JODHPUR - JAISALMER TRIP DAY 4

6th January 2023

In the morning around 10:30, after having breakfast, we checked out from the tents. 

Our next stop was at Gadisar lake, Jaisalmer. This lake is an artificial lake. The lake is located about 1.5 km from Jaisalmer Fort. It is said that this lake once provided water to the entire city. Presently, the water comes in the Gadisar Lake from Indira Gandhi Canal, so it never dries.

Gadisar Lake, Jaisalmer

We went boating there, and we also did shopping there in the local market. The local market consisted of kathputli, jewellery, a variety of clothes, mojdis, bags, handicrafts, food items and more.

Local market

Next, we checked into our next hotel The Desert Palace, Jaisalmer. We had our lunch there.

The Desert Palace, Jaisalmer

Next, we headed towards, Jaisalmer fort. It is believed to be one of the very few "living forts" in the world, as nearly one-fourth of the old city's population still resides within the fort. It is also known as the golden city. The entire view of Jaisalmer city is visible from this fort. The fort has many shops within its premises (inside as well as outside). 

The Golden City, Jaisalmer

After exploring the fort we headed back to the hotel, where a DJ part was organized for everyone, we all enjoyed it a lot. Followed by dinner a small cake-cutting ceremony was done to celebrate the success of the whole trip. 

7th January 2023

We checked out from the hotel and left to board our train from  Bhagat ki Kothi railway station, at around 5:30 pm, the train journey started around 7:00 . We enjoyed ourselves a lot on the train. 

8th January 2023

We were served our breakfast on the train. We reached Bandra terminus at around noon, and with a lot of nostalgic memories, everyone went back home.

JODHPUR - JAISALMER TRIP DAY 3

 

5th January 2023

The next day, we got up early, freshened up, had our breakfast and backed up our bags and checked out from the hotel. After a 2-3 hour long journey by bus, we halted near Pokhran to have our lunch, at Highway Konig Hotel and Restaurant, the food there was delicious.

We again continued our journey by bus to Kanoi village, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. We enjoyed the camel safari there, at first it was scary but then I enjoyed it, it was my first time sitting on a camel. 

Camel safari, Jaisalmer

Sand Dunes, Jaisalmer

Adventures like desert safaris and paragliding were also available there, but as we reached late on the destination we couldn't enjoy it all. 

After enjoying the camel ride and clicking many photos, we headed to our next stay. Which was Sam Sand Dunes Camp, Jaisalmer. 

 Sam Sand Dunes Camp, Jaisalmer

We stayed in luxury camps there, which contained a bed, washroom, cupboard and many more luxury items. 

Tents in which we stayed

 Before dinner, we enjoyed a campfire and Rajasthani folk dance, along with BBQ and tea. 

Rajasthani folk dance 

After that a small DJ party was organized around the campfire, followed by dinner. 

We had an overnight stay at the hotel. It was a very chilly night. The temperature there at night was 7°C and early in the morning was 6°C. 

JODHPUR - JAISALMER TRIP DAY 2

4th January 2023

The next day around 6:30 in the morning, we reached Jodhpur railway station and boarded our bus to the hotel. 

We checked into the Hotel Madhuram Royale, Jodhpur. They welcomed us by playing drums and applying vermillion on our foreheads and putting garlands. 

Our sweet welcome from the hotel

We then freshened up and had our breakfast. And then left for the Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jodhpur after a 40 mins journey by bus. 

Umaid Bhavan Palace is one of the world's largest private residences. A part of the palace is managed by Taj Hotels. It is named after Maharaja Umaid Singh, grandfather of the present owner, Gaj Singh. The palace has 347 rooms and is the principal residence of the former Jodhpur royal family. A part of the palace is a museum.    

Umaid Bhavan Palace, Jodhpur

We saw many weapons used by the king, antique jewellery, the king's collection of antique watches from all around the world, the king's collection of vintage cars and many more.

Collection of vintage watches 

One of my favourites from the collection

After exploring the palace, we again headed back to the hotel to have our lunch. After having lunch we again headed towards Mehrangarh fort (Mehrangarh Museum Trust), Jodhpur. 

Mehrangarh fort, Jodhpur

The fort is located on a hilltop around 122 metres above the surrounding plain and was constructed by Rajput ruler Rao Jodha. The entire view of Jodhpur city is visible from this palace. It is whole blue as Jodhpur is known as the blue city. The entire fort is carved in Rajputana and Mughal style architecture, also several other variations can be seen as we explore the fort more. 

Mehrangarh fort entrance

Blue city (Jodhpur)

After visiting the Mehrangarh fort our day 2 ended. We went back to our hotel rooms and enjoyed our dinner and had a good night's sleep. 

JODHPUR - JAISALMER TRIP DAY 1

JODHPUR JAISALMER TRIP 

So my college i.e.M.L.Dahanukar decided to take an educational trip to Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. 

It was a 5-day trip from 3rd January - 8th January.  

3rd January 2023

We all assembled at Bandra terminus, on 3rd January at around 1:30 pm, to board the Rajdhani express. The train departed at 3 pm, and we all were excited as it was everyone's first college trip after the COVID-19 pandemic. 

After the ticket checking and attendance were done, we were served our lunch, a Rajdhani meal box containing Indian food i.e.roti - sabzi, daal - rice, papad, achaar, dhokla and my favourite gulab jamun.

Rajdhani meal box 

My seat was near 2 professors, at first we were scared but, they were too friendly. Then the real fun started, we made many new friends. We played many games with the teachers, like housie, heads up, antakshari, dancing and many more. 

Then we were served dinner which was again the Rajdhani meal box, we enjoyed that while watching a cricket match between India and Sri Lanka. We all slept after that.

The next day around 6:30 in the morning, we reached Jodhpur railway station