Jaisalmer Full Day Private Tour: Fort, Havelis & Sam Sand Dunes

Jaisalmer Fort's 99 bastions and the cursed streets of a 200-year-old village in one day.

A private full-day tour of Jaisalmer covers the city's major landmarks with a live guide in English or Hindi, starting at Jaisalmer Fort and moving through Patwon ki Haveli, Gadisar Lake, the abandoned Kuldhara Village, and ending at Sam Sand Dunes. You explore the fort's Rajput and Islamic architecture, enter the 19th-century haveli cluster now a museum, walk through the terrace houses of Kuldhara where villagers fled under a curse, and watch regional artists perform at the dunes in the evening.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each4 stops

1. Jaisalmer FortEntry included1h 30m
2. Kothari’s Patwon Ki HaveliEntry included1h 30m
3. Longewala War Memorial1h
4. Kuldhara VillageEntry included2h

Explore Jaisalmer landmarks and desert

• Visit Jaisalmer Fort with guide
• Explore Patwon ki Haveli museum
• Visit Gadisar Lake and surroundings
• Tour abandoned Kuldhara Village
• Experience Sam Sand Dunes desert
• Return to hotel

The experience

Jaisalmer Fort opens the day. Built in 1156 AD and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the fort sits at the heart of the city with 99 bastions: 92 of them raised between 1633 and 1647. Your guide walks you through the royal history and architectural detail, pointing out the blend of Rajput and Islamic design that makes the fort distinct. From there you head to Patwon ki Haveli, a cluster of five connected havelis built over the first 60 years of the 1800s by a merchant named Guman Chand Patwa. The intricate carvings, furniture and artwork are now a museum, and the Archeological Survey of India maintains offices inside the complex.

Gadisar Lake comes next, a body of water first built around 1400 AD and later reconstructed by Maharawal Gadsi Singh. Temples and shrines ring the water, and you'll see Tilon ki Pol, a two-story yellow sandstone gateway with latticed balconies. The lake also holds a desert cultural centre and a museum of artifacts. A 1-2 hour drive then takes you to Kuldhara Village, abandoned 200 years ago under circumstances locals still speak of. The story goes that villagers cursed the land as they left, and no one has successfully resettled it since. You can enter the old houses and climb to the terraces for views across the whole village, a spot photographers favor.

The day ends at Sam Sand Dunes in the Thar Desert, one of India's most authentic dune sites. Local artists perform regional songs and dances here in the evening, and you're welcome to join them. The tour wraps with a return to your hotel.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the day.
• bottled water.
• all entry fees and taxes.
• a live guide fluent in English and Hindi.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.

Options for this experience

2 options

Private full-day sightseeing tour of JaisalmerGuide in English or Hindi · 08:00Pickup is included

Desert Jeep Safari in JaisalmerGuide in English or Hindi · 08:00Jeep desert safari: In the Thar Desert, enjoy a 30-minute jeep desert safari in the evening after the city tour. Pickup is included.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 8h, runs every day at 08:00, from US$ 46 per person, with a live guide in English and Hindi, as a private tour and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (3 and older) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish and Hindi

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by TripBea

Is this one for you?Choose the standard tour if you want to move through the city's main sites at a steady pace with a guide who knows the history and stories. If you'd prefer to add a jeep safari into the desert, that option is available at checkout and deepens the Thar Desert experience beyond the evening stop at Sam Sand Dunes.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Hindi.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Jaisalmer Fort and why is it called the Golden City?

Jaisalmer Fort, built in 1156 AD by Rawal Jaisal, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second-oldest fort in Rajasthan. It earned the nickname "Sonar Quila" or Golden City because of the golden-hued sandstone used in its construction, which glows in the sunlight. The fort contains 99 bastions and showcases both Rajput and Islamic architectural styles.

What can I do at Kuldhara Village?

Kuldhara Village is a 200-year-old abandoned settlement where you can enter the old houses, climb to the terraces to see the entire village layout, and take photographs. Your guide will share the history of why the villagers abandoned it and the local stories attached to the place.

Is lunch included in this tour?

Lunch is not included, but your guide can help you find places to eat during the tour if you wish to stop.

What happens at Sam Sand Dunes in the evening?

At Sam Sand Dunes you can watch local artists perform regional songs and traditional dances, take photographs, and even dance alongside the performers. This is the final stop before you're returned to your hotel.

Do I need to arrange my own transportation to the starting point?

No. Hotel pickup is included in the tour, so your guide will collect you from your accommodation at the start of the day.