I would think that all the boat tours of Pichola Lake follow the same routes with only the starting point differing. The lakes around Udaipur were created by building dams to meet the drinking water and irrigation needs of Udaipur. Only two islands are located within Pichola Lake and developed with palaces. Our group boat tour began at the Lake Palace Hotel once called Jag Niwas. This was the 18th century creation of Rana Jagat Singh II who it is said constructed the palace in response to his father’s statement that….if he wanted to stay in an island palace like that on Jag Mandir Island, he should build his own… Is that anything like, “You can do whatever you want with your money after you are of legal age?”

Jag Mandir is the other island in Pichola Lake and contains the 17th century Jag Mandir Palace, one of the oldest and most grandiose palaces in Rajasthan. The palace was constructed by Maharana Karan Singh as a hideout for Prince Khurram, the son of a Rajput mother. This Prince Hurram later became Shah Jahan of Taj Mahal fame and it is said he incorporated many ideas for the Taj when he stayed here. One of the boat ride highlights is the row of life-size elephants that appear to be guarding the island.

The picturesque boat ride on Lake Pichola provides wonderful views of the lake, mountains and historical sights as you motor along. Pass by the the monumental lakeside facade of the City Palace Complex and visit if you have a chance. There are a series of palaces packed within the City Palace complex…View image… built from 1559 onwards by 76 generations of worshippers of the Sun god….

… the picturesque ghats still used by the locals. A ghat is a wide set of steps that leads to a river or lake, and used to bathe and wash clothes. Keep an eye out for the Gangaur Ghat with a triple-arch that is considered one of the best pieces of architecture in Udaipur. The constant flow of women doing their laundry certainly adds to its appeal and photographic allure. Other sights are old and beautiful havelis…View image and even a few small island structures.

Our incredible exploration in Rajasthan ended in Udaipur. Surely you’ll agree that a first trip to India couldn’t possibly have been more well-planned, luxurious and exciting than this one was. And perhaps you will understand why we’ve returned to India over and over again. Not on the same luxurious scale as this one-and-only extravagance (so worth it) but wherever we visit, it is always, an Incredible India.
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