Udaipur or Jodhpur

rialto

I'm just wondering what your thoughts are on which of the two are the nices place too visit? I think I just have time for one of them.
Plus, anybody know the best way to get to either of them from Sawai Madhopur (Ranthambhore)?

cyberhippie

In terms of what I can see of your itinery Jodhpur may be the best choice, similar destinations fort, old town, but Jodhpur is the easiest to get to from Sawai Madhopur.
There is a daily train that runs between the two!
Here are the details

Train No 2465

Sawai Madhopur Jodhpur Ranthambore express

departs 14.45

arrives 22.45

Happy Traveling

LuAnnandJawahar

Udaipur is certainly easier to get to. The fort at Jodhpur is amazing, but there is alot more going on in Udaipur. Plus it has the largest fort/palace complex in all of India. There are also lots of great day trips nearby Udaipur. We vote for Udaipur.

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skell

I'm glad you picked Udaipur. That's what I chose for some unsheduled time in November. Could you recommend some day trips? What about Mt Abu, or is that an over-nighter?

Does anyone know if it's possible to rent horses there or near Cochin, or both?

Jeroen

Udaipur's palace may be big and imprerssive seen from the lake, but it's not really interesting inside when compared to Jodhpur - which is the best palace/museum I've seen in India... the only one really worth the 200-330Rs or so entry fee; it has great artefacts and a good free audio tour. It's setting high above the blue town is magnificent - at the top, eagles whoosh pass at eye level. Jodhpur is less touristy than Udaipur, less bookshops, internet cafes, restaurants... but it's the place I'd pick.
Both cities are quite a way from MtAbu - 5hrs by bus from Jodhpur I remember, you'll need 2 nights in Abu to do the sights justice.

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Alan D

While I agree that Jodhpur's fort is a great place to visit (BTW the birds are not eagles, a mistake made in some of the guidebooks, but long-billed vultures - gyps indicus) I prefer Udaipur as a place to stay.

The setting between the lakes makes it for me a unique place in India, especially if you take a room with a view in one of the hotels overlooking the Pichola Lake.

skell

Mount Abu is definitely worth a couple of days stay - there's the amazing Dilwara Jain temples and the town has a hill station atmosphere, something to experience if you're not going to be visiting any of the Himalayan hill stations.

SHIMLA

To get to Udaipur from Sawai Madhopur, take the same train which cyberhippie recommends above and get off at Jaipur. From Jaipur take the Lake City Express to Udaipur. This is an overnight journey.

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skell

Thanks Alan. I'm going to try to fit it into my schedule. I'd love to visit the Jain temple.