Kumbalgarh and Ranakpur, Udaipur Travel Info

	Kumbalgarh and Ranakpur, Udaipur Travel Info
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Taxis regularly run tourists out to Kumbalgarh and Ranakpur in a day-trip from Udaipur, but it's best to take your time and travel at a more leisurely pace, staying for a night or two in one of the hotels that lie within walking distance of the fort. A couple of express buses leave Udaipur's RSRTC stand in the morning (3hr 30min).

Competent motorcyclists may also consider riding out here on a rented bike, which would allow you to explore this particularly scenic stretch of road in more depth. Ranakpur lies a long, winding journey away on a route served by infrequent country buses. The most congenial way to reach the Jain shrines, therefore, is on foot via the Wildlife Sanctuary.

Clinging to the hillside near the base of the citadel, the Aodhi (phone 02954/4222, fax 4348; Rs2500 and upwards) is a swish heritage hotel, complete with gourmet restaurant and pool, run by the Maharana of Udaipur's HRH chain, with 20-30 percent discounts April-July. From the hotel you can take a six-hour horse trek (Rs1500 per person) or five-hour jeep safari (Rs1750) through the sanctuary and on to Ranakpur.

Bookings can be made through the Aodhi hotel direct, or the Shiv Niwas Palace in Udaipur. Another great place to unwind is the more modern Kumbalgarh Fort Hotel (phone 02954/42057, fax 432136, hilltop@ad1.vsnl.net.in ; Rs2500 and upwards), 5km along the Kelwara road, with fifty percent discounts April to July.

From its garden terraces and poolside, you get superb hill views, and they have a few cycles for rent. Guides and horses can also be arranged here for treks through the wildlife sanctuary. Choice for budget travelers is limited to the much less inspiring Ratnadeep (phone 02954/42255, fax 42340; Rs200-400, a standard budget hotel 9km from the fort in Kelwara village.