Udaipur
307 Kms from Mehrangadh
Best time to visit - January,February,March,October,November,December
Udaipur beckons tourists from all over the world with its romantic landscapes and ethereal monuments. Bordered by the crags of the hazy Aravallis, the city that was established in the 16th century by Maharaja Udai Singh, is now a major heritage tourism hotspot for India.
With a seductive old-warm charm, opulent palaces and lively bazaars, tourists will never run out of places to visit in Udaipur. Some enchanting attractions in the city include the filigreed walls of Bada Mahal, the mountain pass of Haldighati, the lavish gardens of Saheliyon ki Bari and the placid waters of the Jaisamand Lake. The shimmering Lake Pichola hosts numerous things to do in Udaipur, such as a boat ride through the lake to the Jag Mandir Palace, from which you can witness the most stunning sunset. For those with a penchant for automobiles, the Vintage Car Museum in the Garden Hotel, hosts a fantastic exhibit of vintage vehicles. Udaipur's cuisine comprises of Rajasthani staples such as the flavoursome dal baati choorma and gatte ki sabzi. Popular eateries here include Chandni, Ambrai, Jagat Niwas Palace Hotel, Lotus Cafe and Mayur Rooftop Cafe. Hotels are easily available in Udaipur, and several retain their old world feel.
Jodhpur
240 Kms from Mehrangadh
Best time to visit - January,February,September,October,November,December
Popular, colourful and culturally rich, Jodhpur is one of Rajasthan's most beautiful cities. It is also known as the Sun City of India and is said to have been built in the 15th century by a Rao Jodha.
This city was earlier known as Marwar and is currently the second largest city of Rajasthan. From the stunning Mehrangarh Fort (from where you can see the stunning blue city), Umaid Bhavan Palace to the bustling Sardar Market, there is tons to do and explore in this touristy city. If you like your holidays to be quiet and laidback, Jodhpur may not be for you – atleast for the first couple of days. There is too much to keep you busy.
Like almost all cities in Rajasthan, there are historical forts and palaces to explore and admire. Do carry a scarf and water for your afternoon expeditions should the heat tire you out. There are also umpteen restaurants and small cafes in Jodhpur which offer you delicious food and are also very welcoming. Jodhpur is also a great place to meet like-minded travellers.
Jodhpur is well connected to all the major cities of the country via rail, road and air.
Kutch
227 Kms from Mehrangadh
Best time to visit - July,August,September,October
One of Gujarat's most beautiful places, Kutch is nature's masterpiece. The vast barren land with spurts of colour is an enchanting sight and the White Desert, as it's fondly called, is what travellers' dreams are made of.
The Rann of Kutch is filled with sea water during monsoons and with salt water, immediately after. Only on a few islands will you find signs of vegetation enough to sustain the life here. The Rann is made of almost 16 tribes and most tribes have distinct cultures, different languages and a way of life that is drastically different. During your trip here, do make sure to spend time with the tribes here. Not only will you learn a little more about the locals here but the experience tends to become quite memorable.
Do visit Aina Mahal, Bhuj Museum, Prag Mahal and Mandvi beach. For adventure enthusiasts, do try the camel safari, stay at the camps under the stars and experience everything one usually doesn't. Of course, a visit here during Rann Utsav is unmatched.
For shopaholics, there is a plethora of goodies to take back home, including silver jewellery, handicrafts, bandhani and applique work. Do choose your stay option carefully since that will add to your experience here in Kutch. Numerous options have been added to this town's growing list of hotels and you can easily choose the kind of holiday you want.
Jaisalmer
175 Kms from Mehrangadh
Best time to visit - January- March and October- December
The name of the city means The Hill Fort of Jaisal. The Golden City of India is known mainly for the beautiful sand dunes, marvelous palaces and old bungalows, the tranquility of the Jain Temples and of course the view of the Thar Desert. The state is full of color and is enriched with the love of art and culture. Not just the camel safaris, but sitting with the folk singers and enjoying their music about everyday life in Rajasthan is sheer bliss. The music of Jaisalmer is a mixture of folk and Indian Classical. Their language is influenced from Sindh and is a bit different from typical Rajasthani. The Gadisar Lake, Jaisalmer Fort and the Desert National Park are among the many attractions in the beautiful city. The climate is extreme so cover your body whenever you are out to escape from the heat of the sun.
