My First Solo Short Trip

I wanted to travel SOLO for quite a long time but due to some of the other reasons I wasn’t able to go. So, as I was turning 30 in August I decided to give myself this gift without asking for permission or any kind of approval from anyone, especially my parents.

I booked a Sleeper ticket from Indore to Udaipur (Veer-Bhumi Express), I was open about staying either 2 day or 3 days in Udaipur, as it was forecasted that there would be heavy rains. I thought I would check the weather and then decide if I would stay for 1 night or 2.

I booked a bed in a dorm in Zostel Udaipur for two nights as I was not sure of the stay. As the whole trip was kind of a budget cum first solo travel, I wanted to save my money wherever I could. And I had been following Zostel from the very beginning yet was not able to be there, it was the perfect opportunity.

I was very excited and very pumped up because it was one of my few independent decisions. I was a bit confused about everything, how to pack, what to take with me, what all are necessities, and many how’s and what’s… Then I just decided to pack 4 things, 2 pairs of footwear and some basic toiletries and Bedsheets as I was traveling in sleeper class.

The train started at 5.50 PM from Indore and reached Udaipur at 4.50 AM. I took an auto from the railway station to Zostel, which took around 15 min and Rs. 150 as it was very early in the morning.

I waited in the common room of Zostel as the check-in time is 12 PM, so I thought of taking some rest. I freshened up and dressed up around 9 to go to Udaipur City Palace, as it opens at 9.30 AM, I thought of utilizing my time before I check-in.

I took the ticket and was roaming by myself was clicking pictures, a guide for city palace Museum came and asked if I wanted a guide for the City Palace and that he would click good pictures of me. I took him as a guide and he captured some great photos. It took around 2 hours to see the museum, could have taken more if I would be exploring on my own. If ever you visit City Palace Museum, have 3-4 hours for the place.

Then I went back to the Zostel, checked in my dorm and had 1 Aaloo Paratha and a cup of hot coffee at the rooftop restaurant of zostel, it was so peaceful there that I was just mesmerized by the view from the rooftop and the serenity of the place. Zostel plans some of the other activities for the day and for that day it was a trek to Badi Lake/ Tiger Lake/ Bahubali hills.

Bahubali hills were one of the main reasons I wanted to visit Udaipur in the first place because it is one of the places I wanted to see. I saw some images of it on Instagram and I fell in love with that place. So, Zostel volunteer Rishabh Goel took a small group of 6 people and was very helpful in the whole trek, as I am not fit for any hike and I wore sandals and not shoes, I was a bit slower than the rest of the group but Rishabh continuously kept a check on me, if I was okay or needed some help and motivated me to go for it. P.S. Please take your sports shoes (preferably not white) as it would be more comfortable.

To know more about Bahuballi hills/ Tiger Lake do check out my other Blog “Mesmerizing Lake”.

We after the trek returned to the Zostel and we were drenched in rain on the way back, so freshened up in Zostel and had the dinner and fun time with other zostellers.

Second Day was not that productive and a lazy day for me, I visited Ambrai Ghat from where you can see City Palace, Taj Hotel, Oberoi Hotel and enjoy the lake view with a cool breeze. I made a friend there, who was also traveling solo, I helped her with some photographs and she took some of mine, we spent some time talking at Hotel Ambrai which is a very good Restaurant. After that we went to have some lunch, we had White sauce pasta at 109 Café, it was delicious.

I went back to Zostel for some rest as I wanted to see the cultural program at Bagore Ki Haveli. But for that, you need to stand in a Queue at 6PM for the 7 PM show, but the show is very traditional so that the audience knows the culture of Rajasthan in 1 hour. After the show, I was to go for some shopping but most of the shops around were closed at 8 PM. So sat for some time on Gangaur Ghat and went back to Zostel.

On the third day, I went to Eklingji Temple, a famous royal temple of Lord Shiva, which is around 1 hour from the main market. There are public or shared vehicles to reach but I went by an auto-rickshaw because I wanted to come early. As it was the last Shravan Monday that day, the temple was crowded, but the temple and surroundings are beautiful. From there I went to Saas Bahu temple which does not have any idols to worship but the temples are clearly made by Hindus with mythology carved on the walls of the temple.

Friends at Zostel decided to have lunch together at Jheel’s Restaurant, a Pichola Lake views restaurant and then go visit the Sajjangarh Palace commonly known as Monsoon Palace or romantic getaway of the king. The ride to Sajjan Garh was good and the view from there of the whole city just took my heart away. I took many photos and enjoyed it a lot, there too, I made 2 German friends. After that, I came back to the Zostel and picked my bag as I had my return train to Indore at 8.30 PM.

This was my first solo trip, very short but I believe everything starts small. It is just starting for my solo trips. I haven’t seen many places in Udaipur as I was there for only 3 days and did not want to do every place in a hush.

To conclude:

I had 2.5 days to roam and see places in Udaipur, I completed my trip in less than 5K which includes my travel and food and drinks expenses too.

I visited Udaipur Palace, Bahubali hills (Tiger Lake), Fateh Sagar Lake, Lake Pichola, Ambrai ghat, Bagore ki Haveli and the traditional programs, Eklingji Temple, Saas Bahu Temple, Monsoon Palace. I could have visited more places but I was in no rush to see every place in just 3 days, I might visit again and check out other places in and around Udaipur.