Kumbalgarh Travel Guide
Travel to Kumbalgarh - Fine Fort and Wildlife Sanctuary
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Perched at the end of a winding road and 1100m above sea level the eyrie-like Kumbalgarh Fort meets all expectations of what a Rajput citadel should be. Its huge size and isolated position was the ideal retreat in times of trouble for the Mewar clan and it remains the region’s second most important citadel after Chittorgarh. Below it lies Kumbalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary where wolves, leopards and sloth bears can all be found and where you can explore by jeep or on horseback.
The wilderness of the Aravallis north of Udaipur proved the perfect spot for the 15th century Rana Kumbha to build his fort. The citadel’s dimensions are impressive – 36km of walls are wide enough for up to 8 horses to ride abreast and enclose over 350 temples, palaces, gardens, step-wells and cannon emplacements. The fort is totally self-contained and has almost everything to withstand a long siege. Consequently it fell only once and only then too to a combined army made up of Mughal, Amberi and Marwari troops; they held it for just 2 days.
The fort offers a superb birds-eye view of the surrounding countryside and out over the Wildlife Sanctuary below. The sanctuary covers 578 sq kms and ranges between 500m to 1,300m a.s.l. It is home to a very large variety of wildlife, some of which are highly endangered species and which includes wolf, leopards, sloth bear, hyena, jackal, jungle cat, sambar, nilgai, chaisingh (the four horned antelope), chinkara and hare. The bird life at Kumbalgarh is also abundant and includes the shy grey jungle fowl, red spur owls, parakeets, golden oriole, bulbul and white breasted kingfisher. You can explore by jeep or on horseback.
Activities in Kumbalgarh
A stay of a day or two in a nearby hotel is most rewarding although the fort and sanctuary can be visited on a long day trip from Udaipur. Make arrangements for a visit to the wildlife sanctuary from the Forestry Department at Kelwara – your hotel will be able to help.
Relaxing
Not far from the fort is the delightful Aodhi Hotel – the perfect place to relax after exploring.
Getting Around
Public transport is intermittent at best and your own comfortable transport is essential. A hired car and driver is the best way to approach Kumbalgarh, either from Udaipur or en route to Jodhpur.
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