Aman-i-Khas

With the ruggedly beautiful Aravalli Hills as its backdrop, Aman-i-Khas offers accommodation in ten enormous luxury tents raised on concrete plinths that echo the rich Mughal travelling tents a bygone era. Interiors are a soothing mix of cream, beige and wood. Opening out from the central area are three separate sections separated by cotton drapes for sleeping, bathing and dressing. The bedroom area is fitted with a king-size bed flanked by writing desks. The bathing area includes a shower, soaking tub and separate toilet, while the dressing area contains cupboards with closet space and twin vanities. Each tent is air-conditioned and can also be heated depending on the season and time of day. There is also a ceiling fan and a cooler chest for drinks.

There are three separate tents for dining, spa treatments and relaxing. Softly lit by lamps, the Dining Tent serves authentic Indian cuisine and a range of Western dishes mostly prepared with herbs and vegetables grown in the camp’s organic vegetable garden. The Spa Tent has two treatment areas surrounding a central fountain, and offers blissfully relaxing Ayurvedic treatments, massages and scrubs. The focal point of the camp is the fire pit, and every evening log fires are lit to serve as a gathering place and informal lounge and dining area. There is also a lovely swimming pool modelled on the traditional step wells of the area, and surrounded by a sunny terrace and a grove of trees.

Twice-daily guided excursions in open-top vehicles are offered into the core of Ranthambore National Park. As well as Bengal tiger, there are leopard, sloth bear, jackal, mongoose, crocodile, many varieties of deer and a plethora of birdlife to see – the park’s wildlife and setting make it a photographer’s dream. On returning to camp, guests usually gather around the fire pit to discuss the day’s sightings and enjoy a drink as the sun sets over the hills.

When to go

December to March is the perfect time to visit Rajasthan and the North when rainfall is minimal and temperatures are pleasant during the day. It can get cold at night, so make sure to pack a few extra layers when visiting at this time. Summer starts mid-March and can get very hot getting into May and June. The monsoon period follows directly after from July to September, where humidity is high and the region receives the majority of its rainfall, although still very minimal amounts. The months of October and November after the monsoon season are also a great time to visit the region as it experiences warm and dry weather during the day with cooler temperatures at night.