Kumbhalgarh Fort and its walls
Rana Kumbha began the fort in the 1440s and 1450s, and later rulers added to it. The walls follow the line of the hills for about 36 km, with bastions and gates, and enclose a large area of temples, wells, palaces and farmland. The fort's position made it a refuge: Udai Singh II was raised here in hiding as an infant, and his son Maharana Pratap was born here.
You enter through the Aret Pol and Hanuman Pol, then walk up ramps to the Badal Mahal, the palace of clouds, at the summit. Its rooms are painted in pastel colours, and its terraces look across the fort, the sanctuary and, on a clear day, the plains of Marwar. Your guide points out the hundreds of temples inside the walls, including the Neelkanth Mahadev temple.
In the late afternoon, we walk along the wall away from the main entrance, where few visitors go, and watch the sun set over the hills. The walls are wide but uneven, and there are no rails, so care is needed. Allow about three hours in total.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
How long is the wall of Kumbhalgarh Fort
About 36 km, running along the ridges of the Aravalli. It is often described as one of the longest continuous walls in the world. Visitors walk short sections near the main gates. We walk a quieter stretch away from the main entrance in the late afternoon, when the light falls on the bastions. The walls are wide but uneven and have no rails, so care is needed.
How long does it take to see Kumbhalgarh Fort
Two to three hours for the climb to the Badal Mahal and a walk along part of the wall. Add time if you want to visit more of the temples inside the fort. We usually allow about three hours in total, arriving in the late afternoon so the walk along the wall ends at sunset, when the fort is quiet.
Is Kumbhalgarh Fort difficult to climb
The climb from the gate to the Badal Mahal is steady but steep in places, with ramps and steps. Most visitors in reasonable health manage it in 30–40 minutes at a slow pace. Wear good shoes. We go at your pace, with stops on the terraces of the Badal Mahal, and avoid the midday heat outside the winter months.
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