The 9 islands of the Azores: a brief guide
Nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic promise an experience of Portugal a world away from Lisbon or the Algarve. In
Read more
Mon - Fri 9:00am - 6:00pm
Sat 10:00am - 4:30pm
MONTH BY MONTH
Choose a month to travel and discover the best places to visit at that time of year...
READ OUR COMPASS BLOG
Compass is an online travel magazine, designed to inspire and inform...
THE COX & KINGS DIFFERENCES
Discover some of the unique benefits of choosing to travel with Cox & Kings...
Udaipur holidays
Set on the shores of Lake Pichola and surrounded by hills, Udaipur is possibly the most picturesque city in Rajasthan. As capital of the old Mewar state, it was the only Rajput stronghold to uphold its Hindu allegiance in the face of Muslim invasion. From the late 16th century, peace brought about an era of renaissance in the arts and encouraged the building of beautiful palaces around the lake. Walking the winding roads in the old city is fascinating – the people and the quaint merchant houses and shops ensure there is something to draw your attention at every turn.
Explore Udaipur
Click on your destination of interest
Top things to do in Udaipur
Creativity in Udaipur
There is an incredible amount of diverse and imaginative creativity found in Rajasthan, and the city of Udaipur is an excellent place to see this first hand. One of the most extroadinary art forms found in the city is a painting on water technique known as jal sanjhi, where coloured pigment stencils are used to create designs that are then skilfully lifted form the water. You can also see miniature painting and the art of koftgari, a technique for decorating arms and weaponry.
Rural cycle ride
Explore the rural landscapes of Udaipur on a gentle guided bike ride to Lake Badi, passing local villages and the spectacle of the Monsoon Palace en route. This 2- to 3-hour tour unveils tranquil landscapes, brightly clad women and thriving farming communities. Look out for kingfishers, cows, goats and peacocks along the way before stopping to visit a local family for a cup of masala chai.
See India's largest fort at Chittorgarh
Devastated and plundered by several invaders over the centuries, 72 miles out of Udaipur lies Chittorgarh, the capital of Mewar. The finest of Hindu medieval forts, Chittorgarh has some well-known landmarks of Indian history including the Vijay Stambha, or ‘Victory Tower’. You will leave Udaipur early this morning and return to your hotel in the late afternoon.
Trekking Through Paths Less Trodden
Explore beyond the 'city of lakes'. A 3.5-hour trek in the area surrounding Udaipur takes you across arid terrain, rugged hills, sparkling lakes and charming agricultural fields. Visit a tribal village, where you will meet and interact with locals and learn about their unhurried lifestyle and experience their warm hospitality. Later, enjoy a picnic beside the tranquil Badi lake, built by Maharana Raj Singh I to help counter famine.
Udaipur's Palaces, paintings and markets
Udaipur's sights are best visited on foot with the most impressive being the City Palace, Jagdish Temple and the gardens of Saheliyon ki Bari. The City Palace is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan, comprising several buildings added to throughout the centuries by subsequent maharajas. Perhaps the most beautiful are the Moti Mahal, with its mirror inlay, and the Chini Mahal with its iridescent tilework. At the nearby Jagdish Temple there is an impressively carved image of Lord Vishnu, to whom the temple is dedicated. Udaipur is also famous for its traditional miniature paintings depicting incidents from Rajput or Mughal history and legends from the Hindu Puranas. A visit to a miniature painting studio offers the opportunity to see several fine examples of these works of art. A walk through the colourful sprawling markets in the Old City showcases shops selling a myriad of wares including embroidered and block printed fabrics, jewellery and carved wooden artefacts.
The latest from Compass - our online travel magazine
Why you should visit Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan: a vibrant stop on the Silk Route, a crossroads between east and west, and the metropole of a medieval empire. This
Read more
A guide to Bhutan’s fantastic festivals
The best time to visit Bhutan is undoubtedly during one of its colourful annual festivals (tshechus). It’s a chance to gain greater
Read more
7 reasons to visit Kenya with Cox & Kings
Jen Morris shares seven highlights of a small-group tour that took her from Mount Kenya to the Masai Mara. Sunsets & sunrises
Read more"I had a wonderful trip to India. It surpassed all expectations. From start to finish it was a flawless execution. The organisation was superb at all levels."
Mr Digges
Request a brochure
Order your copy of the brochure to see the world come to life in print.
© Cox & Kings 2021