Pushkar Camel Fair with a night in Jaipur

Day 1: Arrive in Jaipur

Jaipur

• Hawa Mahal and the old-city bazaars · 3 h. See the façade from a café terrace opposite, then climb inside. Walk on through Johari Bazaar for jewellery, Bapu Bazaar for block prints and mojris, and Tripolia for brass and lac bangles.

Local tip: See the façade from a café terrace opposite, then climb inside. Walk on through Johari Bazaar for jewellery, Bapu Bazaar for block prints and mojris, and Tripolia for brass and lac bangles.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Jaipur → Pushkar & Ajmer

Pushkar & Ajmer · Jaipur to Pushkar & Ajmer, Car ~2.5–3h (train to Ajmer ~1.5–2h + 30 min taxi)

• Pushkar Lake ghats and evening aarti · 2 h. Remove shoes on the ghats and ask before photographing bathers. Self-styled priests may offer a 'Pushkar passport' blessing and then demand a large donation — decline politely.
• Brahma Temple · 1 h. One of very few temples dedicated to Brahma; bags, phones and leather items go in lockers outside.

Local tip: Remove shoes on the ghats and ask before photographing bathers. Self-styled priests may offer a 'Pushkar passport' blessing and then demand a large donation — decline politely.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Pushkar & Ajmer

Pushkar & Ajmer

• Ajmer Sharif Dargah · 2 h. The shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, 30 min from Pushkar. Cover your head, leave bags at your car, and expect dense crowds on Thursdays and during the Urs.
• Savitri Mata temple sunrise (ropeway or climb) · 2 h. A ropeway or a 45-minute climb up the hill for views over the lake and desert at sunrise.
• Main bazaar and rooftop cafés · 2 h
• Sunset camel or horse ride in the dunes · 2 h. Short rides into the sand outside town; check the animals look healthy and agree the price and duration first.

Local tip: The shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, 30 min from Pushkar. Cover your head, leave bags at your car, and expect dense crowds on Thursdays and during the Urs.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Pushkar Camel Fair

Pushkar & Ajmer

• Pushkar Camel Fair · 6 h. Livestock trading peaks in the first days, before the full moon of Kartik (Oct or Nov) brings pilgrims to the lake. Book rooms or tented camps months ahead.

Local tip: Livestock trading peaks in the first days, before the full moon of Kartik (Oct or Nov) brings pilgrims to the lake. Book rooms or tented camps months ahead.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Depart from Pushkar & Ajmer

Pushkar & Ajmer

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.