Rajasthan has established itself as a significant tourist destination for domestic as well as international tourists. The state is known for its diversity in terms of natural resources, cultural heritage, historical as well as archaeological wonders, and rare wildlife. There is tremendous potential for eco-tourism in Rajasthan, and there are a few well-established eco-resorts across Rajasthan, mostly spread across the desert region.
1. Nomads Desert Retreat, Jaisalmer
Nomads Desert Retreat is a small desert retreat with 3 huts built in the traditional local style, with decorated cob walls and grass roofs. The Desert Retreat is situated 5kms from the nearest village outside Jaisalmer known for its tranquillity. Nomads Desert Retreat is known for its rustic and spacious traditional-style desert hut or jhopri. Each jhopri has been built by local craftsmen using traditional techniques and materials and has windows and a door. They are cool in the day and warm at night. Inside the jhopri are comfortable twin beds with all amenities. The retreat also offers a small 2-person tent for those with a tight budget.
Booking.comThe retreat is unique where guests can eat in the kitchen where food is cooked on a wood stove with the retreat’s own organically grown vegetables. The retreat is famed for its timelessness of desert life, which allows visitors to observe desert wildlife. All accommodation, food, water, and transport are included in the price. The retreat has all modern facilities available for visitors. Ideal for total relaxation, there are a number of different activities retreats also allows to its visitors such as desert walks, camel safaris, jeep tours, and village tours.
Tourists can go for a walk in the Thar desert and meet camels or one of the local farmers with their goats. The desert is also home to many types of wildlife, and the tourist might be lucky to see some of the antelopes such as blue bull (nilgai), black buck (kala hiran), and Indian gazelles (chinkara), or even a desert fox or mongoose. There are chances of watching a variety of birdlife, including eagles and bustards.
Tourists can also go on a camel safari, riding through the rippling, windswept desert on camel back. The guided camel safari in the Thar Desert includes at least one night of camping. After riding through the desert a camp is set up in the dunes, dinner is cooked followed by night sleeping under the stars. The tourist can also go on a jeep tour to Bisarki which has an old Shiva temple known for peacocks. The jeep safari also goes to Bada Baag known for royal family cenotaphs dating back hundreds of years, Kaba Fort, and a deserted village. If interested tourists can visit a village of weavers, potters, a gypsy village, and various other old sites.
2. The Desert Resort, Mandawa
The Desert Resort in the main city of the Shekhawati region displays the charm of old-world hospitality. Designed to replicate local tribal clusters, the resort combines the aesthetic charm of the rural without compromising on luxury and comfort. The award-winning Desert Resort brings together man and nature in a seamless balance. The retreat, situated atop sand dunes, has been designed as per traditional principles of Vaastu, synergizing the flow of positive energy. The Desert Resort, spread over 100 acres, also houses an oasis within its compound fed with recycled water, an in-house dairy, and solar heating.
Winner of the Regional Tourism Award of Excellence for seven consecutive years and the National Tourism Award of Excellence the Desert Resort has spearheaded sustainable tourism. The resort provides employment to local communities, with its kitchen supplied with garden-fresh produce that is grown locally. The Desert Resort offers luxurious deluxe rooms and well-spaced cottages to one-bedroom suites as well as suites specially designed for families, and senior-citizen friendly.
There are cottages with double bed, sitting area is a blend of authenticity and modernity, no two cottages are alike. The suites have large, spacious rooms that come equipped with all modern amenities. All of this makes Desert Resort Mandawa very much popular among the tourists. Fully equipped with a swimming pool, multiple restaurants, bar, spa, and conference rooms; the resort provides an ideal mix of value, comfort, and convenience.
3. Devi Desert Resort, Jaisalmer
Devi Desert Resort and Retreat located ½ way between Jaisalmer and the Sam Sand Dunes offers tourists the opportunity to enjoy in stay in 23 bungalow style accommodations. Situated in an area of over 10+ acres of land, it provides peace and privacy. One of the very first “guest houses allows tourists a chance to create unique and memorable experiences. The retreat strives to work on alternative energy sources and reduce carbon foot print in the desert area, locally source products from own garden and cows. The resort recycles, compost, practices water conservation methods, and built a cost-effective windmill to generate electricity. The resort incorporated traditional desert techniques in construction including thatched roofs which are natural insulators and coolants. The bungalows are made of locally mined sandstone.
