Explore Jaisalmer: Solo trip Narrative by Sophie Pearce

Jaisalmer, the golden city of Rajasthan, is one of the most attractive tourist destinations. Here is a narrative of Jaisalmer as experienced by Sophie Pearce, a travel blogger, who took a solo trip to the city to unveil the mystery of the desert and the adventures of the sandcastle fort.

Sophie regards Jaisalmer as her favorite city of Rajasthan which holds interesting elements that one just can’t miss while being in India. She was particularly impressed by the honeycombed buildings, ancient market streets and the vibrant colors showcased through the sarees and turbans.

Helsinki House

With the wish of staying at a place close to the city which bears resemblance to a Haveli or fort, Sophie found her match at Helsinki House. It’s named after the owner’s love for traveling to Finland. The place also doubles up as a Zostel Hostel so it caters to all kinds of budgets.

The Helsinki House has a beautiful rooftop that overlooks the fort. Sophie explains as to how she spent time relaxing on the balcony and enjoying the view. She also got to witness the night view of the fort that lights up at night and renders a romantic feel.

The Jaisalmer Fort

In her travel diary, Sophie says that the Jaisalmer Fort is quite different from the usual forts of Rajasthan as it’s more like a village in which people reside. According to her, stepping inside this fort feels as if one has gone back in time to an “ancient faraway land”. Besides, the fort is so tall that it renders a gorgeous birds-eye view of the city.

Ancient Market Streets

As per Sophie, there’s magic in every street corner of Jaisalmer. She explored the shops selling clothes, shoes, carpets, souvenirs, antiques, and other items. However, what caught her attention was a seller who had his own box of natural oils and perfumes on sale.

The Carvings of Patwon ki Haveli

After exploring the markets, Sophie headed towards the Patwon ki Haveli and among all three Havelis, she adored the Kothari’s Patwa Haveli the most. She was mesmerized by the sight of “sumptuous rooms, old fashioned kitchen, and the rooftop that gave an idea about the ancient life of Rajasthan".

The Gadi Sagar Lake

Sophie talks about Gadi Sagar Lake as a place that effortlessly oozes beauty. All the sides of the lake render breathtaking views throughout the day and during the sunset, you can watch the sky change its colors. She also mentions that she had a great time taking a ride of the lake in one of the swan boats.

The Bada Bagh

The Bada Bagh, an ancient cemetery, is explained by Sophie as a photographer’s dream. She says that the place if full of “picturesque sun baked cenotaphs” and suggests that one must visit this place at either sunset or sunrise to capture the beauty of the place.

1st Gate Home Fusion

Sophie chose 1st Gate Home Fusion to splurge on a nice meal where she adored the view of the backdrop of Jaisalmer. The place specializes in Italian food which is not just delicious but also reasonable.

Camel Safari in the Sand Dunes

Sophie preferred to explore private sand dunes where there was no other tourist and she could take pictures and had the entire space to herself. She chose to visit private sand dunes owned by Helsinki House where she didn’t see another soul. She also mentions this desert safari one of the top experiences on her trip to India.

Concluding the trip to Jaisalmer she writes, “Endless desert, sand dunes, camel safaris, starry nights, ancient forts, vibrant markets, and the most breathtaking sunsets. It’s the definition of Rajasthan and simply cannot be missed out on your itinerary.”