Udaipur, One Step at a Time

Many people arrive in Udaipur with a list of palaces, lakes and viewpoints. On this trip, three of our strongest memories came from experiencing the city in motion. We walked and ran beside Fateh Sagar Lake, practised yoga at sunrise in Gulab Bagh and explored the old city on foot. None of the activities was designed as a test of speed or endurance. Together, they made fitness part of the experience rather than something separate from it. 

Our Salori Curator had kept each activity short and accessible so the whole group could take part. The pace changed from one morning to the next, but the idea remained the same: move together, notice more and let the setting shape the experience. 

When Fateh Sagar Became Our Morning Route 

Fateh Sagar Lake lies to the northwest of Udaipur, surrounded by hills and green slopes. The artificial lake was first created in the seventeenth century and later reconstructed during the reign of Maharana Fateh Singh. Its three islands include Nehru Park and the Udaipur Solar Observatory, while the maintained lakeside walkway has become a popular place for locals to spend time outdoors. 

That promenade became our route for a short morning walk or run. The group began together, but everyone found a comfortable pace. Some ran steadily, some preferred to walk and talk, and others moved between the two. With the lake on one side and the Aravalli hills in view, it never felt like a routine workout transferred to a new city. The location was part of the activity. 

There was no finish line pressure and no need to count every kilometre. What mattered was that the entire group started the day outdoors and in motion. By the time we finished, we had already seen a quieter side of Fateh Sagar, before the day around the lake became busier. 

Sunrise and Stillness at Gulab Bagh 

Gulab Bagh, also known as Sajjan Niwas Garden, offered a very different setting. This historic garden is one of Udaipur’s major green spaces and contains the Bird Park, Saraswati Library, Navalakha Mahal and Kamal Talai within its grounds. Mature trees, open lawns and long pathways make it a place for walking, pausing and spending time away from the traffic of the city. 

Our sunrise yoga session was gentle and unhurried. After the energy of the lakeside walk and run, yoga brought attention to breathing, mobility and balance. The group included different levels of experience, so the session was not about difficult postures. It gave everyone space to stretch, settle into the morning and enjoy practising outdoors. 

The location gave the session its character. Gulab Bagh was not simply a scenic background. Its greenery and sense of space changed the rhythm of the morning, reminding us that wellbeing can be built into a journey without taking us away from the destination. 

Udaipur at Walking Pace 

The heritage walk brought movement and history together. Udaipur’s old city precinct is closely layered around Lake Pichola. The City Palace rises above the eastern bank, Jagdish Temple stands nearby, and Bagore Ki Haveli occupies a prominent position at Gangaur Ghat. Between these landmarks are lanes filled with homes, small temples, shops, workshops and everyday neighbourhood life. 

Walking helped us understand how closely these different parts of Udaipur sit beside one another. A palace view led into a market lane. Temple carvings appeared above a busy street. Old havelis opened towards the lake. With local context along the way, the walk became more than a route between attractions. It showed how Udaipur’s history continues to live within the city rather than only behind museum doors. 

It was also another form of fitness, though it never felt like an exercise session. We covered ground gradually, climbed steps, paused to look at architectural details and kept moving through streets that would have been easy to miss from a vehicle. The curiosity of the walk made the effort feel natural. 

Fitness Without Turning It into a Challenge 

The three activities used movement differently. The walk or run at Fateh Sagar brought energy. Yoga at Gulab Bagh added stretching, breath and balance. The heritage walk kept us active while taking us deeper into Udaipur’s architecture and local life. 

What made the experience inclusive was the freedom to participate at an individual pace while remaining part of the group. Nobody needed to be a regular runner or an experienced yoga practitioner. The purpose was not to prove anything. It was to feel more present in the place we had travelled to see. 

What Stayed With Us 

Udaipur is often remembered through its lakes, palaces and sunset views. We remember those too, but we also remember how the city felt beneath our feet: the open stretch beside Fateh Sagar, the quiet of Gulab Bagh in the morning and the changing textures of the old city as we walked through it. 

The experience showed us that fitness on a holiday does not need to mean a demanding schedule. It can be a short run with a view, yoga beneath the trees or a heritage walk that keeps the body moving while the city reveals itself. In Udaipur, movement did not take time away from sightseeing. It became one of the best ways to experience the city.