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The short answer
The best months are November, December, January and February, with clear skies and days around ~25 to ~28 °C. October and March are good if you do not mind warm afternoons. From April to June the heat is extreme, and July to September brings brief rain, humidity and low prices.
If you want a night in a desert camp, go between October and March, when most camps run.
Jaisalmer weather month by month
These are long-term averages, rounded. Real days vary, and the dunes are usually a few degrees colder at night than the town.
| Month | Max °C | Min °C | Verdict | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | ~24 | ~8 | Best | Cool, clear days; cold desert nights (can dip near 3–5 °C). |
| February | ~28 | ~11 | Best | Pleasant; Desert Festival usually falls this month. |
| March | ~33 | ~17 | Good | Warm afternoons, comfortable evenings; last full month for most camps. |
| April | ~38 | ~22 | Fair | Hot by midday; some camps close mid-month. |
| May | ~42 | ~26 | Avoid | Very hot with dust storms; sightseeing only early morning. |
| June | ~41 | ~28 | Avoid | Extreme heat; the hottest, most humid stretch. |
| July | ~38 | ~27 | Fair | Monsoon showers are brief; humid, fewer tourists. |
| August | ~36 | ~26 | Fair | Occasional rain turns scrub green; off-season prices. |
| September | ~37 | ~25 | Fair | Hot and drying out; camps start reopening late in the month. |
| October | ~36 | ~19 | Good | Warm days, cooling nights; the season opens. |
| November | ~30 | ~13 | Best | Ideal weather; Diwali and wedding season crowds. |
| December | ~25 | ~9 | Best | Peak season; book early for Christmas and New Year. |
For today's conditions and what is open, see our live status page.
The four seasons explained
Winter peak (November to February)
Sunny, dry and cool. Mornings are crisp, and nights can drop to around ~8 °C in January, colder on the dunes. This is when everything runs: camps, safaris, flights and festivals. It is also when rooms are dearest and the fort is busiest.
Shoulder months (October and March, into early April)
Afternoons reach roughly ~36 °C in October and ~33 °C in March, but mornings and evenings are lovely. Crowds are thinner and some camps offer early- or late-season rates.
Summer (April to June)
Highs of around ~42 °C in May, with hot winds and dust storms. Most dune camps close. Sightseeing is only comfortable at dawn and after sunset.
Monsoon (July to September)
Jaisalmer gets little rain, roughly ~65 mm even in August, so showers are short. It stays hot and humid, but the scrub turns green, skies are dramatic and hotels discount heavily.
Camp season and festivals
Most camps at Sam and Khuri open around October and close after March. A few stay open through the monsoon with fewer activities; ask before you plan a camp night outside the season. The festivals below are worth timing a trip around; dates follow the lunar calendar, so check each year.
| Festival | When | Where | What happens |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Festival (Maru Mahotsav) | January–February (three days ending on the Magh full moon) | Jaisalmer city and Sam dunes | Mr Desert contest, camel races and polo, folk music, a closing night on the dunes. |
| Gangaur | March–April | City | Processions of women honouring Gauri; colourful and local. |
| Teej | July–August | City | Monsoon festival with swings, songs and fairs. |
| Ramdevra fair | August–September | Ramdevra, about 120 km towards Pokhran | A huge pilgrimage fair; roads are busy. |
| Diwali | October–November | Fort and city | The golden fort lit with lamps; high hotel demand. |
Read more in our Desert Festival guide.
How prices change through the year
Christmas–New Year and the Desert Festival week see the highest prices; book 4–8 weeks ahead. Around those dates, camps and hotels often add a surcharge or insist on packages with a gala dinner. We have seen quotes well above normal rates, but it varies by property, so always ask for the total.
In a normal winter week, a standard Swiss-tent camp costs about ₹3,000–6,000 a night for two, and a budget camp about ₹1,500–3,000. In the shoulder months you can often negotiate a little off. In summer and the monsoon, city hotels discount the most, while many camps are simply closed.
What to wear in each season
- Winter: light layers for the day, plus a proper jacket, a warm hat and socks for evenings and camp nights.
- Shoulder months: cotton clothes, a light fleece for the dunes after dark, a hat and sunglasses.
- Summer: loose, light, long-sleeved cotton, a wide hat or scarf, and plenty of water. Cover up rather than strip down.
- Monsoon: quick-dry clothes and sandals that can get wet; a light rain layer is enough.
All year, cover shoulders and knees for the Jain temples, and leave leather items behind there. Our trip planner has a packing list by season.
Best months for photography, birding, budget and families
- Photography: November to February for clean light on the golden stone. The monsoon brings the best clouds and green scrub.
- Birding and wildlife: winter, when migrant raptors and other birds arrive. Desert National Park is open about about 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM, and early mornings are best.
- Budget travellers: late September, early October, or March, when prices ease but the weather is manageable.
- Families: November, December and February. Avoid the Christmas week if you dislike crowds, and pack warm clothes for children at night.
If you can only go in May or June
It can be done with care. Plan the day around the heat:
- Start at sunrise. See the fort and havelis by about 10 am.
- Rest indoors from late morning to about 4 pm, in an air-conditioned room.
- Go out again for sunset at Vyas Chhatri or Gadisar Lake.
- Skip the camp night. Visit the dunes for sunset only, by air-conditioned car.
- Drink water constantly, add oral rehydration salts, and cover your head.
Dust storms can roll in without warning. If one arrives, go inside and wait; they usually pass within an hour.
Plan it with our free tools
Planning your dates?
Tell us when you want to travel and we will share options from local camps and hotels that are open then.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Jaisalmer?
December and January offer the most reliable weather, and November and February are nearly as good with slightly warmer days.
Are desert camps open in summer?
Most close or scale down from about April to September. A few stay open with limited activities; check before booking.
Is Jaisalmer too cold in January?
Days are pleasant, but nights fall to around ~8 °C on average and lower on the dunes. Pack a warm jacket.
Is it worth visiting Jaisalmer in the monsoon?
If you like quiet places and good deals, yes. Rain is light, the landscape greens a little, but it stays hot and humid.
When is the Jaisalmer Desert Festival?
Usually in January–February (three days ending on the Magh full moon). Confirm the year's dates on the Rajasthan Tourism events calendar.
When are hotel prices highest?
Christmas to New Year and the Desert Festival week. Book several weeks ahead for those dates.