Devi Desert Resort and Retreat is 20 km away from Jaisalmer Railway Station. Aesthetically designed, with a perfect blend of impressive decor, the retreat offers commanding views of the city skyline. All the rooms have cozy beds along with essential amenities. The food is mix of traditional and exotic with international cuisine.
4. Desert Retreat Camp, Jaisalmer
In the heart of the Thar Desert, of the Great and Majestic Sam Sand Dunes, Desert Retreat Camp is a luxurious camp, with a space of tranquility. The hospitality is typical of the Jaisalmer tradition, detailed with inlaid wood furniture, luxurious and comfortable beds, private bathroom and shower with hot water, an indoor relaxation area, parquet, windows with screens to change the air in the rooms.
The Desert Retreat Camp Jaisalmer is placed away from the city hustle and bustle, in the deep golden sand dunes of Jaisalmer, and offers multiple amenities and activities to welcome their guests to let them enjoy a lavish stay. Desert Retreat Camp Jaisalmer also organizes Jeep Safari and camel safari and arranges Rajasthani traditional cultural values. Well suitable for families, the cottages are the perfect blend of ethnic setting and modern living as the facilities are fully equipped with all urban amenities.
The retreat has 10 Deluxe Cottage, 18 Premium Tents and 19 Maharaja Tent Camps. Maharaja Camps at Desert Retreat has one of the most exquisite and comfortable tented accommodations in Sam sand dunes. The Desert retreat camp Jaisalmer offers rustic and specious tents will all important amenities. The Premium Camps at Desert Retreat Camp, offers one of the finest luxurious tented accommodations in the Thar desert of Rajasthan. The restaurant of Desert Retreat Camp Jaisalmer gives you unforgettable dining experience with a delicious Rajasthani buffet offering a wide variety of vegetarian & non vegetarian delicacies.
Desert Retreat Camp Jaisalmer present you with a true representation of a nomadic hunt menu. Stunning fireworks, on request, that beautifully light up the night, further enhance the celebrations. This service is available from October to March. The tourist can enjoy village safari in nearby areas. The Sam Dunes in the Thar Desert is considered as the best place to enjoy desert quad biking in Jaisalmer. Being located at the city’s outskirts, it makes the perfect point for indulging in sports and uncovering the golden sand of the desert in thrilling manner. At Desert Retreat adventure seekers can enjoy parasailing.
5. The Gandharva Retreat, Alwar
Gandharva Retreat is an eco-tourism hotel in Village Maluthana, Alwar near Sariska National Park, Rajasthan. One of the unique features of this reserve is its historic achievement in the history of wildlife conservation. It has the distinction of being the first in the world in achieving successful reintroduction of big cats in the wild in 2008 when two tigers were reintroduced from Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Gandharva Retreat offers a comfortable lodging facility. The retreat has 6 deluxe cottages, out of which, three cottages offer plunge pools, 2 have gardens and one cottage has a jacuzzi for comfort. All rooms are equipped with modern amenities. The cottages are comfortable and exude style.
The Gandharva Retreat is the best eco-resort adjacent to Sariska National Park. The Gandharva Retreat, sprawled over 13 acres offers an ideal retreat away from the hustle-bustle of life. Staying here tourists can soak in the panoramic views of the Aravalli mountains and spend time reading or indulging in indoor and outdoor games. Tourists can also go on a jungle safari at the Sariska National Park. The abundance of prey species like Sambhar, Chital, and the Wild Boar attracts the likes of predators such as the Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Jungle Cat, Hyena, and Jackal. The rich flora of the reserve also boasts a rich avifauna. It is home to birds like Golden Oriole, Grey Francolin, Indian Eagle Owl, Barred Buttonquail, and also several species of birds that migrate to the area in winters. These include Peafowl, Grey Partridge, Bush Quail, Sand Grouse, Tree Pie, Golden backed Wood Pecker, Crested Serpent Eagle and the Great Indian Horned Owl.
Tourist can also take a detour to visit Kankwari Fort 21 km inside the reserve, Neel Kanth Mahadev temple 32 km inside the park, and Siliserh Lake. Another unique thing about the resort is that it hosts a local musician who sing a number of traditional and local Rajasthani folk that creates the perfect ambiance against the scenic beauty.
In your blog, information about many places and resort of rajasthan has been given and this information is very helpful for the people coming from outside.
Thank you for your Appreciation Sophia!