Pushkar Fair Tour 2023

Your epic Pushkar Fair Tour adventure kicks off on your arrival in Delhi, where you’ll be met by a member of our team and chauffeured to The Imperial hotel. Built in 1934 as a jewel in the crown by the British Raj, this landmark hotel located in the heart of New Delhi exudes style and colonial elegance. Designed by Lutyens assistant, Bromfield, the inlaid marble floors, three-story atriums, fountains and lithographs complement well-appointed rooms, grand suites, beautiful restaurants and bars.

 

Take it easy this afternoon to relax, settle in, and recuperate from your international journey. Depending on how early in the day you arrive, you can let us know anytime if you’d like to begin exploring this afternoon. Your chauffeur is always on hand, and we’re only a quick call away on your complimentary mobile phone (or WhatsApp, if you prefer). 

A guided tour of both Old and New Delhi today will introduce you to the highlights, including a rickshaw ride through bustling Chandni Chowk bazaar in Old Delhi and a visit to Humayun’s Tomb. The Sikh temple is not to be missed, either – the kitchens run by volunteers where thousands of free meals are served every day are fascinating. Other stops include India Gate, the Qutab Minar, and Jama Masjid. There are loads to see and do in Delhi, however, and this is merely a suggestion. We’ll discuss the sights best suited to your interests, and you’re also welcome to tweak things on the day with your guide.

 

If you’d like to dine out this evening, we recommend the award-winning Indian Accent or Bukhara.

Today, your Pushkar Fair Tour drives you to Jaipur for a two-night stay. When arriving in the Pink City, you’ll check-in to Samode Haveli – a heritage hotel built for a prime minister of the royal court in the mid-19th century. It’s arranged around two courtyards with a maze of narrow, and at times, steep staircases and corridors which lead to charming rooms and suites. Many of these have retained their original decor with beautiful frescoes, antique furniture and pillars inlaid with marble. Those who prefer to explore Jaipur further on foot are in an ideal location.

Later, continue to Dera Amer to spend a memorable evening with elephants. It’s a magical place on the outskirts of the city, where you can spend time up close with elephants by helping to feed and bathe them before taking a gentle walk together through the surrounding forest at sunset (Dera Amer do not encourage rides). If meeting elephants isn’t your thing, this can certainly be removed or replaced. Perhaps with a private cooking class or a special dinner recommendation. For those interested in spending time with elephants, Dera Amer is a fantastic and ethical place to do it.

Today, you’ll be discovering the best of the Pink City on a guided tour. Jaipur is, for many, quintessential India at its best: expect a cacophony of sights and sounds, from splendid forts and glittering palaces to sauntering camels and brightly painted elephants, twirling moustaches and hot pink saris! Highlights you’ll take in include Amber Fort, the City Palace, Hawa Mahal (aka the Palace of Winds), the Jantar Mantar Observatory, and the Jal Mahal water palace. This evening, you have the option of a private cooking class at a family home to learn authentic Rajasthani staples such as dal (spiced lentil curry) and roti (flatbread). If your schedule allows, we recommend an extra night in Jaipur to spread out your sightseeing and ensure time to enjoy your lovely hotel, as well as to hit the bazaars if you’d like to shop.

Day five brings you to the main event of your Pushkar Fair Tour; Pushkar and the Pushkar Fair! Here you’ll stay for two nights. On the way, you may like to stop off in Ajmer to discover the holy Dargah Sharif, before touring the bewitching little town of Pushkar by taking in its holy lake, many ghats, and rare Brahma temple. Later you’ll check in to The Greenhouse Resort – nestled on the peaceful outskirts of Pushkar and surrounded by the Aravalli hills. The Greenhouse Resort is a boutique hotel with a clear focus on eco-friendly practices, including a solar water heating system and energy-efficient lighting. The resort offers 20 spaced out tents, though ‘tent’ is a bit of a misnomer! Each one comes with all the facilities one would expect of a luxury hotel, including en-suite bath facilities and solid, tasteful furniture.

Spend the day and evening enjoying the festivities of the Pushkar Fair with your guide.

Return to the Pushkar Fair this morning. After lunch at The Greenhouse Resort, continue to Nagaur for a stay at Ranvas. The Ranvas hotel has only recently opened, but one would be wrong to say it is new. The property occupied the former women’s quarter of the Nagaur Fort and was once a pleasure palace of the Maharaja of Jodhpur. Lovingly restored to its present state, the rooms are all within the fort itself, and so one has the feeling of being part of the history and pomp of yesteryear. Tourists less frequent the area than other Rajasthani cities, so a night or two here is well worth it. This afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of Achichhatragarh Fort.

Proceed to Jodhpur today, the Blue City. When arriving, our representative will be waiting to welcome you at RAAS for a two-night stay. One of our favourite hotels in Jodhpur, this glorious little property, lies at the foot of the mighty Mehrangarh Fort, in the heart of Jodhpur’s Walled City. It is the only luxury hotel in the old town, and the views of the fort looming above are quite spectacular. Strolling away from the excitement and the hustle and bustle of the old town and walking under RAAS’ imposing gateway is like entering a blissfully hidden oasis. 

