Bahubali Hills Udaipur: The ULTIMATE Guide To Badi Lake

Are you planning a visit to the breathtaking Bahubali Hills & Badi Lake?

This post will detail everything you need to know about Badi Lake and Bahubali Hills Udaipur, including how to get there and what to expect, updated for 2024.

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Are you visiting the romantic City of Lakes in India? But perhaps you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten-path spot away from the tourists?

Badi Lake and Bahubali Hills are total hidden gems in Udaipur. They are perfect spots for nature lovers and sunset chasers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

A trip to the Bahubali Hills viewpoint to appreciate the panoramic view of Badi Lake is one of the best things to do in Udaipur.

These captivating views are just 30 minutes away from Udaipur and are a total oasis of serenity. This is also one of the best picnic spots near Udaipur.

If you’re interested in moderate trekking in Udaipur or perhaps the best Udaipur sunset spot, then you have to add Badi Lake and Bahubali Hills to your Rajasthan itinerary.

It is also one of the best views we saw during our whole trip to India!

In this post, we will cover everything you need to know about visiting the enchanting Badi Lake and Bahubali Hills viewpoint in Udaipur, updated for 2024.

History of Badi Lake

Badi Lake is an artificial freshwater lake constructed by Maharana Jai Singh towards the end of the 1600s. The lake was named after the local village Badi.

The lake was constructed to combat the devastating effects of famine and drought ravaging the region.

This initiative was widely successful and the lake became a primary source of water again during the droughts in 1973.

Badi Lake is one of the top unexplored places in Udaipur and attracts fewer tourists than the more popular Pichola or Fateh Sagar Lake. In fact, this spot is fairly unknown to some locals too.

Badi Lake and the surrounding Bahubali Hills are therefore fantastic Udaipur tourist spots for nature lovers looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center.

If you’re looking for breathtaking panoramic views and an oasis of peace and tranquility, this is one of the best places to visit near Udaipur.

Why is it called Bahubali Hills Udaipur?

As this has only become a well-known tourist spot in recent years, the name itself is also quite new. To the locals, the scenic viewpoint which overlooks Badi Lake was commonly known as ‘Badi Hills’.

However, apparently, the dramatic scenery is reminiscent of the landscape in a famous Indian movie, ‘Bahubali’.

Foreigners particularly but locals gradually began adopting this name for this Udaipur viewpoint.

How to get to Badi Lake and Bahubali Hills from Udaipur?

Badi Lake and the Bahubali Hills viewpoint are located about 12km from Udaipur. They can be easily accessed either with your own method of transport or tuk-tuk/taxi in about 30 minutes.

As far as I know, there are not any organised tours to Badi Lake. As it is a more off-the-beaten-path Udaipur tourist spot, these options are your best bet.

By scooter

We rented a scooter for 300 INR per day ($3.60) and followed the Google Maps location to reach Badi Lake. The journey is pretty straightforward and the roads are quite well-maintained.

The landscape is very scenic on the way there. It is beautiful to drive around the lake and appreciate it from this perspective.

Hiring your own scooter and heading out to the countryside away from the big cities is one of the best things to do in India.

This helps you discover a different side to this country and a slower pace of life amongst the locals.

After taking the time to admire the lake at ground level, you can head north around the lake to the Google Maps location Bahuballi Hills.

Note: on Google Maps it is spelled Bahuballi.

When you arrive at this location, you can park your scooter. You will then have a short 15-minute hike up to the viewpoint. The hike itself is not steep or strenuous at all and inclines gradually.

By tuk-tuk

If you choose to come by tuk-tuk or taxi, this should set you back no more than 1000 INR ($12) for the return trip. With a bit of haggling, you could even get this down to 500 rupees.

Most tuk-tuk drivers know the lake and viewpoint well, so they will happily drop you off where you need to go. When you arrive at Bahubali Hills, you will still need to do a short hike up to the viewpoint.

As the area is totally secluded, make sure to speak with your driver and ask them to wait for you while you explore.

Must Read: The BEST Udaipur Itinerary For 3 Days, 2 Nights

Entrance fee to Bahubali Hills and Badi Lake Udaipur

There is no official entry fee for Badi Lake or Bahubali Hills. However, you will find some locals charging a small fee to enter.

