Thar Desert Trails 4D/3N

On arrival at Jodhpur, you ill be greeted by our Holidaymine.com representative and will be transferred to Jaisalmer. Drive will be through visiting some villages. En route visit Osian. This picturesque getaway is situated 65 kms from Jodhpur. Osian is a great centre of Brahmanical and Jain religions. After Osian village drive through the desert village and visit the Khichan Village. It is well known for migratory bird "Kurja" (Crane). The village Khichan is hardly 4 kms away from Phalodi. A small sleepy town in the vicinity of Phalodi, Khichan has now become one of the most favored Bird watching vacation destinations in India.

Phalodi was initially called Phalvardhika. It was later renamed as Phalodi. The town is known as Phalodi after the Phalodi Fort was named at the request of Phala, the widowed daughter of Brahman Sidhu Kalla, who gave a generous contribution in cash to build the fort. In 1230, famous Kalyan Raoji's temple was constructed. The temple of goddess Latiyal Devi and Santinath are some of the oldest temples of the town. The Parasnath Jain temple established in 1847 by the Oswal Jain community has been made only in stone. It is made of old Belgium glass.

Jaisalmer - a fairy-tale town in the Thar Desert founded about 800 years ago by Maharaja Jaisal. This desert fortress is one of Rajasthan's most exotic and unusual towns. Jaisalmer, an important ancient trading centre because of its strategic location on the camel trade routes, is often described as the 'golden city'. The havelis, built by merchants of the 19th century, are exquisitely carved from golden-yellow sandstone and are still in a beautiful condition. The fort built by Rawal Jaisal in the 12th century, stands on the 80 meter high Trikuta hill, with beautifully carved Jain temples.The annual desert festival takes place in January and February each year and is a riot of color and activity. Jaisalmer is also famous for its embroidery, Rajasthani mirror work, rugs, blankets, antique, and stonework and camel safaris into the barren sand-dune desert.

Overnight stay at your hotel.

Enjoy your breakfast this morning at the hotel, and proceed for visit of the famous Havelis (mansions) known for their frescoes. Jaisalmer's strategic position on the camel terrain route bought it great wealth. The merchants grew prosperous and commissioned great havelis, or mansions, to flaunt their ever-growing status in society. Made of local golden-yellow sand stone and wood, some of the havelis are still in excellent condition. The most elaborate and magnificent of all the Jaisalmer havelis is the Patwaon Ki Haveli. Salim Singh Ki Haveli and Nathmal Ki Haveli are the other two havelis that are opened to visitors. Built in 1156 by the Bhati ruler, Jaisal, the fort here stands atop the 80 m high Trikuta hill. 3 walls and features 99 bastions surround the fort. Within the fort complex lie the beautifully carved Jain Temples built between the 12th and 15th centuries.The 'Maharawals' (rulers) of Jaisalmer were devout Hindus but were tolerant of Jainism, and encouraged art and religion. There are seven temples in the complex.

After noon visit the Ghadishar Lake -The beautiful arched gateway across the road down to the tank a scenic rain water lake with numerous beautiful shrines around. The lake is an idyllic spot for outings. Lodurva - Lodurva, the ancient capital of Bhattis is 16 kilometers from Jaisalmer. Mostly in ruins, it is visited for the great Jain temple, which contains the most exquisite jail work screens, grand ceiling and a magnificent triumphal arch at the entrance. The original carriage for the deity, made in 1675, is still preserved. The most interesting object dart is Kalpataru, a mythical tree of wish fulfillment. Lodurva has a great number of peacocks, which hover around the temple walls lending spectacular color to the dry and stony landscape. Here once flowed the river Kak. Amar Sagar- From Lodurva, the road to Jaisalmer passes through Amar Sagar, which has a grand artificial reservoir for water, a temple and a promenade on the bank. Bada Bagh, cenotaphs of the Jaishalmer Rawals, has some magnificent chattris (canopies) set amidst an oasis of greenery. It is indeed a great place for a stopover and photography. Another beautiful place is the Gadi Sagar Tank, the main source of the city's water supply. Kuldhara Village is one of the most interesting place. This is among the 84 villages inhabited by the rich, hard-working Paliwals. The Paliwals deserted their houses overnight with the curse that anyone who removed even a stone from the houses would come to grief and perish. Howling winds rush through empty streets and skeletons of houses now exposed to the elements remains of the village.

Proceed for the excursion to Sam Sand dunes. Located at a distance of 42 kilometers from Jaisalmer, Sam Sand Dunes is the closest point to witness the total sandy desert.

Accommodation in Jaisalmer or Tented Camp.

Post breakfast this morning at the hotel, check out and proceed to Jodhpur.

The 15th century city of Jodhpur, stands at the edge of Thar Desert and is the largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur. Jodhpur is a resplendent city, with a blend of modern and traditional buildings. The city is totally dominated by a massive fort sprawled across 125- meter high hill known as Meherangarh Fort, founded by Rao Jodha in 15th century. A flourishing trade center in the 16th century, Jodhpur is still one of the leading centers of wool, cattle, Camels, salt and agricultural Crops . It boasts of some of very fine reminders of its glorious past palaces, temples and other elegant monuments of architectural and historical significance. Also Jodhpur is popularly known as the 'Blue City' because of the beautiful houses painted with indigo color mostly belonging to the Brahmin caste. You can get a magnificent view of this Blue city from the ramparts of the Meherangarh Fort. Visit the Meherangarh Fort, which was impregnable for the rocky base which it is on. It totally dominates the city and within its walls are the royal palaces, priceless jewels and a striking collection of arms. Also visit Jaswant Thada, the white marble memorial to Maharaja Jaswant Singh II built in 1899.

Also visit Sardar Bazaar and Clock Tower markets where you can see the vegetable, spice, Indian sweets, and textile and silver markets. These colorful markets with tiny shops dot the narrow lanes replete with woodcarvings, wrought iron, lacquer work, silver and ivory ornamentation and leather handicrafts.

Afternoon is free to walk around in the colorful and bustling bazaars for personal exploration or shopping.

Overnight stay at your hotel.

Today your journey comes to an end leaving you with some wonderful memories. Post breakfast check-out from the hotel. Holidaymine.com thanks you for your patronage and ensures you a punctual transfer to  Jodhpur Airport or Railway Station for your onward journey.