Random call from the sand dunes was so well welcomed. It was almost an overnight plan when I said "M game" to the idea of the Thar Desert and four of us were set to explore the Golden City. The fortuitous experiences of the Fort to the Havellis of the Kings through the narrow lane leading to the famous bhang shop & the leather market. How can I not mention about the Rajasthani food blended with flavour not only Indian but Italian, however there are places where you get authentic Rajasthani food too. A place where the earth meets the sky, leaving behind all.
Day 1 - We decided to stay at Fort. We got one big room for four people at very reasonable price , thanks to my friend & co-traveler Mr Rahul Sharma from Shantitravels. Since we had more than half of the day left with us, we quickly moved for the Jaisalmer Fort , entry charges with the audio guide was Rs 250/- , it is recommended to take audio guide or else it would be only yellow stones. By the time we finish around the fort , it was almost closing time for other monuments, so we skip food and rush for the next great Havelli named as Patwaon Ki Havelli (auto took Rs 60/- ), entry fee Rs 60/- since we didnt have much time, so avoided guide or else recommended.
Then we start exploring food joints & start snacking around, ate dinner at Trio. To enjoy the loneliness of the city, walk around the city late at night, the fort looks beautiful from the height in the night.
Mud and Mirror guest house - service was good, food was average, the view from our room was awesome, it has one big window where 2 people can easily sit and enjoy the city beyond the walls, it was a pleasant stay :)
We checkout around 10ish in the morning after breakfast which was included in the room tariff.
The guy was very cooperative & helpful.
After checking out, for sometime we wander in the lane of Jaisalmer, had lunch and too a auto to Fifu Hotels from whom we took our desert package. This hotel was little out of the city. The package includes to and fro Thar desert from Jaisalmer, sight seeing on the way, evening tea, dinner, breakfast. On the way we saw four monuments i.e.Barabag (a royal cemetary ground, Entry Rs 50/- & guide Rs 100/-), Ludharva (Jain temple), Amarsagar (Jain Temple) & Kuldhara (An abandoned village, entry of Rs 10/- & car entry Rs 50) (* entry charges per person).
We reached desert within 2-3 hours (depends how much time one spends in sight seeing) & did the camel ride. After a while we were provided with tea, after such a long ride the hot cup of tea was most needed. Since we chose to sleep in the safari tent, it was set on the sand dunes. We walk on the sand dunes as far as possible, gathering woods to keep the camp fire on as late as possible. Its advisable to take few games along like chess, cards etc. Music system which runs on battery which we missed, so decided to keep the sand dunes awake with our croaky voice. the local guys sleeps after serving dinner. The dark night, the cold sand, the heat fire & the hell-fellow-well-met company...Oh God, m I still alive!
No matter however late one sleeps, will surely be awake with the first ray of the Sun to enjoy the warmth of the sunrise. Sunrise & Sunset in the desert is exquisite, nature at its best.
We had breakfast, small camel ride & then moved out of the sand leaving behind erasable footprints.
We return back to Jaisalmer city by 10ish and checked in Fifu hotel. We were given rooms to relax and freshen up which was part of the package. we still had enough time in hand, so saw few more monuments in the city (Gadisar Lake was good, rest can be avoided such as Nathmal Ji ki Havelli where entry is not allowed & Salim Singh ki Havelli entry charges Rs 30/- but isn't worth ), explore few more joints of food and shopped :)
Awesome food - North Indian Food, most of the chefs are Bengali, so you can trust the food.
Good continental food, this is the only place where you get Hookah in Jaisalmer. Ambiance is too good, it has roof top & food is reasonable.
The most famous bhang shop. It looks like a clumsy den but takes you altogether to a different level where everything moves so so slow...worth a try and the guy is very friendly...must go!