If I were to describe Khaba Fort, Jaisalmer in one sentence it will be:

“A secluded, deserted palace, with no tourist crowd at all, ancient ruins all around and peaceful surroundings for miles and miles.”

To some, it might sound boring and not worth the time and effort. While to others, the same might sound romantic or adventurous. I guess this is the reason that Khaba fort, Jaisalmer is not as famous as the other attractions in Jaisalmer including the completely contrasting Jaisalmer Fort. And even the locals underrate it. But, it did sound interesting to us. So, on our trip to Jaisalmer, towards the end of 2017, we visited Khaba Fort along with the haunted village of Kuldhara, the Amar Sagar Jain Temple and Bada Bagh. Khaba fort is a small fort on the outskirts of the city, at almost a 40 km drive from the main city of Jaisalmer. Towards the Thar Desert. The Fort is not very large, and has been abandoned along with the village of Kuldhara that spreads on the foot of the fort.

How to reach Khaba Fort, Jaisalmer

The drive from Jaisalmer city to Khaba fort is a pleasant one. With wide highway that run amidst the Thar Desert. One can either rent a vehicle from Jaisalmer to reach Khaba fort, or hire a taxi along with a driver (who most often act as the guide as well). The fort is located atop a small hill. The last few kilometers of the drive span through the winding roads uphill to reach the main entrance of the fort. We did the later on our visit here. We had hired a taxi for the entire day from Jaisalmer city. Using this taxi, we visited first Khaba Fort, followed by Kuldhara, Bada Bagh and other attractions. The driver of the taxi also acted as a guide for us on the way.

What to expect from Khaba Fort, Jaisalmer

To be honest, after having visited massive forts and palaces in Rajasthan including the Amer Fort, Nahargarh Fort and Jaigarh Fort in Jaipur, the massive Kumbhalgarh Fort and Chittorgarh Fort, Udaipur Palace, and last but not the least Jaisalmer fort, my expectations were similar from Khaba Fort, Jaisalmer. But, comparatively, I found the fort to be much more smaller. Moreover, the locals and the government don’t seem to take much interest in the fort. Since, no steps have been taken for it’s restoration, neither is it promoted as much as the other attractions in Jaisalmer.  It seems for the same reasons, it is not so touristy. One will not find too much crowd here. Expect very little tourists. When we went here, there were just couple of other people exploring the place. But that is what we loved about the place – no crowd at all and the freedom to explore without any rush.

Current state of Khaba Fort, Jaisalmer

The fort is indeed in a ruined state. The roof has mostly fallen. One can take stairs to the first floor from the main courtyard of the fort. But you will have to mostly walk on the pillars in between the missing roofs. On one side of the courtyard there is a small exhibit of different kind of rocks found in the surrounding desert area. There are a few other statues and carvings in the fort, most of which are in half ruined state. Most of them are missing parts of their body or face. A series of steps at the adjacent side of the fort leads to the foot. From here start the ruins of the village of Kuldhara that extend far and wide.

What to do at Khaba Fort, Jaisalmer

Although small, one can easily conceive the strategic importance that Khaba Fort must have had in the past. As, it is located atop a small hill, and gives an excellent panoramic view of the surroundings. On a clear day (which is mostly the case in the Thar Desert), you can see far and wide from here, across other hills and meadows. And if visiting towards the evening, you can get an excellent view of the sunset from across here. Overall, it forms for a lovely spot to click some wonderful pictures.

Also, one can go down the fort and explore the ruins of the village of Kuldhara as far and wide as one desires. Try visiting towards the morning or the evening so that the sun is not very harsh. And you can explore as much as you want, since you will be mostly facing the direct sun otherwise. We do remember the presence of a few guides inside the Fort. If you desire to know more about the history and glory of this fort, you can take help of a guide. 

Tips on visiting Khaba Fort, Jaisalmer

1. You can combine a visit to the Khaba Fort, Jaisalmer on a day trip along with Kuldhara, Bada Bagh, Amar Sagar Jain Temple etc.

2. Also, it can be visited while on way to the Thar Desert, particularly if one is going towards the Sam Sand dunes.

3. Plan a visit early in the morning or in later half of the day when the sun starts getting milder.

4. The best time of the year to visit here is between november to february when the heat is moderate and bearable.

5. Hire a taxi or a self-drive vehicle to reach here.

6. Carry water and basic snacks with you. There are no shops in the vicinity of the fort.

7. Wear comfortable walking shoes that will help you explore the ruins, climb the flight of stairs and walk around without exhausting your legs.

8. Don’t forget your sunglasses. And a hat will be a good thing to protect you from the heat.

In conclusion, if you love peaceful, secluded locations with excellent views around, you are going to love Khaba Fort. Don’t exclude this place from your list of places to visit while traveling to Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.

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