Map your route before you book it

Leave early, break the drive at Osian's eighth-century temples, and reach Jaisalmer with the afternoon intact.

1. Jodhpur

   Depart after an early breakfast.

   • Mehrangarh Fort
   • Clock Tower bazaar
2. Osian65 km · 1h 15m

   An hour among the Pratihara temples, and the first sight of dunes.

   • Sachiya Mata Temple
   • Mahavira Jain Temple
3. Jaisalmer220 km · 3h 45m

   Arrive by early afternoon; the fort and Patwon Ki Haveli fill the rest of the day.

   • Jaisalmer Fort
   • Patwon Ki Haveli
   • Gadisar Lake
4. Sam Sand Dunes42 km · 1h

   Out to the dunes for a camel safari at sunset, then dinner at camp.

   • Camel safari
   • Manganiar folk music
   • Night under canvas

Overnight Desert camp at Sam

• On the road by 7:00 — the fort is far better before the afternoon heat.
• Between September and March, leaving at 5:30 instead buys you the cranes at Khichan.

Sunrise over the dunes, the abandoned village on the way back into town, and the long straight road home.

1. Sam Sand Dunes

   Sunrise over the dune field before the camp packs up.

   • Sunrise over the Thar
2. Kuldhara25 km · 35m

   The Paliwal village, empty since the 1820s — half an hour is enough.

   • Abandoned village grid
   • Restored temple
3. Jaisalmer18 km · 25m

   Bada Bagh and the last of the havelis, then lunch in town.

   • Bada Bagh cenotaphs
   • Sandstone haveli lanes
4. Jodhpur285 km · 5h

   Straight run home on NH 125, with a tea halt at Phalodi.

   • Thar desert highway

• Bada Bagh at first light is quieter and photographs better than at sunset.
• Leave Jaisalmer by 14:00 to be back in Jodhpur before dark.