Enjoy a slightly early breakfast this morning. The reason for the slightly early morning breakfast is that the City Palace Complex has an hour at the beginning of every morning where they charge a little more and thus get significantly fewer visitors at that time. Your exploration of the vast complex will almost certainly take longer than an hour, but you will have done most parts that the later visitors will flock too.

The fabled City Palace Complex contains multiple old palaces and other structures. You will explore beautifully decorated rooms with thousands of exquisitely sculpted mirrors covering the walls, massive ivory doors (a dark reminder of Indian royalty’s passion for hunting), brightly colored stained-glass windows, expansive inlaid marble balconies, and the unique peacock courtyard. There are amazing views to be had from this structure, especially of Lake Pichola, the Lake Palace, and Jag Mandir Island. Enjoy a tour of the amazing Crystal Gallery which houses the world’s largest collection of priceless crystal. Marvel at pieces like the complete bedroom furniture set in crystal and the gorgeous crystal fountains in the courtyards.

Next you will explore Udaipur. With its small-town atmosphere, laid back Udaipur is one of India’s best places to explore on foot, and your Tour Director will take you for walks in small local bazaars and other interesting parts of this charming city. You will also enjoy a slightly bumpy (there are no shock absorbers) three-wheeler scooter ride through the streets.

After you experience Udaipur, you will return to your gorgeous resort for a short break to freshen up and enjoy the wonderful facilities. If you are hungry, we recommend a light meal as a wonderful dinner experience is scheduled for the evening. In the afternoon you are driven to visit the Monsoon Palace, a small hilltop structure that offers amazing views of the picturesque city of Udaipur and its lakes and palaces. The journey up the hill takes you through a protected wildlife sanctuary and occasional small wildlife sightings can be experienced.

Return to the lake area and proceed for a cruise on captivating Lake Pichola in one of the Leela Palace boats to enjoy wonderful sunset views of Lake Pichola and magical Udaipur. Return to your resort after the cruise.

Evening: Your Tour Director Guide will pick you up from your hotel and accompany you to the City Palace complex where you will witness the ancient traditional Holika Dahan ceremony, or custom of lighting the Holi Pyre, on the night before Holi. The Royal Family of Mewar (Udaipur and the surrounding regions) performs this celebration with great pomp and ceremony. A grand procession led by the Royals arrives and then the ceremony begins. The King lights the large pyre after the rituals and prayers. The end of the event is a traditional dance by a local troupe, performed only at this one occasion every year.
A Special Dinner at the City Palace is part of this evening’s festivities.