Most people who visit the Pushkar Camel Fair see the end of it. They arrive for the full-moon finale and find Ferris wheels, food stalls and long selfie queues. By then, many of the camels have already been sold and walked home.
The fair has two halves. A working livestock market starts first. A festival follows it. If you know which half you want, the rest of the trip is easy to plan.
Quick answer: the Pushkar Camel Fair 2026 runs from 17 to 24 November, ending on Kartik Purnima. Camels and herders start arriving about a week earlier, so for the trading, go between roughly 10 and 18 November. Entry is free.
Pushkar Camel Fair 2026 dates
The fair follows the Hindu lunar calendar and always ends on Kartik Purnima, the full moon of the month of Kartik. In 2026 that falls on 24 November.
| What happens | When (2026) | What you’ll see |
|---|---|---|
| Camels and herders arrive | From about 10 November | Thousands of camels, herders bargaining, few tourists |
| Official fair programme | 17 to 24 November | Competitions, folk music, stalls, rides |
| Kartik Purnima holy dip | 24 November | Pushkar’s biggest day; lakhs of pilgrims at the lake |
Confirm the final dates on the Rajasthan Tourism website before booking. A few travel sites list different ranges for 2026.
Which days should you go?
It depends on what you came for.
For camels and the real market, go between 10 and 18 November and be at the mela ground by about 7 AM. Herders from the Rebari and Raika communities bring camels from across Rajasthan, and for many families these few days of trading bring in a large share of the year’s income. Mornings are when the bargaining happens.
For the festival and the holy dip, go from 22 to 24 November. You’ll get the competitions, music and the Kartik Purnima snan at Pushkar Sarovar. You’ll also get the biggest crowds and the highest prices of the year.
If you can only manage one trip, the middle days around 16 to 18 November give you a bit of both.
3 tourist traps at the Pushkar fair (and what things really cost)
None of these will ruin your trip. All three will cost you money if you don’t see them coming.
1. The flower at the ghat
Someone walks up near the lake and puts a flower in your hand. A short puja follows, your family members are named one by one, and then comes a request for a large dakshina, sometimes framed as a donation per family member.
A puja with a licensed priest costs around ₹100 to ₹150, according to Frommer’s. Either decline the flower politely or agree on the amount before anything starts.
After a puja you’ll get a red thread tied on your wrist, often called the “Pushkar passport.” Other priests usually leave you alone once they see it.
2. The sunset safari package
Agents and hotels sell “sunset camel safari” packages for ₹1,250 to ₹1,750. A one-hour camel cart ride on the dunes, booked directly with a camel owner, usually costs ₹300 to ₹500 per person. Rates go up during fair week, so agree on the price and the duration before you climb in.
3. Bad timing
This one costs the most and has nothing to do with a price tag. Arrive only for the last two days and you’ll spend your trip in crowds, at a fair with fewer camels than you expected. Going earlier is free.
Also watch for: people in costume, or owners of decorated camels, asking for money after a photo. Ask first. Small tips of ₹20 to ₹50 are normal if you take one.
How to reach Pushkar
Pushkar has no railway station with useful long-distance trains and no airport. Travel to Ajmer first; Pushkar is about 15 km away over a small hill road.
| From | Distance to Pushkar | Time | Approx. cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ajmer Junction, by bus | 15 km | About 30 min | ₹15 to ₹80 |
| Ajmer Junction, by taxi | 15 km | 20 to 30 min | ₹500 to ₹800 in fair week |
| Kishangarh (Ajmer) airport, by taxi | About 40 km | About 1 hour | ₹1,200 to ₹1,800 |
| Jaipur airport, by taxi | About 150 km | 2.5 to 3 hours | ₹3,000 to ₹4,000 |
Ajmer Junction has direct trains from Delhi and Jaipur, including the Ajmer Shatabdi. Fair-week trains fill up, so book as early as you can. Taxi drivers in Ajmer raise prices during the fair, which makes the bus the easy saving.
Where to stay during the Pushkar fair
Room prices roughly double or triple in fair week, and the good-value places go first. Staying near the lake or the mela ground lets you walk everywhere, which matters when roads are jammed.
| Stay type | Fair-week price per night | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel dorm bed | ₹400 to ₹1,000 | Solo travellers, students |
| Basic guesthouse | ₹1,500 to ₹4,000 | Couples and friend groups |
| Mid-range hotel or haveli | ₹3,000 to ₹8,000 | Comfort close to the lake |
| Desert tent camp | ₹5,000 to ₹12,000 | Being close to the fair ground |
| Luxury tent city | ₹15,000 and up | A splurge |
Two cautions. Fake listings and advance-payment scams are common around the fair, so confirm your booking directly with the property. And “luxury camp” sometimes means a basic tent with a shared bathroom, so check recent guest photos.
