Quick answer: The main Lake Pichola boat ride leaves from Rameshwar Ghat inside the City Palace complex and stops at Jag Mandir island. Expect roughly ₹400–600 for an adult day ride and ₹700–800 for the sunset ride (2025–26 prices; foreigners pay more). Rides run from about 10 AM until sunset and last around an hour with the island stop. Book the last ride before sunset.
Every photo of Udaipur you’ve ever seen was probably taken on or across Lake Pichola. The City Palace rising straight out of the water. The white Taj Lake Palace floating in the middle. Jag Mandir on its own island to the south. You can see all of it from the shore, but the boat is the only way to see the palace walls from the angle they were built to be seen from.
Lake Pichola Boat Ride at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Main boarding point | Rameshwar Ghat (City Palace complex) |
| Other boarding points | Municipal boat point near the old city; some hotels run private boats |
| Day ride (adult, Indian) | Approx. ₹400–600 |
| Sunset ride (adult, Indian) | Approx. ₹700–800 |
| Foreign nationals | Higher, roughly ₹700–1,000+ |
| Children | Usually about half the adult fare |
| Duration | 45–60 min with the Jag Mandir stop |
| Operating hours | Roughly 10 AM to sunset; last departures earlier in winter |
Prices change by season and operator, and the official tariff is revised each year. Confirm at the counter on the day.
A Short History of Lake Pichola
Lake Pichola is older than Udaipur. A Banjara grain trader is said to have built a dam here in the 14th century, creating a lake named after the nearby village of Picholi. When Maharana Udai Singh II chose this spot for his new capital in 1559, the lake was the reason. Water in a dry region meant the city could survive a siege, and the hills around it gave natural protection.
He and his successors enlarged the lake, built palaces on its shore and islands in its middle, and linked it to other lakes through channels. Today it’s roughly 4 km long and 3 km wide, though the shoreline changes a lot between a dry summer and a wet September.
Where Do Lake Pichola Boats Leave From?
There are two options most visitors choose between, and they’re quite different experiences.
Rameshwar Ghat (City Palace). The best-known ride, run by the palace’s own hospitality group. You reach the jetty through the City Palace complex, which usually means buying a complex entry ticket as well. The boat circles the lake past the Lake Palace and lands at Jag Mandir, where you get time to walk around. This is the one we recommend for first-time visitors.
The municipal boat point. Cheaper rides that loop the lake without landing on any island. Fine if you only want the view from the water and you’re watching the budget.
A few lakeside hotels and havelis also run private boats for their guests, sometimes with dinner. They’re more expensive but far quieter.
Day Ride or Sunset Ride?
The sunset ride costs more, sells out first, and is worth it.
Board 30–45 minutes before sunset. You’ll watch the City Palace turn from cream to gold as the light drops, the ghats fill with people, and the lights come on across the old city as you come back in. In peak season (November to February), the sunset slots can fill by early afternoon, so buy your ticket when you arrive at the palace in the morning.
Day rides are better for photographs of the architecture in clear light, and they’re calmer. Families with young children often find a late-morning ride easier than a crowded evening one.
Our view: if you’re only doing one, do sunset.
What You See from the Water
The City Palace
From the boat you see the full length of the palace, more than 240 metres of balconies, towers and cupolas built up over four centuries by the Mewar rulers. It’s far more impressive from the lake than from inside the courtyards. If you’re planning to visit inside too, give yourself a morning for it before the boat.
Taj Lake Palace (Jag Niwas)
The white palace in the middle of the lake was built in the 1740s as a royal summer retreat by Maharana Jagat Singh II. It’s now a luxury hotel and only hotel guests can land there. You’ll pass close enough for photos. Film fans will know it from the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy.
Jag Mandir
The island where the Rameshwar Ghat boats stop. Work on it began in the 1620s under Maharana Karan Singh and was completed by Jagat Singh I. Its most famous story: the young Prince Khurram, later the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, sheltered here during a rebellion against his father. Some say the island’s domes and inlay work inspired ideas he later used at the Taj Mahal, though that’s more legend than record.
You’ll see a row of stone elephants guarding the edge of the island, the Gul Mahal pavilion, gardens and a café. Plan 30–45 minutes on the island.
The ghats
Watch for Gangaur Ghat with its triple-arched gate, Lal Ghat, and Ambrai Ghat on the western shore, where locals and travellers gather each evening to look back at the palace.
How Long Does the Boat Ride Take?
About 45 minutes to an hour for the Rameshwar Ghat ride, including the landing at Jag Mandir. Municipal rides that don’t land are usually 20–30 minutes.
Allow longer in peak season for queuing at the jetty and boarding.
