The First City of the ancient kingdom of Mewar stands tall in the annals of Rajasthan for its haunting tales of valour, chivalry and romance. Wandering through its gorgeous palaces and superb museums it’s easy to summon up vignettes of regal extravaganzas legendary battles and reminders of courtly traditions and plenty of palace intrigues.  The walled city of Udaipur was founded in the Girwa valley, in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II (1536-1572) as the new capital of the rulers of Mewar with fall of their bastion of Chittor in 1567 by the Mughal emperor Akbar.

Be prepared to discover many gems of its history and heritage everywhere – in its gorgeous lakeside palaces, its pretty gardens, its temples and havelis… Stepping lightly down winding shop-filled streets of the Old Quarter at Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) or the embankment of Lake Pichola with its palatial structures, it’s wonderful to give in to the pull of the power of its romantic allure and ancient glory.  Udaipur offers some of the most soul-stirring experiences that are totally worth diving into.

A guided heritage walk is perfect for getting to know the ‘City of Lakes’, world renowned for its fairytale water palace, Jag Nivas. You will just adore the up-close and personal engagement with the Udaipur of the locals as your wanderings— an ancient bazaar stocked with old weaponry or fresh flowers; artisans engaged in jewellery making, pottery and bamboo craft; devotees lining up at an iconic Hindu shrine; a tea stall crowded with citizens starting their day with a hot cuppa. Yes — these living traditions add so many layers of pleasure in exploring evocative Udaipur.

Shopping in Udaipur is a fun adventure as one raids the bazaar shops for souvenirs for family and friends back home. Popular buys are pichwai paintings, gem studded jewels, block- printed and tie-and die textiles, puppets and wooden toys. Shopping hotspots are Palace Road, Chetak Circle and Hathi Pol. For traditional handicrafts Shilpgram is the place to watch artisans at work and buy direct from them.

If you get the time zip across Lake Pichola by boat for an awesome meal at the Jag Mandir Palace, set on an island; it once played host to the rebel Prince Khurram -later Mughal Emperor Shahjehan. During the annual Ganguar Festival the lake is a riot of colour and action with the royal barge leading the pageantry.

The walled city of Udaipur was founded in the Girwa valley, in 1559 by Maharana Udai Singh II (1536-1572) as the new capital of the rulers of Mewar with fall of their bastion of Chittor in 1567 by the Mughal emperor Akbar. You will discover gems of its history and heritage everywhere – in its gorgeous lakeside palaces, its pretty gardens, its temples and havelis… Stepping lightly down winding shop-filled streets of the Old Quarter at Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower) or the embankment of Lake Pichola with its palatial structures, it’s wonderful to give in to the pull of the power of its romantic allure and ancient glory.  Udaipur offers some of the most soul-stirring experiences that are totally worth diving into.

A guided heritage walk is perfect for getting to know the ‘City of Lakes’, world renowned for its fairytale water palace, Jag Nivas. You will just adore the up-close and personal engagement with the Udaipur of the locals on your wanderings— an ancient bazaar stocked with old weaponry or fresh flowers; artisans engaged in jewellery making, pottery and bamboo craft; devotees lining up at an iconic Hindu shrine; a tea stall crowded with citizens starting their day with a hot cuppa. Yes — these living traditions add so many layers of pleasure in exploring evocative Udaipur.

A cycling tour starting out from Fateh Sagar Lake is just the ticket to explore its lakeside world. Pedaling out to Udaipur’s forested expanses offers opportunities to visit a local village in the foothills. The Aravalis are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world and the sustenance it provides local communities is worthy of exploring at close quarters.

Tribal communities have played pivotal roles in the history of Rajasthan. You have a wonderful opportunity to interact with the Bhil tribals of Udaipur on a jeep safari in the rustic environs alongside the forests; the ancestors of the community were deeply involved in the conserving and managing of the forests as they were a critical source for sustenance of their lifestyle. The simple, back-to- nature living traditions you will witness here offer a dramatic contrast to Udaipur’s rich and opulent regal moorings.

Not to be missed is a closer exploration of the forested riches of the Aravallis. This is best done at the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary, which lies along the city outskirts. Dominating these verdant expanses is the hill top Sajjangarh Palace or Monsoon Palace. It offers some of the most stunning views of the dramatic arrival of the monsoon clouds over Udaipur and its surrounds.