Rajasthan's most romantic city: white palaces rising from still lakes, the Aravalli hills all around, and the slowest, gentlest days of the whole journey.
Udaipur is a city of lakes in southern Rajasthan, founded in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II as the capital of the kingdom of Mewar. It is known for Lake Pichola, the City Palace and the Lake Palace hotel that seems to float on the water. Udaipur is about 400 km from Jaipur (a one-hour flight or a 6–7 hour drive) and 250 km from Jodhpur. It is the most popular extension to a Golden Triangle tour, and most travellers stay two to three nights.
After the energy of Delhi and Jaipur, Udaipur slows everything down. The old city climbs the shore of Lake Pichola, crowned by the vast City Palace, still home to the House of Mewar, whose rulers claim one of the longest unbroken dynastic lines in the world. Across the water, the white marble Lake Palace and the island of Jag Mandir catch the evening light.
The best of Udaipur happens on and beside the water. We take you onto the lake at sunset, through the palace courtyards in the quiet of the morning, and down to Gangaur Ghat, where the evening folk-dance performance at Bagore ki Haveli fills the old mansion with music.
Udaipur is also a gateway to the hills. The fortress of Kumbhalgarh, whose walls run for 36 km, and the marble Jain temple at Ranakpur make a memorable day out. They are also the most beautiful way to drive on to Jodhpur, with your chauffeur timing every stop.
The largest palace complex in Rajasthan, built over four centuries on the ridge above Lake Pichola. It has mirrored halls, peacock mosaics and courtyards with views across the water. Arrive early, before the groups.
A boat across the lake at golden hour, past the Lake Palace to the island palace of Jag Mandir. The City Palace glows on the shore behind you. This is the defining Udaipur experience.
An eighteenth-century mansion on the waterfront, now a museum. Each evening it hosts a performance of Rajasthani folk dance and puppetry. The ghat outside is one of the loveliest corners of the old city.
The 'Garden of the Maidens', built for the royal ladies of the court, with lotus pools, marble elephants and fountains fed by the lake. It is a cool, quiet hour in the middle of the day.
A hilltop palace above the city, built to watch the monsoon clouds arrive. At sunset the whole valley, the lakes and the old city spread out below you.
A great day trip into the Aravallis: the hill fort of Kumbhalgarh, with one of the longest walls in the world, and the 1,444 carved marble pillars of the Jain temple at Ranakpur.
September to March. Just after the monsoon, the lakes are at their fullest and the hills are green. Winter days are warm and clear, and the evenings are cool on the water.
Two nights covers the palace, the lake and the old city. Three nights adds Kumbhalgarh and Ranakpur, or just a slow day at your hotel, which Udaipur is made for.
Udaipur has some of India's finest heritage hotels, many on the lake itself. We match the hotel to your style and budget, always with a lake view where we can.
Fly from Jaipur or Delhi in about an hour. Or drive from Jodhpur via Ranakpur, one of the most scenic routes in Rajasthan, which your chauffeur can break with stops along the way.
Every journey is private and chauffeured, with licensed local guides and hand-picked hotels. Prices are bespoke — tell us your dates and we'll shape a plan and a clear quote.
Rajasthan8 DaysThe Golden Triangle carried on into Rajasthan — Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, then the lakes and palaces of Udaipur.
Rajasthan10 DaysThe Golden Triangle deepened into Rajasthan — Delhi, Agra and Jaipur, then the blue city of Jodhpur and the lakes of Udaipur.
Wildlife10 DaysTigers and palaces — the Golden Triangle with safaris at Ranthambore and the lake city of Udaipur to close.
Yes. Udaipur is the most popular extension to the Golden Triangle. Its lakes, palaces and relaxed pace are a perfect contrast to Delhi, Agra and Jaipur. It adds two to three nights and is easily reached by a one-hour flight from Jaipur or Delhi.
Udaipur is about 400 km from Jaipur. Most travellers take the one-hour flight. The drive takes 6–7 hours, and it can be broken at Chittorgarh or Pushkar. From Jodhpur, the 250 km drive via Ranakpur takes about five hours.
Two nights is enough for the City Palace, a boat on Lake Pichola and the old city. Three nights allows a day trip to Kumbhalgarh Fort and the Ranakpur Jain temple, or a slower pace.
September to March is best. From September to November, after the monsoon, the lakes are fullest and the countryside is green. December to February brings warm days and cool nights. April to June is very hot.
Tell us your dates and we'll plan your Udaipur days around the lake and the light, with a hotel on the water, a sunset boat, and a scenic onward drive via Ranakpur if you continue to Jodhpur.