Think Rajasthan, think grand! One of the best tourist attractions in India, this is the to-be-in destination if you wish to see the royalty that makes India magnificent. The culture and rich heritage that youâll get to witness here will leave you completely mesmerized. Udaipur, also known as the âWhite Cityâ, is one of the main reasons for the appeal it has. Founded in 1559, this city is located in the Aravalli Ranges and exemplifies a rich history.
It is called the âVenice of the Eastâ and the âCity of Lakesâ, and for good reason. This four day trip gives you a chance to delve deeper into its opulence and enjoy the beautiful architectural marvels along with the picturesque lakes that fill the city.
Note: The best time to visit Udaipur is during its winter months (anytime between the months of September to March), as you wouldn’t want to be caught sightseeing in the scorching summers or during the monsoon rains.
Day 01: Arrive at UdaipurÂ
After you’ve reached Udaipur, you can check-in into one of the many heritage properties or the other cultural hotels in the city. Once you’ve settled into a hotel and eaten to your heartâs content, prepare yourself for a glimpse of the royal Rajput life. The hotel will definitely offer you a sightseeing package which you can opt for or go ahead and make a pick of the places you want to visit yourself.
Whatever you choose, you cannot afford to miss out on the City Palace! Located on the East bank of the Pichola Lake, the view from atop is breathtaking. It has several palaces within its complex â 11 to be precise, which means 3-4 hours of walking. Itâs the perfect place to begin if you want to see the Rajput and the Mughal architecture. Getting a guide will be a good idea for a detailed tour of the palace.
You can then head to the famous Pichola Lake which was built by a gypsy tribesman in 1362 A.D. The lake is calmingly beautiful and best visited during sunset. With green hills serving as the backdrop, the lake looks stunning in the evening hours with the dim sunlight illuminating its waters. The Lake Palace that is situated in the center has now been converted to a stunning heritage hotel. Donât forget your cameras to capture this bewitching beauty.
You can then head to the hotel or try the Ambrai Restaurant that is located close to the lake itself. If youâre a foodie willing to try out some Rajasthani delicacies, then the traditional Dal Bati Churma is a must try. Some dinner and a good nightâs sleep should get you ready for the long day tomorrow.
Day 02: Sightseeing galore
After you’ve made your tummy happy with some good mouth watering breakfast, sightseeing of the regal city awaits you. Start the day with a visit to the Fateh Sagar Lake which gave Udaipur another nickname â âSecond Kashmirâ. Its placid blue waters will soothe you while the three little islands around just add to the beautiful landscape. The speed boat ride is absolutely thrilling and will make you the happiest if youâre a photographer.
Post that, head to the Saheliyon ki Bari which is known for its lush greenery, marble art and scenic fountains. You can then have lunch at Hukam, which is situated very close. Later make a move to the Kumbalgarh Fort, the birth place of Maharana Pratap. It gives you a magnificent view from atop and involves a lot of walking and climbing, so make sure you have enough water with you. Youâll get to watch a splendid sunset, followed by the famous light and sound show. You can stay the night here if you wish to or head back to your hotel in Udaipur for a restful night.
Day 03: Soak in all the culture
On your third day, the first place to visit would be the Maharan Pratap Memorial, which is situated atop the Pearl Hill on the banks of Fateh Sagar. There you can find a life-size statue of Maharana Pratap sitting on his favorite horse. If youâre a history buff, this is a must-visit place for you. The last place to visit in Udaipur is the Bagore Ki Haveli. Dating back to the 18th century, this place displays mesmerizing glass work and intricate carvings. A tour of the mural paintings, Rajput collections and the inner rooms of the royalties will leave you drowning in the richness of that era. The museum closes by 5:30, after which you can stay back for the traditional dance and puppet shows that Udaipur is famous for.
Later in the evening, pack your bags and take that beautiful drive to Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan. Located about four hours away, the hill station is situated at an altitude of 1200 mt. also known as the âOasis in the Desertâ. This place will leave you completely transfixed with its lush green hills, rich flora and fauna and the peace that it is most celebrated for. Take your time and settle into the hotel and call it a day-well-spent.
