Jaisalmer Sees Massive Tourist Influx as New Year Approaches; Sam Desert and Gadisar Lake Jammed with Visitors

Jaisalmer, Rajasthan: The golden city of Jaisalmer is in full festive swing as tourists from across India and abroad flock to celebrate New Year 2026. From Christmas to New Year’s Eve, the city’s tourism season has reached its peak, with families taking advantage of winter holidays to enjoy the desert splendor.

Crowds at Key Attractions
Popular sites such as Sonar Fort, Patwa Haveli, Salim Singh Haveli, Nathmal Haveli, and Gadisar Lake are witnessing unprecedented crowds, causing traffic-like conditions in some areas. Tourists have arrived from Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, and other parts of the country.

Hotels and Resorts Fully Booked
Hotels and resorts are housefull, with room rates soaring up to four times the normal charges. Over 7,000 tents have been set up across 200 resorts in the Sam region. Standard hotel rooms, usually priced at ₹1,500, are now available for no less than ₹5,000, while luxury tent rates range between ₹15,000 and ₹35,000.

New Year Preparations at Sam Desert
The world-famous Sam Sand Dunes are a focal point for celebrations. Visitors gather to witness the breathtaking sunset over velvet-like dunes, enjoy camel safaris, jeep safaris, and dune bashing. Evenings are filled with Rajasthani folk songs, cultural performances, and vibrant entertainment, transforming the desert into a lively celebration hub.

Gadisar Lake: A Tourist Magnet
Gadisar Lake, historically developed as a rainwater harvesting site, is attracting tourists seeking serenity amid scenic beauty. Visitors enjoy boating, soaking in the calm waters and surrounding landscape, adding a tranquil counterpoint to the desert festivities.

Adventure Activities Take Flight
Paramotoring over the Thar Desert has become a major attraction. Tourists soar over golden dunes under the supervision of experienced instructors, experiencing safe yet thrilling aerial views of the desert.

Rajasthani Culture and Cuisine Light Up the Nights
Luxury tents in the Sam Desert host traditional Rajasthani welcomes, folk dances like Kalbelia and Bhavai, live DJs, and bonfires. Tourists indulge in authentic Rajasthani cuisine, including dal-baati-churma, ker-sangri, and bajra roti, adding a culinary delight to the celebrations.

Record Tourist Footfall Expected
It is estimated that by the evening of 31 December, nearly 500,000 tourists will arrive in Jaisalmer to ring in the New Year. Local tourism businesses are thriving, and the city has once again become a must-visit destination on the national and international tourism map.