Planning a Trip

Visitor Information

Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC), though inconveniently located in the Tourist Office at Fateh Memorial in Suraj Pol (tel. 0294/241-1535; Mon-Sat 10am-5pm), can arrange accommodations, licensed guides, maps, and brochures. Ask for the helpful young Yogesh Joshi in room no. 1, who can caution you about the latest scams to avoid. You can also call the RTDC Hotel Kajri at tel. 0294/241-0501 through -0503 for tourist information and assistance. Satellite tourist offices can be found at the airport (tel. 0294/265-5433; open at flight times) and at the railway station, which was scheduled to reopen once new train services begin.

The most convenient place to draw money against your credit card/ATM card is near the Jagdish Temple (City Palace Rd.). There is also an ICICI Bank next to the Jet Airways office (Madhuban), an SBI ATM next to Indian Airlines (Delhi Gate), and several others near Town Hall, Bapu Bazaar. There are two convenient LKP foreign exchange offices on Lake Palace Road (next to Rang Niwas Palace Hotel) and near Jagdish Temple. A useful private hospital is American International Hospital on Kothi Baugh, Bhatt Ji Ki (tel. 0294/242-8701 through -8704).

Getting There

By Air -- Dabok Airport is 25km (16 miles) from Udaipur. As always, Jet Airways is the preferable option (tel. 0294/256-1105-60), connecting the city with Delhi, Mumbai (both 1 hr., 15 min.), and Jaipur (45 min.). Indian Airlines (tel. 0294/265-5453 airport, 0294/241-0999 Delhi Gate) covers the same routes, as well as Jodhpur. A regular non-air-conditioned taxi into town should cost about Rs 375 ($9.15/£6.65). Parul Tours and Travel (details below) offers air-conditioned taxis from the airport to the city for Rs 475 ($12/£5.90).

By Train/Bus -- The Mewar Express departs Delhi's Nizamuddin station at 7pm and arrives at Udaipur City station at 7am the following morning; significant stops en route are Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur (for Ranthambhore), and Chittaurgaur. There's an evening train from Jaipur, departing 9:40pm, which arrives at 7am the following morning. There are deluxe bus connections from Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Ahmedabad (roads are in fairly good condition). In the unlikely event that you've opted for a bus, you will most likely be dropped off just north of the City Railway Station.

Getting Around

The best way to get around the main tourist sights (the area surrounding the City Palace) is on foot, but if you want to spend a rather satisfying day taking in all the sights in the city, consider renting a moped or bicycle from Heera Cycle Store & Tours & Travels (inside Hotel Badi Haveli, 86 Gangaur Ghat Rd., easy walking distance from Jagdish Temple; tel. 0294/513-0625; copy of passport and driver's license required; daily 7:30am-9pm).

For journeys farther afield, hiring a car with driver is probably the only way to go; you will certainly need one for the recommended trips described below. To hire one for the day, or for a self-planned tour in Rajasthan, head for the RTDC at Suraj Pol. This is also where to check out the range of half- or full-day government tours on offer, though note that organized tours can be too rushed or too slow, and can place you in close contact with odious fellow travelers; the quality of guides often leaves a lot to be desired as well. Should you wish to hire a car and driver from one of the many travel and tour agents that are more conveniently located in the Old City, you might want to call the RTDC just to discern their going rate, but we'd urge you to waste no time in contacting the very efficient Ramesh Dashora, proprietor of Parul Tours and Travel, opposite Jagat Niwas Hotel, at 32 Lal Ghat (tel. 0294/242-1697; info@rajasthantravelbycab.com); he offers English-speaking guides (Rs 1,000/$24/£12 per day), plus A/C Ambassadors (or Indicas) for Rs 1,500 ($37/£19) for a full day; this includes 250km (155 miles) with each additional kilometer costing Rs 6 (15¢/10p), and there's an overnight fee of Rs 150 ($3.65/£1.85). More substantial vehicles will push prices up considerably. You can even reserve a car online (www.rajasthantravelbycab.com). Alternatively, call Mohan Singh (tel. 98-2938-1935), who drives an air-conditioned Ambassador. He understands enough English to take you sightseeing and is very well versed in routes and attractions. You can probably arrange a good deal with him for the duration of your stay.

Festivals

Udaipur's biggest festivals are the Mewar Festival, held every March or April, and the Holi Festival, held every March. October's Ashwa Poojan is another celebration worth inquiring about (your hotel should be able to advise you on exact dates and where best to experience the festivities). The Gangaur Festival is celebrated with special zeal by the women of Udaipur (end of Mar to Apr). During this festival, unmarried women pray to the goddess Gauri (manifestation of Parvati, Shiva's wife) for a good husband, while the married pray for the well-being of their husbands and a happy married life. Women decorate their hands and feet with mehendi (tattoos of henna paste) and carry colorful images of Gauri and terra-cotta lamps on their heads as they dance and sing songs in street processions. At the end of the festival they break these lamp-pots and celebrate with a feast. Festivities last 18 days and include many colorful processions and a fireworks display.