When to go: I would say anytime. With all the global warming, you never know what weather to expect. It is a treat when the winter is just turning into spring and vice versa. The weather is not too punishing and the tourists are just trickling in.
How to get there: The easiest way from anywhere to Mount Abu is taking a train. There are direct overnight trains to Abu Road from both Mumbai and Delhi. We traveled by Aravalli Express from Mumbai. From the Abu Road station take a cab who may charge you Rs200 to drive you up to the top. He may also offer you a one day trip to all major sight seeing points at an extra Rs.600. These are all off season rates though. And remember to bargain hard.
Where to stay: Options are plentiful, but we stayed at the awesome RTDC Hotel Shikhar – it was massive, spacious with a distinctive Haveli flavour. The food was remarkable and hosts polite. Making hot water in those huge geysers was bit of a torture though as was the loads shedding at night. We made most of it though with a candle lit evening out in the pretty backyard.
There are also some good resorts. On other options, it would help to go through the very comprehensive RTDC website http://www.rajasthantourism.gov.in/new/site/Destinations/mount-abu/introducation.htm
What to eat: Delicious Rajasthani food. Spiced bhutta by Lake Mandakini, Dal Bati Churma, Tikkads and Dal by the roadside Dhaba, garam chai by Nakki Lake, Kulfi from the thelas. Vegetarian foodies have plenty to choose from.
What to absolutely not miss: Dilwara temple. All the other beautiful temples. On mountain tops, by the valley. Go random trekking. Discover hidden lakes by the valleys, some more hidden temples (!), talk to tribals in imaginative clothing, turbans, sand leathered faces chattering rapidly. Offering homemade kulfi.
Shopping for colorful quilts, kurtis, mojris, silver. Photo with ethnic outfit in Studios by Nakki Lake – they’ll bring a riot of colours to your life. Again, remember to bargain aggressively. Read more on Mount Abu
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