| District | : Jaisalmer and Barmer |
| Location | : In the Thar Desert in south-west Rajasthan, next to the border with Pakistan. |
| Distances | : 42 km SW of Jaisalmer, 317 km NW of Jodhpur, 689 km W of Jaipur via Jodhpur. |
When to visit
The park is open throughout the year, but the ideal time to visit is from October to February. At this time, the maximum temperature is 20 degrees Celsius and the minimum around 6 degrees Celsius. Light woolen clothing is recommended.
Activities in the park
The two biggest draws at the park are the Great Indian Bustard and the chinkara, and the best place to see them and other birds and animals is Sudashri. From Jaisalmer, there are two, almost equidistant routes to Sudashri – via Sam or via Khuri. As this is a military area, the roads are well-maintained and generally free of traffic; you can make the journey in 1.5 hrs. A jeep is the ideal vehicle to travel in.
About Desert National Park
This fascinating park is spread over 3,162 sq km (1,221 sq miles) of scrub and sandy wasteland, close to the border with Pakistan. Its star attraction is the great Indian bustard (Choriotis nigriceps), a large bird with a height of 1.2 m (4 ft). The bustard had been hunted almost to extinction, and only about 1,000 remain now, but sightings are likely here. Other wildlife includes sand grouse, several species of falcon and vulture, desert fox, and chinkara (Indian gazelle).
Accommodation
To visit the desert NP, you should ideally base yourself at Jaisalmer, where there are plenty of hotels. There are a number of options at Khuri, but it’s best to do a day-trip to Sudahsri. It’s also possible to spend a night or two in Sam or Khuri during the high season, October to February. However, you will need to book a jeep from Jaisalmer itself.
How to reach
By Air
Nearest airport is Jodhpur (322 km/6 hrs), well-connected to Khuri
By Rail
Nearest railhead is Jaisalmer (42 km/1hr).
By Road
As road journeys to Jaisalmer are very long, this option is best avoided.
| Heritage Hotels in Jaisalmer | ||
| » Deoki Niwas Palace, Jaisalmer | »Gorbandh Palace, Jaisalmer | »Hotel Victoria, Jaisalmer |
| » Jaisal Castle, Jaisalmer | »Hotel Killa Bhawan, Jaisalmer | »Hotel Thar Vilas, Jaisalmer |
| Wildlife Tours in Rajasthan | ||||||
|