Best Time for a Lake Pichola Boat Ride
- October to March: the best season. Cool days, clear light, full lake after the monsoon.
- Sunset: the best time of day, year-round.
- July to September: the lake is at its fullest and the hills are green. Boats may stop during heavy rain.
- April to June: hot. Take a late-afternoon ride rather than midday.
In very dry years, the water level drops and boat routes can be shortened. If you’re travelling after a weak monsoon, ask locally whether the full ride is running.
Which Boat Ride Suits You?
Couples: the sunset ride from Rameshwar Ghat, then dinner at a lakeside rooftop at Ambrai or Lal Ghat. If the budget allows, a private hotel boat is the most romantic option on the lake.
Families with young children: a late-morning ride. It’s calmer, cooler and less crowded, and the Jag Mandir stop gives children time to stretch their legs. Carry snacks and water.
Photographers: a day ride for the architecture in clear light, and a second visit to Ambrai Ghat after dark for the lit-up palace. A short zoom lens is more useful on the boat than a wide angle.
Budget travellers: the municipal boat for the view, then watch the sunset free from Ambrai Ghat or the Gangaur Ghat steps.
Elderly travellers: the Rameshwar Ghat boats are stable and the jetty is manageable, but the walk through the City Palace complex to reach it includes slopes. Ask your driver to drop you as close as possible.
Tips Before You Board
- Buy sunset tickets early. In peak season, buy them in the morning.
- Keep your City Palace ticket. You may need it to reach the Rameshwar Ghat jetty.
- Sit on the side facing the palace. On most routes, that’s the right-hand side going out.
- Carry a light jacket in winter. It gets cool on the water after sunset.
- Life jackets are provided. Make children wear them.
- Don’t expect to land at the Taj Lake Palace. Only hotel guests can.
Combining the Boat Ride with the Rest of Udaipur
The boat ride fits naturally at the end of a day in the old city: City Palace in the morning, Jagdish Temple and lunch, rest, then the sunset boat. After dark, walk to Ambrai Ghat for the lit-up palace from across the water, or catch the evening folk dance show at Bagore ki Haveli near Gangaur Ghat.
Our Udaipur sightseeing day tour builds the city’s main sights into one day with a car and driver, and our Udaipur tour packages cover two- and three-day plans with the boat ride timed for sunset. If you’d like someone to explain the palace and the lake as you go, see our local guides in Udaipur.
Plan Your Udaipur Day
We’re based in Udaipur, so we know which gate to drop you at, when the jetty queues build, and how to time your day so you’re on the water at sunset.
Call or WhatsApp +91-8619315547, or book a taxi in Udaipur.
Planning more of Rajasthan? Browse all our guides on the Rajasthan Travel Blog.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much is the Lake Pichola boat ride?
Recent prices for the main ride from Rameshwar Ghat are roughly ₹400–600 for an Indian adult by day and about ₹700–800 at sunset, with higher rates for foreign nationals and lower ones for children. Prices are revised each year, so confirm at the counter.
2. Where does the Lake Pichola boat ride start?
The main ride starts from Rameshwar Ghat inside the City Palace complex and stops at Jag Mandir. Cheaper municipal boats also run from a boat point near the old city, but they usually don’t land on any island.
3. Is the sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola worth it?
Yes. It costs more, but watching the City Palace change colour as the sun sets, then seeing the old city light up, is one of the highlights of Udaipur. Book early in peak season.
4. How long is the Lake Pichola boat ride?
The ride from Rameshwar Ghat takes about 45 minutes to an hour, including around 30 minutes on Jag Mandir island. Rides without a landing usually last 20–30 minutes.
5. Can you visit the Taj Lake Palace on the boat ride?
No. The Taj Lake Palace is a hotel and only guests can land there. The boat passes close by, so you’ll still get good photos.
6. What is Jag Mandir?
Jag Mandir is a 17th-century island palace on Lake Pichola, completed by Maharana Jagat Singh I. Prince Khurram, later Shah Jahan, is said to have sheltered there. Boats from Rameshwar Ghat stop at the island.
7. What is the best time for a boat ride on Lake Pichola?
Sunset is the best time of day. October to March is the best season, with cool weather and a full lake after the monsoon.
8. Do I need a City Palace ticket for the boat ride?
Usually yes for the Rameshwar Ghat ride, because the jetty is inside the City Palace complex. Check the current ticket rules at the palace counter.
9. Is the Lake Pichola boat ride safe for children?
Yes. Boats carry life jackets and the ride is calm. Make sure children wear their life jackets and stay seated.
10. Who built Lake Pichola?
Lake Pichola was created in the 14th century and later enlarged by Maharana Udai Singh II after he founded Udaipur in 1559. It’s named after the nearby village of Picholi.