Thar desert also known as the Great Indian Desert spreads in two countries of India and Pakistan. In Pakistan, it occupies the eastern region while in India it is extends mainly in the north western state of Rajasthan and a Gujrat. Covering an area of 2,59,000 sq kms, this desert introduces tourists to yet another facet of varied Indian topography. There is only one river that crosses the desert region to merge into the Arabian sea is the Luni river.

Though, the desert region lacks in water, still it does not lack in attractions that forces tourists to visit this land again and again. Also, tourists can live a life which is diametrically different from their own, though it is definitely not drab and monotonous.

Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer was founded by Rao Jaisal in 1156 AD and is around 54 kms from Pakistan. Located in the heart of the Thar desert, the city of Jaisalmer is famous for its towering forts and omnipresent havelis. The golden yellow sand that is the main ingridient in the construction of the forts and havelis of the city has earned it the sobriquet of the ‘Golden city’. Places to visit in Jaisalmer include the Jaisalmer Fort (or the Sonar Quila), Nathmal Ji Ki Haveli, Salim Singh ki Haveli, Patwon Ji ki Haveli, Tezia Tower, Desert National Park and Akal Wood Fossil park. The Godi Sagar lake is also worth visiting by the tourists during their trip to the Thar desert.

Reaching There
» By Air - Flights connect Jaisalmer to and from the cities of Jodhpur, Jaipur, Mumbai and Delhi.
» By Rail - Trains connect Jaisalmer to Delhi and Jodhpur.
» By Road - Roads connect Jaisalmer to all other important cities within Rajasthan Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner.


Jodhpur
Lying at a distance of 285 kms east of Jaisalmer at the edge of the Thar desert, Jodhpur is another city that attracts tourists immensely. Founded by Rao Jodhaji in the year 1459 the city is particularly attractive because of its houses that are painted in blue colour. The blue colour that dominates the entire city has earned it a nickname of the ‘blue City’. The other attractions of the city include the Mehrangarh Fort, Jaswant Thada, Umaid Bhavan Palace and Mandore Gardens. Tourists are completely charmed by the elegance exuded by the city as well as the rich history that has become synonymous with almost entire Rajasthan.

Reaching There
» By Air - Flights connect Jodhpur to Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Jaisalmer and Udaipur.
» By Rail - Jodhpur is connected to other other cities in the Western region by express and passenger trains.
» By Road - Jodhpur is well connected by roads to other cities of Rajasthan and Delhi. Luxury and Delux buses operate at a regular frequency.


Bikaner - Bikaner forms the third city of the desert trio and was founded by Rao Bikaji in 1488 AD. The city of Bikaner forms majority of the area of the Thar desert hence, a visit to this place cannot be missed out at any cost. As similar to the city of Jodhpur, Bikaner is also surrounded by fortifications. Inside the town, the attractions are abundant to bind the tourists on their visit. These sites include the Junagarh Fort, Lalgarh Palace, Camel Research and Breeding Farm and the Ganga Golden Jubilee Museum. Bikaner is also extremely famous for its eatables.

Reaching There
» By Rail - Rails connect Bikaner to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Delhi and Bhatinda.
» By Road - Roads connect Bikaner to Agra and Jaipur by NH-8 while Kandla port, Pathankot, Amritsar and Bhatinda are connected by NH-11.


Things to do
» Camel Safari - Exploring the Thar desert at the back of the ‘ship of the desert’, camel is an experience which is better felt than described. Starting from Jaisalmer (which is the base for safari tour in the Thar desert), tourists are led through the vast sandy stretch of the desert region. Enroute, remote villages introduce tourists to the local peoples and an interaction with these people proves fruitful in gaining knowledge about the desert life. The flora and fauna that come across during camel safari is amazingly wide in variety considering the fact that it is a desert region. Tourists can also enjoy special cultural programmes complete with that are organised for travellers on a regular basis on the sand dunes. Mouthwatering Rajasthani cuisine are also on offer during these programmes.