A culturally-rich town in Ajmer, Rajasthan – Pushkar is famous for its history, culture, legends, adventures, ancient temples, enchanting streets, noisy bazaars and beautiful ghats. The best things to do in Pushkar are extremely varied which makes it a preferred getaway for people with varied tastes, so that you don’t have to think about what to do in Pushkar on your trip. From hot air ballooning to jeep safari, from trinket shopping to tasting local food, there’s so much to do and experience in Pushkar. Here’s are the top 10 things to do in Pushkar that let you plan your days in this vibrant town.
17 Best Things To Do In Pushkar
Pushkar is a quaint little town offering the best experience to the tourists. Awesome hike, beautiful temple, hot air balloon rides, camel rides, rooftop cafes are some of the best things to do in Pushkar. Check out the complete list below and add them to your itinerary on your next visit to Pushkar.
- A Thrilling Jeep Safari
- A Bumpy And Exciting Camel Safari
- Get Ready For Desert Camping
- Ride In A Hot Air Balloon In The Skies
- Trekking to Ratnagiri Hill
- Hike To Pap Mochani Temple
- Drive To Ajaypal Ji
- Cable Ride To Savitri Temple
- Attend Evening Aarti At Varaha Ghat
- Go Handicrafts Shopping In The Bazaars
- Try The Local Street Food And Unique Restaurants
- Visit The Ancient City Of Merta
- Take A Holy Dip In Pushkar Lake
- Spend A Day At Pushkar Yoga Garden
- Check Out The Rose Garden
- Taking Nagara Lessons At Gangaur Ghat
- Watch Live Kalbelia Dance Performance
Adventure Activities In Pushkar
Pushkar is not only a popular religious place but also there are many adventure activities to indulge here. Be it a thrilling jeep safari or an exciting camel safari, be ensured for a great trip.
1. A Thrilling Jeep Safari
There is never a dull moment for adventure buffs in Pushkar. Among many activities, enjoying thrilling jeep safari is one of the best things to do in Pushkar. Driving through the desert and seeing remote villages, age old forts, palaces, and temples in and around Pushkar is a favourite activity among adventure enthusiasts and photography buffs. Pushkar Camel Safari is one of the largest safari organizers in Pushkar; they take you to offbeat trails and rugged paths that let you experience Rajastahn in its true sense. Jeep safaris are usually 3-6 hours long, and at the end of of the day you get to jump into the crystal clear and cool water of a small waterfall amidst trees.
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2. A Bumpy And Exciting Camel Safari
Taking a camel safari and exploring the dune is not only one of the most exciting things to do in Pushkar desert, but also among the most exciting things to do in Rajasthan. Camel safari, Pushkar takes you on a bumpy ride through the arid topography and desert hamlets. The camels travel up to the dunes, where the guests can witness a stunning sunset over the dunes. From overnight camel safari to sunset/sunrise camel safari, there’s so much you can try in this little town.
3. Get Ready For Desert Camping
Staying overnight in a desert is another one of popular things to do in Pushkar. Camping in the desert while enjoying the musical performances post sunset, and sumptuous local dinner is something you must try. If you’re someone who loves luxury, then there are luxury camps in Pushkar that offer a unique experience to each traveler.
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4. Ride In A Hot Air Balloon In The Skies
If your travel dates to Pushkar coincide with the Pushkar camel fair or Pushkar camel festival , which begins on 23rd October and ends on 4th November, then you must experience a hot air balloon ride. It is probably one of the most adventurous and exciting things to do in Pushkar. Enjoying the stunning bird’s eye view of the Pushkar city, temples, forts, and lake for over an hour is certainly an exquisite experience.
Hot air balloon ride charges: INR 12,00/person
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5. Trekking to Ratnagiri Hill
If you are interested in hiking, never miss the opportunity to climb up one of the best places to visit in Pushkar: Ratnagiri hill in Pushkar. The best time for this 1.5 km long trek is during evening hours, so that one can enjoy photogenic sunset views. Savitri Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Brahma’s wife is located atop and offers a breathtaking view of the entire city and a lake nearby.
6. Hike To Pap Mochani Temple
Image Credit – Bernard from Wikimedia
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
Hiking up to Pap Mochani Temple to add some adventure to your trip. This 15 minutes short hike from the base is one of the best things to do in Pushkar and also provides you with gorgeous views of Pushkar and the holy lake and the lush green surroundings. This bright pink temple is dedicated to Ekadashi Mata and can be spotted from anywhere in the town.
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7. Drive To Ajaypal Ji
Image Credit – Deep sa from Wikimedia
Ajaypal ji is located 10 km away from Pushkar. Founded by Raja Ajay Pal, who was also the founder of Ajmer city, this temple has the most scenic drive. You will pass through the lush green forests, sand dunes and then the valley surrounded by pretty hills. You might as well stop and spend some time talking to the villagers. The driveway to this temple is best done on a bike or scooter. If you are up for a thrilled vacation, this is one of the best things to do in Pushkar.
8. Cable Ride To Savitri Temple
Image Credit – Sinha from Wikimedia
Cable ride to Savitri Temple is one of the best things to do in Pushkar. If you do not opt to trek through the Ratnagiri Hills to reach the temple, cable ride is the best option to reach the top and is also quite popular among the tourists. For those looking for moderate thrills, this is one of the best activities to indulge in.
