By: Deeksha Gautam
There’s something undeniably magical about Rajasthan during the monsoons. The golden sands turn soft under the touch of rain, the palaces gleam under cloudy skies, and nature blooms in every direction. This year, as the first showers of the season graced Delhi, I decided to embark on a solo adventure – a road trip to Udaipur in my own car. It turned out to be one of the most enriching experiences of my life, with breathtaking landscapes, royal hospitality, mouth-watering food, and timeless charm at every turn.
The Journey Begins Hitting the Road from Delhi
I started my journey early in the morning, just as the rain clouds were making their way over the Delhi skyline. The route from Delhi to Udaipur is approximately 660 kilometers and takes around 11-12 hours by car, depending on the traffic and stops. I chose the route via NH 48, which passes through Gurgaon, Jaipur, Ajmer, and Nathdwara. The highways were in excellent condition, and the monsoon drizzle added a beautiful layer of serenity to the drive.
I made my first major pit stop in Jaipur for breakfast, indulging in a steaming plate of pyaaz kachori with spicy chutney, followed by masala chai from a roadside dhaba. The journey was long, but the changing landscape from city traffic to Aravalli foothills kept me energized and curious.
By the time I entered Udaipur, the rain had started again, lightly misting the windshield as I crossed the Fatehsagar Lake. It was love at first sight.
The City of Lakes Dressed in Monsoon Glory
Udaipur is often called the ‘Venice of the East’, but in the monsoon, it transforms into something even more romantic an emerald and ivory dream. I checked into a heritage haveli near Lake Pichola. The rooftop of the haveli offered panoramic views of the lake, City Palace, and distant hills hidden under floating clouds. With the rain whispering against the jharokhas and the scent of wet earth everywhere, I knew I had made the perfect choice.
My first evening was spent simply walking around Gangaur Ghat, where the steps glistened with fresh rain. Locals lit diyas as the sun dipped behind the clouds, and the City Palace began to glow in golden lights. I sat quietly, sipping hot ginger tea from a street-side stall, soaking in the rhythm of the city.
Monsoon Palace Touching the Clouds
On the second day, I drove up to the Sajjangarh Fort, more famously known as the Monsoon Palace. The winding drive through Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary was dotted with lush green trees, peacocks dancing in the rain, and fog rolling in like a scene from a fairytale.
The Monsoon Palace sits atop the Aravalli Hills and was originally built by Maharana Sajjan Singh as a monsoon retreat. From the top, the view of Udaipur’s lakes and palaces under a misty monsoon sky was absolutely breathtaking. Clouds floated by almost within arm’s reach, and the city shimmered below like a dream. I stayed up there for hours, watching the interplay of sunlight and rain, clicking countless pictures, and enjoying the cool breeze.
On the way back, I stopped at the Sajjangarh Biological Park, a lovely zoo nestled in the foothills, perfect for families and nature lovers.
Exploring the City – Palaces, Bazaars, and Beyond
No trip to Udaipur is complete without visiting the iconic City Palace. I spent an entire morning exploring its intricate courtyards, royal apartments, and museums. The rain added a cinematic charm, making the white marble and colorful glass mosaics even more vivid. From the palace balconies, the view of Lake Pichola and Jag Mandir under grey clouds was mesmerizing.
Next, I visited Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas (Taj Lake Palace), both island palaces on Lake Pichola. I took a boat ride despite the drizzle it only added to the romance. The lake was calm, the palaces reflected like poetry on the water’s surface.
For lunch, I headed to Ambrai Ghat, where the restaurant Ambrai served me a delectable Rajasthani thali right by the water’s edge. Dal baati churma, gatte ki sabzi and churma laddoo all bursting with flavor and love. Udaipur knows how to feed the soul.
Later, I walked through Hathi Pol and Bada Bazaar, two of Udaipur’s most famous shopping streets. The colors, smells, and sounds were a riot. I bought silver jewelry, hand-embroidered mojris, miniature paintings, and a stunning Bandhani dupatta as a memory. The rains played hide and seek as I ducked into shops and cafes each one telling its own story.
Nature’s Haven – Saheliyon Ki Bari and Fatehsagar Lake
One of the greenest places I visited in Udaipur was Saheliyon Ki Bari, the Garden of the Maidens. Created for royal women centuries ago, it’s now a serene public garden filled with fountains, lotus pools, and marble elephants. The rain made everything shimmer bougainvillaea in bloom, droplets on banana leaves, and the soft chirping of birds. It felt like a secret garden straight out of a novel.
In the evening, I took a long drive along Fatehsagar Lake, stopping for bhutta (roasted corn) from roadside vendors and a quick bite at Vinod Fast Food, famous for its cold coffee and sandwiches. Locals and tourists gathered there, watching the lake change hues with the setting sun.
Nearby Getaway – A Rainy Day Trip to Kumbhalgarh
Midway through my trip, I planned a day trip to Kumbhalgarh, about 85 kilometers from Udaipur. The drive was a visual treat winding roads through mist-covered hills, waterfalls gushing over the cliffs, and shepherds leading their flocks under the rain. Kumbhalgarh Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for having the second-longest continuous wall after the Great Wall of China.
Walking along the ancient fortifications in the drizzle was exhilarating. Clouds moved swiftly over the ramparts, revealing hidden temples and ruins with every gust of wind. The views of the Aravalli Hills were otherworldly.
On the way back, I stopped at Ranakpur, known for its intricate marble Jain temple. Though it started pouring heavily, the temple’s serene white structure amidst the greenery looked like a divine sculpture carved by nature itself.
Savoring Udaipur’s Culinary Delights
Udaipur’s food scene is a beautiful fusion of tradition and innovation. Besides local joints, I tried Upre by 1559 AD, a rooftop restaurant that offered sweeping views of the City Palace. Their paneer tikka and kadhai mushroom were divine.
For a more casual meal, Millets of Mewar near Hanuman Ghat served wholesome vegetarian meals and smoothies. The café’s philosophy of healthy, sustainable eating resonated with the rain-washed freshness all around.
Sweet cravings led me to JMB (Jodhpur Misthan Bhandar), where I devoured fresh ghewar and mohanthal classic monsoon sweets.
A Personal Connection with the City
What made this trip truly special was not just the sights, but the feelings Udaipur evoked. In the rains, the city spoke a different language softer, slower, and more poetic. Strangers smiled more. Time didn’t rush. Evenings were about curling up with a book by the window, or watching the rain ripple through Lake Pichola while sipping lemongrass tea.
One evening, while sitting by the lake, I struck up a conversation with a local artist named Kunal, who paints traditional Pichwai and miniature art. He invited me to his studio tucked away in a quiet bylane. That visit became a turning point I watched him paint a cow motif with such reverence that I realized Udaipur wasn’t just about palaces and lakes; it was about people preserving stories through every brushstroke, every recipe, every street corner.
Heading Home – With a Full Heart and a Camera Full of Memories
As I packed my bags for the return drive to Delhi, the rain had eased. The skies cleared just long enough to offer a dazzling sunrise over Lake Pichola. The road back was smooth, but my heart was full of reflections in the water, of laughter in tea shops, of misty hill forts and dripping jharokhas.
This trip taught me the joy of traveling slow, of embracing weather as part of the journey, and the beauty of discovering a city not through guidebooks but through the rhythm of its monsoons. Udaipur had welcomed me like royalty and seen me off like a friend.
If you’re looking for a perfect road trip from Delhi during the monsoon, Udaipur is a soulful destination where nature and heritage dance together in the rain.
