• Get around
• See
• Do
• Buy
• Eat
• Drink
• Stay healthy
• Get out

Udaipur is a beautiful city in Rajasthan, India famous for its lakes and palaces which in centuries past served as the homes of royalty. A current tourist favorite, especially for up-market Westerners, it was a backdrop for numerous movies including the James Bond flick "Octopussy".

Udaipur is referred to as the "Venice of the East", the "Most Romantic City of India" and the "Kashmir of Rajasthan" (a reference to Dal Lake) and not without reason. Tourists flock to this enchanting old & modern town in the heart of the Aravalli Mountains. It has a rich history. Visitors swear by the romantic sunsets in the backdrop of its lakes.

There are three interconnected lakes within the town - the Fateh Sagar Lake, the Pichhola Lake and the smaller Swaroop Sagar Lake. Pichhola is home to one of the most romantic hotels of the world, the Lake Palace Hotel.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Udaipur has a small airport called Maharana Pratap Singh Airport, after the legendary medieval Rajput King.

Jet Airways has a daily flight to Udaipur from Delhi, Jaipur and Bombay. Indian Airlines operates daily flights between Udaipur and major cities like Jaipur and Mumbai. Air Deccan has three flights a week from Delhi and Jaipur.

The city of Udaipur is about 20km from the airport. Taxis to the city cost almost 200 rupees and are the only means of transport to and from airport.

[edit] By bus

Udaipur is connected by an efficient bus service with most Rajasthani towns including Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Ajmer, Mount Abu. Buses also head south to Ahmedabad with connections to Mumbai but it is not a short journey. There are comfortable sleeper coaches available for longer trips.

[edit] By train

Train service has improved over the last few years after Udaipur was converted to broad gauge railway line. There are now daily trains from New Delhi and Jaipur. You can take Mewar Express(Train No.-2963) from H. Nizamuddin Station, which leaves at 19.00 hrs and reaches Udaipur at 07.00 hrs next day morning. If you come from Mumbai you need to change in Ahmedabad, where the train leaves in the evening for Udaipur.

[edit] Get around

Most of the sights center around the Lake Pichhola and can be seen on foot. A rickshaw or taxi is needed for viewing more of the surrounding areas such as the nearby wilderness park and Monsoon Palace - which provides a nice view especially at sunset. Do bargain with the rickshaw drivers for the cab fare: Rs 150 is the usual price for the round-trip from City Palace including the wait time. The rickshaw drivers are sometimes overly courteous, especially to single female foreigners. Use your better judgment while traveling to distant locations alone.

Udaipur is part of the legendary Mewar kingdom and is famous for its courtesy to guests. People go out of their way to help guests. Do not hesitate to ask local folks for directions and tips. However, try to avoid seeking information from gifts/handicrafts shop owners.

You don't need an international driver's license to rent vehicles. Prices depend on the kind of transport you rent and the length of time you rent it for. We rented a small scooter for Rs 150 for 3 hours. Fuel is priced separately, but is relatively cheap.

• Nathdwara - Temple of Sri Nathji ( Sri Krishna), 50 kms from udaipur is a religious center. The viewing of the deity ("darshan") is considered very special. There is a replica of the Srinathji temple in Udaipur.

• Sri Jagadishji Temple - at the center of the town.

The temple bazaar is a nice and cost effective place to purchase Rajasthani handicrafts.

[edit] See

See these photos

• Fateh Sagar Lake
• Pichola Lake
• Sukhadia Circle
• Saheliyon ki Badi
• Sajjangarh Palace
• Udaysagar
• Duddhtalaii & Musical Garden
• Nehru Garden (Fateh Sagar)
• City Palace Museum
• Shilp Gram

[edit] Do

Horseback Riding: What Camel riding is in Jaisalmer, horseback riding is in Udaipur, a must! Situated in the middle of the Aravalli-Mountains, Udaipur offers a fantastic landescape and unrivaled views. Various operators offer horse rides here, but the best choice is definitely Princess Trails. They have superb Marwari Horses, well-kept and looked-after and they really pamper you on their rides. They organize both shorter and day rides and also horseback safaris with overnight stays in a camp in the middle of the wilderness. This is something very special away from the usual touristic routes. They can be contacted under (0091)-98290-42012 and their website is www.princesstrails.com

[edit] Buy

In many stores, you'll come across photo albums that have been covered with beautiful sari silk. These range in price from as little as a 100Rs and make a beautiful gift or keepsake.

[edit] Eat

You are in Mewar! You must not miss the opportunity to have the really loaded Daal-Baati-Choorma. It is an experience you will remember forever. Look out for a helping of Gatte-ki-sabzi, as well. Udaipur is also famous for its spicy snacks - Mirchi bada, Kachori, etc.

