While exploring the famous Jaisalmer Fort, Gadisar Lake, Jain Temples, and Bada Bagh is a must for every visitor, why not elevate your experience by engaging in some of the most unusual things to do in Jaisalmer? Embrace a unique perspective and immerse yourself in exceptional and offbeat activities that will redefine your visit to this vibrant city.
Hidden away in the ever-changing sand dunes of the Thar desert, Jaisalmer beckons as a delightful destination in Rajasthan, offering a blend of heritage, culture, natural beauty and adventure! The ancient city is adorned with intricately carved sandstone architecture that glows under the warm sun, earning it the nickname “Golden City”. Immerse yourself in all that the city has to offer for the most wonderful and exciting trip.
Beyond the norm: Dive into the unusual things to do in Jaisalmer
Parasail across Jaisalmer’s skyline
Ever dreamt of flying across the desert? In Jaisalmer, this dream becomes a reality! Several operators in the city offer one of the best parasailing experiences. You will be towed to an open jeep as you ride a colourful parasail over the beige desert, enjoying a bird’s-eye view of the city.
Go glamping in the Thar dessert
Why settle for camping when you can go glamping? Imagine yourself reclining in a luxurious tent fitted with all the amenities while surrounded by the vast desert. Spend your nights watching traditional Rajasthani dance performances and indulging in local cuisine against the backdrop of the moonlit desert. The thrill of glamping in the wild promises an adrenaline rush, with the possibility of spotting animals right outside your camp!
Book your stay at SUJÁN The Serai Jaisalmer via Booking.com
Book your stay at SUJÁN The Serai Jaisalmer via Agoda
Take a walking tour of the city under the night sky
If you find Jaisalmer enchanting during the day, wait until you experience it at night! Engage in one of the city’s curated night walking tours, allowing travellers to embrace and immerse themselves in the local culture. This becomes one of the most exciting things to do in Jaisalmer at night. Guides narrate stories and folklore as you navigate the streets, discover hidden spots, and enjoy the delicious street food. Witness Jaisalmer’s well-deserved title of the Golden City as it glitters and shines in the night.
Enjoy quad biking and dune bashing in the desert
For those craving speed and adventure, the Sam Sand Dunes offer adrenaline-pumping activities to remember. Two popular desert activities in Jaisalmer are quad biking and dune bashing. Grab a seat in a 4×4 car and experience the thrill of bashing against the ever-changing sand dunes. Or, get behind the wheels of an ATV (all-terrain vehicle) and navigate the bumpy sands yourself.
Book your stay at Sam Desert Dunes Camp via Booking.com
Book your stay at Sam Desert Dunes Camp via Agoda
Immerse yourself in the Jaisalmer Desert Festival experience
Every February, Jaisalmer and the Thar desert burst into life with the Jaisalmer Desert Festival, also known as the Maru Mahotsav Jaisalmer. This three-day event showcases the best of Jaisalmer’s culture, featuring folk song performances, traditional dances, camel parades and races. Embrace the Rajasthani lifestyle as you partake in the most unique experiences during this vibrant festival.
Dare yourself to explore the haunted village of Kuldhara
An unusual and unique thing to do while in Jaisalmer would be marked by a visit to Kuldhara, an abandoned village with a spooky reputation among the locals, located deep in the desert, approximately 35 km away. Kuldhara is shrouded in mystery; once a prosperous community, it has now turned into a ghost village. Legend has it that one night in 1825, the people of Kuldhara and the 83 neighbouring settlements simply vanished. The rumour is that the village is cursed, and it is advised to leave it before the sun sets.
Book your stay at Jaisalmer Marriott via Booking.com
Book your stay at Jaisalmer Marriott via Agoda
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Embark on an overnight camel safari
Another excellent thing to do in Jaisalmer at night is the overnight camel safari. Recreate a scene from the Arabian Nights as you chart a course into the desert for a night filled with adventure. Ride a camel into the sunset, sleep under the starry sky in the open desert, cook food over an open fire, and wake up to some piping hot tea as the sun rises from the sand.
Also read – Haunted Village To Havelis: These Are The Places That Should Be On Your Next Jaisalmer Itinerary
Live like a Rajasthani in a traditional Jaisalmer haveli
The city is lined with magnificent havelis, beckoning travellers with grand doors and Rajasthani architecture. Enhance your vacation by staying in one of these magnificent traditional mansions or mahals. Each haveli holds an interesting history, adding mystery and charm to your list of unusual things to do in Jaisalmer with a stay in the heritage rooms.
Book your stay at Killa Bhawan via Booking.com
Book your stay at Killa Bhawan via Agoda
Ride a helicopter above the desert
Jaisalmer offers several ways to enjoy an aerial view of the picture-perfect desert, and since 2022, they have added flying in a helicopter to the list of unusual things to do in Jaisalmer. Embark on a luxurious joy ride in a world-class helicopter for a thrilling experience, offering a unique perspective of the desert.
Drive down to the Indo-Pakistan border
Longewala, a border town along the Thar desert where the Indo-Pakistan border rests, is a must-visit destination. The road leading to Longewala is picturesque, offering a scenic stretch of never-ending desert. The 111-km drive from Jaisalmer to Longewala is a two-hour trip steeped in history. The Bollywood film Border, starring Sunny Deol and Suniel Shetty, was an adaptation of the real-life events of the Battle of Longewala in 1971.
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Best time to visit Jaisalmer
Rajasthan experiences extreme heat in the summers and pleasant cold in the winters. Therefore, the best time to visit Jaisalmer is in winter, from October to March. During this period, days are filled with sunshine and warmth, while nights are cold and sometimes windy, providing an ideal climate for exploration.
(Feature image credit: Shutterstock)
Related: Discover India’s Biggest Forts: Historical Marvels That Are Definitely Worth Visiting
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– What are the best places for photography in Jaisalmer?
The best places for photography in Jaisalmer include the desert, streets, havelis, forts, temples and the lake.
– Are there any haunted places to visit in Jaisalmer?
Yes, Jaisalmer has one popular haunted place that has garnered fame throughout India, and that is the Kuldhera village.
– What are the best adventure activities to try in Jaisalmer?
The best adventure activities to try in Jaisalmer are quad biking, dune bashing, parasailing and overnight camel safari.
Written By
Priyaja Bakshi
Priyaja took her love for reading to the next level by majoring in English and minoring in Journalism at Lady Shri Ram College For Women (DU). She is extremely curious about the world and wishes to visit all the countries once in her life. She identifies as a foodie and loves to spend her free time exploring different cuisine and curating new dishes. ..Read More
