Rajasthan
EASTERN
R AJASTHAN
Rajasthan
ACT iViTiES
Rajasthan
PUSHKAR
2 ̈Activities
Nonguests can use the pool at Hotel Navara-
tan Palace (₹100), although, bizarrely, swim
times are segregated. Foreigners can swim
from noon to 5pm. Indians are allowed to
swim only in the morning, and then again
after 5pm.
Shannu’s ̈Riding ̈School ̈ ̈ HORSE RiDiNG
(%2772043; http://www.shannus.weebly.com; Panch
Kund Marg; ride/lessons per hr ₹400) French-
Canadian and long-time Pushkar resident
Marc Dansereau can organise riding lessons
and horse safaris on his graceful Marwari
steeds. You can stay here too.
Government ̈
Homeopathic ̈Hospital ̈ AYURVEDiC
(%9413094664; Ajmer Rd; h9am-1pm) For a
totally noncommercial massage-treatment
experience, try the ayurvedic department
at the small and basic Government Ho-
meopathic Hospital. A one-hour full-body
massage costs ₹450. For an extra ₹50 you
get a steam bath afterwards. A half-hour
sirodhara treatment (where medicated oil
is poured continuously onto your forehead)
costs ₹400.
Roshi ̈Hiralal ̈Verma ̈ RE iKi, YOGA
(%9829895906) For reiki, yoga and shiatsu,
Mr Hiralal Verma is based at the Ambika
Guesthouse. Costs depend on the duration
and type of session.
C ̈Courses
Saraswati ̈Music ̈School ̈ MUS iC
(%2773124, Birju 9828297784; Mainon Ka Chowk)
Teaches classical tabla (drums), sitar, flute,
singing and kathak (classical dance). Con-
tact Birju, who’s been playing for around
20 years, and charges from ₹250 per hour,
plus ₹700/1000 for the teaching book/CD
you need to buy in order to participate.
He also sells instruments (sitar/tabla from
₹8000/5000). Dance classes start from ₹300
per hour.
Cooking ̈Bahar ̈ COOKiNG
(%2773124; http://www.cookingbahar.com; Mainon Ka
Chowk) Part of the Saraswati Music School
family, Deepa conducts three-hour cooking
classes that cover three vegetarian courses.
T ̈Tours
Camel ̈Safaris
Plenty of people in Pushkar offer short
camel ̈rides (around ₹200 per hour), which
are a good way to explore the starkly beauti-
ful landscape – a mixture of desert and the
rocky hills – around town. Sunset rides are
most popular. It’s best to ask at your hotel.
Inn Seventh Heaven is reliable.
For longer camel treks, prices start at
around ₹500 per person per day for a group
of four. You can head out to Jodhpur (five to
six days) or even Jaisalmer (10 to 12 days).
Numerous operators line Ajmer Rd, but
note, these places are less professional than
the operators we recommend in Jaisalmer
and Bikaner.4 ̈Sleeping
At the time of the camel fair prices multiply
enormously and it’s essential to book several
weeks ahead. Temporary luxury tented ac-
commodation, which can be booked online,
springs up at this time. Check out www
.jodhanaheritage.com or http://www.hotelpushkar
palace.com.Shri ̈Shyam ̈
Krishna ̈Guesthouse ̈ GUESTHOUSE $
(%2772461; [email protected]; Sadar Ba-
zaar; s/d ₹300/500, without bathroom ₹150/350;
W) Housed in a lovely old blue-washed
building, and sharing lawns and gardens
with a still-active Krishna temple, this
sprawling guesthouse has ashram austerity
and genuinely friendly management, and
makes a great budget choice for families.
Some of the cheaper rooms are cell-like, and
there’s only hot water in the private bath-
rooms, but all rooms share the simple, au-
thentic ambience.Pushkar ̈Inn’s ̈Hotel ̈ HOTEl $
(%2772010; [email protected]; Push-
kar lake; r ₹800, without bathroom ₹200, with
AC ₹1500; aW) A charming little hotel set
around a series of lush gardens with well-
tended lawns, papaya trees and plenty of
peace and tranquillity. Rooms themselves
are fairly basic but clean, and some open
out onto a front lawn with lake views. The
air-conditioned rooms have a TV. The bath-
roomless cheapies fill up quickly. The family
who owns this place also runs the excellent
Sunset Café next door, while the garden res-
taurant Alpine Pizzeria is within the hotel
grounds.Hotel ̈Everest ̈ HOTEl $
(%2773417; http://www.pushkarhoteleverest.com; r ₹200-
600, with AC ₹850; aiW) This welcom-
ing budget hotel is secreted in the quiet