Welcome to Udaipur, the jewel of Rajasthan! In this 4-day Udaipur itinerary, I’m going to take you on an immersive journey through the vibrant streets and enchanting sites of this historic city. If time is of the essence, worry not – I’ve got an alternative 2-day plan for you. Let’s dive in!

Udaipur Trip Itinerary

Nestled in the heart of Rajasthan, the enchanting city of Udaipur beckons with its regal allure. Udaipur, founded in 1553 by Maharana Udai Singh, boasts a rich cultural heritage that draws tens of thousands of tourists each year. While the majority of the attractions revolve around the Udaipur City Palace, there are a few notable attractions on the outskirts of the city. Based on our personal experience, I have designed this four-day itinerary to provide a glimpse into the best Udaipur has to offer. I have also added a streamlined 2-day escape for those on a tighter schedule.

Udaipur Day 1 Itinerary

Morning

• Kickstart your day with divine vibes at the Karni Mata Temple. Beat the crowd by arriving around 9 am when the ropeway rides commence. Enjoy the morning calm, explore the temple, and soak in the panoramic views of Udaipur.
• Next up, head to the iconic Jagadish Temple, a dedication to Lord Jagdish, Vishnu’s divine form. You can seek god’s blessings and visit this beautifully carved temple in 30-45 minutes.
• Afterward, head to the majestic City Palace located a mere 300 meters from Jagadish Temple. It will take about 4 to 5 hours to visit the City Palace, including the museum, Jag Mandir, and a boat ride on Pichola Lake.
• You can purchase lunch tickets, which include a Rajasthani Thali treat in the palace complex at the entrance ticket counter. Snacks, drinks, and meals are also available for a slightly higher price in the palace complex and Jag Mandir without lunch tickets. If you do not intend to have anything inside the palace complex, consider having a late breakfast or grabbing some snacks before visiting the City Palace, as visiting the palace will take time.

Afternoon

• First, embark on a boat ride from Pichola Lake to Jag Mandir to experience the grandeur of the City Palace from another perspective. A regular round trip takes about 2 hours to complete a Lake Pichola circuit including a pit stop at the Jag Mandir palace. The boat ride starts at 10 am and an early arrival is key to beating the crowds. Even so, there will usually be a wait because they will launch the boat only if the capacity is at least 80% full.
• Prepare for a captivating journey around Pichola Lake. The boat ride will take you around Pichola Lake, past Gangaur Ghat, Bagore Ki Haveli, and the Taj Hotel, before arriving at Jag Mandir Island. Because only a portion of Jag Mandir Palace is open to the public, a visit should take between 30 and 45 minutes. Allow extra time if you intend to dine on the island. Return on a different available boat with views of the Karni Mata Temple hill and ropeway.
• Post boat ride, have lunch at the Udaipur City Palace complex. Afterward, spend about 2 hours exploring the City Palace and its museum.

Evening

• You can visit the Bagore Ki Haveli Museum before 4.30 pm. The museum closes at 5.30 pm, and you can explore it until then. After that, stop by a nearby cafe for some evening tea and snacks. Then, around 6 pm, purchase Bagore Ki Haveli Darohar Show tickets at the same ticket counter for the evening folk dance show. Even though the show and the museum are in the same building, you must purchase separate tickets for each.
• The show tickets will be sold out by 6:30 pm during peak season. During the off-season, tickets are generally available until the event begins.
• Following that, you’ll have an hour before the show starts at 7 pm, so take a stroll to Gangaur Ghat, snap some photos, and get to the venue by 6.45 pm to get good front-row seats.
• Conclude the day by immersing yourself in the captivating folk dance show. Wrap up with a delightful dinner before calling it a night.

See our post on Bagore Ki Haveli for a detailed guide to the folk dance show.

Alternate Suggestion

• Consider flipping the part of the itinerary if you enjoy sunset boating. Visit the City Palace first, then take a Pichola Lake boat ride. At last, attend the folk dancing show depending on the time.

Udaipur Day 2 Itinerary

• Hire an auto or cab for the day to explore Udaipur’s outskirts.
• Begin your journey with Bahubali Hills, then continue to Badi Lake, which is conveniently located along the same route.
• Continue on to the imposing Sajjangarh Fort. Sajjangarh Fort, also known as the Monsoon Palace, offers a stunning view of Udaipur.
• Purchase the vehicle and fort entry tickets at the ticket counters near the entry gate, located about 5 km from the fort. Keep in mind that private vehicles or cabs are the way to go here. So, if you opt for an auto, make sure to get tickets for the shared Jeep ride. The vehicle cost will be nearly the same either way, with the only disadvantage being a queue for the shared jeep ride.
• Following your fort exploration, enjoy a delicious lunch before heading to Fateh Sagar Lake for a scenic boat ride. You can also visit Moti Magri or Rana Pratap Smarak near Fateh Sagar Lake. Folk dance shows occur here at various times.
• Further proceed to visit Saheliyon Ki Bari, a beautiful garden that requires about an hour of your time.
• Round off your Udaipur experience with shopping at Bada Bazaar or Hathi Pol Bazaar.

