How many days
Two nights is the minimum to see the city and spend a night in the desert. Three or four nights allow a slower pace.
Getting there
Jaisalmer has an airport with seasonal flights and good rail links from Delhi, Jaipur and Jodhpur.
City first or desert first
Arriving tired? Start in the city. Arriving early? Head to Sam the first afternoon and see the fort fresh the next morning.
A simple three-night outline
Night one in the city: arrive, then see Gadisar Lake at sunset. Day two: the fort and havelis in the morning, then Bada Bagh, Kuldhara and on to Sam for sunset, with night two at a desert camp. Day three: sunrise on the dunes, back to the city by midday, with a slow afternoon in the old town. Night three in the city, then depart.
When to book what
In the main season, from October to March, book your camp first since it is the hardest to change, then build the city nights around it. Trains to Jaisalmer can fill up around holidays, so check those early too.
Getting around
The old city is best on foot, but the sights outside it need a vehicle. A car and driver for the day is the usual choice, and a transfer to the camp can be included in the same booking.
