Jaisalmer, Rajasthan:

shops in the alleys of Jaisalmer Fort

After my return from southern India, I stayed in Jaipur for two weeks and worked. I only left the city again on the 9th of March, when I joined a student field trip to Jaisalmer in westernmost Rajasthan.

Jaisalmer is famous for its magnificent fort, but for us it served mainly as an overnight stop. We spent most of the coming four days doing research in the countryside. Close to the Thar Desert and the border to Pakistan, the climate is very dry and the landscape comparatively barren.

countryside on the way from Jaipur to Jaisalmer

steles in the countryside around Jaisalmer

steles in the countryside around Jaisalmer

steles in the countryside around Jaisalmer

dry dry dry

a herd of cattle

euphorbia

White-eared Bulbul

countryside and our bus

a babbler

Striolated Bunting

Striolated Bunting

Desert Lark

Desert Lark

heavy transport

village life

tea shop in the village

male House Sparrow

female House Sparrow

shop in the village

dry countryside

dry countryside

lizard

lizard

Isabelline Wheatear

Isabelline Wheatear

Isabelline Wheatear

Isabelline Wheatear

Isabelline Wheatear

I had visited Jaisalmer already in January 2014, but one afternoon we returned early from field work and I took my chance to enter the old town again. Jaisalmer Fort was built in 1156 and occupies a prominent position on Trikuta Hill in the middle of the city. It is a wonderful feeling to stroll through the alleys of this UNESCO World Heritage Site – particularly since they are too narrow for motorized traffic! Especially fantastic are the intricate carvings in the building stones of many houses and temples!

part of the view from the hotel room

full view from the hotel room

pig family next to the hotel

evening light on Jaisalmer Fort

evening light on Jaisalmer Fort

on the way to the Jaisalmer Fort

alleys of Jaisalmer

alleys of Jaisalmer

intricate carvings

alleys of Jaisalmer

ascent to the fort

walls of the fort

entrance to Jaisalmer Fort

Fort Palace

alleys in Jaisalmer Fort

alleys in Jaisalmer Fort

panoramic view across Jaisalmer

view of Gadi Sagar

old haveli in Jaisalmer

at the Jain Temples

alleys in Jaisalmer Fort

alleys in Jaisalmer Fort

intricate carvings

Fort Palace

at the Gadi Sagar

Another evening we drove to Sam approximately 42 km west of Jaisalmer. The area is famous for its large sand dunes and consequently visited by many tourists to enjoy the scenery as well as camel rides or culture shows there. Even though the hustle and bustle of the visitors can become a little much at times, it is still a good and easily reached place to see the Thar Desert.

on the road to Sam

on the road to Sam

cattle in sand

sand blasts across the road

road at Sam

the Sam Sand Dunes

tourist taking selfies on a camel

sand dune

tourist camel ride

sand ripples

camel tour

camel rider

camel rider

camel rider

camel rider

camel

sunset in the dunes

tourist camp

old road covered by dunes

camels at the Sam Sand Dunes

camels at the Sam Sand Dunes

traditional music

traditional dance

traditional dance

traditional dance

After four days working in the countryside around Jaisalmer, we had to endure the long drive back to Jaipur. Following another two weeks of work in Rajasthan’s capital, I already departed again for my next adventure… click here!