3 Routes For A Great Delhi To Jaisalmer Road Trip

Jaisalmer, also known as ‘The Golden City’, is in Rajasthan and is a world heritage city. It is located close to Thar Desert and is also close to Pakistan border. It was founded in the 12th century. Jaisalmer hosts a number of fairs and festivals. Sona Quila is a major attraction of the city.

Other attractions include its magnificent havelis, camel rides and desert safaris, its bustling bazaars, Jain Temples, Gadisar Lake, Desert National Park, Akal Wood Fossil Park, Amar Sagar Lake, and more.

A road trip from Delhi to Jaisalmer would be a long one, however, well worth taking.

Best Time To Visit

Summers are boiling hot, best to avoid a trip in April and May. November to March is an ideal time to visit Jaisalmer as the temperature hardly reaches beyond 24 degrees Celsius.

Sightseeing and outdoor activities, as well as the road trip, become a pleasure during winters. Monsoons are also not a great time as the area receives scanty rainfall, turning it more humid.

How To Get There

The distance from Delhi to Jaisalmer by road is roughly 800 kilometers. It is good to hire a driver if you are taking your own car, or hire a cab with a driver. If you are planning a bike trip, book your overnight stays in advance. Private bus operators offer tickets as low as Rs. 1000 and onwards. Book an AC Volvo for a convenient trip. Book online for discounts.

Route Options

Check out three great route options to take from Delhi to Jaisalmer.

Route 1: The Bikaner Route

Route Map

Delhi → Bahadurgarh → Rohtak → Hisar → Fatehpur → Bikaner → Jaisalmer

View Map

This route takes around 14 hours across NH 9 and NH 52. The distance is around 800 kilometers. An overnight stay in Bikaner is recommended in case if you want to enjoy the sights of Bikaner and also if fatigue sets in.

Popular Stopovers on Your Delhi to Jaisalmer Road Trip

• Asigarh Fort: This could be your first stop at Hansi which comes after Rohtak. It is a 12th-century fort built by Prithviraj Chauhan.

• Agroha Dham: Post Hansi, you will reach Hisar where you can visit Agroha Dham, an architecturally beautiful temple with a cave inside.

• Churu Fort: A 16th-century marvel, a must visit for history aficionados.

• Nathji Ki Chatri: Further down the road from the Fort, visit this historical temple built as a shrine to Lord Shiva.

• Sethani Ka Johara: Further down the highway on your way to Ratangarh, visit this ancient reservoir constructed to give water during the famine.

• Junagarh Fort: A major attraction in Bikaner, this palace is gorgeously carved with mirror work and a fine collection of artifacts.

• National Research Centre on Camels: Half an hour from Bikaner you can find out everything to know about camels and their different breeds.

• Jain Temple Bhandasar: Check out amazing fresco paintings and intricate architecture of Jain Temple. Legend says it was built with ghee instead of water.

• Gajner Lake: Go boating in Gajner Lake and enjoy spotting migratory birds.

• Lalgarh Palace: Do visit this historical palace built in European, Mughal and Indian architectural styles.

Route 2: The Jaipur Route

Route Map

Delhi → Neemrana → Shahpura → Jaipur → Nagaur → Jaisalmer

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This is also a popular road to take on your road trip. It goes through NH 48 and 125 and takes around 15 hours across 838 kilometers. It is advisable to stay in Jaipur overnight.

Popular Stopovers on your Delhi to Jaisalmer Road Trip

• Ziplining in Neemrana Fort: Add a little more adventure to your road trip by ziplining across Neemrana’s architectural ambiance. Book in advance at Flying Fox.

• Step-wells in Shahpura: Drive through the town of Shahpura and check out their traditional step-wells and roam around its colorful bazaars.

• Hawa Mahal: Visit Hawa Mahal in Jaipur and be amazed by the high merit architecture of its colorful facade.

• Amber Fort: A must-see Jaipur gem, set atop a hill, this huge fort has rooms, courtyards, and architecture that will blow your mind.

• Jaigarh Fort: Set higher than Amber Fort, this palace is worth a visit for its cannons and stunning architecture.

• Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing: Learn about block printing and everything about textiles and indulge in shopping at this hidden gem.

• Birla Temple: Delicately carved in white marble, this temple exudes serenity.

• Fort of the Hooded Cobra: Proceed to Nagaur from Jaipur where you will find this flat-land fort, famous for its frescoes and Mughal garden.

• Nagaur Fort: Wide, clean and beautiful, the fort is famous for the features of its water infrastructure.

Route 3: The Jodhpur Route

Route Map

Delhi → Neemrana → Shahpura → Jaipur → Kishangarh → Ajmer → Beawar → Jodhpur → Pokhran → Jaisalmer

View Map

This is a third option worth exploring. It runs through the same route until Jaipur then passes through Ajmer, Jodhpur, and Pokhran to Jaisalmer. It takes approximately 15 hours on NH 48 and 125.  Overnight stay in Jodhpur is recommended. You can choose to visit any of the destinations mentioned in Route 2. Only the ones after Jaipur are mentioned below.

Popular Stopovers on your Delhi to Jaisalmer Road Trip

• Ajmer Sharif Dargah: Visited by millions worldwide, the tomb of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is a must visit.

• Mehrangarh Fort: This is one of the top rated and most magnificent forts in India, famous for its rich heritage, unsurpassed architecture and stunning view of the blue city of Jodhpur.

• Umaid Bhavan Palace Museum: Check out the amazing personal collections of the Rathores, and other ancient artifacts and historical tidbits.

• Salim Singh Ki Haveli: Right before reaching Jaisalmer, stop in Pokhran to take a tour of this haveli with a unique peacock shaped roof.

Safety Measures

• The highway is in a great shape from Delhi to Jaipur. But do leave early as the routes are long and traffic is a given.
• If you are not visiting Jaipur, then do take the bypass some 45 kilometers before Jaipur and head straight to Ajmer.
• The Bikaner route is also in excellent condition where you can maintain a good speed.
• You may hit a bad patch around Beawar and Pokhran.
• The Churu patch is good but be careful in Rohtak traffic.
• Make sure your vehicles are properly serviced.
• Since all routes pass through major cities, gas stations and eateries will be plenty.
• Follow Google Maps when not on state highways for guided navigation.
• Switch drivers if more than one of you can drive, or take plenty of breaks en route.

To sum up, a trip to Jaisalmer will surely be one of the best experiences of your life. You will have the opportunity to immerse in the rich historical legacy of India throughout your trip. So plan your itinerary based on the route that suits you best and gets going. Have any questions? Leave your queries in the comments below and we’ll get back to you.