Ajmer Pushkar Tour Package and Travel Guide: The Spiritual Heart of Rajasthan
An Ajmer Pushkar tour package takes you to two holy towns in the middle of Rajasthan. Ajmer is home to the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, one of the most loved Sufi shrines in the world. Pushkar, only 15 km away, is a quiet town of temples around a sacred lake. This guide tells you what to see, when to go, where to stay and which tour suits you best.
Shamrock Journeys is a trusted Rajasthan tour operator. We plan every Ajmer Pushkar tour package as a private trip, with your own car, driver and local guide.
Why Visit Ajmer and Pushkar
The two towns sit on either side of a low hill called Nag Pahar. People of every faith come here, and the mood is calm and welcoming. Together they make the best stop on any Central Rajasthan tour, and an Ajmer Pushkar tour package lets you see both in comfort.
- Ajmer Sharif Dargah: the shrine of the Sufi saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.
- Brahma Temple: one of the very few temples in the world for Lord Brahma.
- Pushkar Lake: a holy lake ringed by 52 bathing ghats.
- Pushkar Camel Fair: one of the largest and most colourful fairs in India.
Top Places to Visit in Ajmer
Every Ajmer Pushkar tour package begins with these places in Ajmer.
Ajmer Sharif Dargah
The Ajmer Sharif Dargah is the tomb of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, who came to Ajmer more than 800 years ago. Pilgrims of all religions bring flowers and a cloth called a chadar to lay on the tomb. In the evening you can sit in the courtyard and listen to qawwali, the Sufi songs of devotion. An Ajmer Sharif Dargah tour with our guide helps you with the customs and the crowds.
The Mughal emperors loved this shrine. Akbar walked here to give thanks, and you can follow his story at Fatehpur Sikri.
Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra
This mosque from the 12th century stands a short walk from the Dargah. Its carved arches and pillars are a fine example of early Indo-Islamic architecture.
Ana Sagar Lake
Ana Sagar is a large lake made in the 12th century. The marble pavilions on its bank were built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Come at sunset for a walk or a boat ride.
Taragarh Fort
Taragarh Fort stands on a steep hill above the city. It is one of the oldest hill forts in India and gives wide views over Ajmer.
Soniji Ki Nasiyan and Akbar’s Palace
Soniji Ki Nasiyan is a red Jain temple with a hall of gilded models. Akbar’s Palace, close by, is now a small museum of arms and sculpture.
Top Places to Visit in Pushkar
The second half of your Ajmer Pushkar tour package is spent in Pushkar.
Brahma Temple
The Brahma Temple, with its red spire, is the main reason pilgrims come to Pushkar. A Pushkar Brahma Temple tour is short and simple, and our guide explains the story behind it.
Pushkar Lake and the Ghats
Pushkar Lake is the centre of the town. Pilgrims bathe at its 52 ghats, and each evening there is a prayer ceremony with lamps on the water. Please take off your shoes at the ghats and ask before you take photos.
Savitri Temple
Savitri Temple stands on a hilltop above the town. You can climb the steps or take the cable car. The view at sunrise or sunset is the best in Pushkar.
More Pushkar Temples
There are hundreds of Pushkar temples. The best known are the Rangji Temple, built in the South Indian style, and the old Varaha Temple.
Pushkar Bazaar
The main street is lined with small shops and rooftop cafes. It is a pleasant place to walk, shop and rest.
Pushkar Camel Fair, Camel Safari and Camps
The Pushkar Camel Fair is held each year in the Hindu month of Kartik, which falls in October or November. Thousands of camels, horses and cattle are brought to the dunes outside the town. There are camel races, folk music, dance and a huge village market. The fair ends on the full moon night, when pilgrims bathe in Pushkar Lake.
Our Pushkar Camel Fair packages include a guide, good seats at the main events and a stay close to the fair ground. Hotels and Pushkar camps fill up months ahead, so please book early.
You can enjoy a Pushkar camel safari at any time in the cool season. Ride a camel or a camel cart over the sand dunes at sunset, then have dinner at a desert camp. Pushkar camps range from simple tents to luxury tents with proper beds and private bathrooms.
Choose Your Ajmer Pushkar Tour Package
Every Ajmer Pushkar tour package is private and can be changed to suit your dates and budget. These are the most popular choices:
These Rajasthan tours include Ajmer and Pushkar:
- 7-day Jaipur Pushkar Udaipur tour: Jaipur, Pushkar and Udaipur, with Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur.
- 8-day Jaipur Ranthambore Udaipur tour: Jaipur, a Ranthambore tiger safari, Pushkar and Udaipur.
