Away With The Steiners

Review of The Wanderlust Guesthouse and Camel Safari in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. 

Sarah Steiner

The Wanderlust Guesthouse is a small accommodation outside of the Fort and in walking distance to all the things to do in Jaisalmer within the old city.  We stay there every time we visit Jaisalmer.  And at risk of sounding repetitive, it is our favourite place to stay in India!  

Here is our complete review of The Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan with everything you need to know for a great stay in the Golden City. 

About The Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer

The Wanderlust Guesthouse is a small, privately owned accommodation in the incredible Golden City of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.  One of the main attractions of Wanderlust and the city of Jaisalmer is the small and friendly size of both.  

Wanderlust has just six rooms accommodating single travellers, couples and families comfortably.  The size and personable service as well as the EPIC location overlooking Jaisalmer fort, makes it our favourite place to stay in India. 

It’s an incredible feeling to be able to relax amidst the bustle and colours of Rajasthan and to have a moment to just take in everything India.  There are balcony seats and views from the rooftop restaurant and common area that make it hard to leave…

And, on top of that, Wanderlust organises what we can confidently recommend as the best camel safari experience in Jaisalmer.

Something to consider when choosing accommodation in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

One thing to consider when choosing accommodation in Jaisalmer, is that as tempting as it is to stay within the walls of Jaisalmer fort, the fort is in serious threat of damage by ground erosion.  

With the increased demand for water to cater to hotels and accommodation inside the fort as tourism has grown, the original infrastructure and drainage systems are overwhelmed and causing erosion to the forts foundations.  For this reason it is recommended to opt for accommodation in the city and enjoy an outing for the things to see in Jaisalmer fort.  

The Wanderlust Guesthouse is ideally positioned in short walking distance to the markets, Haveli’s, Gadisar Lake, the fort and all the neat things to do in Jaisalmer.  And it has epic views from the rooftop to admire sunset right over the fort.

Jaisalmer fort.
The narrow lanes and labyrinth of Jaisalmer Fort are busy enough.

Why stay there? What are the highlights and facilities?

We really rate The Wanderlust Guesthouse and with more than six trips to Jaisalmer in the last few years it has become our firm favourite accommodation in India. 

Padam, the owner, is a wonderful host. The guest house itself is clean and conformable, with delicious food, and an easy 15-minute walk to the fort.  

Some of the highlights and facilities include: 

The comfortable and beautifully decorated rooftop common area.

Arrival, welcome and checking in to The Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer

There is no doubt that travel in India and the bustle and crowds can be overwhelming at times.  But arriving to the calmer but just as colourful city of Jaisalmer and the personable welcome from the staff at Wanderlust Guesthouse is a great feeling. 

We have many times arrived at odd hours of night or morning due to the scheduled hours of trains to Jaisalmer. But each time we have been picked up from the train station by Nabu or Padam and welcomed warmly to Jaisalmer. 

Checking in is straight forward.  As with all accommodation in India you need to provide your passport and visa number.  Payment is available by cash or card.

Being met by Nabu from Wanderlust Guesthouse just after sunrise at Jaisalmer Railway Station (JSM).

The rooms – Review of The Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer

There are a range of rooms to suit solo travellers, doubles and a family room layout.

Each of the rooms has an en suite bathroom with a hot shower and western style toilet. 

A Standard King Room with double bed.
A late night arrival to the huge bed and amazing window balcony of the King Suite / Family Room.
Arriving some time after midnight but happy to check in to the very clean and spacious Family Room.

Costs. How much does it cost to stay at The Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer? 

This must be the best value for money accommodation we’ve found in India!  There are many hotels in India that are listed online and on booking sites with great photography but that under deliver in real life.  

The Wanderlust Guesthouse really delivers above advertised expectations with clean, basic, comfortable rooms and a stunning outlook over the Golden City. 

One of the very clean Standard King Room with a double bed.
Oh yes I’m showing photos of the bathroom. How immaculate is that?!

The food – Review of The Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer

If you are nervous about trying new food in Jaisalmer or street food in India in general, this is the perfect place to do it.  

The small, rooftop restaurant at Wanderlust Guesthouse has a great menu with homecooked Indian dishes, region-specific dishes from Rajasthan and the Thar Desert, and the best lassis in town.  

Or if you are feeling the need for something familiar there are options for simple but tasty pasta and toasted sandwiches. 

Our favourite breakfast of muesli and fresh curd (yoghurt), eggs, tea and coffee.
Delicious vegetable curry, hot chapati and fresh dates late at night in the small rooftop restaurant at Wanderlust Guesthouse.

The staff – Review of The Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer

Padam and the rest of his staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming.  Where sometimes traveling in South Asia it can get to the point of feeling impersonal checking in again to another place to stay.  Reading all the reviews of staff and hospitality at the Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer confirms exactly our feelings.  

