Mewar circuit: Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Kumbhalgarh and Mount Abu

Day 1: Arrive in Udaipur

Udaipur

• Lake Pichola boat ride to Jag Mandir · 1.5 h. Boats leave from the City Palace jetties; the sunset trip costs more and stops at the Jag Mandir island palace.
• Saheliyon ki Bari and Fateh Sagar · 2 h

Local tip: Boats leave from the City Palace jetties; the sunset trip costs more and stops at the Jag Mandir island palace.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Udaipur

Udaipur

• City Palace museum · 3 h. Rajasthan's largest palace complex, with mirror-work rooms and lake views from the upper courtyards; go at opening time and add the audio guide.
• Dharohar folk dance at Bagore ki Haveli · 1.5 h. An hour of Rajasthani dances and puppetry in a lakeside haveli courtyard; queue early for good seats.
• Jagdish Temple and old-city walk · 2 h. The carved 17th-century temple by the palace gate, then the lanes down to Gangaur Ghat and the miniature painting shops.
• Vintage and classic car collection · 1 h

Local tip: Rajasthan's largest palace complex, with mirror-work rooms and lake views from the upper courtyards; go at opening time and add the audio guide.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Chittorgarh Fort day trip

Udaipur

• Chittorgarh Fort day trip · 7 h. A car is essential: the fort's ring road links the Vijay Stambh, Kirti Stambh, Rana Kumbha Palace and Padmini Palace over several kilometres. A licensed guide brings the sieges and jauhar stories to life.

Local tip: A car is essential: the fort's ring road links the Vijay Stambh, Kirti Stambh, Rana Kumbha Palace and Padmini Palace over several kilometres. A licensed guide brings the sieges and jauhar stories to life.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Udaipur → Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur

Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur · Udaipur to Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur, Car ~2–2.5h

• Kumbhalgarh Fort and wall walk · 3 h. Climb to Badal Mahal for the view, then walk a stretch of the 36 km wall; there is little shade.
• Kumbhalgarh sound and light show · 1 h

Local tip: Climb to Badal Mahal for the view, then walk a stretch of the 36 km wall; there is little shade.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur → Mount Abu

Mount Abu · Kumbhalgarh & Ranakpur to Mount Abu, Car ~4h

• Dilwara Jain temples · 2 h. Some of India's finest marble carving; non-Jains can enter from about noon to 6pm. No photography, leather or phones — use the lockers.

Local tip: Some of India's finest marble carving; non-Jains can enter from about noon to 6pm. No photography, leather or phones — use the lockers.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Explore Mount Abu

Mount Abu

• Nakki Lake boating and Toad Rock · 2 h
• Sunset Point · 1.5 h
• Guru Shikhar, Rajasthan's highest point · 2.5 h. At 1,722 m, with a small Dattatreya temple at the top; about 300 steps from the car park.
• Achalgarh Fort and Achaleshwar temple · 1.5 h

Local tip: At 1,722 m, with a small Dattatreya temple at the top; about 300 steps from the car park.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Depart from Mount Abu

Mount Abu

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.