Ancient Beauty

Do you need to escape to a nicer world, far away from your mundane life? Udaipur is the perfect option, a visual treat to help you to forget what you're trying to escape. Pack your bags and take off to a place that symbolizes romance and history. From its sizzling desert to its stone cold havelis, the enchantment of Rajasthan's opulent lake city is as mercurial as a thermometer Udaipur is guaranteed to be a holiday you'll treasure.

Try and rustle up the money to spend at least one night in the marbled Lake Palace, It's quite an experience. There are plenty of open courtyard cafés, and lily -filled pools. The rooms are splendorous and evocative, reminiscent of Bacchanalian nights long gone by. Intricately wrought balconies offer wondrous views of the city.

Just as a matter of interest, the James Bond film Octopussy was filmed in this exquisite city, which is also the central focus of the spectacular annual Mewar Festival with its fabulous lakeside parade.

How to Reach

By air:

Both Indian Airlines and Jet Air operate to and from Udaipur's Maharana Pratap airport, which is only 25km from the city center. You'll get connections to Jaipur, Jodhpur, Delhi and Mumbai. UP Air also flies out of Delhi. Just make sure you check your flight bookings during peak time, even if you have a confirmed seat. You might find yourself getting bumped off a flight for some unearthly reason. You can get cabs into the city, which should not cost you more than Rs.250/-, one way.

By rail:

Nearest railway is 4km from city center. There are excellent connections by meter gauge for Jaipur and Delhi. Trains - Chetak Express out of Delhi to Ajmer via Jaipur.

By road:

From Delhi there are lots of overnight luxury coaches, which can cost anything from Rs.250/- to Rs.380/-, one way. Alternately take a cab from Jaipur. The bus terminal is on the city station road near Udaipur. There are frequent services by the state-run buses out of Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. The Rajasthan state buses also give you connections within the state and beyond.

Getting Around

Scores of buses, taxis, auto-rickshaws and even camels are available for exploring the city and its immediate environs. Fix rates for duration in advance to avoid a free for all. Hire motorcycles (Rs250/- a day) or bicycles (check the nearest cycle store around). If there's a bunch of you, pool your cash and hire a car for the day.

WHERE TO SHACK UP If You Wanna Blow Dough

The Lake Palace Hotel
Lake Pichola
Tel. 527961
Fax.527974

Shiv Niwas Palace
City palace
Tel. 528016
Fax. 528006

Laxmi Vilas Palace
Fateh Sagar Road
Tel. 529711
Fax. 5255336

Fateh Prakash Palace
City Palace
Tel. 528008
Fax. 528012

If You Wanna Live Sensibily

Quality Inn
Vishnupriya
9, Garden Road
Located close to Gulab Bagh
Tel.421313
Fax.420314

If You're Really Smart:

Udaipur has a well-organized paying guest arrangement. Contact the Tourist Reception Center for details. You shouldn't have to pay more than between Rs100 to Rs 800 per night to one of the participating families in the scheme. The area around the Jagdish Temple has reasonable accommodation.

Hotel Gangaur Palace 3, Gangaur Ghat
Tel. 422303
Cost: Rs.100 upward per night.

Jheel Guest House
Tel. 421352
Cost: Rs.100 to Rs.400 per night.

Mewar Inn
42, Residency Road
Tel. 522090

Lalghat Guest House
33, Lalghat
Tel. 525301
Cost: Dorm beds for about 70 bucks a night

WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK:

Mayur Café
Near Jagdish Mandir
Cuisine: Good Indian food

Ambrai
Panch Dei Marg
Cuisine: good vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare.

Khumba Palace
Bhatiyani Chotta
Cuisine: stuff like pizzas, baked potatoes and homemade pastries.

Things to Do

Check out the King's palace with its turrets and canopies, across the lake. Construction on the Shiv Niwas, with its 11 palaces; was begun in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II of Mewar. It's no inconsequential establishment either. Get a guide to tell you his version of what you're seeing!

If you find your way through the maze of tightly winding streets, near Ghanta Ghar, there are craftsmen who stock a whole bunch of old swords and miscellaneous bits of old weaponry. Strike a deal and they'll even customize one for you with old scabbards, embellishing it with semi-precious stones. While the old man is hammering it to perfection, he may come up with tales of diabolical intrigue and murder. Be prepared to spend some time here…it can be quite fascinating.

Make time to visit the fabulous fortification of ancient Chittor. Chittorgarh (now so called) will bring alive the legend of Rana Pratap of Mewar. It was also here at Chittor that Alla- Uddin Khilji besieged the Rajputs.

Grab a boat ride on Lake Pichola from the Bansi Ghat jetty (Shiv Niwas Palace/City Palace).

Head out for the bitsy Café on the garden island on Lake Fateh Sagar. Pedal boats cost 40 bucks for half an hour.

Soak in the culture with a vengeance. Check out the folk performances at Meera Kala Mandir or the Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal. The music and dancing is real colorful and volatile.

The RTDC offers two tour packages - The city tour (Rs.40/- per person), and daily tours to Haldighati, Eklingji and Nathdwara (Rs.70/- per person). For Chittorgarh and Kumbalgarh, check local agents also. Shop around for the best price.

WHERE TO SHOP

Miniature paintings (an Udaipur specialty), gem studded jewelry, textiles and clothing, old weaponry and antique- finish artifacts. Popular shopping areas- Chetak Circle, Hathi Pol, Ghanta Ghar, the City market and the Palace Road around the Rang Niwas Palace hotel area. Shilpgram, the craft village is only 3km from the city and is worth a visit. Stop at the hole in the wall jewelry shop and bargain endlessly for opal encrusted earrings or intricately hammered out silver necklaces. The bazaars have shops to match all budgets. Don't get intimidated by the facades of the more fancy establishments.

General Information

Tourist Office
Fateh Memorial Building near Suraj Pol only 1 km from the bus stand. (Tel. 411535)

STD Code
0294

Money Matters
State Bank of India, Andhra Bank, State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur, Bank of Rajasthan and Thomas Cook have branches in the city.
- 24-hr ICICI ATM service at Madhubani

. Medical Matters

RNT General Hospital

Udaipur Hospital
Gulab Bagh Road