Barmer, 158km south of Jaisalmer, is another important desert outpost, but has little to offer tourists. It's usually a dusty backwater, where the manufacture of handicrafts, its main export, occupies much of the population. In January however, the place is transformed during the hectic Tilwara Cattle Fair, held on the banks of a saltwater river nearby. This is the largest cattle market in Rajasthan, attended by villagers and traders from all over the state.

Accommodation and food stalls in Barmer are scarce; if you need to stay the night, try the basic Krishna Hotel (phone 02982/20785; Rs200-600) near the railway station, or the rather better Hotel Kailash Sarowar (phone 02982/20730; Rs100-400).

The best accommodation in town, however, is RTDC's Khartal tourist bungalow (phone 02982/22956; Rs300-400), which has just four rooms.

Buses run to Barmer from Jaisalmer (hourly; 3hr), and there are two expresses (5hr) and a passenger train (7hr) from Jodhpur.

 

Jaisalmer | The Town | Arrival and info | Shopping | Restaurants | Moving on from Jaisalmer | Camel trek | Around Jaisalmer | Akal Fossil Park | Amar Sagar, Sam and
Barra Bagh | Barmer | Khuhri | Lodurva | The Lovers of Lodurva | Phalodi and Keechen | Pokaran | Pokaran N-tests | Gadi Sagar Tank and the Folklore Museum | Havelis | Jaisalmer Fort

COME2RAJASTHAN.COM © 2006