Pending you plan your trip well and cater to your children’s interests as much as possible, there is endless joy to be had from a family trip to Udaipur. Make sure to bring plenty to occupy the little ones on long journeys, such as colouring books and pencils, board games and other interesting activities. Udaipur has a number of options upon arrival to be enjoyed by the entire family, most of which will delight even the youngest of travellers.

Camel safaris 
Allow the little ones to make believe they are the stars of an exciting adventure movie by treating them to a trip of a life time on camel back. Travelling through the desert with an entire team of tent pitchers, cooks and camel masters, you will gain an insight into the way of life of the local tribes, whose traditional culture is yet to be corrupted by modernisation. As you start to settle into the awkward pace of the two humped beast, your eyes will feast upon the panoramic desert landscape. There are many travel agents in Udaipur offering camel safaris.

Horseback Riding
There are few youths who don’t delight in being let loose among nature. Horse safaris are among the most popular of activities to be enjoyed here. The resort is also home to a picturesque lake and a deer farm, where children can learn about this elegant mammal. Experienced horseback riders can take part in an exciting game of polo. Additionally, both the Devi Garh Hotel and the Fateh Prakash Palace have horses available for hire and offer treks which are accompanied by qualified instructors or guides.

Swimming
There are few children who don’t like to spend hours splashing about in water. If you would like to have regular access to a swimming pool while on holiday in Udaipur, you should check out one of any number of hotels providing such facilities. Many of the natural lakes and waterfalls in the local countryside are also suitable for swimming and can offer much needed respite from the tropical temperatures.

Zoo
Udaipur has a small yet pleasant zoo, located at Gulab Bagh or ‘rose garden’. All the usual zoo animals reside here, but the picturesque setting makes it one of the more charming zoos to be visited in India. Visitors who are accustomed to western zoos may find the animal enclosures on the small side, but for the most part the animals are well kept. Phone: +91 294 2453686.

With its long, fascinating history and rich cultural background, Udaipur is a magical place with endless opportunities to gain insight into the heritage of the area and its peoples. The city has a number of excellent art galleries, while folk performances are among the most interesting aspects of traditional culture to be seen.

Art Galleries
There are a number of excellent galleries in Udaipur featuring works from talented local and international artists, often for sale at low costs. The BG Sharma Art Gallery features works by Sharma himself, who has contributed greatly to the progression of miniature art throughout India, while the Ganesh Art Emporium houses contemporary works by local artist Madhu Cant Mundra. Phone: +91 294 256 0063 (BG Sharma Art Gallery); +91 294 242 2864 (Ganesh Art Emporium).

Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal
Local puppetry is a proud tradition in the area and daily performances are an entertaining day out for all the family. Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal folk-art museum hosts regular performances. Costumes, masks, dolls and other interesting objects are also on display. Phone: +91 294 529296.

Elephant Polo 
Most people will be familiar with the game of horse polo but they may not have heard of elephant polo, a unique and surprisingly fast paced take on the game. The majestic animals move around the field with grace, while their riders manoeuvre long sticks to control the ball. For information on where you can catch a game, ask at you hotel information desk.

Meera Kala Mandir
Explore the rich local Rajasthan traditions in folk dance and music at the popular Meera Kala Mandir, located on City Station road. All the family will be transported into a world of enchantingly dissonant music and dazzled by colourfully costumed dancers.

Shilpgram Rural Arts and Crafts Complex
Known as Shilpgram for short, this wonderful place has the best in local handicrafts and traditional fairs from around India. Daily performances in dance and music from representatives of the various states of India take place, while artisans from around the country provide visitors with a broad ranging insight into the unique traditions that abound in India. The ethnographic museum depicts the lifestyles, customs, traditions and folk arts of many of the country’s ethnic groups and is a great one-stop attraction for seeing a range of India’s multitude of cultures.

