Ajmer & Pushkar Day Trip from Jaipur by Private Car
Tour Overview
Set aside one full day to experience two of Rajasthan's most soulful towns on a comfortable road trip from Jaipur. Ajmer and Pushkar sit on opposite sides of the Aravalli hills, about 150 kilometres from the Pink City, and together they create a beautiful blend of Sufi devotion, temple bells, lakeside ghats and colourful bazaars.
Ajmer is famous for the Ajmer Sharif Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, one of the most important Sufi shrines in India, as well as Ana Sagar Lake and old Mughal-era architecture. Pushkar, just a short drive away over the hills, is known for its sacred lake with 52 ghats and the rare Brahma Temple, one of the very few major temples dedicated to Lord Brahma in the country, making it a key stop for Hindu pilgrims and curious travellers alike.
Duration & Tour Details
Duration: Approximately 13–14 hours
Tour type: Private full-day excursion from Jaipur
Suggested start: Around 6:30–7:00 AM
Route: Jaipur – Ajmer Sharif Dargah – Ana Sagar Lake – Pushkar Lake – Brahma Temple – Jaipur
Pickup: Hotel, homestay, railway station or agreed Jaipur point
Transport: Private air-conditioned vehicle
Guide: Local guide available when pre-booked
Best for: First-time visitors, pilgrimage travellers, couples, families and cultural travellers
Price: Available on request. Final cost depends on group size, vehicle category, guide requirement, pickup location and selected monument inclusions.
Ajmer & Pushkar Day Trip Highlights
- Offer a quiet prayer or absorb the energy at Ajmer Sharif Dargah, a major centre of Sufi faith and music.
- Walk around the holy Pushkar Lake with its 52 ghats and visit the Brahma Temple, one of the only major temples in India dedicated to the creator god.
- Enjoy a smooth highway drive from Jaipur to Ajmer and onward to Pushkar, with views of fields, low hills and the Aravalli range.
- Stroll by Ana Sagar Lake, a 12th-century artificial lake with open views and shaded promenades.
- Travel in a private air-conditioned vehicle with door-to-door pickup and drop-off so you can set your own pace.
- Explore local markets near the Dargah or around Pushkar's lanes for handicrafts, silver jewellery and textiles.
- Try simple Rajasthani snacks or a vegetarian meal at a rooftop café overlooking Pushkar town or lake.
- Experience both a major Sufi shrine and a rare Hindu temple in a single, well-planned day from Jaipur.
Places Covered on the Tour
Ajmer Sharif Dargah
Visit the revered shrine of the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, a living place of worship with Mughal gateways and marble work framing the inner sanctum. Walk through narrow bazaars to reach the Dargah courtyard, where you can pause for a quiet personal prayer, listen to qawwali or observe the flow of pilgrims placing chadars and flowers at the tomb.
Ana Sagar Lake
Relax by this 12th-century artificial lake with open views, a promenade and shaded spaces where locals come to unwind. Take pictures of the water and surrounding hills, and enjoy a quick refreshment at a nearby stall.
Pushkar Lake
Walk quietly along the ghats of the holy lake, where pilgrims perform rituals, offer prayers for ancestors and take ritual dips in the stepped waters, absorbing the spiritual atmosphere of one of India's most sacred lakes.
Brahma Temple
Visit one of the very few major temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator in the Hindu trinity. With its distinct red spire and marble-and-stone structure, note the carvings, the hamsa (swan) motif and the sanctum dedicated to Brahma.
Pushkar Bazaars
Wander through lanes filled with small shops selling prayer items, textiles, silver jewellery, handicrafts and street food, offering a relaxed shopping experience in a pilgrim town setting.
Sample Ajmer & Pushkar Day Trip Itinerary
6:30–7:00 AM – Pickup in Jaipur & Departure
Your driver meets you at your hotel, homestay or another agreed pickup point in Jaipur for an early start, which helps you beat city traffic and gives more sightseeing time later in the day. Leave Jaipur on the Jaipur–Kishangarh–Ajmer expressway. The drive to Ajmer usually takes about 2.5 to 3 hours by car.
9:30–10:00 AM – Arrive in Ajmer & Visit Ajmer Sharif Dargah
On arrival in Ajmer, head towards the old city lanes that lead to Ajmer Sharif Dargah. The complex is a living place of worship, so modest dress and covered shoulders and knees are recommended. Walk through narrow bazaars to reach the Dargah courtyard, where you can pause for a quiet personal prayer, listen to qawwali if performed during your visit, or simply observe the flow of pilgrims.
11:00 AM–12:00 PM – Ana Sagar Lake & Ajmer Views
After the intensity of the shrine, drive or walk to Ana Sagar Lake for a change of pace. This artificial lake, created in the 12th century, offers open views, a promenade and shaded spaces. Spend some time by the water, take pictures of the lake and hills, and enjoy a quick refreshment before continuing towards Pushkar.
12:00–12:30 PM – Drive from Ajmer to Pushkar
Depart Ajmer and cross the low Aravalli hills through Pushkar Ghati towards Pushkar town. The distance is short—about 15–20 kilometres—and normally takes around 30–40 minutes by road. As you come over the pass, the landscape opens out and Pushkar's temples, ghats and buildings gradually appear around the lake.
