.png)
I embarked on this journey with my friend Raghav, and after several recent trips across North India, we decided to experience the charm of Rajasthan - Jaisalmer and Jodhpur - desert and the blue city of India. The end of December seemed like the perfect time to visit the Thar Desert in Jaisalmer. The months from October to March are ideal for exploring Rajasthan, with sunny days and cool nights—what more could we ask for?
We chose to travel by train from Delhi to Jaisalmer, as I’ve always enjoyed train journeys. There’s something special about hopping off the train at different stations, grabbing some tea or snacks, and then continuing the ride. Our train, the Ruchina Express, took around 18 hours. It was an overnight journey, so we made sure to get enough rest on the train to be fully energized for the adventures ahead.
After deboarding the train, we hired a taxi from the railway station to our camp, "Desert Adventure Camp & Resorts." I had made an early reservation for two nights through a reference. Once we arrived, we unpacked our things, freshened up, and then headed out for our first activity— a thrilling desert safari. The safari location was a bit further from the camp, but we were excited about what lay ahead. A professional driver took us on an open jeep ride over the dunes of the Thar Desert. Since we were the only two passengers, we urged the driver to speed up and make the experience even more thrilling.
After the exciting ride, we spent some time exploring the desert, clicking pictures, and soaking in the serene beauty before heading back to the camp.
After returning to our camp, the evening unfolded with a traditional folk dance performance and snacks. Guests gathered in a concentric circle, watching the artists perform in the center, while the desert night’s chill set in. The music and dance added a magical touch to the cold evening. Once the performance concluded, dinner was served in the main hall, marking the perfect end to our first night in Jaisalmer.
On the second day, we had one more exciting activity left— the camel ride. With plenty of time on our hands, we decided to walk from our camp to the dunes where the camels awaited us. Along the way, we captured numerous pictures, strolling down the straight road, soaking in the winter sun, and listening to music. It was the perfect winter walk, relaxed and peaceful, under the warm sun.
Upon reaching the dunes, we contacted our camp owner, who arranged for a guide to take us on the camel ride. While the camel ride is quite cliché in the desert, it’s a must-do for the experience and the vibe. After the ride, we found ourselves with half a day left and no specific plans. We decided to walk back to our camp from the dunes, took some much-needed rest in our tent, and soaked in the peaceful surroundings. It was our last night in Jaisalmer.
After checking out from the camp early in the morning, we took a shared taxi to Jaisalmer City. We had a bus to catch in the evening for Jodhpur, so we had plenty of time to explore the Jaisalmer Fort, Gadisar Lake, and the marketplace. We decided to start with the fort, as I knew it would take a while to explore. The outer walls of the fort were enormous, and what fascinated me most was that people still lived within the fort. We even saw small schools nestled inside. We spent hours exploring the fort, stopping for lunch in a small restaurant inside. The architecture was stunning, and from the top, we had a panoramic view of the entire city, which was a beautiful sight.
From the fort, we headed to Gadisar Lake, a man-made reservoir built by the first ruler of Jaisalmer, Raja Rawal Jaisal. In ancient times, it was the only source of water for the city. We didn’t spend much time there but snapped a few pictures before heading to the marketplace.
We bought souvenirs, enjoyed some snacks, and tried the famous lassi. As the evening came to a close, we boarded our bus to Jodhpur. Jaisalmer had been an unforgettable experience!
It took us around 4-5 hours to reach Jodhpur, and we arrived at night. The first task was to find a hotel, so we checked into one near the bus stop and planned the next day's itinerary. We kicked off our day with delicious kachoris at "Janta Sweets." I highly recommend trying the meethi kachori, a unique treat not commonly found in North India. After breakfast, we made our way to the iconic Mehrangarh Fort.
On our way, we passed through Jodhpur's famous narrow alleys, where almost every house is painted blue. This is why Jodhpur is known as the "Blue City of India." The alleys were incredibly photogenic, and we couldn’t resist stopping to snap some pictures.
Mehrangarh Fort is perched around 400 feet above the ground, and it takes about 10 to 15 minutes to walk up the elevated path leading to the entrance. From the top, you get a panoramic view of the entire Jodhpur city, which is simply stunning. Considered one of the largest forts in India, Mehrangarh’s most striking feature is the array of massive cannons. I could only imagine the power and destruction each one would have caused. A visit of around 2.5 hours is ideal to explore the fort. Some sections are restricted, and locals say there are many hidden secrets within the fort’s walls.
The next stop was Toorji Ka Jhalra, located within walking distance from the fort. This historical stepwell, over 250 years old and more than 200 feet deep, showcases the traditional water management system of Jodhpur. It’s fascinating to watch people dive into the cool water to beat the intense heat.
We also visited the Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park, an ecologically restored area showcasing desert and arid land vegetation. The park features a small cafe, a plant nursery, and an interpretation gallery. From within the park, you get a stunning view of Mehrangarh Fort, which looks magnificent. The park is home to a variety of plant and animal species, making it a great spot for nature lovers.
On Christmas Day, unfortunately, it was time for our return journey. We started the day a bit later, as we had already explored most of the famous tourist spots. Our first stop was the iconic Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) in Jodhpur. From there, we headed to Kayalana Lake. Though there wasn’t much to do besides boating, the serene atmosphere made for a relaxing visit. Nearby, there’s also a zoo, offering an opportunity to spend some time exploring wildlife.
During the return journey, I was asleep when I suddenly heard a loud noise, and the bus came to a sudden halt. I got off and saw a dead buffalo lying on the road, while another bus (heading toward Delhi) had veered off the highway, involved in a serious accident. Thankfully, there were no major casualties. After assisting the passengers in getting out of the bus, providing first aid, and helping them settle on our bus, we were back on our way.
Comments