Udaipur: The city of lakes

City palace, Udaipur

Udaipur, the name itself has something enchanting about it. As duly called the city of lakes, Udaipur is a 4 hrs drive from Ahmedabad. The best season to visit the city is monsoon with lush green outfields along the road with dark clouds dominating the sky.

Udaipur is surely about luxury, but it can also be enjoyed in a limited budget. There are many budget hotels in Udaipur, but so far Jaiwana haweli has been my favorite choice. It is located in the heart of the city, on the banks of Pichhola lake and a stone’s throw away from the city palace. It is the perfect location to enjoy the magnanimity of Udaipur without hurting your pockets.

Jag Mandir

Evening view of City Palace from Ambrai Ghat 

Perfect place for car lovers and food lovers

The best itinerary would be to reach Udaipur around lunch. On the first day, you can treat yourself at Vintage & classic car collection museum which is a 10 mins walk from the city palace. Use of personal vehicle should be avoided in in Udaipur, given its narrow lanes and congestion. But before heading for lunch you should collect the entry passes for palace visit from the city palace. (TIP: Carry student’s ID card for concessional rates). If you are a car fanatic, the vintage museum holds some of the masterpieces that were once driven by the royals themselves which include Mercedes, Cadillac, and Rolls-Royce etc. The food there has an authentic taste and is worth a shot. Post lunch head for the City palace. City palace has its own opulence and rustic charm. A complete tour of the palace will take about 2-3 hours and don’t forget to hire a guide. The palace carries the whole history of the Rajput rulers and the proof of their grandeur. It’s one of the best photography spot and a history lover’s paradise. After the city palace tour, you can visit dudh talai, which is a 5 mins walk and enjoy the lake view. The other best alternative is to visit light and sound show and get a chance to capture the City palace at night. There are two shows every night each lasting for about an hour. You can buy your tickets from the palace itself. After city palace, head for Gangaur ghat, a short distance form the city palace. You will recognize the place instantly having seen it in movies like Ram-leela recently. Later in the evening, head for Ambrai Ghat before sunset to enjoy a picturesque view of Jag mandir palace, The city palace and Lake Pichola. Spend some time on the steps of the ghat and watch the lights of palace come up as the sun goes down. It's a great spot to take a time lapse video. For vegetarian dinner, Natraj dining hall or Sankalp is a good option.

Gangaur Ghat

View of the City palace from Pichola lake

View from Sajjangarh

Sajjangarh Palace

On the second day, you can go for boating in the morning. Boating packages from City palace or hotels will be costly, so pick up independent services from pichhola lake or near dudh talai (There is one just behind jaiwana haweli). You can also book a charter boat. It is the only way to capture the whole palace unless you’re staying in Taj or Udaivilas. From there, you can go to Baddi lake, but en route take a stop at Hathipole Market and try Kachori & Rabdi at Lala Mishtan Bhandar (LMB). Baddi lake is a secluded gem away from the city. The sight and the serenity of the place will hold your heart for a long time. After spending some quality time at the lake head to Sajjangarh-Monsoon palace. Sajjangarh palace is a short drive from city center. It lies on the top of a mountain and in it’s glorious days, it served as a monsoon getaway for the royals of Mewar. If you are lucky, you can enjoy a great weather up there. The view of Udaipur and Fatehsagar lake from atop is just picturesque and you literally feel on the top of the world. It’s a good spot for photography as well. On your way down you can visit Sajjangarh sanctuary as well if you are an animal lover or you can head straight to Fatehsagar lake for your Dinner. For Dinner at Fatehsagar I will be biased and specific. You have to try Bhaaji-paav at Vinod's and in the dessert you can enjoy the kullad rabdi. 

Baddi Lake

Baddi Lake

View of Lake palace from Jaiwana haweli

Breezer by the sunset

View of City palace at night from Hanuman ghat

After lunch, you can relax or shop traditional items from the bazaar. The best spot would be Hathi pol. You can buy leather jacket diaries, purses, shawls, artifacts, paintings and stuff. You can treat yourself at a bar watching the sun set and getting lost in its beauty. Later you can visit Bagore ki haweli and enjoy the folk dance or post dinner you can stroll down to Hanuman ghat and capture the City palace in its grandiosity at night. 

Archeological site at Polo forest

On the third day, you can head back home or visit Maharana Pratap memorial, Chetak memorial or Ahar- burying sites of Mewari royals and then return for your home. Another best option would be a detour to polo forest. The road that leads to polo forest via Vijaynagar will make you feel like you were in paradise. Covered by farms and small lakes on either side, the lush green paradise is worth a trip. You can enjoy trekking and photography there.

If you have spare time on either evenings, you can go for a folk show at Bagore ki Haveli near the city palace.

How to reach: 250 Km from Ahmedabad (3-4 hrs)

When to go: Monsoon & Winters

Where to stay: Jaiwana haweli (For budgeted tour)

Where to Shop: Hathipole market (Mojdis, artifacts and textiles)

How to explore: Best on foot

What to see: City palace, Vintage car museum, Baddi Lake, Sajjangarh, Fatehsagar, Boating at pichola

Where to eat: Sankalp, Natraj dining hall, Vintage car museum, Lala Mishtan Bhandar

Dinner with a view: Upre & Ambrai

Detour: Polo forest

Must do: Have a drink while watching sunset. Relish pav bhaji & rabdi at Fatehsagar