The Ultimate Udaipur Travel Guide
No longer in the shadow of the iconic UNESCO World Heritage City of Jaipur, Udaipur has evolved into a heritage hotspot and top sightseer destination in Rajasthan. This is not surprising, as the romantic megacity of lakes and palaces always delights callers with its alluring setting and suggestive regal history.
The royal family has done much to save and make accessible the heritage of their ancestors, who innovated Udaipur in the 16th century1. In addition to this stately splendor, Udaipur is a laid-back megacity that offers great value for all types of trippers.
The 1983 James Bond movie”Octopussy” was mugged there, too!
Find out all you need to know in this Udaipur guide.
Planning Your Trip
Stylish Time to Visit Udaipur’s position at the southern end of the Aravalli Range separates it from the Thar Desert, producing a semi-arid original campo climate that is not too extreme. The cool, dry, and sunny months from October to February are most comfortable and draw the crowds. Nights do get nippy during the middle of downtime, but the days are gloriously warm, with temperatures of over to 79 degrees Fahrenheit (26 degrees Celsius). Still, the September shoulder season after the thunderstorm could be perfect, If you’d prefer a more peaceful experience. Only visit Udaipur during April and May if you do not mind temperatures touching 100 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or further. Read further about the rainfall and climate in Udaipur and the stylish time to visit Udaipur.
- Language: Rajasthani (Mewari local dialect), Hindi and English.
- Currency: Indian rupee.
- Time Zone: UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) +5.5 hours, also known as Indian Standard Time.
Udaipur does not have daylight saving time. Getting Around: Udaipur’s narrow lanes are ideally explored on foot, so do bring comfortable walking shoes. Auto rickshaws are readily available and should cost under 100 rupees ($1.40) to go anywhere within the city. App-based cabs Uber and Ola are the most convenient way of reaching attractions on the city’s outskirts. They’re usually cheaper and less-hassle than auto rickshaws.
Travel Tip: If hot weather isn’t an issue, the Gangaur festival takes place in April and is the biggest festival of the year in Udaipur. The three-day Mewar festival, dedicated to showcasing the region’s culture, is held alongside it and is a fun experience.
Things to Do
Udaipur has a compact but captivating collection of museums that showcase the region’s culture and heritage. Simply wandering the streets and soaking up the atmosphere is among the most enjoyable things to do in Udaipur. Those who are feeling energetic can cycle around the city, hike in the hills, or even go horseback riding. Cooking classes are a hit with foreigners. Udaipur is renowned for its unique miniature paintings, and they make great gifts. You can even paint your own. Many tourists love shopping in Udaipur because of the abundance of irresistible handicrafts. Do allow some time for a day trip or two into the surrounding countryside—there are some interesting options, including ancient forts and temples.
The City Palace Complex, including the City Palace Museum, is Udaipur’s star attraction. More than one million people visit it each year2. It’s the largest palace complex in Rajasthan and provides incredible insight into the life of the royal family. A boat ride on Lake Pichola is magical at sunset! (Sit on the right side of the boat for the best vista). A heritage walking tour will immerse you in Udaipur’s old city off the tourist trail. Our detailed articles about the best things to do in Udaipur and the top places to visit near Udaipur have more information.
What to Eat and Drink
Distinct from predominantly vegetarian Rajasthani cuisine, the local Mewari cuisine in Udaipur features an assortment of rustic meat dishes, as the royal rulers of the region were avid hunters. Laal Maas (spicy red mutton curry) is the most famous dish. Fresh fish from the region’s lakes is part of the cuisine too. You may even find rabbit on some restaurant menus!
Vegetarians can try regional specialties such as Gatte ki Sabji (steamed chickpea flour dumplings in a tangy tomato and yogurt curry) and Dal Bati Churma. Udaipur is also renowned for its deep-fried snacks such as Mirchi Bada (large green chilies stuffed with spices and potato) and Kachori (pastry discs with spiced lentils or onion fillings).
For sweet tooths, there are desserts, including Malpua (pancakes fried and dunked in sugar syrup) and Ghevar (a cake-like dish soaked in sugar syrup and ghee). The many bars that Udaipur does have close by night. So, if you are looking for escapism in Udaipur, you will be dissatisfied. Drinks are best enjoyed under the stars at a rooftop with a mesmerizing background of the megacity and Lake Pichola.
Explore our pick of foods to try in Udaipur and the stylish cafes in Udaipur. Where to stay maturity of Udaipur’s lodgment are positioned on Lake Pichola’s east side, in the Lal Ghat, Gangaur Ghat, and Chandpole areas skirting the lake. This is on the same side of the lake as the City Palace and is in the heart of the old part of the megacity,
So you will have easy access to the main lodestones. There are all kinds of parcels, including exchange heritage hospices, guesthouses, and rambler caravansaries. Numerous offer lake views. Read further about the colorful neighborhoods in Udaipur.
Two authentic palace hospices are set within the City Palace Complex itself — the Taj Fateh Prakash Palace Hotel and Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel (which features in”Octopussy”). The ethereal Taj Lake Palace Hotel, which appears to float right in the middle of Lake Pichola, is the top choice, however.
Across the ground, the northwest side of Lake Pichola around Hanuman Ghat is quieter, but hospices gain. The benefit of staying on this side of the lake is that you will be suitable to see the City Palace across the lake. Luxury five-star hospices similar to The Leela and the Oberoi Udaivilas also front this side of the lake, albeit in further isolated spots.
Getting There
Udaipur’s field is 30 to 40 twinkles east of the megacity. It’s a small domestic field that receives breakouts from Jaipur and major metropolises in India, including Delhi and Mumbai.
Udaipur is positioned about five hours south of Jodhpur, and there are several lodestones ( similar as Kumbhalgarh stronghold and Ranakpur Jain tabernacle) to check out on the way.
Thus, it makes sense to hire an auto and motorist to travel between these two metropolises if you are exploring Rajasthan. You can also drive from Jaipur to Udaipur, or vice-versa, and spend a night in Bundi to break the trip. (Bundi is about five hours from Udaipur and four hours from Jaipur).
Indian Railroads trains stop at Udaipur, although services are relatively limited. The road station, Udaipur City, is only five twinkles east of the City Palace area. Its station law is UDZ.
Culture and CustomsTipping are not mandatory in India, although it’s anticipated if you are happy with the service.
A 10 to 15 percent tip is sufficient at an eatery, or simply round the bill upon lower quantities. Flag down the server to get your bill. Hospices will generally have a tip box where you can leave gratuities for the staff. Tour attendants can be sloped a couple of hundred rupees per day, and around 400 rupees for motorists.
Being a popular sightseer destination, Udaipur has its share of swindles to watch out for. Guard of anyone who tells you a royal marriage is about to take place (they’ll lead you to a knitter’s shop to get an overpriced outfit made for the missing occasion), or that they are involved in flaunting special embroidery or other crafts (which they’ll end up trying to vend you).
Dress Norms are fairly conservative in Udaipur. It’s regardful to keep your shoulders and legs below the knee covered. Ladies, if it’s hot and you want to wear a sleeveless top or dress, break the problem by throwing on a capelet when necessary.
Plutocrat Saving TipsHotel rates fall by 50 to 75 percent from March until the end of September, during the summer and thunderstorm season.
For some people, this may make luxury hospices affordable. Fantastic deals are guaranteed during this time, no matter where you stay. Snare an unlimited Rajasthani thali ( server) for lunch. You will be suitable to eat as important as you can for only many bones.
Logrolling is anticipated at requests and other stores that are not fixed-price ( similar to government shops). Then are some tips for logrolling to help with the process.