12:30–2:30 PM – Pushkar Lake & Brahma Temple
Begin your Pushkar visit near the ghats of the holy lake, where pilgrims perform rituals and offer prayers. Walk quietly along a few ghats to absorb the atmosphere, keeping in mind local customs about footwear and photography. Continue to the Brahma Temple, note the carvings, the hamsa motif and the sanctum, then wander back through nearby lanes filled with small shops.
2:30–3:30 PM – Lunch & Free Time in Pushkar
Enjoy a relaxed vegetarian lunch at a rooftop café or simple restaurant overlooking the town or lake. After lunch, choose a short walk through the bazaar for souvenirs such as handicrafts, silver jewellery or local textiles, or simply sit by the ghats for a few quiet minutes before starting the return leg.
3:30–4:30 PM – Optional Extra Stops
Depending on your interests and energy level, add a brief visit to another temple in Pushkar, such as Savitri Temple on the hill (reachable by ropeway and steps) or Varaha Temple, or spend more time at a favourite ghat. If you prefer more time in Ajmer, the itinerary can be reversed to include Adhai-Din-Ka-Jhonpra, Nasiyan Jain Temple or local markets.
4:30–5:00 PM – Depart Pushkar for Jaipur
Meet your driver at the agreed pickup point and begin the drive back to Jaipur via Ajmer and the main highway. The journey typically takes around 3 to 3.5 hours by car with a short refreshment break en route.
8:00–8:30 PM – Arrival & Drop-Off in Jaipur
Arrive back in Jaipur in the evening and get dropped at your hotel, homestay or any central point in the city, bringing your Ajmer and Pushkar day trip to a calm and satisfied close.
Inclusions
- Private air-conditioned vehicle for the full day (Jaipur – Ajmer – Pushkar – Jaipur) with professional driver.
- Door-to-door pickup and drop-off at your hotel, homestay or preferred point in Jaipur city.
- Flexible sightseeing time at key stops such as Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Ana Sagar Lake, Pushkar Lake and Brahma Temple.
- Standard fuel, toll, parking and applicable state taxes for the vehicle as per the described itinerary.
- Basic bottled drinking water in the car.
- Local guide when specifically included in the package.
- Applicable transport taxes and regular service charges.
Exclusions
- Entry tickets, camera fees or special darshan donations at temples, monuments or other attractions.
- Meals, snacks and beverages during the day, payable directly at chosen restaurants or stalls.
- Local guides inside shrines or monuments, unless specifically added as an extra service in your booking.
- Personal expenses such as shopping, puja offerings, souvenirs or additional activities not mentioned in the plan.
- Travel or medical insurance and any emergency costs during the tour.
- Optional gratuities for driver, local priests or guides.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under inclusions.
Important Notes & Travel Tips
- Modest dress with covered shoulders and knees is recommended for visiting Ajmer Sharif Dargah and all temples.
- Shoes must be removed before entering temple premises; carry socks if you prefer not to walk barefoot.
- An early morning start from Jaipur helps beat traffic and gives more comfortable sightseeing time.
- Pushkar is a vegetarian town by local custom; non-vegetarian food is not served within the town limits.
- Photography may be restricted inside the Dargah and certain temple areas; follow local instructions.
- The drive from Jaipur to Ajmer takes about 2.5 to 3 hours each way on the expressway.
- Carry drinking water, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, especially during summer months.
- Pushkar can get crowded during the annual Pushkar Camel Fair in November; plan accordingly if visiting during that period.
- The route order can be reversed to visit Pushkar first and Ajmer second, depending on your preference.
- Exact cancellation and refund terms should be confirmed before payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Ajmer and Pushkar day trip take?
The full-day trip usually takes around thirteen to fourteen hours including travel from Jaipur, sightseeing at both towns, lunch and the return drive.
How far is Ajmer from Jaipur?
Ajmer is approximately 130 to 150 kilometres from Jaipur and takes about two and a half to three hours by car on the Jaipur–Kishangarh–Ajmer expressway.
How far is Pushkar from Ajmer?
Pushkar is about 15 to 20 kilometres from Ajmer and takes around 30 to 40 minutes by road through the Aravalli hills via Pushkar Ghati.
Are monument entry tickets included?
Entry tickets are included only when clearly stated in the confirmed package. Otherwise, travellers pay them directly at the Dargah, temples or other sites.
Is a guide included?
A local guide is included only when specified in the package and can also be arranged separately on request for the Dargah, temples or other sites.
Is lunch included?
Lunch is normally not included unless specifically mentioned in the confirmed package. Vegetarian restaurants and rooftop cafés are available in Pushkar at your own expense.
Can I visit only Ajmer or only Pushkar?
Yes. The itinerary can be adjusted to visit only one of the two towns if you prefer a shorter trip, though visiting both in one day is the standard and most popular option.
Is there a dress code for the Dargah and temples?
Yes. Modest dress with covered shoulders and knees is recommended for both the Dargah and all temples. Shoes must be removed before entering temple premises.
Is non-vegetarian food available on the route?
Non-vegetarian food is available at restaurants on the Jaipur–Ajmer highway. However, Pushkar town itself serves only vegetarian food as per local custom.
Can the itinerary be customized?
Yes. The route can be adjusted for different start times, additional stops like Adhai-Din-Ka-Jhonpra, Nasiyan Jain Temple or Savitri Temple, a preferred lunch location, or a reversed order visiting Pushkar first.
