Renting out your home in Kumbhalgarh

Our advice for Kumbhalgarh

Kumbhalgarh is less a town than a fort and a landscape. The fort, in Rajsamand district about 84 kilometres from Udaipur, is enclosed by a wall that runs for some 36 kilometres over the Aravalli ridges, and since 2013 it has been one of the six UNESCO-listed Hill Forts of Rajasthan. Around it lie villages, farms and the Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. That combination is what owners sell: space, silence and history within reach of Udaipur.

Who stays overnight

Many visitors come from Udaipur on a day trip, often paired with the Jain temples at Ranakpur. Those who stay are different: couples wanting a retreat, families whose children need open ground, walkers and birdwatchers heading into the sanctuary, and photographers waiting for evening light on the ramparts. The evening light-and-sound show at the fort gives them a reason to stay after dark.

Properties suited to the hills

• Farmhouses and cottages along the approach roads, with gardens and views of the walls.
• Village homes converted into a few guest rooms and run with a local family.
• Clusters of small independent units rather than one large building.

Remote-site operations

This is rural Rajasthan, so plan for what a city home takes for granted. Water may come from a borewell or tanker and needs storage and filtration. Power cuts call for an inverter or generator. Mobile coverage varies, so test it before promising guests they can work remotely. Staff usually come from nearby villages, and training them in check-in, cleaning and simple cooking is part of the investment. Near forest land, keep food secured and paths lit at night.

Plots, land and permissions

Much of the appeal depends on land close to a protected fort and a sanctuary. Before buying or building, check the land use of the plot and any restrictions linked to the monument or the forest boundary. We recommend doing this with a local lawyer rather than relying on a seller's assurances.

The year

The cool months form the main season, and the three-day festival that Rajasthan Tourism holds at the fort each year adds a peak. The monsoon turns the hills green and brings weekenders from Udaipur.