Dining is one of the great treats while on holiday anywhere in India and dining in Udaipur is no different. Vegetarians are probably better catered for in India than anywhere else in the world, and those who are not already vegetarian are often converted by the wealth of delectable treats prepared without meat

Street stalls can be found throughout the city offering local and national specialities. Some visitors are slightly dubious about eating on the street as stomach upsets are a common problem, but in general these stalls follow a standard level of food hygiene. Most visitors do need to allow their stomachs time to adjust to the spices and ingredients used.

Thali, rice and chapattis served with up to five different flavoured sauces is a great Indian specialty that you won’t want to miss out on trying. Chicken tandoori, known the world over, is another treat that should be tried on home soil. Snacks such as pakoras and samosas are among the favourites with tourists and locals alike.

A number of restaurants in the city offer a mixture of cuisines from Chinese to western. Among these, Ambrai is one of the more popular spots, while Natural View with its stunning roof top location has a decent international menu.

Once your belly is full and your energy levels revived, you may feel like a spot of shopping. One of the most attractive things about shopping in India, besides the range of goods on offer, is the low cost of almost everything on sale.

Udaipur has endless shops selling everything from trendy fashions to traditional crafts. There are a number of areas that are particularly renowned for their shopping opportunities including Bapu Bazaar, Chetak Circle, City Market Clock Tower, Hathipol and Palace road.

Jagdish Chowk road is one of the most popular tourist shopping bazaars selling an array of local handicrafts and jewellery. For the best of the area’s stunning fabrics, the Ghanta Ghar road has a multitude of shops and the widest selection.

All across Udaipur, bazaars, markets and long streets filled with stalls sell everything and anything that you could possibly wish to buy while on holiday in India. House furnishings are popular purchases, with cane products, carpets, local artworks and pottery the most widely available products.

Local artisans have for many years been crafting puppets in the traditional styles and these are excellent presents to bring back home for younger relatives and friends. The art of wood carving has also been perfected by local artists and some fabulous ornaments and functional pieces can be found throughout the city.

The great outdoors around Udaipur offer ample opportunities for participation in exciting sporting and nature excursions. From various types of safaris to bird watching and boating, there is plenty to do out in the open air. Udaipur’s natural splendour makes any outdoor activity here a treat.

Bicycle safaris
A fast paced and often exhilarating way to get out and explore the outskirts of Udaipur, bicycle safaris can be arranged from your hotel information desk or a local travel agency. For those more competitive bicyclers, the cycle polo is a fun way to get your blood pumping and your adrenaline running high.

Bird watching
A vast array of species of bird inhabits the area of Udaipur. The lakes and marshlands are home to some of the most interesting of the 500 plus species found here. Winter is by far the best season for bird watching; this is the time when a number of migratory birds arrive in the area, bringing the marshes and grasslands to life.

Boating
Jaisamand Lake is probably the best equipped destination for water sports in the area. The lake’s facilities include various types of boats for hire, from the slow paced row boats to the more exciting motor boats. The lake is located about 50kms from the city, but is worth the trip for a day of fun filled water sports.

Elephant safaris
A fabulous high-rise ride into the surrounding picturesque landscapes of Udaipur on the back of an elephant is a great activity for all the family. The lumbering pace of the elephant is the ideal tempo to allow you to sit back and enjoy the scenery at your leisure.

Fishing
Udaipur, with its abundance of lakes and waterways, is an ideal place for enthusiastic anglers to give the sport a try on a completely new continent. Jaisamand Lake is one of the best spots for the sport. Licences must be obtained before you set out and are available from the Fisheries Department. It is also advisable to purchase the required equipment.

Paragliding
This is one of the most exhilarating ways to get a panoramic view of the Udaipur landscape from a soaring height. Experience the freedom of flying high in the sky while taking in the breathtaking views.

Trekking
The hills that make the stunning backdrop for this picturesque Indian city have some good trekking trails. Guided treks can be arranged from a number of travel services in the city and can be taken for varied periods of time. Trekking is an ideal opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of the city streets and get to know the flora and fauna of the local countryside. November to February are the best months for this activity.