Mt Abu
202 Kms from Mehrangadh
Best time to visit - January,February,March,November,December
Mount Abu is the only hill station in the deserts of Rajasthan. Among forts and palaces, this quiet hill station is quite popular with local tourists as well as visitors from across the country.
A place of great religious reverence to the Jain community, the Dilwara Jain Temple is a set of five temples, all belonging to a different century. The temples are carved out of white marble and depict scenes of Gods and Goddesses and are a must visit for their architectural brilliance.
You can also spend a day at Nakki Lake. Lying in the hills, this lovely lake offers boating opportunities to visitors. The Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary is another wonderful way to spend your time on this hill station and can take up your entire day, so do keep yourself free. For trekkers and adventure enthusiasts, the Guru Shikhar is the highest peak in the region and trekking here is a memorable and adventurous experience, though if you aren't an experienced trekker, you may need a little help!
There are numerous hotels and guesthouses here, though depending on the type of traveller you are, it might be a good idea to do a little bit of research before settling on a place to stay.
Bhuj
275 Kms from Mehrangadh
Best time to visit - January,February,March,November,December
One of the most visited cities in Gujarat, Bhuj is home to a number of historical monuments, a lively culture and a historically rich past. Taking you back to a time of simple living, Bhuj is a traveller's delight.
From the enlightening Kutch Museum to the bedazzling Aina Mahal, this small city welcomes travellers with forgotten stories, intriguing escapades and numerous hidden corners. There are a number of popular temples here including the Shree Swaminayan Temple; the Swaminayan temples were actually first built in Bhuj. Enveloped in white, the temple is a must visit even if religious sites are not a part of your itinerary.
You should also visit one of the oldest museums in Gujarat, which is the Kutch museum. Taking you through Gujarat's exciting past, the museum is also home to Kshatrapa inscriptions and the now extinct Kutchi script. The museum is located along the beautiful Hamirsar Lake and is a must-visit.
Do also head to Aina Museum. One of the best examples of Indian architecture under the influence of European architecture, this one is fascinating to visit. True to its name, the best feature of the mahal is the Hall of Mirrors. The palace also houses a number of rare and stunning artefacts and paintings from around the world and is a treat to explore, especially if you are an art enthusiast. This small city packs in a lot for travellers and a couple of days here is enough to take back a beautiful experience unless, of course, you fall in love with the city's magic.
Reaching Bhuj from Ahmedabad is quite easy since it's a major town and buses, taxis ply almost throughout the day.
Gandhinagar
288 Kms from Mehrangadh
Day 1 Gandhinagar to Udaipur 240On the 11th of April I left early in the morning. I left at 5 AM cause I did not wanted to be roasted by sun in the process. I estimated to reach the lake city 10 AM. I also planned to some of the major tourist spots the same day as well.The ride to Udaipur went without a glitch, as I reached Udaipur I had booked Zostle in Chandpole for my stay. As I got to Zostle, I was warmly greeted by the Manager there and he handed me a city map and the major tourist attractions of the city.
Nathdwara
309 Kms from Mehrangadh
Best time to visit - January,February,March,October,November,December
The small city of Nathdwara on the banks of Banas river in Rajasthan is full of religious sentiment. Cuddled in the Aravalli hills, it is popular for being home to Shrinathji, an incarnated idol of infant Lord Krishna. Largely a faithful city, almost everything about this place is in some way or the other associated with the temple. Even their music, Haveli, is a devotional genre.
The Shrinathji Temple draws pilgrims plenty but very few tourists. It is also called the Haveli of Shrinathji. The temple is very simple and non-fancy. What is captivating is the idol of Lord Krishna in an avatar where he is lifting the Govardhana Hill. Out of a large black stone is carve out the figurine of the lord with his left hand raised and the right one fisted. Aartis and shringars of the idol are performed in such fashion that it seems that the idol is indeed living. Pilgrims wait to get a glimpse of the lord when the curtain is removed. The mysticism of the idol is enigmatic for reasons unknown.
Pichwai paintings are something to look out for here. The bright paintings on hand-spun fabric often depict tales from the Raas-Leela. Complete your getaway with sumptuous and delicious street food such as khaman and fafda along with piping hot masala tea.
