Lake Pichola, Udaipur
Udaipur's 14th-century lake, framed by the City Palace, ghats and havelis, with the island palaces of Jag Niwas and Jag Mandir.
Overview
Lake Pichola is the heart of Udaipur and one of its best-known attractions. Here is what to see around the lake and what the boat rides cost.
Lake Pichola is an artificial freshwater lake created in 1362 and named after the nearby village of Picholi. Maharana Udai Singh II enlarged it when he founded Udaipur, and it is linked to Swaroop Sagar and Fateh Sagar by channels. Four islands stand in it: Jag Niwas, now the Lake Palace hotel; Jag Mandir with its 17th-century palace; Mohan Mandir, from which the Maharanas watched the Gangaur festival; and the tiny Arsi Vilas.
The City Palace runs along the eastern shore, and ghats such as Gangaur Ghat, beside Bagore-ki-Haveli, and Ambrai Ghat opposite the palace are still used by locals and are popular with visitors at sunset. The lake also supports water birds including cormorants, egrets, coots and kingfishers. Rajasthan Tourism recommends a boat ride around sunset for views of the lake and City Palace.
The main boats are run by the HRH Group from Rameshwar Ghat inside the City Palace complex and include a stop at Jag Mandir. The lakeshore and ghats themselves are public and free. Charter boats and a cargo boat can also be hired from the HRH jetty, and private boats operate from some other ghats.
Entry fees
Entry
Entry
Public lake and ghats; no ticket. No official source explicitly states "free".
Free
Needs verification
Boating
Regular Jagmandir excursion (adult)
HRH Group (Mewar family hotel group) Jagmandir Island Palace excursion from Rameshwar Ghat jetty, including the stop at Jag Mandir. The published price list is marked valid 01-04-2025 to 31-03-2026, which has lapsed; confirm current rates.
Source: HRH Group of Hotels – Jagmandir Island Palace Excursion / Boat Rides
Amount needs verification
Regular Jagmandir excursion (child)
HRH Group (Mewar family hotel group) Jagmandir Island Palace excursion from Rameshwar Ghat jetty, including the stop at Jag Mandir. The published price list is marked valid 01-04-2025 to 31-03-2026, which has lapsed; confirm current rates.
Source: HRH Group of Hotels – Jagmandir Island Palace Excursion / Boat Rides
Amount needs verification
Sunset Jagmandir excursion (adult)
HRH Group (Mewar family hotel group) Jagmandir Island Palace excursion from Rameshwar Ghat jetty, including the stop at Jag Mandir. The published price list is marked valid 01-04-2025 to 31-03-2026, which has lapsed; confirm current rates.
Source: HRH Group of Hotels – Jagmandir Island Palace Excursion / Boat Rides
Amount needs verification
Sunset Jagmandir excursion (child)
HRH Group (Mewar family hotel group) Jagmandir Island Palace excursion from Rameshwar Ghat jetty, including the stop at Jag Mandir. The published price list is marked valid 01-04-2025 to 31-03-2026, which has lapsed; confirm current rates.
Source: HRH Group of Hotels – Jagmandir Island Palace Excursion / Boat Rides
Amount needs verification
Boat prices are from the HRH price list valid 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026; newer rates were not published at the time of research. Private boats from other ghats charge their own rates. Charters range from ₹6,500 to ₹27,400 depending on group size and jetty.
We only show an amount when a source backs it. Prices change, so confirm locally before you go.
Opening hours
Open 24 hours
The lakeshore and ghats are public and always accessible; boat rides run to a seasonal timetable.
HRH boat timetable: summer regular trips 10 am until 3 pm, sunset trips until 6 pm; winter regular trips 10 am until 2 pm, sunset trips until 5 pm.
Visitor information
- Best time to visit
- October to March
- Best time of day
- Sunset boat ride
- How long to spend
- 2–3 hours including a boat ride
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Families
- Suitable for families
Location
Lake Pichola, Old City, Udaipur, Rajasthan 313001
Udaipur, Rajasthan, India
24.57200, 73.67900
Get directionsPhotos
Lake Pichola at sunset. Photo: UnpetitproleX / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 On a boat on Lake Pichola. Photo: Rapper&singer / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Ambrai Ghat at dusk. Photo: Professor108 / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 Gangaur Ghat. Photo: HEMLATA PANERY / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 The Lake Palace on Jag Niwas. Photo: Rapper&singer / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Lake Pichola boat ride?
The HRH boats from Rameshwar Ghat listed ₹600 per adult and ₹300 per child for the regular Jag Mandir excursion, and ₹800 / ₹450 for sunset, on a price list valid until 31 March 2026. Check the current rate before you go.
Where do boats leave from?
The HRH boats leave from Rameshwar Ghat jetty in the City Palace complex.
Is there an entry fee for Lake Pichola?
No. The lakeshore and ghats are public; only boat rides are charged.
Information sources
Where the facts on this page come from, and what still needs confirming.
Information last checked 28 September 2026
Not yet confirmed
- boat prices: published validity ended 31 March 2026
- free lakeshore access not explicitly stated by an official source
Not available yet
- 2026–27 boat prices
- private boat rates at other ghats
- HRH Group of Hotels – Jagmandir Island Palace Excursion / Boat Rides · Official site
- Wikidata – Lake Pichola (Q2723483) · Encyclopedia
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