Hidden Gems Near Udaipur for a Self Drive Day Trip

Udaipur’s palaces and lakes deserve their place on your itinerary. But if you have a spare day and your own wheels, there is much more to see beyond the usual city circuit: bird ponds, hillside temples, old stone carvings and quiet stretches of lake shore.

Most of these places are around 12 to 50 km from the city. The drive is part of the appeal, especially when you can stop for tea or change your route without watching a tour schedule.

This guide covers eight hidden gems near Udaipur, with approximate distances, road conditions and the kind of car that makes each trip easier. Use the table to choose a route, then check local access and weather before setting off.

If you want an offbeat day trip from Udaipur, start with the season. Menar is a winter birding trip; Ubeshwar Ji and Rayta Hills look their best during the rains.

Why a Self Drive Car Helps on These Routes

A taxi is convenient if you would rather relax on the road. A self drive car gives you more control over the pace of a day outside the city.

• That matters most on routes with several short stops or an uncertain finish time. You can spend longer at Menar if the birds are active, or leave a hill road early when rain rolls in.
• Flexible stops: Stay for twenty minutes at a viewpoint or two hours beside a lake. There is no need to settle the timing in advance.
• Room to explore: Pull over at a safe spot for a view of the Aravallis, a cup of tea or a village pond you did not plan to visit.
• A route that suits your budget: Compare the rental’s daily price, kilometre allowance, fuel and deposit against a taxi quote for the full route.
• Do not assume unlimited kilometres. Check the rental terms before booking, especially if you are combining distant stops.
• An early start: You can reach a birding spot around sunrise or fit a second stop into the afternoon. Plan to finish unfamiliar hill roads before dark.

Parth Car Rental, based on Chittor Road, offers several vehicle options for these trips:

• A Swift or Dzire is practical for Menar, Nagda and the easier paved roads.
• A Fronx or Creta gives you a little more comfort on uneven stretches.
• For rougher approaches, ask about the ground clearance of a Thar or Scorpio Classic and check the latest road condition.
• The company also offers chauffeur driven taxis if you would prefer someone else to handle the longer drives.

Distances and Road Conditions at a Glance

These distances are approximate from central Udaipur. The last few kilometres can change after heavy rain, so treat the road notes as a starting point rather than a guarantee.

1. Menar: The Village That Belongs to the Birds

• Menar lies roughly 45 km east of Udaipur, off the Chittorgarh highway. Its two village ponds make it a rewarding winter stop for birdwatchers.
• There are two ponds, Brahm Talab and Dhand Talab, one on each side of the village.
• From November to February, look for waterbirds around the ponds. What you see will depend on the water level and the week you visit, so bring binoculars and allow time to watch from a distance.
• There is no elaborate visitor setup here. Park without blocking village access, walk quietly along the bund and give the birds space.
• The community is known for protecting the birds. Follow any guidance from residents about where to stand or walk.
• Leave Udaipur by 6 am. The light between 7 and 9 is the best you'll get, and it's when the birds are busiest.
• Bring binoculars if you own a pair, because even a cheap one changes the whole experience.
• The last 4 or 5 km through the village are narrow, so a Swift or Dzire is perfect and anything bigger gets awkward on the turns.
• If you've got the full day, carry on to Bhindar or even Chittorgarh.
• Why self drive here? Birdwatching has no fixed timetable. If the activity picks up late, it helps to have the freedom to stay.

2. Jaisamand Lake for a Long Afternoon by the Water

• Jaisamand, also known as Dhebar Lake, is roughly 50 km southeast of Udaipur. Its broad shore, marble steps and historic structures make a change from the city’s busier lakefronts.
• There are chhatris and a palace near the lake, with a wildlife sanctuary in the wider area. Check current access separately if you plan to enter the sanctuary.
• It is an easy addition to a list of lesser known places near Udaipur, particularly if you have the afternoon free.
• The drive is pleasant enough: rolling Aravalli scrub, tribal villages, and a road that mostly behaves itself.
• Go just after the monsoon, between August and October, when the lake is full and the overflow at the dam is quite a sight.
• The sanctuary road is patchy. A sedan will manage, but an SUV is more comfortable.
• Bring your own snacks and water, as there's very little near the lake.
• Leave enough time for the return drive if you stay for sunset. Carry water and a snack rather than relying on shops near your chosen stop.

3. Ubeshwar Ji for a Green Monsoon Drive

• Ubeshwar Ji is around 25 km northwest of Udaipur, near Gorela. During the monsoon, the surrounding hills turn green and seasonal streams appear around the approach.
• The temple is small and old, sitting in a valley surrounded by forest and streams that only really run during the monsoon.
• July and August bring the most dramatic change in the landscape, though rain can also make the roads slower.
• The road narrows and bends through the hills. Expect uneven patches, drive cautiously and turn back if heavy rain makes the route unsafe.
• For this self drive trip near Udaipur, vehicle choice matters more than it does on the highway routes.
• A higher clearance car may be more comfortable on broken sections. Ask locally about the current approach before taking a low hatchback.
• Go early. By 11 am on a monsoon weekend the local crowds have arrived and parking gets creative.
• Wear shoes you don't mind soaking, because the stream crossings near the temple are part of the fun.
• Download your map before you leave the city, since the signal in the valley is weak.

