A Guide to Boating in Rajasthan

When you think about Rajasthan being a “Land of Deserts” you envision the huge palaces and Haveli, tempting foods, gorgeous handicrafts, and grandeur forts. But do you know that apart from all these things the other thing which Rajasthan is well known for? It is Boating. You have read it right. Now you might be wondering how can one do boating in Rajasthan when the land itself is named “Dessert King”. If you are curious about why we are naming Rajasthan the best place to the boat is something that you can only be able to figure out once you start reading our blog. 

Boating is a popular activity in Rajasthan and the state boasts some of the best boating destinations in India. Popular boating spots in Rajasthan include Udaipur’s Lake Pichola, Jaipur’s Dravyavati River, and Pushkar Lake. Boat rides on the serene waters of Lake Pichola are especially popular among tourists. Visitors can also take a boat ride on the Chambal River, which offers spectacular views of the Aravalli Mountains. Boaters can find a variety of boats available for hire, including houseboats, motorboats, rowboats, and paddleboats.

The very first on our list is known for its boating and its splendid beauty is Udaipur’s well-known Lake, Pichola. Lake Pichola is named after the Picholi village in Udaipur. It is said that Lake Pichola is one of the oldest man-made lakes in Udaipur. With that as you take a boating ride you will also get to see the famous Lake Palace (Jag Niwas) and Lake Garden Palace (Jag Mandir). 

Traveller Information:

• Location: Udaipur
• Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM 
• Best time to visit: July to February

Things to do:

• Other Places to visit: Lake Palace (Jag Niwas) and Lake Garden Palace (Jag Mandir). 

The next on our list is another lake from the “City of Lakes” Udaipur. If you are in Udaipur and want to try boating then take a trip to this lake which is surrounded by hills and woods all around. This lake is an artificial lake that was named after the late Maharana Fateh Singh. Some people even named Fateh Sagar Lake the “Second Kashmir” due to how beautiful the mountains and the clear blue water look. 

Traveller Information:

• Location: Udaipur
• Timings: 10 AM to 6 PM 
• Best time to Visit: All around the year

Things to do:

• Other Places to visit: Nehru Park, Udaipur Solar Observatory, and the Public Park 

About 30 feet deep towards the dam that lies to its west, Nakki Lake is said to be the major tourist attraction that one could visit in the Aravali range. Apart from Nakki Lake, you would also notice the majestic Toad Rock and Sunset point which is close to the public. Boating is considered the best activity in Nakki Lake which grabs the attention of a lot of travellers. One could also take part in horse riding activities if interested. 

Traveller Information:

• Location: Mount Abu, Nakki Lake 
• Timings: 9:30 AM to 6 PM 
• Best time to visit: November to February

Things to do:

• Adventurous Activities: Horse riding, picnic spot
• Other Places to visit: Raghunath Temple and Maharaja Jaipur Palace 

Next on our list is Ajmer’s renowned lake, Ana Sagar Lake. Ana Sagar Lake was built by the legendary grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan. Ana Sagar Lake is said to be spread over around 13 KM. Besides taking a boat trip one could also visit the popular Daulat Bagh Garden and the well-known Baradari which can be visited by boat. This artificial lake was built about 4.4 meters in depth.

Traveller Information:

• Location: Ajmer
• Timings: 8 AM to 8 PM 
• Best time to visit: October to March

Things to do:

• Other Places to visit: Daulat Bagh Garden and Baradari 

Located near Jodhpur, Balsamand Lake is the best spot if you are looking for a place where you can spend quality time with your family and friends. Besides boating and being a known picnic spot, Balsamand Lake is also known for its greenery and scenic beauty. It should be noted that Balsamand Lake is home to various animals and birds. In addition to animals and bird sightings, one could also go to the famous Balsamand Palace which is constructed near the Balsamand Lake. 

Traveller Information:

• Location: Mandore Road, Mandore, Jodhpur
• Timings: 6 AM to 8 PM 
• Best time to visit: October to February

Things to do:

• Activities: Bird Watching
• Other Places to visit: Balsamand Palace Lake 

Pushkar Lake is said to be one of the oldest and the holiest lakes in the whole of Rajasthan. As per the Vedas, Pushkar Lake was created by the creator of the universe lord Brahma. Other things people associate Pushkar lake with are its majestic temples and numerous ghats. Moreover, some of you may be able to spot a few fish as well as crocodiles during your trip. 

Traveller Information:

• Location: Pushkar 
• Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM 
• Best time to visit: October to February

Things to do:

• Other Places to visit: Ghats and Temples 

The reason why we have added Doodh Talai lake to our list of boating places in Rajasthan is that with the boat ride, one could also have the famous camel ride in the very same place. Along with this, one could also enjoy the horse ride. In addition to that various food stalls are set near this place so make sure you are checking them out. 

Traveller Information:

• Location: Udaipur
• Timings: 9 AM to 10 PM 
• Best time to Visit: All around the year

Things to do:

• Adventurous Activities: Camel ride, horse ride
• Other Places to visit: Lake Palace (Jag Niwas), Lake Garden Palace (Jag Mandir), Manikya Lal Verma Garden and Karni Mata temple.

If you are looking for pedal boating and rowing boat experience then you need to go to the Gadisar Lake in Jaisalmer. This lake is said to be built by the late King of Jaisalmer King Rawal Jaisal. Gadisar Lake is just less than 2 km away from the famous Jaisalmer Fort and as per the records, it is said that the water for the whole city once came from this very same Lake. 

Traveller Information:

• Location: Jaisalmer 
• Timings: 8 AM to 7 PM 
• Best time to visit: October to March

Things to do:

• Other Places to visit: Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon ki Haveli

By Air:

• The main airport in Rajasthan is Jaipur International Airport, which is connected to some of the major cities. From here you can reach several other domestic airports in Rajasthan.

By Rail:

• The major railway station in Rajasthan is Jaipur. You can also travel to other stations located in Udaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer, etc.

By Road:

• The best highway connecting Rajasthan to other states is NH8 which connects many cities of Rajasthan to the cities of other states.

We bet at first you all have been perplexed by how boating can be enjoyed in Rajasthan. Now that through this travel blog, we hope we have cleared your misconception and why we stated Rajasthan is best for boating at the start. As you all know by now, some cities in Rajasthan are well known for their pleasing boating experience (Udaipur, Pushkar, Jaipur, and Jodhpur.) So, make sure you note down some famous lakes that organise boating activities so that when you are in Rajsthan you do not miss out on this euphoric activity.