Rajasthan is at its colorful best for the annual Camel Fair in November, and you can be right in the thick of it. This is not a festival put on for the tourists, but a major event taken seriously by all involved. As many as 250,000 people flock to the dusty little town of Pushkar, bringing with them tens of thousands of camels and cattle for several days of wheeling and dealing, camel racing, and general festivities. It's a wildly colorful and atmospheric festival. At other times of the year, camel rides and safaris are available from a number of operators. Accommodations are extremely tight during the festival, so plan ahead. Contact the India Tourism Board (www.tourindia.com) for details on this year's fair.

Trip Facts
Difficulty rating: Easy
When to go: November for the camel fair, year-round to ride camels.