Udaipur's biggest charm lies in its location: the foot of the Aravallis. They surround the city protectively, gifting it breathtaking views of the hills that rise and fall. Famous as the City of Lakes, evenings in Udaipur, especially by the lake side is an amazing experience, which can also be enjoyed from the city's numerous rooftop restaurants.

Udaipur is a jewel of Mewar with rich history, culture and Rajput-era palaces. Also called the most romantic city in India, it definitely is the most serene of all.

Places to See

Lake Pichola: With a picturesque setting on the banks of Lake Pichola, the magnificent City Palace is the star attraction in Udaipur. The towering structure houses a museum and two heritage hotels. From its extensive grounds along the Lake, enjoy a view of the pristine white Lake Palace, which has also been converted into a hotel and is being operated by the Taj group.

Moti Magri: A popular site for picnics and leisurely strolls, Moti Magri or Pearl Hill is a memorial dedicated to the Rajput legend Maharana Pratap. It overlooks the Fateh Sagar Lake, offering some splendid views, especially towards sundown.

Sajjangadh or Monsoon Palace: This is another site that offers awesome views of the city from its location atop a hill overlooking all the lakes of Udaipur. It's definitely worth a visit.

Saheliyon-ki-Bari: It is a vast garden set on the embankments of the Fateh Sagar Lake.


Places to Eat

Dining in Udaipur guarantees you both good food and breathtaking views. There are restaurants strewn all over this tourist city so you need not fear going hungry. Located at the corner of Gangaur Ghat and Lal Ghat, Sunrise serves scrumptious breakfasts. Café Edelweiss (Gangaur Ghat) brings Europe alive in the streets of Udaipur. The Natraj Lodge (Bapu Bazaar) is popular with the locals for its Gujarati thalis. For old world atmosphere, head to the Whistling Teal in Bhattiyani Chowki. Of course, for the ultimate Udaipur dining experience, book a table at the opulent Lake Palace Hotel.Experience old world hospitality with chic interiors at 1559AD, offers great variety of Indian & Continental cuisines.

Things to Do

A holiday in Udaipur is incomplete unless you experience a boat ride on Lake Pichola. Don't chuckle at the thought of how a boat ride can be such a holiday altering experience, for this isn't your regular boat ride, the likes of which you’d have enjoyed at various hill stations. A boat ride on the Lake Pichola is an hour long excursion where you're taken along the periphery of the Lake, all the way from the city palace docks to Jag Mandir, an island in the centre of the Lake(!) and here you disembark briefly to enjoy views, coffee, snacks and more if you like. In addition, you enjoy a view of the starkly white Lake Palace from up close. This ride presents the best photo ops as long as you have a keen eye for it. However, do remember that only the Lake Pichola ride organised by the HRH group from the City Palace docks will take you to Jag Mandir. Since it's a private property operated by the HRH Group of Hotels, it's off limits for other private boat operators.

Boat ride on Lake Pichola

Boat rides operated by the HRH Group commence from the City Palace complex docks. For details, refer to the activities page. For bookings, details are listed below:

Timings: 9 am to 5 pm | Tickets: Rs.300 per adult; Rs.150 per child (includes visit to Jagmandir)

For reservations, call: 91 294 2528016-19; email: crs@udaipur.hrindia.com

Kumbhalgarh (80 km) is a famous fort near Udaipur. Famous for its fortified wall, which is known to be the longest in the country, Kumbhalgarh is also home to a wildlife sanctuary. A secluded town away from the hustle bustle of city life, it offers solitude and a touch of the typical regal environment that is expected of every destination in Rajasthan. Another popular getaway from Udaipur is Ranakpur, which is known for its Jain temples. These centuries old structures are fine architectural gems and feature intricate carvings.

Shopping

Udaipur is a shopper's delight. The winding galis - Jagdish Market, Lake Palace Road, Bhatti Chowk, and Clock Tower offer interesting bargains. Some of things must-buys include: handicrafts like puppets, bandhini cloth, silver jewellery, hand-made paper products and miniature paintings made in traditional Mewar style.

Mount Abu is the only hill station in the state of Rajasthan. It is nestled in the lap of the Aravallis, offering a pleasant respite for the parched state. On of the most visited hill stations in North India, Mount Abu is famous for its scenic vistas and water reservoirs. The town is also a highly revered pilgrimage destination for Hindus and Jains boasting of beautiful temples and palaces.

Places to See

Nakki Lake and the Dilwara Temples are one of the most important things to see in Mount Abu. While the man-made lake is the focal point of the town, Dilwara Temples are set in quieter surroundings. Another site worth exploring is Achalgarh, a 14th century fortress with battlement walls set atop a mountain peak. It offers splendid views and here a 10-minute hike would take you to the Jain Temples within the fortified walls. Also visit the Gaumukh Temple in Mount Abu. Besides the religious significance, the site is favoured for walks and picnics.


Places to Eat

As expected, the favourite cuisines of Mount Abu are those from Rajasthan and Gujurat. Kanak Dining Hall (Rajendra Road) serves the hill station's best Gujarati thali. Arbuda, located on Arbuda Circle, is known as much for its lovely terrace as for its tikkas and dosas. Jaipur House is the place to head for a relaxing drink, great food and beautiful views of the valley.

Things to Do

Climb up to Guru Shikhar, Mount Abu's highest peak, which offers scenic views of the surroundings. You can also visit a shrine and temple located there. Another temple, the Adhar Devi Temple, is where you can climb up 365 stairs carved into the mountain to reach the rocky cave where the idol is placed. The climb can be arduous so be sure to carry a bottle of water and take breaks at regular intervals. Another must do during a holiday in Mount Abu is to go bird watching in the Mount Abu wildlife Sanctuary which boasts of over a 100 species of birds. The quintessential hill station, Mount Abu also boasts of a Sunset Point, which reportedly offers the best sunset view in the Aravalli ranges.

The most celebrated event in Mount Abu is the annual Summer Festival. Spanning three days in the month of June, it is devoted to showcasing tribal art and culture. A boat race at Nakki Lake is part of the itinerary; however, it's the dance and music performances by various local groups that dominate the event.

A holiday in Mount Abu can be extended to include a day or two in Udaipur (186 km), the "City of Lakes". One of the primary tourist destinations in the country, Udaipur is known for its magnificent palaces and for the cultural heritage that the city has inherited from its glorious royal past.

Shopping

Mount Abu has vibrant markets around Nakki Lake. Just browse around for carved sandstone, marble and sandalwood items. The ubiquitous Rajasthani curios - bandhini print cloth, puppets, footwear, jewellery, miniature paintings, etc - are also a great tourist favourite. Since Mount Abu lies quite close to the Rajasthan-Gujarat border, there are many shops selling Gujarati embroidery items and leather work also.

You can also shop for Kota sarees, Sanganeri print cloth and Jaipuri quilts in Mount Abu. Rajasthali, the Rajasthan government handicrafts emporium, Khadi Bhandar, and the Fair Price Rajasthan Emporium, all offer good quality handicrafts at fair prices.