Udaipur Travel Guide
Udaipur is located in the Indian state of Rajasthan which has an average elevation of 600 m. It is also known as ‘Venice of the East’. Udaipur is also known by the name ‘City of Lakes’. The Lake Palace which is located in the middle of Pichola Lake is one of the best icons of architectural as well as cultural importance. Udaipur was founded by Rana Udai Singh, father of Maharana Pratap. City Palace which is located on the banks of the lake as well the Monsoon Palace which is located on the hill increases the beauty of the city. Udaipur is also famous for crafts, miniature paintings and performing arts. Festivals play an important role in this city.
The Shilpgram festival which is celebrated every year on New Year which attracts thousands of tourists from all around the world. Earlier Udaipur served as capital of the Mewar. Udaipur city had eleven entrances during past, but in recent date only five of the entrances are existing. All the entrances are richly carved and is an excellent piece of architecture. The main entrance Suraj (Sun) Pole has some exclusive and exquisite carvings and the structure is a remarkable piece of art in the city. All around the city of Udaipur there are some beautiful palaces, temples and wonderful buildings with rich architecture and elegant style.
The mesmerizing view of exclusive Rajasthan Marbles adorning the erstwhile Royal palaces enhances the beauty of the city. Udaipur city is known to be one of the romantic cities in India. Tourists from all over the world visit Udaipur to witness the beauty of it.
How to Reach Udaipur
- Air – Udaipur has her own domestic airport and it is not very difficult for people to hitch a ride from the airport to the town. There are lots of taxis available for this 24 kms distance.
- Rail – Udaipur also has her own railhead, connecting it to Delhi, Jaipur, Chittorgarh etc.
- Road – The Government run Rajasthan State transport runs buses to all nearby towns of Udaipur. It lies midway between Delhi and Mumbai on NH 8.
Distance of Udaipur from Below Places:
| Place | Distance (KM) |
|---|---|
|
Jodhpur |
266 |
|
Jaisalmer |
574 |
|
Jaipur |
410 |
|
Delhi |
680 |
Weather
Udaipur Temperature
- Summer (Mar to Jun) – Temperatures are high and range between (15°C) to (38°C). Not a recommended season for tourists due to the excessive heat
- Monsoon – (Jul to Sep) – Being a desert area, rainfall in Rajasthan is not very high. Temperature is on the higher side.
- Winter – (Oct to Feb) – Temperatures are low and range between (6°C) to (32°C)
- Best Time to Visit – Oct to Feb is the best season for tourism
What to See In Udaipur
The City Palace in Udaipur is one of the important center of attraction. The palace was built in 16th century on the banks of Pichola Lake. The white marble palace enhances the beauty of the lake and the palace. The palace is surrounded by huge pillars, mammoth domes, and large fort walls and carved arches. The palace depicts Mewar architectural style built in with the Chinese and European methods.
The interiors are and beauty to the eyes. The carved silver doors, frescos, fabulous paintings, mirror work and others. The beautiful gardens with fountains make the surroundings wonderful. There are four big main palaces and many small palaces enclosed within the great palace. The visit to the palace is an important part of the city.
Lake Palace was built by Maharana Jagat Singh II in 1754. It was once the summer residence of the Mewar kings. The palace was built in the midst of the Pichola Lake and it seems to float like a dream ship on the blue waters of the lake. The courtly atmosphere, elegance and opulence of princely times, the painted ceilings, antique furniture and stained glass windows combined with truly magical setting make it one of the most romantic in India.
Pichola Lake is a 4km long and 3km stretch of lake situated in the heart of the city of Udaipur. The lake was built in the 15th century and later Maharana Udai Singh widened the dam. The lake is surrounded by some exclusive palaces, temples, gardens, hilly terrains, bathing Ghats and many more beautiful and architectural structures. The mesmerizing serene atmosphere of the lake is loved by the tourists.
It is a spectacular fort with 7 gates, curved bastions and tall watch towers. It was built by Rana Kumbha in the 15th century. The temple complex is huge with palaces, temples and gardens and is next only to the Great Wall of China. Naturally protected by Aravalli ranges, this fort is rigidly built with a strong foundation.
It is the second largest artificial lake of Rajasthan. It was built by Raja Jai Singh in honour of Maharana Fateh Singh. The lake is very nicely planned with 3 inlet channels and one outlet channel used only during rains. In the islands lying close to the lake, there is a fountain and a solar observatory.
Shilipgram is known as Crafts Village or Craftsmen’s Village. It is located in the foot of the Aravali hills. There are 26 huts in the 173 acres village. The village is well renowned for its terracotta work specialized in dark brown and red sand material. Even the wood work of this village is a wonderful piece of art known all around the world.
Sajjangarh Palace is also known as Monsoon Palace. It is located on the Bansdara in front of the Pichola Lake. The average altitude is 944 m above the sea level. The palace was started bulding by Maharana Sajjan Singh on 1883. The palace served as summer retreat for the Mewar Kings. The Mewar kings watched the monsoon clouds from this palace thus the name Monsoon palace is derived from it. The palace offers a mesmerizing sight of the city and the countryside. The palace also offers an exquisite piece of art and architecture depicting the rich cultural heritage of the Mewar dynasty.
Other Details
What to Do
- Sky Waltz—one hour rides with British and American professionals
- Boating and Cruising on lake Pichola
- Hiking and trekking on mountain Ridge – 6 kms from Udaipur
- Horseback and Camel rides at Krishna Ranch—7 kms from the town
- Ropeway rides
- Jeep Safaris to Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary or the nearby villages
- Puppet Shows and Cultural Shows
Where to Eat
- Ambrai — The atmosphere, the view across, the French Connection feels, everything adds up to the special experience here at Ambrai. Awesome food among huge old trees and a bar is all one needs to be here.
- Savage Garden — Soups, Chicken, homemade pasta, Babaganoush, hummus and tabouli are the line offered in the menu. The portions aren’t much, but the taste is winning.
- Natraj Hotel — Fresh vegetarian food at cheap prices. For two decades there has been just no comparison to the Gujrati Thalis made here.
What to Buy
- A rich tradition of handicrafts, which Udaipur is known for all over the world
- Miniature painting—a reflection ages of maturity
- Silver jewelry and potteries
- Stone carved items and puppets for home decor and also as souvenirs
Get Around
- Taxi — It is not like the ones found in other Indian Cities. But they are available all right.
- Auto rickshaws — Commonly called tuk-tuks, they are cheap methods of travelling and can also be booked for the time period you are staying in the city, if the driver agrees.
- Horse carts — Tongas are the best and traditional means to travel in the city.
Popular Tour Plans - Rajasthan
1-3 Days
1. Jaipur (2N/3D)
4-6 Days
1. Delhi-Agra-Jaipur (6N/7D)
7-10 Days
1. Jodhpur-Jaisalmer-Bikaner-Jaipur (9N/10D)
2. Delhi-Agra-Jaipur-Udaipur (8N/9D)
3. Delhi-Agra-Ranthambhore-Jaipur (9N/10D)
> 10 Days
1. Jodhpur-Jaisalmer-Mount Abu-Udaipur-Pushkar-Jaipur (12N/13D)
2. Delhi-Corbett National Park-Agra-Bharatpur-Ranthambhore-Jaipur (12N/13D)