Ahmedabad
217 Kms from Udaipur
Also called Amdavad, this place happened to be the former capital of the state of Gujarat. The third largest of all the cities in the state, it is situated on the banks of the famous Sabarmati River and happens to be the industrial and economic hub of the state. The Ahmedabad Stock Exchange is also the second oldest one in the country and the city second when it comes to cotton production. There are some very famous places like the Sabarmati Ashram and Kankaria Lake that one can visit when in Ahmedabad.
Jodhpur
205 Kms from Udaipur
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.
Vadodara
263 Kms from Udaipur
Best time to visit - January,February,September,October,November,December
Popularly known as Baroda, Vadodara is great travel destination for history buffs and art enthusiasts. The town is known for the grand Laxmi Vilas Palace and the Fatehsingh Museum (both located in the same premises). Do keep aside an entire day if you are fond or art and culture since the palace is huge and deserves that kind of time.
You can also visit Sayaji Baug, a lush, refreshing garden in the middle of the city. It is the perfect place to visit if you are travelling with children since it has a small kid's zone, a cafeteria, a small museum and a zoo. If you are in the city for more than a day, do visit Maharaja Fatehsingh Museum since it houses numerous rare and beautiful paintings, sculptures and murals from all over the world, collected by the royal family.
Vadodara may not be a traveller's perfect destination, but it does have its fair share of history, culture and art.
Mt Abu
113 Kms from Udaipur
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.
Ajmer
230 Kms from Udaipur
Best time to visit - January,February,March,October,November,December
Surrounded by the enchanting Aravali hills, Ajmer is a medieval city most popular for the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Once ruled by Prithviraj Chauhan, the city is a treasure house of Rajput and Islamic architecture. Ajmer, which is located in the heart of Rajasthan, also serves as the base for Pushkar, which is just 11km away.
The magnificent Taragarh fort situated on the summit of the Taragarh Hill is an unmissable site for its view of the city. At the foot of this hill is the Ajmer Sharif Dargah, the tomb of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. The large pillars or Kose that you’ll see here actually run till Agra from where Akbar and his queen visited this sanctum. You can also visit the Akbar Fort and Museum for its collection of medieval armour and sculptures. There are several other sites of Hindu, Islamic and Jain religious importance that you can look out for while taking a ride through the city on the horse-drawn tongas.
Fill up on delicacies such as the Kesarganj gol chakkar, chaat and kachori at the Pandit Restaurant opposite Daulat Bagh. The women’s market is a hub of traditional lehengas and odhnis. Amidst the old-fashioned and charming city of Ajmer, Ambassador and Hotel Mansingh Palace offer two of the most conventional and luxurious stays.
Pushkar
230 Kms from Udaipur
Best time to visit - January,February,March,September,October,November,December
Pushkar is full of colour, culture, warmth and joy! The first thing that attracts one to Pushkar is perhaps the colourful streets lined with small shops and hopeful faces.
The route from Ajmer to Pushkar is stunning and unlike any other route in Rajasthan. It's quite hilly and hence surprising. Pushkar is a very small town and its first glimpse is astonishing for first timers who are expecting a big town. The town is very famous for its numerous temples, serene lake and lovely market.
Do visit Pushkar Lake during the evenings, since afternoons here are quite hot unless you are visiting during peak winters. There is also a small temple next to the lake and though the temple is beautiful, the priests here make it difficult to sit in peace. They constantly pester you to perform pujas and it's a little annoying when all you want is to enjoy a few moments of silence.
The market next to the temple and lake is quite fun to explore and there is tons you can take back including bangles, bandhini sarees and dupattas, palazzos and stunning silver jewellery. Don't forget to have the kachoris next to the temple since they are perhaps the best you'll have in Pushkar.
Reaching Pushkar is hassle-free since there are tons of buses plying from and to major cities and it would be best to combine Ajmer and Pushkar in one trip. Do choose a traditional homestay to spend your vacation in Pushkar and you'll have an unforgettable experience!
Ujjain
278 Kms from Udaipur
Best time to visit - January,February,March,September,October,November,December
Located on the banks of the river Shipra, Ujjain is a city famous for its many temples and religious centres. The Ram Mandir Ghat of Ujjain is the site for the world renowned Kumbh Mela, which is one of the largest peace gatherings to take place in the country. The calm and cool waters of this ghat are believed to cleanse those who take a dip of their sins.
The most famous temple is the Mahakaleshwar Temple, which is one of the 12 jyotirlingas of India. The intricate construction of the temple is an architectural marvel in itself. Considered to be the most important among the eight Bhairavas of Lord Shiva, the Kal Bhairav temple is also situated here. Perhaps the most important educational destination of ancient Ujjain would be the Ved Shala Observatory, where scholars and astronomers would convene and unravel the many mysteries of their disciplines. Relatively simple in architecture, this spot is a must visit.
The cuisine is predominantly Indian with Punjabi cuisine and Rajasthani thalis being a favourite amongst a majority of tourists. Popular restaurants here are New Sudama, Shivam Restaurant and Aarti Restaurant. Hotels are very easily available here, and you can easily find one which suits your budget and taste. The aura of the city is sure to engulf you. Visit Ujjain to delve into and experience the sanctity of India.
Bundi
232 Kms from Udaipur
Best time to visit - January,February,March,August,September,October,November,December
The City of Rajputs, Bundi, maybe not as popular as other cities in Rajasthan, but nevertheless is no less captivating. The city is cloaked by hills on three sides and is home to a number of palaces and forts. It is believed to have got its name from a tribal head Bundi who called it ‘bunda ka nal’, which means narrow way.
A monumental prodigy that has stood the test of time is the Garh Palace. The walls with contemporary paintings and manicured gardens make the palace or fort a spectacle in itself. The many stepwells or baoris inside display the strong engineering skills from centuries ago. The riveting wells go very deep and are considered to the primary form of harvesting rainwater. Raniji ki Baori is one of them with elegant tall pillars and beautiful carvings. The Taragarh Fort or the Star Fort is a colossal that has been stunning people with its architecture since the ancient past. Alongside the fort is the Bundi Palace that houses the many murals and frescoes.
Hadoti Palace or Nawal Sagar Palace are perfect if you want a royal stay at Bundi. Neither are the streets of Bundi as choked as the other cities nor are the attractions crowded with tourists, making it just the quaint town you want for a relaxing trip. Namaste Cafe, Lakha and Kipling Cafe promise delectable meals to satiate your palate.
