Udaipur Things to Do

Lake Palace was one of the filming spots for the James Bond´s movie Octopussy. Now it is a luxury hotel that belongs to the Taj hotels, resorts and palaces. As it is a hotel, if you are not staying there, the only option for being able to go is if you go for lunch or dinner to the restaurant. It is the most famous island palaces. It was built in 1746 by Maharana Jagat Singh II

Lake Pichola is the picturesque spotlight of Udaipur. There are two island palaces on it, Jagmandir, and the Lake Palace. Best way to enjoy the lake is going around it on a boat ride tour. This year 2011, the lake is full of water, but i was told that in the previous years, there was such a drought that there was not water at all at the lake, and you could go walking to the island palaces.

This was the first island palace of Lake Pichola. Built in 1622 AD by Maharana Karan, it was intended to be a pleasure palace for regal parties and functions. The legend says that JagMandir was the inspiration behind the world famous Taj Mahal. The island has some elegant stone carvings and a big row of elephants, a chhatri made of grey blue stone and ample courtyards, tress and flowes. Now it is used as hotel, and as stop in the Pichola lake boat ride tour. Another option for going to the island is with aoat that starts from Bansi Ghat jetty.

At the city Palace, you can get an additional ticket for going on a boat around lake Pichola. The price of the ticket in the mornings is 300 INR, and a little more expensive in the evenings. The boat departs from inside the city Palace and it gives you a tour of 1 hour around the lake, stopping for around 15-20 minutes at Jagmandir Island Palace.

The city palace, next to Pichola lake, is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan and one of its most outstanding features is that it has uniformity in design. One can enter the palace through Baripol or Tripolia gate at the northern end and get a magnificent view of the imposing towers and balconies. There are official guides at the gate that can go with you for 200 INR (around 1h 30min tour). The timing is from 9.30 to 16.30 and it is open everyday. The entry fee is only 25 INR.

I met Pala in Udaipur. He gave me a good deal on my train ride to Jaipur. He booked me on a 10:20 pm bus at around 1pm. So I had a mind boggling 9 hours to drain. So what he did was invited me to stay at his shop which beats staying at a cheesy cafe or the hot confines of my hostels sala. His shop is a cute, spacious thing in the heart of Udaipur's tourist hub palace road. I got to use his computer free and he talked to me about his love life and business in Kashmir. He is funny and nice.

For safe and well thought packages that makes a good deal specializes in Rajasthan and Kashmir.

So if you decide to go Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Mandawa, Agra book with him.

Check his website http://www.kohinoortravelplan.com/ to plan your travel to India.
Kashmir sounds nice!

One must see the gigantic city palace and its museum...it's just fantastic. One can not miss 'light & sound show' also. In winters it starts 7 p.m....it's worth to watch it! It explains the noble and brave history of Rajputs. Have a boat ride in lake pichola...it's beautiful. Take a boat from Bansi ghat, near city palace.

It was the ancient Capital of Mewar. The ancient site dates back to the 6th century A.D. renowned for the Sas-Bahu temples (9th-10th century A.D.) with interesting architecture and carvings. The splendid Jain temples of Adbudji are also worth a visit.