Best Time to Visit Jaisalmer

Founded in 1156, the city of Jaisalmer has a rich cultural history intertwined with tales of fierce battles and bloodshed. In the 13th and 14th centuries, Jaisalmer was under siege from a number of invaders that included the emperor of Delhi, Ala-ud-din Khilji. Jaisalmer’s fortunes took an upward turn between the 16th and 18th centuries because of the kingdom’s strategic location along the camel trade routes between India and central Asia.

Travellers are left awestruck when they get their first view of Jaisalmer. A magical sand castle, multi-turreted, is perched on a three-peaked hill like a shimmering mirage. A panoramic view of the Golden City makes it seem as if it were magically brought to life from a gold leaf miniature painting.

The aurum mirage that is Jaisalmer Fort is still inhabited by descendants of the maharajas’ workers, who run shops and stalls within the walls, today. There are 99 gigantic bastions that circle the winding streets, temples, and palaces carved out of yellow sandstone. Off the fort is the old city, peppered with sandstone havelis and beyond that, the undulating dunes, wind turbines, and villages of the omnipresent Thar Desert.

Jaisalmer was founded in the 12th century and its rulers patronized the fine arts and were tolerant of other religions, especially Jainism. Jaisalmer’s glory reached new heights from the 16th to the 18th century. Since Jaisalmer was situated on the trade routes that connected India with Central Asia, the local folk and merchants commissioned impressive mansions of wood and sandstone. This makes a walk through Jaisalmer a wonderful experience, where at every corner sits an architectural delight.

The best time to visit Jaisalmer is during the desert winter months. September to March is ideal for exploring the Golden City. Post-monsoon and spring is when the weather is pleasurable and you can enjoy the sights and sounds of this western Rajasthan city.

1Winter in Jaisalmer (October to March)

Travellers start heading to Jaisalmer in October when the temperature hovers around the 30°C mark. You might just experience a brief rain spell but that just brings the temperature down. Exploring Jaisalmer’s many historic attractions is enjoyable and you can even bypass the touristy crowds that start landing up in the main winter months.

In November, the temperature is even more conducive to travelling. With the average at 24°C, you can have a great time while spending a few days as part of a desert camping trip. Camel safaris are popular around November, and you should certainly consider a boat ride on Gadi Sagar Lake.

You’ll find Jaisalmer quite crowded in December because this is peak tourist season all over Rajasthan. The feared desert humidity is at an all-time low, the days are pleasant, and the nights, if spent out in the open, are quite cold. Make sure carry woolens if you’re camping out in the sand dunes. December to February is the best time for camel safaris and desert camping trips.

The best time to visit Jaisalmer is in January. The first month of the year sees temperatures drop to a much-welcomed 10°C! While the hustle and bustle of tourists will be something you have to deal with, the pleasant weather makes it all worthwhile. This is a great time to witness the arts and culture of the Golden City during the Jaisalmer Desert Festival. Camel races, traditional song and dance, and puppet shows are all part of this three-day extravaganza that takes place at the beautiful Sam Sand Dunes.

February sees the days getting slightly warmer but tourists still land up because you can still explore the many sights of Jaisalmer without worrying about a heat stroke! This is also the month of Holi, the festival of colours that is celebrated with a lot of exuberance in Jaisalmer.

March signals the end of the tourist season because the temperature starts moving towards 30°C. However, this is a great time to find economical hotel deals in Jaisalmer.

2Monsoon in Jaisalmer (August to September)

The rainy season is virtually non-existent in Jaisalmer. Situated in the western part of Rajasthan, the Golden City receives short bursts of rain that only increases the humidity and adds to the general stuffiness. Travelling around this time can be slightly unbearable but you will get great rates at hotels. However, most travellers avoid these two months in Jaisalmer.

3Summer in Jaisalmer (April to July)

The summer heat in Jaisalmer is relentless with temperatures creeping above 40°C, sometimes reaching 49-50°C! This makes daytime exploration absolutely impossible and the searing heat makes the summer months not the best time to visit Jaisalmer.

All in all, the Golden City is best visited between October and March to enjoy all of its historical attractions and adventure activities. The weather during these months allows travellers the best experience of exploring Jaisalmer in all its historical glory.