If tourism in India offers a traveler the grand trifecta of history, culture, and purchasing power the Indian state of Rajasthan is, perhaps, the culmination of all three plus a certain enigmatic je nes se quoi. Formerly the state of Rajputana it boasts a fierce and proud warrior people with ancient feudal princely states and a culture of royalty, polo and many a lusty brawl. Most tourists, however, forsake the small town of Jaisalmer for the more mainstream destinations Jaipur and Udaipur. And while the state capital Jaipur and the lake city Udaipur are charming and very conducive to tourism I cannot urge you enough to take the five hour road trip from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer is unique in the fact that it is 40 kilometers away from the Indo-Pakistan border and is surrounded on all sides by desert. Dubbed "the golden city" every structure in Jaisalmer is constructed out of gold sandstone, the exact color of the desert. The handsome women of the desert only wear the very brightest colors (think Matthew Williamson couture) for some visual relief from a monochromatic desert.
Oasis in the Desert
Out of the dozens of hotels available none will have the charm or the feeling of actually living in an oasis in the desert as much as 'Mool Sagar'.
Luxury Tented Camp
Formerly the Maharwal of Jaisalmer's pleasure gardens, Mool Sagar is now a luxury tented camp five minutes out of the city.
The Jaisalmer Fort
The Jaisalmer Fort is India's only 'living' fort with an entire walled city existing within it.
The Former Palace
In the fort the Jain temples and the former palace of the Maharwal of Jaisalmer.
View of the Golden City
The ramparts have a 'no end in sight' view of the golden city.
The Man-made Lake
The Gadi Sagar man-made lake.
Camel Ride Anyone?
Camel Safari was over run with tourists, but fun.
Shopping in Jaisalmer
Shopping in the famous Havelis of Jaisalmer.
Kerman is a documentary filmmaker in Mumbai City, but gets wanderlust too often to stay in one place too long. Her favorite spots include Kerala, Paris and Rishikesh. She's planning a trip this summer to Sikkim, Leh, Ladakh and Cambodia.
If tourism in India offers a traveler the grand trifecta of history, culture, and purchasing power the Indian state of Rajasthan is, perhaps, the culmination of all three plus a certain enigmatic je nes se quoi. Formerly the state of Rajputana it boasts a fierce and proud warrior people with ancient feudal princely states and a culture of royalty, polo and many a lusty brawl. Most tourists, however, forsake the small town of Jaisalmer for the more mainstream destinations Jaipur and Udaipur. And while the state capital Jaipur and the lake city Udaipur are charming and very conducive to tourism I cannot urge you enough to take the five hour road trip from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer.
Jaisalmer is unique in the fact that it is 40 kilometers away from the Indo-Pakistan border and is surrounded on all sides by desert. Dubbed "the golden city" every structure in Jaisalmer is constructed out of gold sandstone, the exact color of the desert. The handsome women of the desert only wear the very brightest colors (think Matthew Williamson couture) for some visual relief from a monochromatic desert.
