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Longewala

Longewala

India

A border memorial in the middle of nowhere — the Thar at its rawest.

·1 Operators·from ₹7,499

Longewala is the last outpost before the Pakistan border in Jaisalmer district — a single sand-coloured memorial, a couple of bunkers, and nothing but thorn scrub and dunes for 30 ...

Best forMilitary history buffsOffbeat travellersPhotographersDesert loversGroup toursWeekend trippers from Jaisalmer
Easy to moderate (the destination is easy; the 5–6 hour round-trip drive is the real test)
|Basic fitness. You'll be sitting in a vehicle most of the day and walking short distances on sand and uneven ground. No trekking involved.
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What to Expect

Expect a 110 km drive from Jaisalmer through open desert, with a BSF checkpoint at Tanot where you show ID. The memorial itself is small: a captured Pakistani tank, a jeep-mounted gun, a wall of names, and a flagpole. The wind never stops. There are basic chai and snack stalls run by locals near the memorial, plus a small BSF canteen area — don't count on a full meal. Mobile signal is patchy-to-absent (Jio works intermittently, Airtel less so). Photography is allowed at the memorial but NOT toward the border fence or BSF installations — you will be asked to delete photos. Most tours run Longewala as a half-day or full-day loop from Jaisalmer, often combined with Tanot and sometimes Sam dunes on the way back.

Honest Heads-Up
  • This is a sensitive border zone. Carry a government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, DL) — you'll be checked at Tanot and possibly again closer to Longewala. Foreign nationals need to be careful; some areas require permits.
  • Absolutely no photography of the border fence, BSF posts, or anything military. Guards are strict and phones do get checked.
  • There is virtually no accommodation at Longewala itself. Almost everyone stays in Jaisalmer and does this as a day trip. Don't book a 'Longewala hotel' expecting a resort.
  • Facilities are minimal — one or two dhaba-style stalls. Carry water and snacks. Toilets are basic or non-existent.
  • Summer (May–July) is brutal — 45°C+ with no shade. Heatstroke is a real risk if you're not careful.

Things to Do

Tanot Mata Temple
45–60 minutes·Free (donation optional)
Group
Sam Sand Dunes camel safari
2–3 hours·₹800–2,500 per person
Group
Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Quila)
2–3 hours·₹250 entry + guide ₹500–1,000
Group
Patwon Ki Haveli
45 minutes·₹100–200 entry
Group
Kuldhara abandoned village
1 hour·₹100 entry
Group
Desert camping near Sam/Longewala route
Overnight·₹1,500–4,000 per person
Group
Gadisar Lake
1 hour·Free (boating ₹100–200)
Group
BSF Camel Border Patrol show (Jaisalmer)
1 hour·Free–₹200
Group

Plan Your Trip

How to Reach

Fly or train to Jaisalmer (Jaisalmer Airport has limited flights; most people fly to Jodhpur and drive 5–6 hours, or take an overnight train from Delhi/Jodhpur). From Jaisalmer, Longewala is ~110 km by road via Tanot — 2.5–3 hours each way. There is no public bus service to Longewala; you need a private vehicle, shared jeep safari, or group tour. The road is paved and generally good, with a BSF checkpoint at Tanot. Most group tours include pickup from Jaisalmer hotels.

Travel Tips
1Leave Jaisalmer by 6–7 am. You get cooler driving, better light at the memorial, and you're back before dark.
2Carry physical ID — phone copies won't cut it at BSF checkpoints.
3Combine Tanot Mata temple + Longewala in one loop; doing them separately doubles the driving.
4Fill your tank and your water bottles in Jaisalmer. There's no reliable fuel or water stop after Tanot.
5Don't photograph the border fence or BSF posts. Period.
6Read the 1971 battle story before you go — it makes the memorial 10x more powerful.
7Book your group tour through a reputable Jaisalmer operator; ask specifically whether they include Tanot and whether the vehicle has AC.
8If you get carsick, take a tablet before the drive — the last stretch is bumpy.

Local Guide

Food & DiningVeg friendly

Must try: Dal baati churma — the Rajasthani staple, best had in Jaisalmer before/after the trip, Ker sangri — desert beans and berries, a genuine Thar specialty, Gatte ki sabzi — gram-flour dumplings in yoghurt curry, Bajra roti with ghee and garlic chutney — border-belt staple, Mirchi vada and pyaaz kachori — Jaisalmer street snacks

Eat a heavy breakfast in Jaisalmer, carry a packed lunch or snacks for the drive, and plan dinner back in Jaisalmer. The chai at the Longewala stalls is genuinely good — have one while you watch the flag.

