Pushkar travel guide
How to reach Pushkar, the best time to visit, the Camel Fair and what to see around the holy lake — everything you need to plan the trip.
A holy lake at the edge of the desert
Pushkar is a small pilgrim town in Ajmer district, Rajasthan, wrapped around a sacred lake and ringed by the Aravalli hills. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited towns in India, and home to one of the very few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma.
Beyond the last houses the land turns to sand. This is where the Thar begins, and where camel herders from across Rajasthan gather each year for the Pushkar Fair. It is also where you will find our desert camp.
Because Pushkar is a holy town, meat, eggs and alcohol are not sold or served anywhere within it. Dress modestly near the ghats and temples, and remove your shoes before stepping down to the lake.
By road, rail or air
By train: Ajmer Junction is the main railhead, about 15 km away, with direct trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Taxis and buses cross the hill to Pushkar in 30–40 minutes.
By air: Kishangarh Airport (about 45 km) has limited flights; Jaipur International Airport (about 150 km) is the best-connected option.
By road: Pushkar is roughly three hours from Jaipur via NH48 and Ajmer. Pick-up from Ajmer or Jaipur can be arranged on request.
| Ajmer Junction (rail) | ≈ 15 km | 30–40 min |
|---|---|---|
| Kishangarh Airport | ≈ 45 km | about 1 hr |
| Jaipur | ≈ 145 km | about 3 hrs |
| Jodhpur | ≈ 190 km | about 4 hrs |
| Udaipur | ≈ 280 km | about 5 hrs |
| Delhi | ≈ 410 km | 7–8 hrs |
Distances are approximate, by road.
The desert has four moods
Winter is the classic camping season, but each time of year has its own reason to come.
October – March
Sunny days, cool evenings and cold, clear nights — the classic season for desert camping, bonfires and stargazing.
Kartik (Oct / Nov)
The Pushkar Camel Fair fills the dunes with camels, traders, pilgrims and performers, ending on Kartik Purnima. Camps sell out early — book well ahead.
April – June
Days are very hot. Stays are still possible with late-afternoon arrivals and evening-only activities.
July – September
The Aravallis turn green and the lake fills. Showers are short; evenings are pleasant and the town is quiet.
The week the dunes fill with camels
The Pushkar Fair (Pushkar Mela) is held every year in the Hindu month of Kartik — October or November — and ends on the full-moon night of Kartik Purnima, when pilgrims bathe in the lake.
For about a week, herders bring camels, horses and cattle to trade on the sand outside town. Alongside the livestock market there are camel races, moustache and turban-tying competitions, folk performances, a huge bazaar and hot-air balloon flights over the fairground.
Dates change every year with the lunar calendar, and camps fill up months in advance. Tell us you are coming for the fair and we will confirm the dates and tariff.
Enquire for fair datesFour things not to miss
Brahma Temple
One of the very few temples in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma, marked by its red spire and marble floors.
Pushkar Lake & ghats
A sacred lake ringed by 52 ghats. Come at dawn, or for the evening aarti at Varaha or Gau Ghat.
Savitri Mata Temple
A hilltop temple reached by steps or ropeway, with the best sunrise view over the whole valley.
Pushkar bazaar
Lanes of silver jewellery, embroidered textiles, leather goods and rose products — Pushkar is famous for its roses.
See Pushkar by day. Sleep in the desert by night.
Tell us your dates and how many of you are coming. We will reply with availability and the tariff for your stay.