Also, for those with insatiable appetites and no desire for self-service, there are a couple of worthwhile Thali restaurants where you can get unlimited servings of a selection of Rajasthani and Gujarati dishes (rotis, savoury bites, daals, vegetables, rice, sweets and more):

Hukam, The Family Restaurant,Multi Cuisine Restaurant, situated at Sahelion Ki Badi Road serves mouth watering Dishes.aircondition & Ambience Par Excellance

• Ambrai is a restaurant situated at water level right on Lake Pichola across from the Lake Palace Hotel and the City Palace Museum. Beautiful place to relax after a long jaunt on the road and to take in the nightly fireworks show. Most rickshaw drivers know the place by name. Better reserve a table. Main dish around 120Rs, drinks starting at 40Rs.
• Cafe Edelweiss A 'must go' spot for cakes, real coffee, fresh breads, salads. Nice for breakfast.
• Natraj - a new and very popular restaurant near the train station serves Gujarati (sweet) and Rajasthani Thali for Rs.75 per person - bluish lights but very good food, clean and modern (a bit flashy)
• Bawarchi - Thali at Rs.45 per person served upstairs at this popular restaurant in Delhi Gate - clean, bright and tasty
• Paratha Hut - Different tastes of Indian chapatis (paratha), Indian dishes, Chinese, South Indian, snacks and many more. On Lake Palace Road.
• Berry's - A decent, clean indoor restaurant with good food at Chetak Circle. Mostly visited by locals< reasonable prices.
• Hotel Sankalp - A nice south Indian Restaurent near Bustand - Rly Stn.

[edit] Drink

Hukam, The Family Restaurant,Multi Cuisine Restaurant, situated at Sahelion Ki Badi Road serves mouth watering Dishes.aircodition & Ambience Par Excellance Ambrai on Lake Pichola Bagore ki Haveli The Tiger Jagat Niwas Trident Lake View Roof Top Restaurant, Jagdish Chowk Restaurant El Parador, Ambamata Road Anand Bhawan Hotel, Fateh Sagar Road

[edit] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Hotel Padmini Palace Hotel Padmini Palace in Udaipur is situated in the heart of the Udaipur city with all modern facilities to make your stay meomrable. Visit http://www.hotelpadminipalace.com/

• Hotel Gangaur Palace at Gangaur Ghat is quite nice and reasonable at about 400 Rs for a double room, but a little bit noisy.
• Pleasure Guest House is a quiet place to take pleasure, about 350Rs with a restaurant in the middle of a verdant garden, a balcony with a lovely view, and is surrounded by famous tourist attractions such as the city palace, Pichola lake, markets, museums...
• Anjani Hotel a clean, quiet, safe and conveniently located budget hotel with swimming pool, rooftop restaurant and excellent lake views, run by a family, at Gangaur Ghat. Located within walking distance to the main tourist attractions and shopping, yet enough out of the way to be quiet for sleeping.

[edit] Mid-range

• Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel is located right on the lake, very nicely kept, has a fine restaurant and also some rooms with stunning lake views.
• The Tiger.Deluxe Guesthouse cum Spa & Restaurant under Indo/European Management. Rates: INR 2500 to 2900 Breakfast: 175 INR Extra bed : 300 INR
• Vishnupriya, Gulab Bagh. Three-star hotel. 51 rooms.
• Mahendra Prakash (Tel: (91-294) 2419811) has clean rooms ranging from Rs 800 (no AC) to Rs 3500. The courtyard has a pool and the restaurant serves pretty good food. On Lake Palace road.
• MOUNTAIN RIDGE (Tel: 91-294-3291478, E-Mail: reise@mewar.de) Your first impressions of Mountain Ridge will probably be the space, peace, quiet and the breathtaking panoramic views. Rooms ranging from Rs 1.700 (no AC) to Rs 4.000 (the suite) incl. breakfast. There is so much you can do - swimming in the pool, trekking, going on a village safari, bird watching, mountain walking, having a massage or just sitting & relaxing with your favorite book with a soothing sounds of nature in the garden. Located outside Udaipur in Sisarma.

[edit] Splurge

• The Lake Palace Hotel, Tel: (91-294) 2528800, is perhaps one of the most romantic hotels in the world, and is situated on an island in Lake Pichola.

• The Oberoi Udaivilas, Tel: 91 294 2433300. Five Star hotel.

[edit] Stay healthy

There are many clinics and hospitals in Udaipur which provide quality treatment at affordable prices, and health tourism is on the upswing.

[edit] Get out

Ranakpur, situated some 90km north-east in the hills, consists of a few hotels and one of the most famous Jain temple - it is one really big temple, offers sculptures of same quality but different type than Dilwara but is beautiful from the outside, too. Around 2,5 hours by bus.

You may go by bus (6 hours) to Mount Abu, a relaxing, peaceful hill resort. A nice place to rest and hike.