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Sightseeing And Local Tours In Pushkar
Pushkar has no dearth of sightseeing place to visit and local tours. Be it handicraft shopping or trying local food, Pushkar will leave you with an enthralling experience.
9. Attend Evening Aarti At Varaha Ghat
The holy lake of Pushkar is encircled by more than 400 temples, including country’s only Brahma temple. Brahma temple, Pushkar is one of the best places to visit in Rajasthan and among the most photogenic temples in the town. Attending evening aarti at Varah ghat is also an experience you wouldn’t want to miss. You can see numerous illuminated earthen lamps, hear the sound of ringing bells, and holy chants during the aarti.
Opening hours: Summer: 7 Pm and Winter: 5: 30 Pm
10. Go Handicrafts Shopping In The Bazaars
Do you love collecting souvenirs or simply love shopping? Rajasthan is a paradise for shopaholics and Pushkar is no exception. Indulging in a hearty shopping experience is one of the best things to do in Pushkar. Brush up your bargaining skills while you explore the sadar bazaar and sharafa market in Pushkar to pick amazing Rajasthani souvenirs, puppets, textiles, home décor, colourful dresses, jootis, bags, Rajasthani jewelleries, and camel leather products.
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11. Try The Local Street Food And Unique Restaurants
Food connoisseurs are tempted to visit Pushkar and enjoy a sumptuous food trail. From street shops to restaurants, the holy city of Pushkar has something for every foodie. Go on a food trail and enjoy Rajasthani sweets, Namkeen, and special masala tea.
Some of the best restaurants in Pushkar you must explore include:
- Out of the Blue – Never miss their sumptuous momos and noodles
- Om Shiva Garden restaurant – Try their firewood pizza and expresso coffee
- Sunset Café – Enjoy fresh products from German bakery while you enjoy stunning sunset views
12. Visit The Ancient City Of Merta
Image Credit – Shemaroo from Wikimedia
When you visit Pushkar, do visit the beautiful nearby town of Merta. The ancient city is well known amongst many travelers because of its rustic palaces and temples. The main attraction of the city is the beautiful Meera Bai Temple, Bhanwal Matta Temple and the Aurangazeb Mosque. The city holds a very important position in ancient Indian history and is popular for its serene vibes which you can discover when you explore different places of worship in the town.
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13. Take A Holy Dip In Pushkar Lake
Image Credit – Felipe from Wikimedia
The sacred lake of the Hindus, Pushkar lake is one of the popular pilgrimage sites in the country. You can find more than 52 ghats and 400 temples surrounding the lake. Thousands of devotees take a holy dip in the lake every year. You can also be a part of several religious ceremonies held at these ghats. Some of the well known ghats include Brahma Ghat, Varaha Ghat, Gau Ghat, Badri Ghat, and Gangaur Ghat.
14. Spend A Day At Pushkar Yoga Garden
Image Credit – Rajendra from Pexels
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
The Pushkar Yoga Garden is an ideal place to visit to enjoy the serene and calm vibes of the ashram. It is located close to the scenic gorgeous Pushkar lake, rose garden and attracts tourists to spend some time rejuvenating on their holiday trip. Spend some time or longer as you wish and learn about the different styles of yoga and other Indian therapeutic methods.
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15. Check Out The Rose Garden
Image Credit – HeungSoon from Pixabay
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
Known as the Rose Garden of India, Pushkar is famous for its rose cultivation. The garden features a wide variety of roses of all shapes and sizes making it a popular place to visit among tourists and nature lovers. The garden offers a calm atmosphere and is a perfect place to stroll and relax.
Cultural Activities In Pushkar
Are you a cultural enthusiast? Fret not. There are many different cultural programs you can see and participate in Pushkar. Have a fun evening watching live Kalbelia dance performance.
16. Taking Nagara Lessons At Gangaur Ghat
While roaming around Gangaur ghat, one may find celebrated drummers offering drumming lessons. You may be lucky enough to learn Nagara – the local drum, from coke studio drummer Nathu Lal Solanki. If you’re a lover of music, then this is among the best things to do in Pushkar for you.
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17. Watch Live Kalbelia Dance Performance
Kalbelia is a nomadic tribe of Rajasthan, who were snake charmers, until the profession was declared illegal. They are now known as tribal dancers in Rajasthan. The traditional dazzling black attire and serpentine dance moves are sure to mesmerise you. Luxury hotels and havelis arrange Kalbelia dance performances for their guests, and one can also book them directly for performances around the dunes.
Further Read: 20 Scintillating Places To Visit In Pushkar On Your Rajasthan Trip!
Are you inspired by the bright colours and beautiful old streets of Pushkar? Plan your Rajasthan trip to explore the explored. This list of best things to do in Pushkar will make your trip more memorable. Explore the best of Rajasthani culture and tradition with your close ones.
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A book lover and fun-loving, overtly emotional mom with a wanderlust soul, Sukanya has completed her Master Degree in Geography and currently perusing her passion for writing as a profession. Nothing detoxes her more than trying new recipes and travelling to offbeat places is ultimate Therapy for her.
