Today, whether you are a luxury vagabond or a toffee-nosed luxury snob, deeply immersive experiential travel is the cement that binds you to the places and communities you visit. In return these engagements resound deeply with our need for physical, emotional, and intellectual fulfilment.
Experiential luxury travel with friends and family has been given a global heft with a more mindful travelling community the world over. Climate change, environmental issues and unprecedented health-related concerns have charged us to grab those fleeting moments of rose blooms amongst the thorns of challenges that come our way.
Captivating Udaipur, the city of lakes and fairytale palaces, historic temples, and lavish gardens offers some of the most thrilling aspects of experiential luxury travel. This erstwhile royal city of Rajasthan’s Mewar rulers still exudes the majesty and opulence of kingly ways. Its luxurious palace hotels, festivals rich with pomp and show and antique bazaars where one may find delight-giving gems of its glorious crafting heritage, supported by the royal patronage are par for the course for the discerning visitor. What furthers this private deep-dive cultural engagement with Udaipur is the warmth and hospitality of its friendly people.
Udaipur serves as a wonderful bridge between your uber-refined luxury indulgences and desire for a more meaningful, value-added interface with its communities and culture. While the First City of Mewar, dating to the 16th century, is globally recognized for its royal Rajput antecedents, not every traveller is aware of its deep-rooted connections with its tribal communities such as the Bhils, the Garasia and the Meenas the largest tribal group, spread over various regions in Rajasthan. These two divergent worlds hold the promise of some truly exhilarating cross-cultural experiences of personal discovery and growth for the guest.
Udaipur offers a wonderful selection of design boutique hotels and family-owned luxury villas, which offer a more personalized experience of the city hospitality. Interfaces with the local taxi drivers, the street vendors in the community neighbourhood, the boatman plying his native craft across Lake Pichola for your grand dinner at the luxurious Lake Palace hotel, all offer opportunities for deeper communication with the local people and their everyday world. These job-creating actionable activities also are simple but vital ways for you to give back to local communities and support their economy.
Nestled by Lake Pichola the City Palace Museum with its lavish collections of textiles and costumes, jewellery and weaponry, artworks and luxurious artefacts throws into relief the royal life. Unmissable too are the unique Crystal Gallery and the Vintage Car Museum which wing you back to generations of royal privilege and luxury pursuits. Do hire a local guide for your explorations for a more personalized tour of the museums and their importance in Udaipur’s touristy offerings.
A guided tour of the heritage expanses of Udaipur’s streets and historic sites, with an expert will add a fresh outlook to your wanderings on your own around town. You’ll get to meet with the locals and enjoy direct interfaces with artisans engaged in jewellery making, pottery and bamboo craft. In the atmospheric Clock Tower area you’ll find weaponry vending shops, silver and gold smiths and gemstone vendors. As you stroll around the city you are bound to discover popular legends and religious beliefs of different communities who have settled here over time. Discover old shrines by the lakeshores, visit a stepwell ( a vivid reminder of Rajasthan’s ancient water harvesting traditions), and even share a cuppa with a local family still residing in an over 100-year-old home still remarked for its fresco paintings and mirror work.
From candlelight dinners by an iconic lake to private hands-on cooking class with locally sourced organic produce, from a traditional English high tea at a posh hotel to leisurely luncheons at a local farm—your gourmet dreams can be indulged aplenty in this royal city. An exclusive private cultural programme offers delight-giving back-stage moments with the performers.
At Shilpgram, a village cooperative for the tribal and rural artisans to showcase their art, pick up souvenirs and gifts for friends and family. On your bike tour here don’t miss the hand painted murals on the outer walls of the homes of the villagers.
For a more authentic take of Udaipur’s community connections do plan a visit to the Bhil community, settled on the city outskirts. The Aravalli range in Udaipur district is home to many rivers and has a rich biodiversity; 43% of the area is under forest cover. The ancestors of the Bhils are legendary for conserving and managing the forests based on their tribal customary law. Led by an organic farming expert (who is actively involved with local farming communities to promote organic farming) you get to meet the inhabitants of a small Bhil settlement in the Aravali foothills. You will get a first-hand introduction to their traditions and culture as well as their indigenous organic farming methods. Your wanderings take you to the local market awash with chai stalls and shops selling sundry items for the daily needs of the village community.
Your luxury tour of Udaipur is sure to ignite the story teller in you. Return home with gifts and souvenirs and wow your friends and family with the shiny moments and thrilling experiences that will remain embedded in your memory for years to come.