India’s Pushkar Camel Fair: November 2023

13 days from £6,380 for 2023 per person

• Delhi
• Jaipur
• Raipur
• Pushkar
• Nagaur
• Osian
• Jodhpur

Be a part of one of the largest camel and cattle fairs in the world and one of the most important events of the year for any Rajasthani villager. Join the hundreds of thousands of Indians as they migrate to the deserts of Pushkar for its annual Camel Fair. For a few weeks in November this humble little town turns into an oasis of colour in the middle of the Rajasthani desert. This trip promises to offer something new for everyone, whether it is your first time in India or you are something of a local veteran.

Begin your trip in the capital of India, Delhi, and explore the bustling streets and markets of this sprawling metropolis before heading south-west to Rajasthan. Begin your tour of the "The Land of Kings" in Jaipur, otherwise known as "The Pink City" where you can see how this city got its name at the Amber Fort. Continue on to Raipur, in the expansive "Badlands of India" where you can take a few days to relax and prepare yourself before the highlight of your trip: The Pushkar Camel Fair. Far more than just a place to buy and sell livestock, this annual event is of both cultural and religious significance.

It all kicks off with a camel race and the tempo continues at a similar pace for the next fortnight, culminating in a day of religious festivity when pilgrims bathe themselves in the holy Pushkar Lake. A photographer's dream, one cannot help but become immersed in the sights, sounds and smells of this frenetic festival. You will not have a moment to rest between browsing the pop-up market stalls and joining in with songs and dancing of the local villagers. In more recent years there has even been a friendly match between the local cricket team and willing tourists, for those who really want to get involved in the action!

Palette suitably whetted, you will not be disappointed by what the rest of Rajasthan has to offer... Carry on to Nagaur, where you can experience rural India without the furore of a huge calendar event, and Osian spending a night amongst the local wildlife with an overnight stay in a desert camp. You will end in "The Blue City", Jodhpur, exploring the local sights and staying at the achingly cool RAAS.

This tour is purely a suggested itinerary and can be booked as it is, or alternatively used as a starting point for creating your own perfect bespoke holiday to India. However please be aware that the Pushkar Camel Fair takes place from 1st to 9th November 2022. 

If you'd like to see similar trips, take a look at our Epic Journeys and Family Holiday collections, as well as our favourite Festival, Party and Wildlife itineraries.

I can't think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything.
Bill Bryson