We found Pushkar to be an amazing place in January 1998, although we weren't there during th famous annual camel festival. On the one hand it has lots of young backpackers who immediately dress as 60s and 70s hippies as soon as they arrive. On the other hand it is an extremely holy place with 100s of temples scattered through the compact village, with its narrow, vehicle-free streets and really spectacular architecture, clustered around an extremely holy lake. It is a fantastic place to immerse yourselves in. See the photo of Pushkar from across the lake. That will give you an idea of how wonderful it is. And there is heaps of great shopping, lots of great music shops, clothes shops, artefacts etc. And the restaurants were the cheapest restaurants we came across (apart from local thali restaurants). This is because buffet style has taken off there, so you can eat as much as you want for dinner at the Om Shiva restaurant or others for R50 each (US$1.20), or cheaper for breakfast. Includes choice of international and Indian foods.

Like Jaisalmer, you can do camel safaris from Pushkar and although we didn't do one they are supposed to be quite good. Apparently a bit more expensive than Jaisalmer, but there is less competition. Perhaps the destinations might not be quite as desolate and deserted as around Jaisalmer, either. But I think it would still be an excellent substitute.

Of course you will be pressured into having a Puja at the lake be real or (more likely) fake Saddhus to get your "Pushkar passport", a red string tied around your wrist. A Puja is actually fun and part of the Pushkar experience, but don't let them shame you into giving them more that about R20, which is all Indians pay, we watched! They will actually try to get at least R200 for a couple or R100 each, this is way over the top.