Founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II, Udaipur is a treasure trove of majestic palaces, calm lakes and vibrant markets. Be it an adventure enthusiast, a food lover or a shopaholic, Udaipur is the place to be. So, let’s explore the various activities, food experiences and shopping that make a visit to Udaipur worthwhile.
Activities
Take a Heritage Walk Tour
The best way to engage yourself with Udaipur’s rich history is by taking up the Heritage Walk Tour. The walk tours are guided through narrow lanes of the old city, which leads you amidst ancient havelis, temples and bustling bazaars. Often included on this walk are visits to landmarks like Jagdish Temple and City Palace, which provide you with a snapshot of Mewar Dynasty architectural magnificence. You will also come across local artisans making traditional crafts such as pottery, jewellery, and bamboo work, among others.
Visit the Taj Lake Palace
Staying at or visiting the Taj Lake Palace feels like living in a fairy tale. This eighteenth-century palace turned-luxury hotel is located on Lake Pichola providing stunning views of the Aravalli hills around along with the rest of the cityscape. It has 65 rooms and 18 suites alongside three restaurants and one bar. Subsequently, there are plenty other things that can keep you busy such as sunset boat rides, Jiva Spa treatments or even yoga sessions within the premises.
Speed Boat Ride on Fateh Sagar Lake
Those who crave some thrill should consider going on Speed Boat Ride on Fateh Sagar Lake. This lake, surrounded by hills with few islands, provides the perfect setting to experience high-speed boating. Boats run from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm while the cost ranges from ?200/-?400/- per person.
Visit Monsoon Palace
The Monsoon Palace (Sajjan Garh Palace), which is situated on the top of a hill, offers panoramic views of Udaipur and its lakes. It was constructed in 1884 by Maharana Sajjan Singh as a monsoon retreat. The best time to go is during sunset when the whole city looks like it is dipped in gold. Indian charges are ?110, and the foreigner’s rate is ?300 while it operates from 9am to 5pm.
Jungle Safari at Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary
A haven for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Aravalli hills near Udaipur, Rajasthan. Covering an area of 5.19 square kilometres, it has a variety of flora and fauna represented within its premises. Visitors to the park can see creatures such as panthers, hyenas, wild boars, jackals and sambars, chitals (spotted deer), Nilgais (blue bulls) and sloth bears. Apart from this, there are 150 species of birds living here, including peacocks and kingfishers.
These various safari zones provide different types of wildlife sightings in the sanctuary. A famous zone is the Gorilla Point that leads to Tiger Lake, which gives you views of Aravalli hills and allows you to spot herbivores like chital and sambar. The best time to visit this place is between October and March when the weather is pleasant and the chances of seeing animals are higher.
The entrance fee is affordable since Indian visitors pay INR 30 while foreigners pay INR 505. In addition to that, one must also pay extra for cameras and videos. It opens at 10 am daily except Tuesdays when it remains closed at six in the evening. Going to Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary gives you an opportunity to experience a world full of wilderness mixed with a serene environment that will enrich your experience since you will encounter tranquil beauty amidst thrilling animal spectacles.
Ride the Ropeway
To have an aerial view of Udaipur, you can book yourself a Ride on the Ropeway to Karni Mata Temple. Expect picturesque sights of Lake Pichola, City Palace and surrounding landscapes when you get into this air tramway system. It’s a short, memorable ride full of amazing photo opportunities. The ropeway operates every day providing a three-minute scenic ride on each side.
Sound and Light Show at Kumbhalgarh Fort
The Kumbhalgarh Fort Sound and Light Show is an enthralling evening activity that brings alive the glorious past of the Mewar dynasty. It occurs daily from 6:45 PM to 7:30 PM and takes approximately forty-five minutes with a powerful narrative and stunning visual effects. This particular spectacle is mainly about the audacity and bravery of the fort, majorly focusing on exceptional personalities like Rana Kumbha and Maharana Pratap. As night draws in, Aravalli Hills loom up as colourful illuminations are thrown across the ancient rocks of the fort, making an atmosphere beyond explanation. The educational value and aesthetics that come out of all this help one understand better what Rajasthan has been through. Being huge in its structure and historically important as well, the fort offers an ideal environment for this performance. The show not only tells us more about what took place in the past days at that fort but also leaves us with everlasting memories of an artistic blend of history in a grand way.
Food
Food enthusiasts will love Udaipur for its rich culinary culture. Take a Udaipur Food Tour, which enables you to taste the genuine flavours of Rajasthan’s cuisine. Ranging from Laal Maas up to Ghewar, there are many varieties, and they are deliciously diverse. Traditional Dal Baati Churma and Gatte ki Sabzi should not also be left out while on such tours since they introduce foodies to Indian breads. Such tours often incorporate visits to local bazaars and street vendors where tourists can try various snacks.
Shopping
Do Traditional Shopping at Hathi Pol Bazaar
One must not leave Udaipur without buying some Traditional Shopping at Hathi Pol Bazaar. This bustling market is famous for its Rajasthani handicrafts, which include miniatures, pottery, textiles, etc. Bargaining is quite common here, so be prepared to negotiate for the best prices. The market operates from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and remains closed on Sundays.
Other Popular Markets
Bada Bazaar: Known for its vibrant atmosphere, this market offers everything from traditional Rajasthani attire to jewellery and souvenirs.
Mochiwada Bazaar: It is a great marketplace for those interested in buying handmade juttis (traditional Rajasthani footwear).
Chetak Circle: The place is ideal for purchasing handicrafts, pottery and brassware.
Helicopter Joyride in Udaipur
For an unforgettable experience, take the Helicopter Joyride in Udaipur. During this aerial tour, you will have an opportunity to enjoy an eagle’s eye view of lakes, palaces, and forts, among others. It’s really exciting that you can see Udaipur from a different angle and take some beautiful pictures. Rides are available through Mewar Helicopter Services and take approximately 5 minutes each.
To get the most out of your visit, consider booking one of the several Udaipur Holiday Packages that are available. These packages often come with guided tours, accommodation and transport thereby making it easy to explore the attractions in the city without any difficulty. From budget to luxurious, popular packages cater for diverse preferences and budgets.
Being a romantic place, Udaipur is one of the favourite honeymoon destinations for lovebirds. Rajasthan Honeymoon Packages typically have stays in plush heritage hotels, candlelit dinners, and private boat rides that make sure you have an unforgettable, intimate experience while here.
For those who would like to venture beyond Udaipur, there are Rajasthan Tour Packages, which offer a detailed itinerary covering other iconic places such as Jaipur, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. These packages go deep into Rajasthani culture and history. Choices range from short weekend breaks to long trips lasting several days.
