What if we told you that you can escape the bustling city of Udaipur for a quiet, relaxing and scenic sunset? Bahubali Hill, overlooking Badi Lake, will be that peaceful evening trip you’re looking for. It’s not hard to find your way here but it’s also not super straightforward, especially since you won’t find this name on Google Maps. Keep reading to plan your visit the right way and know what to expect.
Are you planning to visit India? Start here:
Bahubali Hill – The best sunset point in Udaipur
If you’re chasing sunsets in India, then add Bahubali Hill to your list: it is arguably the best spot to admire the sunset in Udaipur.
The city of lakes offers several viewpoints where you can watch the sunset, ranging from the Monsoon Palace to Karni Mata temple, all of which are worth checking out. Fun fact about the Monsoon Palace; it was built to admire the dark clouds of the monsoon. As the name suggests, it offers a 360-degree view over the valleys surrounding Udaipur, which during monsoon season must offer a particular view. While the Monsoon Palace is beautiful and it’s considered by many as the best sunset spot in Udaipur, nothing beats the natural landscape that can be found in Bahubali Hill.
When searching for Bahubali Hill you will come across Badi Lake. The Bahubali Hill, as the name suggests, is an elevated point offering the most scenic views of the lake.
Fun fact: the place is known amongst locals as Badi hills, but it became popular (especially amongst foreigners) as Bahubali hills, reportedly as it recalls the scenery of the famous Indian movie “Bahubali”.
We’re sure you won’t need much convincing of this after you’ve finished reading our post!
Looking for more things to do in Udaipur? Make sure to visit the Ahar Cenotaphs and Ambrai Ghat.
About Badi Lake near Bahubali Hill
We’ve mentioned Badi lake, now what about it? Well, Badi Lake is actually an artificial lake located about 12km north of Udaipur, surrounded by the Aravalli Hills. It was created in the late 17th century by the ruler of Mewar, Maharana Raj Singh I, as a reservoir to curb the effects of a devastating famine that struck his land. Today the lake remains an important one for the nearby area as it still provides people with a supply of fresh water.
Today the water of Badi Lake is the cleanest in Udaipur, and its surroundings make it the perfect place for relaxing and escaping the bustling streets of the city as it’s completely free from commercial activity.
How to get to Bahubali Hill
If you’re wondering how you reach Bahubali Hill, your best bet will be to get a rickshaw driver or taxi from Udaipur. Even though there is no pin precisely locating “Bahubali” on Google Maps (there is one but it’s in Hindi, ” बाहुबली हिल ” ), just ask the driver about Bahubali Hill and he will immediately know the location and drop-off point as it’s a hot destination.
Below is the exact location of the Bahubali Hill viewpoint:
When planning, note that the Bahubali Hill viewpoint is only accessible on foot. From the city centre, the parking of Bahubali is about 12km away and it takes about 30 minutes by car or slightly more than that by rickshaw. Below you can find the route details as well as the exact location of the parking lot.
The drive is quite smooth and it passes through some very quiet areas, but keep your camera ready as there will be some interesting sights on the way!
Bahubali Hill – Hike details
From the parking lot, you will spot a little trail going up on the right side. The hike starts here, and – overall – it’s a short and easy one to reach the top of Bahubali Hill. The path is very dusty, but not particularly slippery, and it’s easy to walk up.
The incline is also very modest, which makes it accessible to everyone. At the top of the hill, a local man set up a rudimental tent where he sells some basic goods. He keeps a horse to – supposedly – bring the goods up the trail.
From here, keep walking in the direction of the sun and you’ll soon reach the spot you see in the Bahubali Hill pictures.
Entrance Fee
Yes. It’s hard to believe but there is a fee for everything in India, even for climbing Bahubali Hill!
Sitting at the beginning of the trail we found some locals asking for a 10 rupee fee. Honestly, there is no way these “ticket areas” are legit, but everyone was paying it (mostly locals) and it was just $0.12 USD so we sort of went with the flow. Our driver also warned us that we should expect to have to pay a small fee upon arrival.
