A land of vibrant culture, rich heritage, immemorial traditions, and jaw-dropping architecture, Bundi is an oasis situated in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan. Bundi is also lovingly titled “the Queen of Hadoti,” owing to its replete beauty, which served as a muse to Rudyard Kipling’s “Kim.”

Bundi comprises must-visit attractions galore in and around the city that would make for a jam-packed schedule in your Bundi sightseeing adventure. From exotic flora and fauna to calm lakes and historical edifices like the carefully constructed stepwells, you’ll find it all and much more in Bundi. Explore offbeat Rajasthan and its hidden treasures in the lively little city of Bundi.

You plan your trip, and we’ll take care of the accommodation, as Zostel Bundi is here at your service! Check out the property here.

The scenic Nawal Sagar Lake overlooking the Garh Palace

Best Time to Visit Bundi

• The best of weather - October to March.
• The region experiences temperatures as high as 43 degrees Celcius in summers to as low as 4 degrees Celcius during winters.
• In terms of rainfall, Bundi doesn’t get much of it, which adds to its high temperatures.
• Overall, you can plan your getaway to Bundi somewhere from October to March to enjoy its colours, culture, and corners.

Guide to Bundi

Discover the ceaseless charms of Bundi with our detailed guide. Check out the full version here.

Things to Do in Bundi

Not sure of what lies in store in Bundi? Not to fear, cause here are some adventures that await you when in Bundi:

Hike to Suraj Chhatri: Situated 4 km from Zostel Bundi, you can visit Suraj Chhatri or the Sun Cenotaph, which is a 30 mins hike from the Balakund ke Hanuman Ji temple. The place is best known for exceptional sunsets.

Explore the Pottery Villages: About 8 km from Bundi, Theekarda village is one of the artisan villages in the vicinity, where you can explore the art of pottery. ~500 INR - Taxi and ~300 INR - Auto

Safari on the Chambal River: Visit the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary on the Chambal River. It is located 51 km from Bundi. Surrounded by ravines and sandbanks, the river is home to exotic gharials and muggers (crocodiles). In addition, you can catch a glimpse of migratory birds and other aquatic animals. For the safari boat ride: ~150 INR per person.

An Alligator near the Chambal River | Photo by- Bishnu Sarangi

Bhimlat Waterfall and Temple: About 37 km from the city centre of Bundi, the waterfall and temple serve as one of the best spots to explore in the region. The resounding rhythm created by the chirping birds and the loud splashing waterfall is a veritable treat for your ears. You can take an hour-long drive towards the waterfall via the RJ state highway 29.

Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve: Explore the exotic wildlife and lush forests of the Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve. It became India’s 52nd notified tiger reserve, situated nearly 9 km from the city centre. It is open from 7 am to 6 pm (Mon-Sun). Note: Prior permission from the concerned authorities is necessary for a visit.

Places to Visit in Bundi

Bundi is a veritable cornucopia of must-see sights featuring wildlife, rich flora, shimmering lakes, and grandiose architecture. So if you’re unsure where to start, here are a few recommendations. (Did we mention that Zostel Bundi is close to all these must-visit sights?)

84 Pillared Cenotaph: This cenotaph is a structure supported by 84 pillars decorated with elephant and deer carvings, giving it its name. At just 600 metres from the city centre, this cenotaph is the epitome of the region's architectural dexterity.

Ticket: A composite ticket for the 84-pillared Cenotaph, Sukh Mahal, and Raniji ki Baori should cost ~75 INR.

Timings: 8:45 am to 5 pm (Mon-Sat) and 10:30 am to 6 pm (Sun)

84-Pillared Cenotaph of Bundi

Lake Jait Sagar and Nawal Sagar Lake: Sitting at a distance of around 4 km and about 3 km from the centre, respectively, the lakes are an absolute visual treat and offer a tranquil experience to their visitors.

