Heritage Tour : Private Boat, Havelis, City Walk & High Tea

Your itinerary starts at a private jetty where you climb aboard Roopmati, a private, heritage boat named after the legendary poet-queen of Mandu. ‘She’ is the perfect vehicle to set sail on one of India’s largest man made lakes.The mighty Aravallis rise on the horizon as you turn a corner while family mansions (havelis), luxury hotels, temples, ancient chabutaras (raised platforms for bird feeding) and Pichola’s iconic waterfronts (ghats) are strung like glowing pearls around Pichola’s neckline. As your eyes take in the pristine views, your ears will be rapt in the anecdotes narrated by your friendly Strode Guide fopr the next 45 minutes. From legendary tales of Taj Lake Palace - a global icon of Indian hospitality and luxury - to the architectural brilliance of Jag Mandir (a floating island palace) and the secrets of Gangaur Ghat, your ride comes with great storytelling perks.

After a short walk from the jetty, you’ll pick up your Strode e-bikes and cycle parallel to Lake Pichola towards the Old City. Cross the historic Chandpole Gate and head to Jagdish Mandir flanked by a bustling market; a street shopper’s dream. From 1000-year old silver jewellery to leather artefacts,juttis (footwear) wallets and macrame bags, this vibrant maze of bylanes has many treasures lurking within them. Once again, your trusted Strode Guide leads you to the best routes and coolest pit stops. Even for those who just want to cycle and chill, expect small nuggets of delightful information on the local architecture as you stop to take photographs. Across Chandrapole, Ambrai Ghat, Ghanta Ghar and Gangaur Ghat, it’s a fun ride through centuries of a rich, proud culture. End your exploration at a secret spot where you can witness a grand union of Nature’s beauty blending with Udaipur’s man-made wonders. Keep those cameras ready!

If you've been fascinated by the valour of Rajput warriors, this is your chance to sharpen your knowledge on a local legend that contributed handsomely to several victories on the battlefields of Mewar. Ebiking back from the Old City, you’ll stop at an unassuming place - Udaipur’s only surviving handcrafted sword maker's workshop, for a 30 minute meet and greet with Mr Santosh. A descendant of the Sikligar clan, his family has crafted weapons for Mewar’s rulers for over five generations.This master sword-maker talks you through the processes involved in crafting talwars(sword), Mewari daggers and Damascus knife. Observe the fascinating ‘Zawar’ code, a symbol-based indigenous language carved on the blades of damascus knives. You can hold the weapons in your hands (don't run away with them!) while Santoshji shows you the proper techniques of welding these magnificent weapons. Learn, marvel and strike a pose - it’s your shining moment to be a Rajput warrior for a few precious minutes!

Coming back to where your tour started, step into the resplendent Udai Kothi, a luxurious boutique hotel. It’s where Roopmati - the heritage boat that ferried you around Lake Pichola - is tethered alongside a 30-seater partner boat Baz Bahadur, named after her legendary husband. The royal tales narrated by the eloquent and dynamic hotel owner, whose revival work of tikri (glass mosaic) adorns the mansion along with heritage artefacts. Post the warm Mewari hospitality and a tour of the haveli, you’ll partake of a jolly mug of the house beer at Kalali, the hotel’s own brewery. Optionally, you can savour a high tea on the hotel terrace with great views and invigorating company. Sip on delicate flower-infused teas and bite into croissants. In under three hours, you’ve explored the old city and are back to gazing out at the serene Lake Pichola, from a new, equally stunning angle. It’ll be a thoughtfully curated moment for your sublime ‘hero shot’ in Udaipur.