RAJASTHAN: UDAIPUR
Hot Air Balloon Trips
One of the best ways to see Udaipur’s beautiful lakes is by air. Visitors to the city looking for a unique perspective on its landmarks should opt sign up for a hot air balloon ride for a thrilling adventure-sightseeing experience.
Ballooning in Udaipur.
City Palace
Actually a complex that’s home to a number of individual palaces and other structures of note, City Palace dates all the way back to 1559 and is undoubtedly one of Udaipur’s finest sites. Set just at the edge of Lake Pichola, the palace is a monumental, ornately carved structured by day and a glittering beacon over the water by night.
The gorgeous City Palace in Udaipur.
Sheesh Mahal at The Leela
Situated on an opulent terrace within the Leela palace hotel, Sheesh Mahal is a high-end restaurant that serves delectable Indian fare. While the cooking makes it destination enough, our favourite part of the venue is its views. Offering glittering twilight vistas over Lake Pichola and the surrounding palaces and historical structures, it’s the makings of a magical evening.
Eklingji Temple
An extraordinarily well-preserved temple of intricately carved structures, the Hindu Eklingji Temple is devoted to the god Shiva. Comprised of a staggering 108 individual temples, the complex has origins beginning as early as 734 A.D. If you can, try to visit on a Monday, when the Maharana of Udaipur visits the site.
The Eklingji Temple complex hosts 108 different places of worship.
The Oberoi Udaivilas
A luxurious hotel that provides lavish accommodations within a glittering, waterside structure, is a wonderful place to stay. While it’s hard to choose just one highlight, the series of meandering pools and moats that guide guests from their balconies to the pool and lake, makes for a particularly memorable touch.
Devi Garh
Yet another historic palace in a city that’s rich with beautiful landmarks, the is unique for its contemporary interiors, which contrast beautifully with its ancient façade. The venue also provides striking views of the nearby Aravalli Mountains, and is a perfect stop-off point en route to Eklingji Temple.
The luxurious Devi Garh offers contemporary interiors in a historic structure.
Silver Jewellery and Miniature Painting Shops
Shoppers on will have heard that the city is famed for its high-quality silver jewellery and incredible miniature paintings, an art form that goes back hundreds of years. The streets around City Palace offer a number of fantastic shopping opportunities for those looking to take home gifts.
Taj Lake Palace
The name is no misnomer: the is located, incredibly, in the very middle of Lake Pichola, perched on a tiny island. The gleaming white structure is only accessible by boat, making it private and incredibly tranquil. Rumour has it the landmark was built as a pleasure palace by the Maharana in the mid-1700s. These days, it’s a luxurious oasis, boasting amenities like gilded palace suites, several accomplished restaurants, a lovely terrace and a private lily pond.
The Taj Lake Palace Hotel is perched in the middle of Lake Pichola
Sadhna Embroidery
Alongside the jewellery and paintings, Rajasthan is also known for its ornate, colourful embroidery. One of the best places in Udaipur to find handcrafted souvenirs, a women’s craft collective that benefits the local community and sells stunning products besides. Items range from kurtis and cushions to table covers and bags.
Puppet Shops
A traditional and beloved part of Rajasthani culture, puppet shows are still performed regularly throughout the region. Those looking for the perfect gift or one-of-a-kind souvenir should peruse the city’s many puppet shops for an unusual memento of their travels.
