Pushkar rewards travellers who slow down. Beyond ticking off temples, the magic here is in the experiences — drifting over the desert in a balloon, sharing a camel's-eye view of the dunes at sunset, losing an afternoon in a rooftop cafe, and standing among pilgrims as a hundred oil lamps light up the lake.
Here are the 10 best things to do in Pushkar. For the sights themselves, see our guide to places to visit in Pushkar, and pick your dates with the best time to visit Pushkar guide.
10 best things to do in Pushkar
Watch the sunset over Pushkar Lake
As the day cools, the ghats glow gold and the hills turn pink. Find a quiet step or a lakeside rooftop, and watch the reflections deepen — the most peaceful, free experience in town.
Take a camel safari into the desert
Ride out past the town's edge into rolling sand dunes for golden-hour views, a chai stop and, on longer trips, a night under the stars. A short sunset safari is the classic Pushkar experience.
Float over town in a hot-air balloon
At dawn, a balloon ride lifts you over the lake, temples and desert in soft light — an unforgettable, splurge-worthy way to see Pushkar from above. Book ahead, especially in peak season.
Ride the Savitri Temple ropeway at sunrise
Take the aerial cable car up Ratnagiri hill for the finest panorama of the lake and town. Early morning gives you cool air, soft light and far fewer people on the summit.
Go cafe-hopping on the rooftops
Pushkar's laid-back cafe scene is legendary — lakeside terraces serving everything from Israeli platters and wood-fired pizza to filter coffee and famous malpua. Pick a rooftop and watch the town drift by.
Shop the Sadar bazaar
Haggle for embroidered textiles, silver jewellery, leather mojaris, brass trinkets and bohemian clothing. Pushkar is one of Rajasthan's best and most affordable places to shop for handicrafts.
Attend the evening lake aarti
As dusk falls, priests perform aarti at the ghats with lamps, incense and chanting while devotees float diyas on the water. It is moving and atmospheric — sit quietly and dress respectfully.
Climb to Pap Mochani Temple for the views
A shorter, quieter hike than Savitri leads to this hilltop Gayatri temple, rewarding you with sweeping views over the rooftops and lake, especially beautiful in the late afternoon.
Taste Pushkar's food and rose specialities
Try local malpua and rabri, kachoris from the bazaar, and rose-flavoured treats like gulkand and rose lassi made from the town's famous blooms. It is a purely vegetarian, alcohol-free town by tradition.
Experience the Pushkar Camel Fair
If you visit in November, the legendary Pushkar Camel Fair transforms the town with thousands of camels, folk music, competitions, a fairground and huge crowds — one of India's great spectacles.
Tips for making the most of Pushkar
Start early to beat both the heat and the crowds at the lake and hilltop temples, and save the bazaar and cafes for the hotter middle of the day. Sunset is prime time for the camel safari and the lake aarti, so plan those for late afternoon onwards.
Carry small cash for the bazaar and temple donations, dress modestly around the ghats, and be wary of unsolicited "puja" offers from people posing as priests near the lake. If you want a desert night or balloon ride, book through your hotel or a reputable operator a day or two ahead.
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