The short answer
Kankwari Fort: what visitors should know first
Go only if you are comfortable with a long jeep ride on forest tracks and want an offbeat stop. Access requires a rented safari jeep from the forest office, and the fort is reported open October to July.
History and context
The story behind Kankwari Fort
The fort was founded by Jai Singh II as a famine work, and a palace was later built by Pratap Singh Prabhakar. The village was evacuated in 2009, and by 2016 only three families remained.
Useful facts
Kankwari Fort facts at a glance
- Location
- Inside Sariska Tiger Reserve
- Experience type
- Ruined fort in forest
- Founded
- By Jai Singh II as a famine work
- Access
- Rented jeep via forest office
- Open
- Reported October to July
- Walking
- Uneven ground
Why it matters
Why Kankwari Fort is worth your time
Kankwari represents the part of Sariska's story that is not about animals. The fort was set up by Jai Singh II as a famine work, which means it was part of an employment scheme in hard times as much as a military post.
A palace was later built there by Pratap Singh. The village was evacuated in 2009 as part of relocation work for the reserve, which leaves the fort in an unusually undisturbed setting.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Remote setting
A fort in the middle of the reserve.
- 02
Famine work origin
A fort built as relief employment.
- 03
Evacuated village
Settlement cleared in 2009.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Arrange a jeep through the forest office and ask the driver about the route and condition of the tracks. The trip takes much of a morning or afternoon because of the distance.
The fort sits on a hill in the middle of the reserve, with views over forest and ridges. Walk around the walls and look for traces of the former village and the later palace. Expect ruins rather than furnished rooms.
Carry water and snacks, stay with your guide, and do not wander in the forest. Combine the trip with the Pandupol shrine only if the tracks allow, and aim to be back by late afternoon.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Arrange a jeep at the forest office
- Carry water and snacks
- Stay with the guide
- Confirm open dates
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Inside Sariska Tiger Reserve
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Best time
- October to March
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The drive is long and bumpy; the fort itself needs scrambling over uneven stone. Little shade and no seating. Not suitable for anyone with a bad back or limited mobility.
- Tickets and access
- Entry is through the reserve. Wikipedia reports that visitors can rent a safari jeep from the forest office and that the fort is open from October to July; confirm current rules.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Kankwari Fort
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The drive is long and bumpy; the fort itself needs scrambling over uneven stone. Little shade and no seating. Not suitable for anyone with a bad back or limited mobility.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How do I reach Kankwari?
By rented safari jeep from the forest office.
When is it open?
Reported October to July; check locally.
Is it good for seniors?
Not usually, because of the rough ride.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
