Jaisalmer – The Golden City

Jaisalmer sits deep in the Thar Desert, close to the Pakistan border, and is built almost entirely from golden-yellow sandstone that glows at sunrise and sunset - which is how it earned the name 'Golden City'. Its fort is one of the few in the world still inhabited, with homes, shops and temples inside its walls.

Beyond the fort, Jaisalmer is Rajasthan's main base for desert experiences: camel safaris, jeep rides over the Sam Sand Dunes and overnight desert camps. It's usually the westernmost stop on a Rajasthan circuit, reached from Jodhpur or Udaipur.

• A walking tour through the living fort and its havelis
• A jeep safari and camel ride at Sam Sand Dunes
• An overnight stay at a desert camp with folk music and dance
• Sunrise or sunset over the dunes
• Shopping for mirror-work textiles and silver jewelry in the old city

Jaisalmer's cuisine reflects its desert setting - simple, hearty dishes like Ker Sangri (a dish of desert beans and berries) and Bajre ki Roti feature heavily on local menus, alongside the Rajasthani thali found across the state.

The desert camps outside the city are also where you'll find Jaisalmer's strongest cultural experiences - Manganiyar and Langa folk musicians, Kalbelia dance performances, and bonfire evenings under some of the clearest night skies in Rajasthan.