Why Bahubali Hill is the best sunset point in Udaipur
If you’ve been to India in the past or you’re currently travelling through the country, you’ve probably experienced what we’re about to say. With a population of over 1.4 billion people, it’s no question that India is crowded. Whether it’s day or night, it is always crowded. Always.
While it is beautiful to see the streets and terraces full, and the sounds of the city, it can feel overwhelming at times and you may find yourself wanting to spend some days in quieter more relaxing environments. Bahubali Hill offers a break from this constant chaos, and even though there will still be people here to watch the sun setting behind the mountains, the place really is a peaceful oasis in an otherwise busy hustle and bustle city.
– Is Bahubali Hill a better sunset point than the Monsoon Palace?
If you ask us, it is. The Monsoon Palace is still a very beautiful place to visit, but you will find SO MANY people at sunset. If you’re looking for something quieter, then Bahubali Hill is the best choice.
Things to keep in mind
Leave Udaipur in time – Keep in mind that you’ll need about 30 minutes to reach the parking lot and an extra 15-20 minutes to climb the hill. In addition to that, the sun sets behind the mountains which means that you want to get there as early as possible, otherwise, you’ll miss the window of time for the sunset.
Ask your driver to wait for you – Bahubali Hill is far from Udaipur and there are no shops or accommodations/houses nearby. This means you won’t find any rickshaws here on the way back, and it’s wise to ask your driver to stay until you are done.
Expect to find some pre-wedding photoshoots – Pre-wedding photoshoots are a huge thing in India, and Bahubali Hill seems to be a popular spot amongst young couples and photographers. Even on a regular day, we found 3 couples shooting their photos here at sunset.
Bring a headlight – If you plan on visiting Bahubali Hill before sunrise or you want to stay longer after the sun sets, bringing a headlight would be wise. Bahubali Hill is far from the city and there are no lights along the trail.
Best time to visit Bahubali Hill
Sunset is the best time of the day to visit Bahubali Hills, but you can also opt to hike it in the morning. At sunrise, there will be even fewer people, and the sun rises from a nice spot too.
For what concerns the best season to visit Bahubali Hill, you need to remember India is affected by a very wet and a very dry season, During the monsoon season (mid-June to September) everything is lush and green, while from December onwards the landscape will begin to look dryer as the months pass, with less vegetation and an orange-ish tint.
Probably the monsoon season is the best time to visit Bahubali Hill, but we’ve been during winter (January) and the views were just as spectacular.
Where to stay in Udaipur
Udaipur’s accommodation scene is a harmonious blend of opulence, heritage, and modern comfort, befitting the city’s royal legacy and picturesque surroundings. The city offers a diverse range of lodging options that cater to various preferences and budgets.
BEST HOSTELS: Dreamyard Udaipur (from $10 USD/night per person) – amazing rooftop and great reviews, recommended for solo travellers. Musafir Hostel Udaipur (from $8 USD/night per person) – great location and awesome common areas. Hostel Mantra (from $12 USD/night per person) – amazing hostel vibes and view!
ON A BUDGET: Nandini Paying Guest House ($10 USD/night for two people), Black Pepper Home Stay (from $10 USD/night for two people).
MID-RANGE: Lassi Guest House (from $25 USD/night for two people), Tamasha Udaipur (from $28 USD/night for two people).
LUXURY: The Experience Resort (from $120 USD/night for two people), Taj Fateh Prakash Palace Udaipur (from $560 USD/night for two people).
BACKPACKERS IN THE WORLD’S RECOMMENDATIONS: When it comes to selecting accommodation in Udaipur, there are some great options! If we were to revisit the City of Lakes with someone, we’d definitely consider Tamasha Udaipur for its excellent value for money. As solo travelers, our top choices for a bunk-bed would be either Hostel Mantra or Dreamyard—they stand out as the best hostels in town. It’s a close call, but Mantra probably wins for its great vibes and stunning views.
[…] Visiting Udaipur? Don’t miss Bahubali Hill – the best sunset spot in Udaipur! […]