Hello, I am planning to travel to Pushkar during the big festival coming up and prices seem to be inflated beyond by belief. Seems like it would be a steal to get something for $100 a night. What is the deal? Is this a pilgrimage site now only available for visitors with deep pockets?? I'll skip Puskar if I have to pay that much. Anyone with any knowledge about pushkar accomodations during the camel festival? I'm a budget traveler.

I can't speak for accomodations but after visiting there last winter I came away with a very neg. impression abou the place. To me its becoming a tourist rip off to be sure. Personally I won't go there again.

Have to agree with jwatch. Pushkar may come alive at Camel Fair time but it's a fairly unremarkable town! Why anyone would want to be there with all those devilish camels around in that dustbowl of a fairground is beyond me.

Hi - I'm glad I went - for the atmosphere and the people watching - but I stayed in Ajmer and took the bus to Pushkar early morning (loads of buses each way). This was a while ago but still, the idea might appeal to you.

hmm..I was disappointed that we missed Pushkar last time we were in India, and now this time..I would love to go to the Camel Fair..I just love camels and to me it looks amazing..That is just my 2 cents anyhow!!

Tracy: If you go just be wary of the rip off schemes. For example when we entered a certain temple we were greeted by a self proclaimed religious student who was very friendly and offered a tour free of charge. However when it was finished he turned into Mr. Hyde and demanded alot of $$ and cursed us when we did not offer enough. So he got zip! Later we were approached and indeed barred in effect by another "holy man" who would not allow us to take a picture of the lake until we said a prayer first. Fine, but then another priest demanded money B4 he would allow us to take a picture! Well I took one anyway nad told him what I thought of him. If that wasn't enough, later, as I removed my wallet to pay for something I sensed a man approaching me in a hurry. I looked up in time to see the look of a hungry wolf, glared at him and squeezed my wallet. He veerd off. Just be careful and be fore warned.

Jacketwatch, that's okay, we aren't going to Pushkar (we are going to Kerala)but i really wanted to go to but we couldn't fit it in..I have heard alot of horror stories about what goes on and I just hate when those things happen, so i can see your point..We had lots of similar things happen in Cairo and around the Pyramids, i was not impressed...

It really is too bad. I wouldlike tosee the pyramids but didn't know it was like that htere. I would love to hear about Kerala when you return if you can. Thanks and enjoy, Larry

jacketwatch..The experience we had at the Pyramids was a bunch of Egyptian's walking around with their hands out chanting basheesh, basheesh..Every step we took, every move we made, they wanted money from us..And i thought we were experienced travellers but boy they got us a few times..As we wisened up, it got better..Don't get me wrong, the pyramids are great (i think...lol)and so was Egypt, but we really got hounded..My husband specifically did not like Egypt..I am very tolerable, so i still loved it..So when i travelled to India last year, my guard was up the whole time...They are pretty persitant in India, but somehow i didn't find them as irritating as they were in Egypt..
I will post a report of Kerala, the Maldives and Dubai when I return at the end of November..I can barely believe we are going!!