Explore Udaipur

Udaipur is the City of Lakes, built around Lake Pichola and associated with the Mewar Rajput dynasty-the only major Rajput lineage that never formally submitted to Mughal rule. It is famous for the Taj Lake Palace (island hotel on Lake Pichola), The Oberoi Udaivilas, City Palace (largest palace complex in Rajasthan), Jag Mandir Island, and the Kumbhalgarh Fort (36-kilometre perimeter wall, second longest in the world after the Great Wall of China).

Yes-Taj Lake Palace is directly contracted with Alike Holiday and available as part of the Udaipur holiday package. The hotel is accessible only by boat (5 minutes from the City Palace ghat). Alike's consultant discusses room category, view preference, and availability during the 24-hour call after Rs 999 reservation. October to December peak season availability is limited-Alike secures inventory through contracted partnerships.

Jag Mandir is a palace on the southern island of Lake Pichola, begun by Maharana Karan Singh in 1620 and continued by his successors over 100 years. It is most historically significant as the refuge where Shah Jahan (then Prince Khurram) sheltered in 1623 while rebelling against his father Emperor Jahangir-a period that influenced his later architecture, including the Taj Mahal. The island now houses a restaurant and event facility. Alike includes a sunset boat ride to Jag Mandir and private dinner there as the complimentary experience.

The best time for an Udaipur holiday is October to March. Lake Pichola is at its photogenic best after the monsoon fills it; the temperatures are 15-28°C; and the Bagore ki Haveli folk dance and music shows (every evening) are fully operational. October to December is the peak season-The Oberoi Udaivilas and Taj Lake Palace book out months ahead. Avoid May to September (35-42°C, lake levels variable during monsoon).

Kumbhalgarh Fort is a 15th-century Mewar fortress 85 kilometres from Udaipur, built by Maharana Kumbha between 1443 and 1458 on an Aravalli ridge at 1,100 metres. Its perimeter wall runs 36 kilometres-making it the longest fort wall in the world after the Great Wall of China. The fort was never successfully besieged in its history. It is the birthplace of Maharana Pratap (1540), Mewar's most celebrated ruler. The Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary around the fort holds wolves, leopards, sloth bears, and chinkaras.

The City Palace is the largest palace complex in Rajasthan-built cumulatively by 22 Maharanas of Mewar from 1559 to 1955. It occupies the eastern bank of Lake Pichola and consists of 11 distinct palace buildings connected by corridors, courtyards, and terraces. The Crystal Gallery inside holds the largest private crystal collection in the world, ordered from F&C Osler of London in 1877-including crystal furniture that was never used because the ordering Maharana died before it arrived.

Udaipur is consistently ranked India's most romantic city and one of the world's top romantic destinations. The Taj Lake Palace (island hotel surrounded by water), the Oberoi Udaivilas (lake-facing suite with private pool), Jag Mandir Island at sunset, and the general atmosphere of water, palace reflections, and Aravalli hills make it the correct choice for couples. Alike's Udaipur couple package is the most requested single-destination domestic product.

Yes-the standard Rajasthan circuit from Alike covers Jaipur (2-3 nights), Jodhpur (2 nights), and Udaipur (3 nights) in 7-8 nights with private chauffeur throughout. A shorter 5-night version runs Jaipur (2 nights) direct to Udaipur (3 nights). The Udaipur-Jaisalmer combination (3 nights each) contrasts lake palace culture with desert fortress culture across Western Rajasthan-one of the most dramatic landscape contrasts available within a domestic India trip.