Garh Palace (Bundi Palace): Only 3 km from the city centre, the Garh Palace is among the largest palaces in India, housing a cluster of dainty palaces created over three centuries, including the Chhatr Mahal, Badal Mahal, and Phool Mahal. In addition, the fascinating murals in the Chitrashala are one of the highlights of the Garh Palace. Further, the famous Hathi pole marks the entrance of this palace.

Ticket: 80/100 INR for Palace/Fort entry. (Extra 50 INR for camera)

Timings: 8 am to 6 pm

Garh Palace | Photo by- @techfrog.in on Instagram

Taragarh Fort: One of the most famous sights of Bundi, the Taragarh is situated 3 km from the city centre in Nagpahari. The fort boasts features of Rajput-style architecture, including elephant and lotus motifs, curved roofs atop pavilions, and a panoramic view of Bundi. Note: In order to reach the fort, you need to take a ~450 m uphill hike from the Garh palace.

Ticket: 100 INR per person. (Extra for camera/video: 50/100 INR)

Timings: 8 am to 5 pm(Mon-Sun)

Dhabhai Kund: The Dhabai Kund is believed to be one of the most prominent stepwells in Bundi. It is shaped like an inverted pyramid with carved steps leading to the bottom. Also known as the Jail Kund, it is located just 2 km from central Bundi.

Raniji ki Baori: About 2 km from the city centre, the “Queen’s stepwell” is a 46 m deep, multi-storied structure. It is believed to be the largest stepwell in Bundi, boasting magnificent wall and pillar carvings, and high arches.

Ticket: A composite ticket for the 84-pillared Cenotaph, Sukh Mahal, and Raniji ki Baori should cost ~75 INR.

Timings: 10 am to 4 pm

Raniji Ki Baori | Photo by- @techfrog.in on Instagram

Best Food to Try in Bundi

Immerse yourself in the lip-smacking Rajasthani cuisines with dishes like Bejad ki roti, Dal bati churma, Panchkuta, Gatte ki sabzi, Dal and sev bhaji, and Rabri malpua, among others.

Dal Bati 

And here are a few restaurants in Bundi that you should check out during your visit:

The Lake View Restaurant: Located next to the Nawal Sagar Lake, the restaurant offers North Indian and International cuisines with a view.

Baori View Restaurant: Close to Bhoraji ka Kund, you can savour dishes from Chinese and North Indian cuisines at this restaurant.

Krishna Chai Shop: This small tea shop is situated in the Sadar Bazaar. You can enjoy flavoured tea with exquisite wall art at this tea shop. Price range: 30 INR to 300 INR

How to Reach Bundi

Bundi city is connected to major cities across India through its well-linked public transportation network and roads. So if Bundi is your destination, here’s how you reach it:

By Road: The well-linked road network brings regular buses from neighbouring cities like Udaipur, Ajmer, Bijolia, Bikaner, Chittorgarh, Kota, Sawai Madhopur, Jodhpur, and Jaipur, directly to Bundi. You can also take direct buses to Bundi from Delhi: approximately 500 INR to 1500 INR.

By Train: The Bundi railway station and the Kota Junction station are the closest to Bundi and are well-connected with major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and more across India.

By Flight: The nearest airport to Bundi is in Jaipur, which is ~206 km (3.5 hrs) from Bundi. From the Jaipur airport to Bundi: approx. 5000 INR (Taxi). From Jaipur airport to the Durgapura bus stand: approx. 100 INR; towards Bundi: approx. 300 INR by bus.

A Bit About Zostel Bundi

Our all-new Zostel Bundi is located close to the city centre, within walking distance from some of the best places to visit in Bundi, like the 84-pillared Cenotaph and Raniji ki Baori. This new backpacker hostel boasts a quirky rooftop cafe and seating with an exceptional view of the Aravalli hills, along with a stage to catch live performances.

Check out Zostel Bundi here.

Rooftop area at Zostel Bundi | Photo by- @techfrog.in on Instagram

Mixed Dorm at Zostel Bundi | Photo by- @techfrog.in on Instagram

That’s all about Bundi, folks! So plan your Bundi sightseeing adventure and witness the magic of Bundi live. But most of all, keep Zosteling!

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