Have you ever been to a place which has completely taken you by surprise? For me that was mount abuIf you think Rajasthan is all about deserts and extravagant forts, this place is bound to change that view. Not only can this place compete with some of the popular hill stations in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, but also give them a run for its money.
If you haven’t been to Mount Abu or are planning to travel there soon, then continue reading. This is the perfect two day travel guide for you.
Nakki lake
My first and foremost recommendation has to be the nakki lake. Located at the heart of Mount Abu, this is a serene place to go boating or enjoy some amazing views! Also you can get an outstanding view of the Toad rock from the lake. There are a variety of boating options to choose from like self paddle boats or you can hire a rower. The charges for each and every category are different. I would highly highly recommend going boating here.
Cost per person – INR 200 per person
Honeymoon Point
Popular among all types of travelers, this is one of those places from where you can get an outstanding view of the valley! Unfortunately, the day we went it was all misty and we were not able to see much, but the mist made this place so enchanting! There are a lot of food stalls around the area which sell maggi, the famous dabeli and much more.
I would recommend packing the food and eating inside your car as the place is surrounded by Baboons!
Arbuda Devi Temple
As the locals describe it, Arbuda Devi Temple is a true marvel. To reach this temple you have to climb approximately 350 stairs. The entire route to the temple is scenic with designated sheds and pitstops. But I have to say some of the steps were broken so you will have to be careful around them.Another thing to keep in mind is – camera’s/phones are not allowed inside the temple, so you will have to deposit them at a makeshift counter. Also would recommend wearing something super stretchy and comfortable clothes, as you will have to bend around caves!
Toad Rock
The Toad rock is considered as a mascot of Mount Abu. This particular rock is shaped in the form of a toad. This natural phenomenon is absolutely beautiful and one of the prime attractions of Mount Abu.From here you get a birds eye view of the Nakki Lake. To reach this place you will have to trek a little bit (about 200 steps). The formation is also clearly visible from Nakki Lake.
Guru Shikhar Peak
Do you know the highest point of the Aravalli mountain range lies at Mount Abu. Gurushikar lies 1722 m above sea level and is 15 kms away from Mount Abu. From here you can get a panoramic view of the entire valley and witness some beautiful rock formations.After a short trek you can reach this point. On your way you will come across Guru Dattatreya temple, some food stalls and roughly after 30 steps the main viewing area.
The view is breathtaking and one of the top attractions of Mount Abu.
Shooting Point
One of the most mesmerizing places in Mount Abu, the shooting point gets its name as the popular Bollywood movie “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak” was shot here!This spot is on the way to Guru Shikhar Peak. With beautiful black rock formations and a view of a distant lake, this place is truly breathtaking. Another amazing place to witness the valley views from a different perspective.
Also you can click some amazing pictures for your Instagram and soak in all the goodness.
Dilwara Temple
The best way to describe this temple is – An Architectural Marvel!
The temple is made entirely out of marble and is one of the most sought after temples in India. The main attraction of this temple is a huge metal statue of the first Tirthankara, Rishabha Dev or Adinath. Besides this, there are 107 images inside the shrine that tourists can observe easily.
The detailing in this temple is beyond beautiful. Cameras and Phones are not allowed inside the temple. If you are in Mount Abu for just a day, I would highly (highly) recommend checking this beautiful place out.
Alchargarh Fort and Trek
When I reached this place thats when I realized, Mount Abu is a place of your dreams! This fort is one of the oldest forts in India (built around 1400 CE). Currently, the fort is in a dilapidated condition and has been replaced by a beautiful Jain temple.
From the fort/Jain temple begins the Achalgarh trek, picturesque and beautiful. There are various temples which come on the way and also the cottage of Mirabai. Right next to the cottage you can also find a small lake/pond, which is believed to be formed by Mirabai’s tears.
You can get a prominent view of the Guru Shikhar Peak at the end of the trek.
Cars cannot go up to the Fort so you will have to hire a jeep which will take INR 75 per person.
Other places to explore
If you have some more time in your hands you can also explore the following places –
- Trevor’s Tank – Man made crocodile breeding site
- Mount Abu Wildlife sanctuary
- Brahma Kumaris Ashram
- Sunset Point
- Champa cave
Watch my Mount Abu Vlog here ↓
How to reach
Via Train – You can take the Ahmedabad Rajdhani from Delhi and reach the Abu Road station. From the Abu Road station you can take a taxi and reach Mount Abu city center after an hour. The drive to Mount Abu is super scenic and beautiful.
Via Flight – The nearest airport to Mount Abu is the Maharana Pratap International Airport at Udaipur. From there you can take a taxi and after 3.5 hours drive you’ll reach Mount Abu.
By Road – If you are feeling adventurous you can drive down to Mount Abu from Delhi. Also, the Gujrat border is only 60 kms from Mount Abu. So all my Gujarat folks you can drive easily to this beautiful place.
Where to stay
Mount abu has a lot of hotels to choose from. There are very less budget friendly options. I did an extensive research and then came across the hotel we booked – “The Aravali“. This family hotel has different room options to choose from (from Basic room to Villa style) and in my opinion one of the best places to stay. Another recommendation that I can give you guys is Hotel Chacha Inn (Heard the restaurant is also amazing).
Local commute
There are various taxi companies operating in Mount Abu. You can zero upon one service and decide the number of places you want to cover. Basis the number of locations and time you can fix the charges for a day.
Also bike/scooty rentals are easily available. They are much cheaper than hiring taxis.
Uber and Ola do not operate in the area.
How much budget is required to travel in Mount Abu?
Mount Abu is not the average affordable destination. However there are ways to decrease costs. You can save up a lot of money if you rent a bike/scooty instead of hiring a taxi.
As mentioned earlier, hotels are priced at a slightly higher end. But you can always look for some deals at Make My Trip. I would also recommend taking the train over flight.
Food is very affordable, but do research before stepping into a restaurant as some places serve very average food.
So, if you plan a trip to Mount Abu, a 2 nights trip may cost you INR 10000 to INR 12000 (estimate).
Best time to visit Mount Abu
This is one of those destinations which can be visited all year around. The weather is mostly pleasant with low temperatures. However, the best time to visit Mount Abu is from November to March.
I visited during the rainy season and had an amazing time. You can see clouds floating around and the green stands out.
Pro tip – If you are planning a trip during the rainy season do carry an umbrella and raincoat. Also a light jacket as it can get a little chilly at nights.
