Having already bumped over several serious deserts on camels in the past, it had never crossed my mind that a quick trot into the countryside around Pushkar would be anything to write home about. How wrong can you be, eh? There are a number of set-ups in Pushkar offering day or overnight trips into the desert, and their prices and facilities seem to be much the same for your standard trip. Some of the more up-market hotels provide the same trips, but at a higher price, because your camels come complete with haute-couture and a couple of flag bearers to accompany you.
Originally, only two of us were going on the afternoon trip, and we opted for our own camels with attendants. Our two friends (60 and over) insisted that they were too old for gallivanting around the desert on a camel, but then changed their minds when Ladu said he could provide a cart with pillows, cushions, and blankets for the "aunties."
We met mid-afternoon and were led across the arched bridge over the lake to the camel park at the other end. The aunties settled into their cart like a pair of overindulged maharanis. My sister and I mounted our camels with the attendants sitting behind us. We headed southwest around the base of the hill that dominates the Pushkar skyline and is home to the Savitri Mandir temple on its summit. At first, we passed small dwellings and holdings with the usual assortment of kids all shouting hello at us. There was plenty of evidence of a good water supply for irrigation here, and many of the farmsteads had the most amazing fields full of marigolds that are used to make the floral garland offerings at the temples.
As we passed beyond the mountain, we reached the desert and a number of abandoned farm projects where the water supply had run out a few years earlier. Our attendants were quick to point out signs of wildlife, including lizards, a herd of deer, and some beautiful but unknown birds. The desert itself was not spectacular, but it was a great view and a lovely, warm evening, and the attendants were really friendly and chatty.
My camel was well behaved and I got to canter off (without my attendant) like Florence of Arabia. My sister's camel was a slobbering adolescent with willful tendencies that made funny squeaking noises.
Part of the trip led us through some interesting gullies deep in the sand before reaching the Camel Mela ground on the north side of the mountain. What a mess! The whole area was covered in mounds of plastic bottles and other rubbish from the mela. The villagers here spend all year gathering it up to get it clean in time for the following year. By the time the sun sets, though, the reflections from the plastic have faded and the view is stunning. It is a great way to spend an idle afternoon in Pushkar.
From journal Pushkar - a Holiday from a Holiday!