Avoid
Chittorgarh in May
Rajasthan, India
May bakes Chittorgarh at 35-45°C. The fort radiates stored heat, touching bare stone becomes inadvisable, and the town exists in a heat-induced trance. Tourist presence drops to near zero. Even the monkeys at the fort look annoyed.
The May story
The honest advice: come another month. If here, the fort at 5:30am — before the stone absorbs the day's heat — has an emptiness that is its own kind of experience. You will share 700 acres with maybe three other humans and a population of langurs. The Rana Kumbha palace ruins in early light, with nobody else present, feel like a personal archaeological discovery. The town's lassi shops become essential infrastructure — mango lassi in May is not a beverage, it is medicine. Rooms: ₹500-1,200/night. May Chittorgarh is for masochists and misanthropes. Both will be satisfied.
Why May scores 1/5
Weather
Brutal 28-44°C. Walking Chittorgarh's 13km perimeter is dangerous in this heat. Kumbhalgarh Wall bakes. No shade on either fort. Avoid.
Roads & Access
self drive: Easy. Good roads between forts.. road condition: NH76 and state highways good.. public transport: Chittorgarh Junction major station. Buses available. Udaipur airport 100km from Kumbhalgarh.. from nearest city: Udaipur→Kumbhalgarh: 85km 2hrs. Udaipur→Chittorgarh: 115km 2.5hrs.. last km difficulty: easy
Safety & Emergency
Safety: 4/5. rescue: SDRF Rajasthan. helpline: Tourist helpline: 1363. ambulance: 108. police station: Chittorgarh Kotwali (01472-240100). nearest hospital: MB Government Hospital Chittorgarh (01472-240253)
Network
VI: Yes, JIO: Yes, BSNL: Yes, NOTE: Yes, AIRTEL: Yes. Good 4G in towns. Fair on connecting roads.
Kids
Kid-friendly (4/5) — Chittorgarh is India largest fort — the scale is incredible, Kumbhalgarh wall walk feels like Great Wall of China lite, Ranakpur temple carvings mesmerise kids, Three major sites in one circuit — never boring
Elevation
350m — Low altitude, no issues
Who should go
- ✓First-time travelers
- ✓Senior citizens
- ✓Extreme off-peak photographers wanting empty fort compositions
- ✓Budget travellers comfortable with serious heat
- ✓Monsoon-avoiding Rajasthan circuit travellers with flexible mornings
Who should think twice
- ✗Anyone who takes heat personally
- ✗Families, elderly, or health-compromised visitors
- ✗Midday tourists — the fort will physically punish you
All 12 Months
| Month | Score | Note |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5/5 | Perfect 8-24°C. Chittorgarh's massive fort comfortable all day. Kumbhalgarh Wall trek ideal. Sound-and-light show at both forts. Low crowds. |
| February | 5/5 | Ideal 10-26°C. Both forts in clear winter light. Kumbhalgarh wildlife sanctuary — leopard sighting odds good. Rajput history best explored now. |
| March | 4/5 | Warming 15-32°C. Mornings still good for Chittorgarh's 700-acre fort complex. Kumbhalgarh getting warm afternoons. Plan early starts. |
| April | 2/5 | Hot 22-38°C. Chittorgarh fort's exposed ramparts punishing by 10am. Kumbhalgarh slightly cooler due to elevation. Carry water, sunscreen. |
| Mayviewing | 1/5 | Brutal 28-44°C. Walking Chittorgarh's 13km perimeter is dangerous in this heat. Kumbhalgarh Wall bakes. No shade on either fort. Avoid. |
| June | 1/5 | Worst heat 30-46°C. Sandstone forts radiate stored heat even at dusk. No tourist activity viable. Sound-and-light shows cancelled. Do not visit. |
| July | 3/5 | Monsoon 27-36°C. Kumbhalgarh turns lush green — dramatic cloud-draped walls. Chittorgarh slippery. Humidity high but Kumbhalgarh worth it for scenery. |
| August | 3/5 | Monsoon continues, 26-35°C. Kumbhalgarh magical in mist — Great Wall emerging from clouds. Chittorgarh wet and slippery. Mixed but atmospheric. |
| September | 3/5 | Rain easing, 25-34°C. Both forts green from monsoon. Humidity dropping. Crowds thin. Good transitional month — Kumbhalgarh especially photogenic. |
| October | 5/5 | Excellent 18-32°C. Post-monsoon clarity. Chittorgarh's towers against blue sky. Kumbhalgarh Wall walk comfortable. Tourist season begins. |
| November | 5/5 | Ideal 12-28°C. Peak fort-exploring season. Both forts comfortable all day. Kumbhalgarh sound-and-light show atmospheric. Book heritage stays ahead. |
| December | 5/5 | Cool 7-24°C. Crisp air, golden light on sandstone walls. Chittorgarh's Vijay Stambh glows at sunset. Quiet weekdays. Best photography month. |
Practical Details
How to reach
Udaipur→Kumbhalgarh: 85km 2hrs. Udaipur→Chittorgarh: 115km 2.5hrs.. Roads: NH76 and state highways good.. Self-drive: Easy. Good roads between forts.. Public transport: Chittorgarh Junction major station. Buses available. Udaipur airport 100km from Kumbhalgarh.. Last stretch: easy
Elevation
350m
Difficulty
easy
Budget tier
budget
Nearby in Rajasthan scoring high in May
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