In the north-western part of India, covering a large part of the state of Rajasthan lies the Great Indian Desert - Thar: an expansive arid outback interspersed by thorny bushes, layered with sand dunes, and in it's heart- a golden fortress standing tall.
Wander Womxn presents a fantasy tour in this exotic location. We invite you to live a fairytale. Experience the ephemeral, as you absorb the grandeur of the golden city, bask in the glorious winter sun, ride camels through the desert outback, revel with folk performers, and enjoy delectable Rajasthani cuisine, in this dreamscape.
Event Dates
10th (Thursday) - 13th (Sunday) OCTOBER, 2024
Bookings open till 20th September, 2024
Itinerary
A unique sand and shimmer experience set in a backdrop of stunning landscapes, architectural marvels, and infused with village and folk cultures.
Day 1
Stay inside a 800 year old fort
Report at Paradise Palace inside Jaisalmer Fort and check-in for the night stay. The fort tour begins at 2:30 PM, followed by sunset gathering at a heritage property at 5:00 PM. Free-range time after lunch for self-exploration of the fort and shopping. Dinner, accompanied with live music performance, at 8:00 PM.
Day 2
Art, architecture, music, & culture
Sunrise visit to Gadisar Lake at 6.30 AM, followed by breakfast. The city tour starts at 9:00 AM, visiting Patwon ki Haveli and Salaam Singh ki Haveli. After having lunch in Jaisalmer city, drive to AnanyaVaas, in the outback. En-route stops include Bada Bagh and Lodurva Jain temple. Enjoy a Rajasthani folk night with Manganiyar musicians and Gypsy dancers at night.
Day 3
To the tunes of the dunes
The outback tour begins at 10:00 AM, after breakfast, and includes Khaba Fort, Jaseri Oasis, and Kuldhara village. Return to a picnic lunch by an Oasis near AnanyaVaas at 1:00 PM. Leave for the Thar Desert Safari at 3.30 PM, aiming to reach before sunset. The evening proceeds with camel rides, an experience-sharing session and bonfire in the desert. Dinner will be served amidst the desert, on the dunes at 8:00 PM, followed by a return to AnanyaVaas.
Day 4
Footprints on the sands of time
Enjoy breakfast and prepare for departures, with options for airport/ railway station/ bus stop drop-off.
Event Highlights
Presented by Dr. Arunita Banerjee
Founder & Director (WANDER WOMXN)
Arunita is the Founding Director of Wander Womxn. About four years ago, she got a chance to live a fairytale in strange and magical place where a golden fort stood amidst a shimmering golden desert. She spent about three months, living in havelis inside the golden fort, and working odd jobs in small and big establishments in this golden city and the adjoining desert. She now has friends and family in Jaisalmer, and would love to show you around!
For any concerns or queries regarding this program, you can reach her over a phone call / whatsapp text: +91-8376836146 or email at wander.womxn@gmail.com
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STORY: Jaisalmer's arrival on the tourism-map of India
Internationally famed filmmaker Satyajit Ray came across this golden fortress amidst a golden desert landscape while shooting a children's musical Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne in Rajasthan, in 1968. The members of the royal family even provided Ray with camels and extras to film scenes of a war between the kings of Shundi and Halla, in the fictional storyline of the film. However, this was a black and white film and Ray was unable to capture the golden hues which awed him so much. Impressed and inspired by what he had seen, Ray soon conceptualised and wrote a mystery novel - 'Sonar Kella' about a little boy who has visions from his past life of a house in a golden fort. Ray soon returned with a colour film budget to direct and shoot a movie based on his novel, both of which are in Bengali.
With the huge popularity of the film, Jaisalmer saw a boom in tourism through the 20th century. The craze began with the destination becoming a touristic pilgrimage for Bengalis. Given the charm of the destination itself, the word spread soon about the huge golden fort surrounded by a golden city amidst a golden desert, that no one had heard about.
Each of Ray's films are distinguished in a different way and he was awarded an honorary Oscar for his lifetime achievement in filmmaking, in 1992. Among students of film and cinematography, Ray is a God in his own right.
The economic boom through tourism which now sustains this tiny desert town, has earned Ray the same status here as well. In Jaisalmer, Ray is regarded as God, for putting the 'Sonar Kella' (Golden fort) on the big screen and the mainstream tourism map.
Packages
PLATINUM : 25999/- INR per person*
Double sharing room at Fort + double sharing cottage at Outback village resort
*2 people booking together get a combo package of 50,000 INR
GOLD : 23999/- INR per person*
Triple sharing room at Fort + Triple sharing cottage at Outback village resort
*3 people booking together get a combo package of 70,000 INR
SILVER : 22999/- INR per person*
Double sharing room at Fort + Camping tent at Outback village resort (solo tent/ double tent as per preference)
*2 people booking together get a combo package of 44,000 INR
BRONZE : 21999/- INR per person*
Triple sharing room at Fort + Camping tent at Outback village resort (solo tent/ double tent as per preference)
*3 people booking together get a combo package of 60,000 INR