4. Baghdarrah Nature Park for a Morning Wildlife Stop

• Baghdarrah is around 20 km from Udaipur on the Jaisamand road. It is a manageable nature stop if you want to be back in the city by lunchtime.
• It's a small forest reserve with a lake, a crocodile viewing point, a short trekking trail and the walls of an old hunting lodge.
• Watch for birds and wildlife from the designated areas. Sightings vary, so enjoy the walk even if the crocodiles are out of view.
• Mornings are best, when the animals are out and the light is soft.
• The approach is generally suitable for a regular car. Confirm opening hours and the current entry fee before leaving, and carry ID if required at the gate.
• You can pair it with Jaisamand on the same road for a fuller day trip.

5. Nagda and the Sahastrabahu Temples

• Everyone drives to Eklingji. Nearly everyone drives straight past the turn for Nagda, which is barely 2 km away.
• The Sahastrabahu temples, often called Sas Bahu temples, reward a slow look at their carved pillars and stonework.
• The temples sit beside a small lake, and on a weekday morning you might have them to yourself.
• At roughly 22 km from Udaipur on the Nathdwara side, Nagda is one of the easier offbeat places near Udaipur to reach by car.
• Park in the shade, spend an hour, then carry on to Eklingji or Nathdwara.

6. Bahubali Hills and Badi Lake Close to the City

• Bahubali Hills is only about 12 km from central Udaipur. Weekend evenings can be busy around the main viewpoint, so a weekday is a better bet if you want a quieter climb.
• The short walk leads to a wide view over Badi Lake and the surrounding hills. Carry water and wear shoes with grip.
• Badi Lake itself was built in the 1600s as a famine-relief project. It's calm, and hardly anyone goes beyond the main ghat.
• A car works, but a scooter can be easier to park on a busy day. Parth Car Rental also lists the Honda Activa 6G and Jupiter among its two wheeler options.
• Go for sunset, but get there 45 minutes early because the climb takes 15 to 20 minutes. There's no shop at the top, so bring water.

7. Rayta Hills for a Monsoon Morning

• Rayta Hills is around 25 km from Udaipur toward Gogunda. The hills are especially scenic after rain, when the slopes are green and low clouds sometimes settle over the ridge.
• Expect rolling green slopes, a temple on top, and in August the whole ridge disappears into low cloud.
• It is a good rainy season outing if you are comfortable driving on narrow rural roads. Go slowly and leave time for changing weather.
• The final stretch can be rough. Check its condition before attempting it, particularly after a heavy shower.
• An SUV may be more comfortable here. If the road is poor, park where it is safe and continue on foot.
• If you don't have one, park at the bottom and walk up. It's a pleasant 30 minutes.
• Take a raincoat; the wind can make an umbrella awkward on the exposed ridge.

8. Chirwa Ghat as a Stop Along the Way

• Chirwa Ghat works best as a short stop while travelling north of Udaipur. Use a designated, safe place to pull over and keep clear of moving traffic.
• Late afternoon light can be lovely here, but leave enough daylight for the rest of your drive.

A Two Day Plan for the Weekend

The routes below keep stops in the same general direction. They are examples, so adjust the order for weather, opening hours and how much time you want at each place.

Check the total distance against your rental’s kilometre allowance. The figures in the table are estimates, and a detour or hotel pickup will change them.

When Booking a Taxi Makes Sense

There are days when a local driver makes the trip easier:

• If you are new to driving in Indian traffic: the city exit and return can feel demanding, particularly at busy hours.
• If you are planning a much longer route: combining sightseeing with several hours at the wheel can make for a tiring day.
• If someone in your group needs more rest: a driver can drop passengers close to an entrance and help keep the day flexible.
• Parth Car Rental offers chauffeur driven vehicles as well as self drive cars. Ask for a quote for your chosen route, car and waiting time if you are comparing options.
• A clear quote matters more than a generic claim about the best taxi service in Udaipur. Confirm what is included before you pay.

Before You Leave Udaipur

• Take your original driving licence and ID, and check the provider’s deposit and document requirements before pickup.
• Start with enough fuel for the whole outing. Look up fuel stops on your route instead of assuming there will be one near the destination.
• Save an offline map. Mobile signal can be unreliable on some hill and village roads.
• Plan outdoor stops for the cooler hours and allow extra time during the monsoon.
• Carry drinking water and a snack. Food options can be limited away from main roads.
• Avoid rushing after dusk, especially near wildlife areas and on unfamiliar roads.
• These are villages and places of worship as well as visitor stops. Ask before photographing people and respect local signs and customs.

Choose Your Route

The best hidden gems near Udaipur depend on the day you have. In winter, head to Menar for birds. After the rains, consider Jaisamand. In the monsoon, choose Ubeshwar Ji or Rayta Hills only if the roads and weather are suitable.

For a self drive car in Udaipur, Parth Car Rental offers smaller cars for easier roads and higher clearance options for rougher approaches. Confirm the vehicle, daily rate, kilometre limit, deposit and support terms when you book. Its chauffeur driven service is another option for longer days.

Pick one main destination and one nearby stop. That leaves time to enjoy the place instead of spending the whole day in the car.

Call: +91 93523 35772