- 9-day Rajasthan tour: the 8-day route with a third night in Udaipur and a day at Kumbhalgarh.
- 10-day Rajasthan tour: Jaipur, Ranthambore, Pushkar, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer.
- 12-day Rajasthan tour: the full circuit of Rajasthan, with all six destinations.
- Ajmer Pushkar trip from Jaipur: a day trip or an overnight trip by private car, about two and a half hours each way.
- Pushkar tour package: two days in Pushkar with the lake, the temples and a camel safari.
- Ajmer Sharif Dargah tour: a guided visit to the Dargah, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra and Ana Sagar Lake.
- Jaipur Pushkar tour package: the Pink City with Ajmer and Pushkar. Read our Jaipur guide.
- Pushkar Udaipur tour package: the holy lake and the City of Lakes. Read our Udaipur guide.
- Jodhpur Pushkar tour package: the Blue City and Pushkar. Read our Jodhpur guide.
Ajmer and Pushkar in Our Rajasthan Tour Packages
An Ajmer Pushkar tour package fits easily into longer Rajasthan tour packages, because the towns lie between Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur. It also adds a peaceful day to a Golden Triangle tour. If faith and culture are your main interest, see our spiritual tours of India and our Rajasthan cultural tours.
Suggested Itineraries
This is how an Ajmer Pushkar tour package usually runs.
Ajmer and Pushkar in One Day
Leave Jaipur early. Visit the Ajmer Sharif Dargah and Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra in the morning. Drive to Pushkar for lunch, then see the Brahma Temple and Pushkar Lake before you return.
Ajmer and Pushkar in Two Days
This is the pace we suggest for an Ajmer Pushkar tour package. Spend day one in Ajmer and reach Pushkar by evening for the prayer ceremony at the lake. On day two, see Savitri Temple at sunrise, walk through the temples and the bazaar, and end with a camel safari at sunset.
Best Time to Visit Ajmer and Pushkar
- October to March: the best time to visit. Days are sunny and pleasant.
- April to June: very hot. Sightseeing is best in the early morning.
- July to September: green hills, some rain and lower prices.
Two events bring large crowds. The Pushkar Camel Fair falls in October or November. The Urs festival at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah follows the Islamic calendar, so its dates change each year. Ask us for the dates before you book your Ajmer Pushkar tour package.
How to Reach Ajmer and Pushkar
Every Ajmer Pushkar tour package includes pick-up from your hotel, airport or railway station.
- By air: Jaipur is the main airport, about 135 km from Ajmer. Kishangarh airport is closer but has fewer flights.
- By train: Ajmer Junction has fast trains from Delhi and Jaipur.
- By road: Ajmer is about two and a half hours from Jaipur. Pushkar is about 185 km from Jodhpur and about 280 km from Udaipur.
Where to Stay
On an Ajmer Pushkar tour package, most guests stay in Pushkar, which is quieter than Ajmer. You can choose a heritage hotel, a resort with a garden and pool, or a tented camp near the dunes. Each Ajmer Pushkar tour package comes with a choice of luxury, deluxe and standard stays.
Food, Shopping and Local Customs
- Food in Pushkar: the town is fully vegetarian, and alcohol is not allowed. Try the malpua, a sweet pancake.
- Food in Ajmer: try kadhi kachori and sohan halwa.
- Shopping: rose water and rose jam, silver jewellery, embroidered clothes and leather bags.
- Dress: cover your shoulders and knees. Cover your head inside the Dargah.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are enough for Ajmer and Pushkar?
Two days are ideal. One day is possible from Jaipur if your time is short.
How far is Pushkar from Ajmer?
Pushkar is about 15 km from Ajmer, a drive of about 30 minutes over the hill.
Can people of all faiths visit the Ajmer Sharif Dargah?
Yes. Everyone is welcome. Please dress modestly, cover your head and leave your shoes at the gate.
When is the Pushkar Camel Fair?
It is held in October or November and ends on the full moon of the month of Kartik.
Can I swim in Pushkar Lake?
No. The lake is holy and is used only for ritual bathing at the ghats.
Is an Ajmer Pushkar tour package good for families?
Yes. The drives are short, the pace is easy and children enjoy the camel cart rides.
How much does an Ajmer Pushkar tour package cost?
The price depends on the number of days, the hotels you choose and the season. Prices are higher during the Camel Fair. Tell us your plans and we will send a clear quotation.
Extend Your Journey
Many guests add more places to their Ajmer Pushkar tour package:
- Jaipur: the Pink City of India.
- Udaipur: the City of Lakes.
- Jodhpur: the Blue City and Mehrangarh Fort.
- Ranthambore: tiger safaris in the national park.
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