 

There’ll be time to settle in and freshen up before your accompanied by your guide for an afternoon walking tour through the Old City. Wandering among the tiny shops dotting these crowded, narrow lanes in the heart of the town, you’ll get a real feel for the life and colour of Marwari jewellery, utensils, kitchenware, leather shoes, trinkets, wedding clothes. You can find just about everything here (including locksmiths and indigenous dentists sitting side by side on the street).

 

This evening, soak up a private Bhopa performance – a rare Rajasthani art form that combines dancing, singing and painting. Afterwards, enjoy a traditional thali dinner (a bit like tapas, a thali presents you with several small plates. It’s a great way to get a taste of Rajasthan and try things you perhaps wouldn’t have otherwise ordered). Our past guests have found this a very culturally rich experience, and a highlight of our Pushkar Fair Tour.  

A guided tour of the Blue City takes in Jaswant Thada and the majestic Mehrangarh Fort. Later head out to a Bishnoi village, in the sandy outskirts of Jodhpur, on a Jeep safari. You’ll also meet a village of potters and skilled rug weavers.

The morning is yours at leisure to relax, do a bit of shopping, or further explore on your own. We have several unique excursions on offer that you may like to discuss, including; private cooking classes, puppet-making workshops, and visiting the nearby Bishnoi village.

 

Later, you’ll be steering off the usual tourist route to a beautiful village in rural Rajasthan, for a two-night stay at Rawla Narlai. Dating back to the 17th-century, Rawla Narlai is a converted fort with a selection of comfortably rustic rooms adorned with plenty of local charm and character whilst offering a modern hotel’s facilities. The inner courtyards are blooming with bright pink bougainvillaea and fragrant frangipani. The surrounding village and landscapes are beautifully picturesque. Rawla Narlai is a special place and quite the hidden gem.

Day 11 of your Pushkar Fair Tour invites you to spend the day at leisure, relaxing and exploring the Narlai area at your own pace. There are many excursions available at Rawla Narlai. We can discuss these in advance but prefer to offer you the freedom to decide from and book directly, depending on how you feel on the day (you can read how we spent ours, here). We recommend rising early to climb Elephant Hill – there are a whopping 756 steps to reach the top, and the reward is a beautiful view of the sun rising over Narlai below. A walk through the village is a must, too – the people are friendly, with ladies dressed in stunningly colourful saris and turbaned elders drinking chai (spiced tea).

 

To end the day, we suggest Rawla Narlai’s signature Stepwell Dinner, which is the highlight of a stay here for many of our guests. The magical supper offers four courses of local specialities served beside a 1,100-years-old stepwell, spectacularly lit by hundreds of oil lamps and accompanied by soulful folk songs performed by a local musician on a tambura.

Today you’ll continue to Udaipur. On the way, we recommend stopping in Ranakpur to visit the stunningly carved Jain temple. For many of our guests, the Jain temple in Ranakpur is one of the most striking sights. The carvings – of which there are thousands – are all unique. Alternatively (or in addition to), you may prefer to stop at the 15th-century Kumbhalgarh Fort, which is affectionally known as the Great Wall of India as a whopping 36 km of wall snakes around the 365 temples, palaces, gardens and 700 cannon bunkers within.

 

When arriving in Udaipur, you’ll take a short boat ride across Lake Pichola to the fabulous Taj Lake Palace. Dating back over 270 years and floating majestically in the middle of the water, this is the ultimate Indian palace hotel experience for many likeminded visitors, and we’d have to agree! The palatial interiors have been carefully restored to their former glory when the palace served as a summer retreat for Maharaja Jagjit Singh who ruled Jaipur in the 17th century. Other favourite hotels of ours in Udaipur you may wish to consider are The Oberoi Udaivilas, The Leela Palace, and RAAS Devi Garh. 

Your guided tour of Udaipur begins at the vast City Palace. It’s the largest palace in Rajasthan and was built or added to by 22 different maharanas. With its stern, fortress-like façade, topped with a scattering of elegant balconies, domes and turrets, the City Palace in Udaipur was aptly described by one writer as a ‘massive plain cake topped with fabulous icing’. Continue with a walking tour through the old city, where you’ll navigate lots of crooked, narrow lanes selling a variety of interesting local handicrafts, as well as fresh vegetables and spices. Nearby is the 17th-century Jagdish Temple. Other highlights to take in may include Saheliyon ki Bari (a delightful 18th-century garden), and Eklingji (a complex of 108 temples and shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, dating back to the 16th century).

The morning is at leisure in Udaipur to relax and enjoy the Taj Lake Palace. Board a flight back to Delhi this afternoon, where your Pushkar Fair Tour concludes with a final night’s stay. We recommend the JW Marriott. Though somewhat lacking in character, it’s a convenient location for flying in and out of Delhi as it’s just a five-minute drive from Terminal 3.

You’ll be chauffeured back to the airport this morning in time for your onward flight. This additional stop is optional – you might prefer to connect directly from Udaipur, especially if your international departure is scheduled at night or in the early hours. We can fine-tune this together to best suit your wider arrangements.

Our Pushkar Fair Tour is inclusive of accommodation, daily breakfast plus all your meals in Pushkar, a private car with driver throughout, experienced guides, entrance tickets and excursions. In other words, we offer a seamless and hassle-free experience where the only thing you need to worry about is soaking up the sights and enjoying your fabulous hotels! This indicative cost is per person, based on a couple travelling in November 2023 (at the time of the Pushkar Fair) and sharing a double or twin room.