Udaipur Day 3 & 4 Itinerary

Haldighati and Khumbalgarh Fort Day Trip

• Embark on a day trip to Haldighati and Khumbalgarh Fort. Since public transportation is limited, booking a cab is your best bet. Explore the battlefield and museum at Haldighati in about 2 to 3 hours, then proceed to the majestic Khumbalgarh Fort.
• The regular Khumbalgarh Fort entry hours are 9 am to 6 pm, and the light and sound show that demonstrates the Fort’s history takes place between 6.45 pm and 7.30 pm. Dive into its historical richness and catch the light and sound show before proceeding back to Udaipur.

Chittorgarh Fort Exploration

• Take a day trip to Chittorgarh Fort, approximately two to two-and-a-half hours away by bus. En route, make a pit stop at the serene Sanwariya Ji Temple. It is an elegant Lord Krishna temple located about 50 kilometers from Chittorgarh Fort.
• Once at Chittorgarh, hire an auto for a quick and comfortable tour of Chittorgarh Fort covering Meera Bai Temple, Vijaya Stambh, Gaumukh Kund, Kali Temple, Padmini Palace, and Kirti Stambh in 2 to 3 hours.

Alternative Mount Abu Itinerary

• Consider a two-day outstation tour to Mount Abu. If you prefer public transportation, you can take the bus otherwise hire a cab for 2 days. The bus ride from Udaipur to Mount Abu will take 4 to 5 hours. Two days will be sufficient to see the major attractions in Mount Abu, such as the Brahmakumari Universal Peace Hall, Nakki Lake, Delwara Temple, Arbuda Devi Temple, Somnath Mahadev Temple, and Guru Shikhar, as well as to enjoy the chilly weather.
• Otherwise, you can also combine a visit to Khumbalgarh Fort and Mount Abu. It is best to book a cab for this trip because, while you can take a bus from Udaipur to Mount Abu, there is no reliable public transportation to Khumbalgarh Fort. You can start with Khumbalgarh Fort and then proceed to Mount Abu in the evening.

Alternate 2 Days Quick Udaipur Itinerary

• Except for the City Palace, you can book an auto for the day for around 1000 rupees and easily cover all of the main attractions on Day 1.
• On Day 2 you can visit Chittorgarh Fort early in the morning and then travel to Udaipur in the afternoon to see the City Palace if you plan to return from Udaipur. Hire an auto or cab for the Chittorgarh Fort visit to cover it comfortably and quickly. It would take roughly 2 hours to tour the Chittorgarh Fort area and 6 hours for the to and fro journey. The City Palace and a boat ride on Pichola Lake to Jagmandir Island will take about 3 to 4 hours to cover in the second half of the day.
• If you prefer not to return to Udaipur, you can visit City Palace in the morning. It will be open from 9 am. Then travel to Chittorgarh Fort around noon. You can easily cover Chittorgarh Fort by 5.30 pm and take a train to Jaipur or Jodhpur from Chittorgarh or Chanderiya railway station.

Travel Tips To Visit Udaipur

• October to February is ideal for the visit, but the monsoon season can be charming too. However, summer is hot, and traveling may be difficult.
• Public transit isn’t available everywhere, so consider hiring a two-wheeler, taxi, or auto for the day. Ola and Uber are options, but be cautious of potential scams. We have experienced it happen where they demand more than the price listed in the app, blaming it on a technical issue with the system, and then arguing with you if you don’t pay.
• Udaipur boasts a variety of pure vegetarian restaurants. However, some restaurants might sneak in egg dishes, so keep an eye out.
• Lodges are available in a variety of price ranges. You can book any Palace hotel for a premium stay or a standard budget hotel for ordinary accommodation. Another factor to remember is that most budget hotels have stairs to climb because there are no lifts or elevators.
• I would suggest booking a hotel near City Palace, Laal Ghat, Gangaur Ghat, or Fateh Sagar Lake. It is both convenient to stay and to explore the vicinity on foot. But keep in mind that hired cabs such as Ola or Uber will not be able to enter the Ghat area. However, autos and two-wheelers will be available. If you are traveling by your own vehicle, you should also check for available parking.

Food and Shopping in Udaipur

• Indulge in local delights like Daal Baati Churma, Ghatte Ki Sabji, Kachori, Malpua, and Ghevar.
• For souvenirs, explore traditional Rajasthani attire, miniature artworks, mojris footwear, bags, and authentic jewelry at bustling markets like Bada Bazaar or Hathi Pol Bazaar.

Udaipur promises an unforgettable experience with its palaces, lakes, and vibrant culture. Whether you follow this itinerary to the tee or customize it to your liking, let the charm of Udaipur unfold before you. Happy travels!