For those of us used to the humid, crowded lanes of Kolkata, looking out at the endless golden dunes of the Sam desert is something else entirely. The living fort itself is beautiful to explore, but honestly, the main town gets incredibly chaotic during peak winter afternoons, so escaping to a desert camp before sunset is highly recommended. Make sure to pack a heavy woolen jacket or shawl, because the temperature drops like crazy the minute the sun dips below the horizon. Jaisalmer offers a classic desert trip experience, blending the old-world majesty of a golden sandstone fort with overnight stargazing camps right in the middle of massive, wind-swept sand dunes.