Day 04: Love is in the air
Being one of the most important Jain pilgrimage centers in the country, Mount Abu has beautifully structured temples in abundance. But more than that, it is one of the most romantic places in Rajasthan. Renting a two-wheeler for the day would be a good idea to start the day with.
Visit the famous Dilwara Jain Temples, which is a group of many remarkably made Jain temples. The carvings on the walls are so fine, that the marble almost becomes transparent in some places. Vimal Vasahi and Luna Vasahi are the most famous Jain temples in the region. Once youâre done taking in all the architectural beauty, drive to the Guru Shikar, the highest point in the Aravalli Range and a must visit for photography and trekking lovers. The climate, the temple and the giant brass bell outside is a major attraction.
After breathing in all the nature, head to the Nakki Lake which is located in the heart of the hill station. Legend goes that it was scooped out by a God with one nakh (nail), hence, the name. Gandhiâs ashes immersed in the lake and the Gandhi Ghat was then built alongside. You can shop for beautiful silver jeweler in the adjoining market; just make sure you bargain. And while youâre at it, try out some of the local ice cream in the area.
You can take a peaceful boat ride in the lake but make sure you are done at least two hours before sunset, because the Sunset Point awaits. This enchanting place lies to the southwest of the Nakki Lake which will give you a lovely view of the entire mountain valley and the entire lake. Youâll have to walk a bit, so donât carry much except water and least necessities. Once you reach, all you have to do is to take in all the natural beauty the place has to offer. The temperature drops in the evening sky and youâll feel at peace as the sun descends in the sky.
Remember to enjoy the Rajasthani or even Gujarati cuisine here for dinner. Itâs totally worth it. Sadly enough, it is now time for the trip to end and as much as you would love to stay back, the four days are up. You may stay back another night or leave after dinner, as your heart desires. So lets bid our farewells as this is where âUdaipur to Mount Abuâ comes to an end. Click ahead for more details on various other Rajasthan Tour Packages.Â
This article is a guest-post by Deepika Singhania who works with Holidify.com, a platform to discover holiday options and weekend getaways from Delhi and other places in India.Â
Love the feature! Spent a lot of my childhood vacations in Rajasthan. Somehow, Udaipur always got missed. Makes me want to go this year!
And I luckily have been there more than twice. Loved the place every time I visited, and specially ending the trip in Mount Abu. I have a thing for those Jain temples I guess.
Awesome! Rajasthan is one amazing cultural retreat! đ
I agree. You can go just once and there is sooo much too see and visit.
Nice write-up and a set of beautiful shots. I am loving Rajasthan, not been there ever!
You are sure missing something if you haven’t been. Make a trip soon and avoid going in summers for sure. You can plan it longer too, adding more places – it an easy 10 day destination.
I have to be in India for that first đ
Oh! Makes sense. Where do you stay?
U.S. right now, but I belong to Haryana and will be in India someday for good.
Loved Udaipur when I was there so seeing your photos brings back many memories.
I am sure it was a memorable journey! That place does have some royal magic to it.
You have some nice photos here–thank you for sharing them!
Such a fun itinerary!
You blog is beautiful, btw – great layout!
Hey! Thankyou so much! I am glad you liked it. đ And yes this is indeed a nice itinerary which I has tested and tried myself too.
This is one of the most inspiring and beautiful posts I’ve seen in a long while about visiting India. Definitely rekindled my longing to travel long and far across the country.
Thanks Elaine. Udaipur and Rajasthan as a whole do have an inspiring serene and royal kind of vibe to it. Its sure a visit đ
I’ve been dying to get to India for years but my husband is hesitantâŠ..I think I’ll have to show him this article!! đ
Please do. And do visit. You will be surprised how developed India is as compared to the perception of it abroad. Not only a budget destination, but you can actually splurge and have a luxury holiday in India! I hope you guys get to see it and your husband falls in love with it too đ
What an interesting discovery for me! Thanks.
I love elaborately decorated buildings! I loved the Alhambra, and I’m pretty sure, judging from the photos, that I’d love the Dilwara Jain Temples as well. I’m sure I’d enjoy all the other places mentioned as well. India is such a fascinating country!
These places look amazing! Especially the Dilwara Jain Temples – fascinating!
Lovely and charming details… the lake, palaces, food… its very nice reading this.