Hi folks I am in Delhi from last 30 days for business purpose and now friends are about to join me here in a week. Before they reach Delhi I have 7 days for myself and I just want to get out of Delhi for some time, but I can't decide where to go - Jaipur or Pushkar. I want to do camel trek, and as my friends suggested it is available in both the cities, which one would you recommend and it will be a great help if you can provide me some more details like price, trip time and precautions.
Out of the two destinations you have listed I like going to Pushkar the most due to the relaxed and laid back nature of the town. Sun sets are great at Pushkar and worth spending 3-4 hours in the evening by the lake at one of the cafe's. Food is not that great but I wont go as far as calling it disgusting. It is however better to go for local food instead of asking for foreign cuisine. Camel rides are available at both the places. Pushkar however is further away from Jaipur and will require a good two hour drive. You could either take a bus or a train to Ajmer and then take a bus to Pushkar from Ajmer which is only half an hour to 45 mins by bus.
Even for bus I am not aware of any direct Volvo buses going directly to Pushkar. I would imagine you have to first go to Ajmer by a direct bus and then take another bus or may be a taxi whatever your budget allows to Pushkar. Hotels are plenty in Pushkar and there are all budget groups. You will find some decent rooms from Rs2500 upwards and some filthy ones for as low as Rs600-700 a night. It really depends on your own preference and budget.
Hello and welcome to the forum! To help you decide which place to choose for your camel safari, here's some differences between Jaipur and Pushkar: Distance. First, let's talk about their distance from Delhi. The distance between Delhi and Jaipur is about 268 kms so that's about 4 to 5 hours of travel time. The distance between Delhi and Pushkar is about 401 kms so that's about 6 to 7 hours of travel time. If you're thinking about time, then the best choice would be Jaipur as it's closer to Delhi and is easier to access. Jaipur is directly connected to Delhi so you can ride a bus or a train to go here. Pushkar is a little more remote and can be more difficult to reach. Appearance. Both places have the same appearance of deserts. Some say that Jaisalmer has better desert views since it has almost no vegetations and agencies there take you deeper to the desert. However, you can always ask your guide to take you to somewhere remote instead of just visiting the nearby parts of the desert. Both are less commercialised than Jaisalmer so you would see less crowds and trash as well. I'd say that Pushkar is great for those who want a relaxed and serene tour. The desert has some vegetation though and you can still see flowers and plants around. You could see the Pushkar Lake in your tour as well. Jaipur tour agencies take their guests to certain villages so you can see how residents here live their daily lives. Tour Agencies. Both also have many options for tour agencies. In Jaipur, you can even ride a camel in the town itself if you're crunched for time. But there are also many tour operators conducting camel safaris outside the city. Even hotels offer such things like camel safaris and jeep safaris. Timings. There are no timings for both, you can book a tour anytime you want. However, if you can, schedule your safari before sunset so you can view it from the desert. It's a mesmerising view to watch. Best Season to Visit. For both places, the best time to visit is during the months of September to March. The climate during these months are pleasant and bearable. Cost. This one varies on the length of your safari and what type of accommodation you choose. Basic tented accommodations in Pushkar range between Rs. 400 to Rs. 600. More luxurious ones with AC and other amenities cost more, between Rs. 1,000 to Rs. 10,000 even. In Jaipur, the same goes, Rs. 400 to Rs. 600 for a day or two with a basic accommodation. You'd have to pay higher for a week or more of desert safari, Rs. 1,000 and above. Others. The famous Pushkar Camel Fair happens during November. Over 400,000 people visit Pushkar during this time. There's a camel race to start off the show. Other events happen thereafter, like musical performances and exhibition shows. It's a great time to visit Pushkar during this month. I hope this helps!
