Private sunset boat on Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola is an artificial lake, first dammed in the 14th century and enlarged when Udaipur became the capital of Mewar. The old city's ghats, temples and havelis come down to its eastern shore, and two island palaces sit on the water: Jag Niwas, now the Taj Lake Palace, and Jag Mandir, where the young prince who became the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan is said to have sheltered in the 1620s.
We arrange a private boat from the City Palace jetty or from your hotel. The route passes the ghats, where families bathe and wash clothes in the evening, then curves round the Lake Palace to Jag Mandir, where you can step ashore for a walk in the gardens if time allows. As the sun drops behind the Aravalli, the boat holds still off the City Palace for the colour.
In a dry year the lake falls and some routes shorten; after a good monsoon, from August to October, the water is at its highest and the hills green. We bring a light wrap from November to February, when it cools quickly on the water. Boat operations depend on lake levels and permissions, so check current status before you travel.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
What time is the sunset boat in Udaipur
We start about an hour before sunset: around 4.45 pm in December and around 6 pm in April and September. The best colour on the City Palace comes in the final 20 minutes. A private boat lets you hold position for the light rather than follow a fixed route.
Can you stop at Jag Mandir on the boat ride
Usually yes. Jag Mandir has gardens, a café and a restaurant, and many boat rides include a short stop. Access depends on events and lake levels, so check current status before you travel. A drink at Jag Mandir before sunset is a good way to end a sightseeing day.
Is the Udaipur boat ride worth it if the lake is low
Yes, though the route may be shorter. Even in dry years the core of the lake around the Lake Palace and the City Palace usually holds water. Lake levels are highest from August to October after a good monsoon. We start about an hour before sunset and hold the boat off the City Palace for the final 20 minutes. Boat operations change, so check current status before you travel.
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