Khimsar
The Fort on the Edge of the Thar
Overview
Khimsar is a village in the Nagaur district of Rajasthan, India, on the eastern edge of the Thar Desert, roughly halfway between Jodhpur and Nagaur. It is best known for Khimsar Fort, a moated Rajput fortress built in 1523 by Rao Karamsi, a son of Rao Jodha of Jodhpur, and still owned by his descendants, today a heritage hotel. The Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is recorded as having stayed here while at Nagaur. Beyond the fort lie the Khimsar sand dunes, a quiet desert-village retreat. Khimsar sits about 90 km from Jodhpur. MyTripMyTravel operates Khimsar as a chauffeured fort-and-dunes desert halt.
Khimsar is where the Marwar plains begin to dissolve into the Thar. A small village in the Nagaur district, it is anchored by one of Rajasthan's most atmospheric fort-hotels: a battlemented, part-moated citadel raised in 1523 by Rao Karamsi, a son of Rao Jodha, the founder of Jodhpur, which places Khimsar firmly within the Rathore dynastic story.
The fort has stayed in the same family for five centuries and is now run by the Khimsar royal descendants as a heritage hotel, its ramparts, courtyards, and old zenana wing intact. History brushed past it more than once: the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb is recorded as having lodged here during a stay at nearby Nagaur. A short drive away, the estate's dunes village offers a stripped-back desert experience, cottages among the sand, camel tracks, and wide Thar sunsets.
MyTripMyTravel positions Khimsar as a restful, characterful break on the desert routes between Jodhpur, Nagaur, and Bikaner. It works as an overnight that trades the crowds of the bigger forts for quiet, the citadel by day, the dunes by evening, with our planners handling the timing so the light and the desert silence are the main events.
At a glance
Khimsar in brief
When to visit
October to March
October to March is the clear choice for this desert-edge location, with warm days and cool nights ideal for exploring the fort and spending an evening on the dunes. November to February brings the most comfortable conditions for a camel ride and a Thar sunset. April to June is severe desert heat, workable only with dawn activity and an air-conditioned fleet. The brief monsoon (July to September) softens the landscape a little but is short and unreliable this far into arid Marwar.
Things to do
Experiences in Khimsar
Khimsar Fort
The 1523 moated Rajput fort-hotel with battlements, courtyards, and a preserved zenana, still held by the founding family.
Khimsar sand dunes
The estate's quiet dunes village a short drive from the fort, for camel tracks and open desert cottages.
Thar dune sunset
An evening on the sand at the desert's edge, the classic Marwar close to the day.
Camel encounter
A short camel ride or handler visit on the Thar fringe, arranged through the desert camp.
Nagaur excursion
A drive to nearby Nagaur and its great Ahhichatragarh Fort, a deeper Marwar detour where time allows.
Fort courtyard dining
A Marwar royal-kitchen dinner within the fort walls, arranged through our heritage-dining wing.
Getting there
How to reach Khimsar
The standard chauffeured leg is from Jodhpur (≈ 90 km, 1.5 to 2 hrs) on the Jodhpur to Nagaur road; Nagaur is about 40 km on.
Nagaur is the nearest useful railhead, with onward road transfer to Khimsar, which we manage.
Jodhpur Airport (JDH), about 90 km away, is the nearest airport, with a fleet handover on arrival.
Our GPS-tracked, orthopedic-grade vehicles run the Jodhpur to Khimsar to Nagaur to Bikaner desert arc door-to-door.
Where to stay
Khimsar Fort itself, run by the ruling family, letting guests stay inside the 16th-century citadel with its courtyards and ramparts.
The estate's desert cottages among the sand dunes, a quieter, nature-forward alternative a short drive away.
Comfortable desert resorts in the area for a fixed-roof, full-service overnight.
Where to eat
Royal-kitchen Rajasthani dining within Khimsar Fort, the signature heritage meal of the stay.
The Marwar speciality of wild beans and berries alongside dal-baati-churma at the fort or dunes camp.
A Rajasthani spread under the stars at the sand-dunes village, often with folk music where available.
Ready to book
Itineraries featuring Khimsar
Private, chauffeured, day-by-day journeys that feature Khimsar or explore the wider Rajasthan, each fully customisable, or built around your dates.
GT + Pushkar Culture
GT + Jodhpur Sun City
Wildlife & Wonders
GT + Udaipur Romance
Desert & Palaces
The Maharaja Circuit
Good to know
Khimsar, your questions
What is Khimsar known for?
For Khimsar Fort, a moated Rajput fortress built in 1523 by a son of Rao Jodha of Jodhpur and still owned by his descendants, now run as a heritage hotel, and for its adjoining sand-dunes desert village on the edge of the Thar.
Where does Khimsar fit on a Rajasthan itinerary?
It sits about halfway between Jodhpur and Nagaur, roughly 90 km from Jodhpur, making it a restful overnight on the desert routes toward Nagaur, Bikaner, and beyond.
Is the Khimsar sand-dunes village separate from the fort?
Yes. The dunes village is a short drive from the main fort, offering desert cottages among the sand for guests who want a quieter, more elemental Thar night than the fort itself.
How far is Khimsar from Jodhpur?
About 90 km, or roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road in our chauffeured fleet, including a comfort stop.
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