Train to Jaisalmer: A Solo Ride into the Heart of the Thar Desert
๐ Introduction: A Ticket to the Desert, A Journey to Myself
In January 2023, overwhelmed with city life and the monotony of routine, I did something impulsive — I booked a sleeper train ticket to Jaisalmer from Delhi.
No one was free to join. So, I decided to go alone.
Little did I know that this spontaneous solo trip to the Golden City of India would become one of the most profound travel experiences of my life — teaching me about silence, resilience, and the beauty of isolation in the vast Thar Desert.
๐ Chapter 1: Sleeper Class and Conversations
The 18-hour overnight train journey wasn’t glamorous. Sleeper class. No AC. Dusty windows. But the people? Unforgettable.
An elderly Rajasthani couple shared their homemade theplas and invited me to visit their village. A group of students from Bikaner played Rajasthani folk songs on a Bluetooth speaker. We laughed, ate together, and watched the desert landscape slowly unfold outside the window.
It was a reminder that sometimes the journey is the destination.
๐ Chapter 2: Jaisalmer Fort — A Living Monument
I arrived in Jaisalmer before sunrise. As the golden hue of the Jaisalmer Fort came into view, it felt surreal — like stepping into a storybook.
Unlike most forts in India, people still live inside Jaisalmer Fort. I wandered its narrow lanes, past sandstone houses, ancient temples, and cafes tucked inside 800-year-old walls.
I stayed at a family-run haveli inside the fort. The view from the rooftop? A panoramic sweep of the golden city glowing under the sun.
That morning, I journaled: “This place doesn’t whisper history. It sings it.”
๐ช Chapter 3: The Night I Slept Under a Billion Stars
I signed up for a camel safari into the Thar Desert, run by a local guide named Salim. We rode camels for 3 hours, through rolling sand dunes and distant silhouettes of shepherds. At sunset, the sky turned a fiery orange as the wind carved patterns into the sand.
There was no mobile network. No light pollution. Just a bonfire, a few travelers, and the clearest star-filled sky I’ve ever seen.
That night, I slept on a mattress under the open sky. I’ve stayed in 5-star hotels, but nothing compares to falling asleep under a galaxy of stars in complete silence.
๐ Jaisalmer Travel Itinerary (3–4 Days)
Day 1:
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Arrive in Jaisalmer
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Explore Jaisalmer Fort, Jain temples, and heritage haveli like Patwon Ki Haveli
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Sunset at Gadisar Lake
Day 2:
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Visit Kuldhara (haunted abandoned village)
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Sam Sand Dunes or Khuri for camel safari
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Overnight camping in the desert
Day 3:
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Return to Jaisalmer
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Local shopping (handicrafts, bandhani, leather goods)
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Try Rajasthani thali at Suryagarh or a rooftop cafe
Optional Day 4:
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Visit Tanot Mata Temple (near Indo-Pak border)
๐งณ Pro Travel Tips for Visiting Jaisalmer
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Best time to visit: October to March (cool weather, perfect for desert camping)
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Getting there: Trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur. Nearest airport is Jodhpur (5–6 hrs drive)
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Where to stay: Heritage havelis inside the fort or boutique desert resorts
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Must-try food:
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Ker Sangri (desert bean curry)
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Dal Baati Churma
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Laal Maas (if you like spicy)
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Makhania Lassi
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๐ธ Perfect Instagram Captions From Jaisalmer
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“Where the sand never sleeps and the stars never stop shining.”
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“Solo in the desert, but never alone in the silence.”
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“Golden city, golden memories.”
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“Rode a camel, found my calm.”
๐ญ Lessons from the Desert
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The desert is not empty — it’s full of wisdom.
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Traveling alone doesn’t mean being lonely.
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Every stranger has a story, and every story matters.
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Sometimes, silence is the loudest thing you need.
๐งก Final Thoughts: Why Jaisalmer Left a Mark on My Soul
Jaisalmer isn’t just about forts and camels. It’s about the feeling of timelessness, the warmth of strangers, and the stillness that allows you to listen to yourself.
When I boarded the return train, I wasn’t the same person who arrived. I had sand in my shoes, stars in my eyes, and peace in my heart.
If you’re seeking something deeper than sightseeing — if you’re ready for a pause, a reset, a real connection — Jaisalmer is waiting.
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