On a tight budget, you can stay in Ajmer and take the bus in each day. You’ll just struggle to reach the trading ground by sunrise.
A 2-day Pushkar fair itinerary
Day 1: camels and the lake
- 7 AM, mela ground. Watch the trading at its busiest and have chai at a herders’ stall.
- 10 AM, Pushkar Sarovar. Walk the ghats around the lake. Shoes come off near the water, and photographing people bathing isn’t allowed.
- 12 PM, Brahma Temple. One of very few temples in India dedicated to Brahma. Carry little, since bags and phones are often kept outside.
- 2 PM, the main bazaar. Lunch, then silver, leather and textiles. Bargaining is expected.
- 5 PM, camel cart ride on the dunes. Book it with the owner, not an agent.
- 7 PM, evening aarti at the ghats.
Day 2: the festival and the view
- 6 AM, Savitri Mata Temple. Climb the hill for sunrise over the town and the fair. The walk takes 45 to 60 minutes; there is also a ropeway.
- 9 AM, the fair programme. Events like the longest moustache contest, matka phod and camel decoration usually run during the official days. Check the day’s schedule at the venue.
- Afternoon, a rooftop cafe overlooking the lake.
- 4 PM, the mela ground at golden hour. The best light of the day for photos.
Visiting on Kartik Purnima? Swap the hill climb for the pre-dawn dip at the ghats, and expect the busiest morning of the year.
if you want to explore main Pushkar attraction check our Pushkar travel guide
Food and town rules
Pushkar is a holy town. Meat, eggs and alcohol aren’t allowed within it, and that’s rarely a problem once you’ve eaten here.
Try malpua, the syrupy fried sweet Pushkar is known for, along with dal-baati-churma, kachori with kadhi, and a cold lassi. The rooftop cafes around the lake serve everything from thalis to falafel, all vegetarian.
Cover your shoulders and knees at temples and ghats. November days are warm, around 28°C, but sunrise can be close to 10°C, so carry a jacket. The mela ground is sandy and dusty, which makes a scarf or mask worth packing.
How much does a Pushkar fair trip cost?
A budget 2-day trip from Ajmer costs about ₹4,000 to ₹7,000 per person in fair week. A comfortable one runs ₹12,000 to ₹20,000. Travel to Ajmer is extra.
| Per person, 2 days | Budget | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| Stay, 2 nights | ₹800 to ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 to ₹12,000 |
| Food | ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 | ₹2,000 to ₹3,000 |
| Ajmer and Pushkar transfers | ₹50 to ₹150 | ₹1,000 to ₹1,600 |
| Camel cart ride | ₹300 to ₹500 | ₹300 to ₹500 |
| Puja, ropeway, entries | ₹300 to ₹500 | ₹300 to ₹500 |
| Shopping and extras | About ₹1,000 | ₹2,500 and up |
These are fair-week estimates. Check current prices before you book.
Before you go
- Confirm the 2026 dates on the Rajasthan Tourism site
- Book trains or buses to Ajmer early
- Book your stay and confirm it with the property directly
- Pack a jacket for mornings, a scarf for dust, and shoes you can walk in
- Carry cash in small notes; many stalls and camel owners prefer it to UPI
- Set an alarm for 6:30 AM on at least one day
Pushkar Camel Fair FAQs
When is the Pushkar Camel Fair in 2026?
From 17 to 24 November 2026, ending on Kartik Purnima (24 November). Camel trading usually begins about a week before the official start.
Is there an entry fee for the Pushkar fair?
No. Entry to the fair ground is free. You pay only for rides, shows you book separately, and anything you buy.
What is the best day to visit the Pushkar Camel Fair?
For camels and trading, go early, roughly 10 to 18 November, and reach the ground at sunrise. For the festival and holy dip, go 22 to 24 November.
How many days do you need in Pushkar?
Two days covers the fair, the lake, the Brahma Temple and the Savitri Mata sunrise. Add a third if you want both the trading days and Kartik Purnima.
Is Pushkar safe for solo and women travellers during the fair?
Pushkar is a busy pilgrim town and generally comfortable for solo travellers, including women. Crowds are heavy in the last days, so keep valuables close and stay where it’s easy to walk back after dark.
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