work in the ancient arts, creating beautiful weavings and stone carvings, silver jewelry, and embroidery...BLD
A drive of about 4-5 hours brings you to Jodhpur. Continue with India Private Journey itinerary (Day 3)...BLD
Continue with India: Rajasthan Private Journey itinerary (Day 4 onward)
A visa is required for U.S. citizens visiting India. Your visa must be obtained prior to arrival.
Accommodations
Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.
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Itinerary
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Trip Levels
With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.
Level 1 – Easiest
Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.
Level 2 – Easy to Moderate
Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.
Level 3 – Moderate
Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.
- Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
- Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
- Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
- Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.
Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.
Level 5 – Strenuous
Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.
Level 6 – Very Strenuous
Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.