Day Excursions

Jaisalmer is a former medieval trading centre and a princely state in the western Indian state of Rajasthan. Located in the heart of the Thar Desert, also known as the “Golden City,” it’s distinguished by its yellow sandstone architecture. Dominating the skyline is Jaisalmer Fort, a sprawling hilltop citadel buttressed by 99 bastions. Behind its massive walls stand the ornate Maharaja’s Palace and intricately carved Jain temples.

The Desert National Park is an excellent example of the ecosystem of the Thar Desert.

Despite a fragile ecosystem, there is an abundance of birdlife. The region is a haven for migratory and resident birds of the desert. Many eagles, harriers, falcons, buzzards, kestrel and vultures are spotted here. Short-toed eagles, tawny eagles, spotted eagles, laggar falcons and kestrels are the most common among these. Sand grouse are spotted near small ponds or lakes. The endangered great Indian bustard is a magnificent bird found in relatively fair numbers. It migrates locally in different seasons. The most suitable time to visit the area is between November and January. The Desert National Park has a collection of fossils of animals and plants which is 180 million years old. Some fossils of dinosaurs which are 60 million years old have been found in the area.

Akal Wood Fossil Park is a National Geological Monument of India. It is also a Biodiversity Heritage Site.

The park contains fossils of petrophyllum, ptyllophyllum, equisetitis species and dicotyledonous wood and gastropod shells of the Early Jurassic period. There are about a dozen fossilised wood logs lying horizontally oriented in random directions. There are a total of 25 petrified tree trunks. The fossils date back 180 million years.

The Museum displays war exhibits which include vehicles and equipment captured during the course of operations in 1965 and 1971. The Jaisalmer War Museum has an Honour Wall engraved with the names of the ParamVir Chakra and MahaVir Chakra gallantry award winners, two large Information Display Halls – Indian Army Hall and Laungewala Hall, an Audio Visual Room, a souvenir shop and a cafeteria. A Hunter Aircraft of the Indian Air Force, which destroyed enemy tank columns during the Battle of Laungewala is also displayed.

The inauguration of the Museum took place in the Golden Jubilee Commemoration Year of the 1965 India Pakistan War.