Intro
The envelope had spoken, and our hearts were set on Udaipur. But before palaces and lakes came into view, there was the small matter of actually getting there. What began in Ranchi that morning would take us through the polished chaos of Delhi and finally to the quiet streets of Udaipur by nightfall.

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Day One: Ranchi to Udaipur

The day of departure arrived with its mix of excitement and anticipation. Since there was no direct flight from Ranchi to Udaipur, our journey would take us through Delhi. Our tickets were in place, and with DigiYatra making airport entry effortless, we walked straight in—no queues, no waiting. A quick scan, face recognition, and we were through. It felt good, almost futuristic, to have Ranchi connected to this ease of travel.

Bags checked in directly for Udaipur, boarding passes sorted, and security cleared, we settled into the familiar wait before a flight. At 9:40 AM, we were airborne, watching Ranchi fade beneath the clouds as the plane carried us towards Delhi.

By noon, we touched down at Indira Gandhi Airport, Terminal 3—vast, polished, and buzzing with people. Since our connecting flight was from the same terminal, we passed through the internal transfer gates. Security was crowded and slow, and by the end, hunger pressed in. Being a Monday, we follow Jain and Vaishnav food, and I wasn’t sure we’d find anything suitable in the airport’s food court.

I found us a seat while my wife set off to explore. The place was heaving with travellers, a sea of faces in constant motion, and I wondered how many thousands passed through this terminal every single day. Soon, she returned with a smile and two steaming plates of Chola Bhatura from Dhaba @ T3—assuredly Vaishnav. Relief and hunger made the food taste even better. Simple, hearty, and satisfying.

After the meal, we strolled around the terminal, browsing shopfronts, watching people hurry past, and passed the remaining hours in that timeless haze that airports seem to hold. Finally, our boarding call came, and we made our way to the gate.

By 7:40 p.m., our flight touched down at Maharana Pratap Airport, Udaipur. The airport felt sleepy, as if it were almost shutting down for the night. Shops were closing, and staff were moving slowly with their end-of-day routine. We managed a cup of tea and a packet of Pringles from one of the last open counters before stepping outside.

The taxi stand offered another small twist. One attendant told me he had no drivers left and could arrange a cab only after he closed his counter. Just as I considered looking elsewhere, another counter offered us a car immediately. For ₹700, we began the thirty-minute drive into the city.

The road was silent, the shops shuttered, the streets quiet—Udaipur revealed itself in fragments under sparse lights. By the time we pulled into Subhash Nagar, the weariness of the day had settled deep.

At Jagat Hotel, the staff welcomed us warmly. We dropped our bags in the room and rushed to the restaurant, hunger now sharp again. Explaining our dietary preference, the waiter nodded and suggested butter paneer, dal tadka, rotis, and rice. The food was simple, but after a long day of travel, it felt divine.

Over dinner, I finalised arrangements with Harshit from Krishna Bike Rentals. A Royal Enfield Hunter would be waiting for me the next morning—freedom on two wheels to explore the city.

At last, we changed into nightclothes and slipped into bed, the tiredness of the day giving way to sleep. Tomorrow promised adventure, and we were ready to welcome it.

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Outro / Teaser
Our first night in Udaipur ended with tired smiles and full stomachs. But the city had only just begun to reveal itself. The next morning would bring prayers, parathas, and a motorcycle that carried us straight into the heart of the Aravallis.