When arriving at Badi Lake we paid 15 INR ($0.18). At the Bahubali Hills viewpoint, we paid a further 10 INR ($0.12).

What to expect

Badi Lake

When you first arrive at Badi Lake, there is a small car park to leave your scooter or tuk-tuk driver. Here, you will also pay the entrance fee.

When you first catch a glimpse of the lake and see how the sun glistens on the surface, it is simply mesmerising. It is easy to understand how this is one of the most beautiful natural places near Udaipur.

There are a few white pavilions dotted along the lake which. They are ideal to sit and take in the peaceful atmosphere and beauty of the lake.

These moments of pure serenity can be hard to come by in India. Apart from another couple, we were the only people here!

These white pavilions also make for stunning photo opportunities. If you’re lucky, you might catch a loved-up couple having their wedding photos.

Udaipur is known for its lavish weddings in general and this spot in particular is very popular. It is easy to understand why!

Bahubali Hills

Whilst it is well worth taking the time to appreciate the lake from ground level, the viewpoint from Bahubali Hills is simply breathtaking and the real star of the show.

From the viewpoint of Bahubali Hills, you have a panoramic view of Badi Lake and the surrounding Aravalli mountain range. When we reached the top, I physically gasped at how beautiful it was.

The landscape is rough, rocky, and dotted with cactus trees. In the late afternoon, the soft colours of the sky contrast spectacularly with the deep blue of the lake.

You could easily spend a couple of hours marvelling at the view and enjoying the calm vibe. It is a great idea to bring some food, as this is one of the best picnic spots in Udaipur.

We saw no other foreign tourists here, just a handful of local tourists who were more than happy to help us snapping photos.

This is also one of the best sunset spots in Udaipur, significantly less crowded than the popular Monsoon Palace.

In fact, this Udaipur viewpoint actually overlooks the Monsoon Palace, which stands far in the distance.

If you’re a lover of secluded natural beauty, stunning sunsets, and tranquility, then you cannot miss this as one of the most stunning natural and unexplored places in Udaipur.

It was actually the highlight of our Udaipur itinerary.

Must Read: EVERYTHING You Need To Know About Saheliyon Ki Bari Udaipur

The best time to visit Badi Lake and Bahubali Hills Udaipur

The best time to visit Badi Lake and Bahubali Hills is undoubtedly for sunrise or sunset. This is one of the best tourist spots in Udaipur to appreciate the changing colours of the sky.

Visiting Badi Lake for sunrise or sunset also means you will avoid the peak heat of the day and you will not run into so many tourists.

We visited in the late afternoon for sunset and I could not recommend this more.

The best time of year to visit Badi Lake and Bahubali Hills coincides with the best time to visit Udaipur in general. This would be between September – March.

After March, the weather starts to get significantly hotter and can feel a little suffocating at times. When visiting India, it is also best to avoid the monsoon season which is June – August.

We visited in January and had beautiful weather with sunshine during the day and cool evenings.

I have also heard that Badi Lake, in particular, is nice to visit just after the monsoon, as the mountains enjoy a vibrant green colour and the area is covered in vegetation.

Where to stay in Udaipur?

When visiting the extraordinary City of Lakes, you cannot miss a chance to stay in Shalom Backpackers.

With luxurious 5-star rooms but the social vibe of a hostel, this Udaipur accommodation offers the best of both worlds.

Modern amenities with a traditional aesthetic make this the perfect place to stay in Udaipur for solo travellers, couples, or groups.

Located in the heart of the city by Gangaur Ghat with views of Lake Pichola, the location could not be better.

Shalom Backpackers offers a stunning terrace, shared lounge, restaurant, and even a swimming pool!

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Is Udaipur worth visiting?

Udaipur is definitely worth visiting and should be very high on your India itinerary.

Located in Rajasthan, Udaipur is the perfect city for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and those looking for an oasis of tranquility.

From breathtaking lakes and natural beauty to luxurious palaces and extraordinary architecture, walking the streets of Udaipur is like being transported to another time in history entirely.

Known as the Venice of the East, the city is absolutely teeming with history and culture and there are many amazing and unique things to do.