FAQs

Do I need a permit to visit Longewala?
Indian citizens don't need a special permit — just a valid government photo ID (Aadhaar, DL, passport) which is checked at the Tanot checkpoint. Foreign nationals should check with their tour operator; some border areas require additional permissions. Always carry your ID physically, not just on your phone.
Can I visit Longewala independently or do I need a tour?
You can drive yourself, but the road is remote, signposting is sparse, and mobile signal is unreliable. Most people book a Jaisalmer-based 4x4 or jeep safari day trip, or join a group tour. Group tours are the safest and most economical option — shared costs bring it to ₹1,500–2,500 per person for a day trip.
How far is Longewala from Jaisalmer and how long does it take?
About 110 km, roughly 2.5–3 hours each way by road via Tanot. Most day trips leave Jaisalmer around 6–7 am and return by 5–6 pm, with stops at Tanot Mata temple and sometimes Sam dunes.
Is photography allowed at Longewala?
Yes at the memorial itself — the tank, the gun, the memorial wall. Absolutely NOT toward the border fence, BSF posts, or any military installation. Guards will ask you to delete photos and can confiscate devices. Be respectful and follow instructions.
Is there food and water available at Longewala?
Very basic. There are a couple of local stalls selling chai, packaged snacks, and water near the memorial, and a small BSF canteen area. Don't rely on a proper meal — carry your own food and at least 2 litres of water per person.
Can I stay overnight at Longewala?
Practically no. There's no real accommodation — a BSF guesthouse exists but is not for tourists. Everyone stays in Jaisalmer and does this as a day trip. Some tour operators offer desert camping near Tanot or Sam, which is the closest you'll get.
Is Longewala worth visiting, honestly?
If you're into military history, border stories, or raw desert landscapes — yes, absolutely. If you want entertainment, shopping, or a 'tourist attraction', you'll be bored in 20 minutes. It's a place that hits you emotionally if you know the 1971 story; otherwise it's a tank in the sand. Go with a good guide who tells the story.
What is the Tanot Mata temple and is it worth combining?
Tanot Mata is a temple about 40 km before Longewala that locals believe protected them during the 1971 war — unexploded Pakistani shells reportedly didn't detonate. It's maintained by the BSF and is genuinely moving. Almost every Longewala trip stops here; it's the highlight for many people.
Is Longewala safe for solo women travellers?
The area itself is safe (heavy BSF presence), but the isolation and lack of facilities make it unwise to go alone without a trusted operator. Join a group tour or a reputable Jaisalmer jeep safari. Don't hitchhike or take unmarked vehicles on this route.
What should I wear and carry?
Modest, comfortable clothing — full-length trousers and covered shoulders are respectful and practical (sun + wind + dust). Sturdy shoes, sunglasses, scarf/bandana for dust, sunscreen, and a power bank (no reliable charging points). In winter, a warm layer for the cold morning drive.

Group Trips to Longewala

A group trip to Longewala is one of the most unusual things you can do in Rajasthan — and that's exactly the point. Most travellers base themselves in Jaisalmer and join a shared jeep safari or organised group tour that covers the 110 km desert run to the India–Pakistan border, usually with a stop at the Tanot Mata temple on the way. Group tours to Longewala start from around ₹7,499 and typically include transport, a guide who knows the 1971 battle story, and pickup from Jaisalmer hotels. The appeal isn't facilities — there aren't any — it's standing at the Longewala War Memorial where a handful of Indian soldiers stopped a Pakistani armoured column, looking out at the same dunes, and feeling the scale of the Thar. Group travel makes sense here because the route is remote, mobile signal is patchy, and shared costs keep the day trip affordable. Most Longewala tour packages run November through February, when desert days are cool and skies are clear. If you're building a Jaisalmer itinerary, a Longewala group tour pairs naturally with Sam sand dunes, Kuldhara, and the Jaisalmer Fort. Book through a reputable operator, carry your ID, respect the photography rules near the border, and go with the story in your head — it's a place that rewards context over comfort.

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