After a 4-hour delay at Mumbai airport due to visibility issues at the foggy Udaipur airport in the middle of winter, we finally landed in Udaipur. The chilly weather that greeted us upon arrival was a far cry from the humidity back in Mumbai.

Surrounded by the Aravali hill range, this aptly named city of lakes is picture perfect in every frame. Clear skies and clean blue water all around make Udaipur a serene travel destination.

For any first-time visitor, 3 days is more than enough time to have a relaxing trip and cover all the major attractions in Udaipur.

Day 1 in Udaipur

Lake Pichola

The best way to start exploring Udaipur is by visiting the famous Lake Pichola. The beautiful lake is seen from every major attraction in the old city and we chose Ambrai Ghat for the same. The Ambrai restaurant at the ghat offers some of the best views of the lake and its surroundings. Having lunch at the restaurant with such a picturesque background of the lake along with the view of City palace & Taj hotel is simply mesmerizing.

Ropeway to sunset point

After a hearty lunch at Ambrai Restaurant, we decided to head to the sunset point located on the Machla Magra Hills near Doodh Talai Lake. This point atop the hill offers a 360-degree panoramic view of Udaipur. One of the highlights is definitely the ride from the ropeway to the top. One can take the stairs as well.

The only way to travel in the old city is by taking autos as all the lanes are very narrow. We took an auto from Ambrai to the starting point of the Ropeway for Rs.300.

The famous Sukhadia circle food market

The street food at the Sukhadia circle offers something for everyone. Having heard a lot about it from the locals, we decided to walk 1.5 kms to the market from our Airbnb on a chilly night and it was worth it. From Pani Puri to Kullad Chai, the options are endless.

Day 2

City Palace, Udaipur

City Palace is an unmissable landmark in Udaipur that stands large in the middle of the city. Like other historical palaces, it offers a glimpse into how time has gone by and makes for a very informative visit. Although we visited during the day for the first time, we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the beautifully lit palace during the night as we were returning after boating on the third day.

Fateh Sagar lake (promenade)

Fateh Sagar Lake is located away from the crowded part of the city. If Lake Pichola has different ghats and hotels around it in the middle of the city, Fateh Sagar Lake has a beautiful promenade surrounding it. Cold breezes in the evening and street performers further enhance the overall experience.

Our plan to have lunch at the Panna Vilas Palace overlooking Fateh Sagar Lake was one of the best decisions ever as it offered scenic views of the lake.

From Fateh Sagar, we went straight to the local Hathipole market to buy some souvenirs.

Dinner at Raas Leela

We ended day 2 with dinner at Raas Leela. Not too far from Ambrai, Raas Leela offers a spectacular view of Udaipur under the city lights.

The approach location to the hotel gets pretty secluded late at night, so the visit needs to be planned accordingly.

Day 3

Badi Lake trek to see the Baahubali hills

The best way to visit Badi lake is to hire a car for a few hours as it is located around 12 kms from the city. We paid Rs 700 for the round-trip. The road leading to the starting point of the trek offers good views of the lake. The trek itself is easy and takes around 10-15 mins to reach the top. The view from the top of the Bahubali hills surrounded by lake is amazing.

We took some detour treks after reaching the top to enjoy the view from different angles. The climb up from these treks can be a little exhausting but it will be worth it.

Sunset Boat ride in Lake Pichola, Udaipur

The Lake Pichola boat ride was the perfect way to end the trip. The starting point of the boat ride is at one end of the city palace, which takes approx. 15 mins by walk from the main gate. Although a boat ride during sunset can be a little expensive, it is definitely worth it.

The combination of the whirring sound of the boat engine and the water splashing becomes meditative. The view from the boat acts like a highlight reel of all the places one has visited.