Padam and his team are kind and personal in making sure you have everything you need for a great stay.  But without being obtrusive or overbearing – which is important when you’re there for the adventure as much as you are to enjoy the more relaxed pace of Jaisalmer. 

And did I mention the epic views of the fort from the rooftop terrace? 

Host Padam on the steps of the Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer awaiting our ride to the Thar Desert for a camel safari.

Is it easy to find it? How is the location in Jaisalmer? 

The location is another great feature of the Wanderlust Guesthouse.  It is located in the Artist’s Colony and just below Sunset Point in Jaisalmer. From the guesthouse it is just a short walk to Jaisalmer Fort (15 minutes) or to Gadisar Lake (20 minutes) and only 500 metres from the Patwon Ki Haveli and other things to do in Jaisalmer. 

We love that the location is just up the road from the main villages market, Maharana Pratap Maidan Market.  

It is a bustling and lively marketplace with everything from brightly coloured and perfectly stacked fruits and vegetables to jewellery and bangles in the iconic style of the Jaisalmeri women.  And if you are going on a camel safari this is a good place to get a scarf and start your preparations to get desert ready. 

And across the road is a small kiosk type convenience store selling snacks and drinks. 

Colourful ladies in traditional Jaisalmeri dress.

What do we enjoy most about staying at The Wanderlust Guesthouse in Jaisalmer? 

This is our favourite place to stay in all of India.  

Padam and his team do an amazing job of hospitality with beautifully clean rooms, delicious food and the best camel safari in Jaisalmer.  And the view from the terrace restaurant of the setting sun over Jaisalmer Fort is the kind that memories are made of.  

The view of the Golden City of Jaisalmer from the rooftop terrace is one that never gets old.

Any challenges or things we didn’t like about the stay? 

The rating on Booking.com for Wanderlust Guesthouse is over 9.3/10 with smashing reviews! That is the highest rating we’ve seen in India and with truly genuine and well-deserved feedback. 

We genuinely can’t think of anything to record that’s negative about our stay.  Apart from perhaps that we always wish it was longer! 

Other things to do nearby in Jaisalmer and the Thar Desert 

There are lots of cool things to do in Jaisalmer itself. But a visit to Jaisalmer isn’t complete without an excursion to the Thar Desert for a camel safari in Jaisalmer. 

You can forget images of glamping and tents on the sand dunes.  The best part about a camel safari in Jaisalmer is that it really is a local and non-touristic type of experience.  

There are touristy ones too. But those are the ones popular with domestic tourism in the Sam Sand Dunes and that isn’t that the same thing at all!

Instead, with the Wanderlust Guesthouse Camel Safari you get the opportunity to take a jeep ride out into the desert and start a short camel ride in the sunset. There is the option to camp for the night just beyond the small villages of the Thar Desert and sleep underneath the stars. A magical experience. 

Note that pretty much every hotel and business in town will offer you a camel safari.  It is one of the most popular things to do in Jaisalmer. But you definitely want to make sure you book a good one and also one that is ethical – to the camels, and to its workers. 

We booked our camel safari directly through owner Padam at the Wanderlust Guesthouse.

Ready for a Camel Safari in the Thar Desert.
Dinner under the light of the moon.

What is the best way of getting to Jaisalmer? 

Jaisalmer Railway Station (JSM) is the end of the railway line. But the city is well connected with daily trains to and from Jodhpur, Jaipur, Delhi and beyond. 

There are three main trains to Jaisalmer:

Traveling from Jaipur to Jaisalmer by train takes between 12 – 15 hours.  From Delhi the journey is 18 – 20 hours.  

The train from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer should take around 6 – 7 hours. 

Buses are another option to get to Jaisalmer if the arrival hours of the trains don’t appeal.  

Jodhpur is the closest major city connecting Jaisalmer.  There are hourly buses from Jaisalmer to Jodhpurdeparting during the day.  The journey is around 6 hours by bus. And there are two daily buses (06:00H and 14:00H) that depart from Jaisalmer to Bikaner. 

Flights to Jaisalmer operate in the tourist season (winter) from October to March.  But for the rest of the year there are no commercial flights to Jaisalmer.

Arriving at the same time as the golden sunrise to the Golden City of Jaisalmer.

The verdict? Would we recommend Wanderlust Guesthouse as somewhere to stay in Jaisalmer? 

Absolutely.  We look forward to returning to Jaisalmer each time we visit India.  And the Wanderlust Guesthouse is top of our recommended accommodation.  We love that it is so clean and comfortable, small, personal and relaxing.  And somehow it manages to be all that with million dollar views for a great price and brilliant location. 

It is an awesome place to stay in Jaisalmer and no doubt will become a favourite of yours in India too.  

Thanks Wanderlust team! 

Read more about the Golden City of Jaisalmer and travel in Rajasthan, India

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