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Aman-i-Khas Day One – Contributing Writer Jen Bianco

This morning my batman (that’s what they call butlers here) from Aman-i-Khas met me and my husband at our hotel in New Delhi to escort  on the train. This was great because it took all the stress out of the Indian train station experience. Bijay, my batman, arranged for all the porters and dealt with all the transfer logistics. We didn’t even have to worry about tipping anyone. It was amazing seeing the porters balance our suitcases on their heads.

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The Aman experience began right away, with Bijay getting us (and all our luggage) situated in the First Class compartment. He brought along a lovely batik cloth to cover the seat, and some throw pillows to make the journey more pleasant. He had tea, coffee, water and snacks at the ready for the 5 hour journey..

We arrived at the Sawai Madopur station, we were met by our driver who greeted us with fresh cool towels and water. Bijay supervised the porters packing up the car. I noticed a cow wandering around the station. Only in India!

The drive to Aman-i-Khas was quick and interesting, driving through the local village. We were greeted by the staff upon arrival. The property is beautiful (more on that later). We were hungry from the journey so we just dropped our bags and freshened up before getting some lunch.

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The weather was lovely, and I thoroughly enjoyed sipping my Kingfisher beer while dining al fresco. Lunch included lentil soup, mixed green salad with lettuce from the property’s own garden. Bijay even promised me a tour of the Aman-i-Khas garden during my stay. Entree options include a western option (salmon) as well as an Indian choice. I went for the Lamb masala, lentils, and cauliflower. Yum!

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After lunch, we went back to our chic high-ceiling tent for an hour before heading out on a sunset camel ride. The camels were decked out as glamorously as the tents! I’m usually pretty stylish, but the camels here made me feel seriously underdressed. We rode for about 30 minutes and saw many birds, cows, goats and monkeys known as langurs.

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More to come later…

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Glamping Spotlight: Aman-i-Khás, India

What could be more invigorating than waking up and walking out of your tent to see the starkly beautiful wilderness of the Ranthambore National Park? Aman-i-Khás is a luxury wilderness camp on the edge of the national park. Aman-i-Khás focuses on viewing wildlife and providing a five-star glamping experience. The name Aman-i-Khás comes from Sanskrit and Hindi words that mean “special peace.”

Aman-i-Khás is located in a rugged brushwood forest on the fringes of Ranthambore National Park. The surrounding area is composed of deciduous forest, open grasslands, and waterholes of a semi-arid expanse. The camp provdes access to the 1,334 square kilometers of the Ranthambore National Park. Ranthambore is a natural habitat for tigers and other exotic animals. In addition to wildlife sightings, guests can explore the region’s ancient forts and colorful rural villages nearby.

Aman-i-Khás offers 10 luxury tents each with soaring canopies. The tents resemble rich Moghul traveling tents of a days past. The frame is made of steel and is set on a raised concrete pad. The differences from an ordinary camping tent are immediately recognizable. The center of the tent, with its six-meter canopy, features an oversized daybed ideal for lounging. The bedroom area is fitted with a king-size bed flanked by twin writing desks. The bathroom area includes a shower, soaking tub, and toilet.

AmanTentInteriorPhoto: Aman-i-Khás website

Three separate tents house areas for dining, spa treatments, and relaxing. In the evenings, sit on the deck of your tent or join other camp visitors around the communal fireplace. Listen to the sounds of the wilderness settling down for the night, as you discuss the day’s sightings. The meals served include authentic Indian cuisine and a range of western dishes. Fresh produce and herbs used for meal preparation are grown in the camp’s own organic vegetable garden. Dinner most often concludes around a roaring outdoor fire.

The step-well pool, or bawadi, was modeled after the ancient step-wells that are traditional to the area. The design is a series of square concentric steps that converge deeper into the pool. The sunny terrace and grove of trees surrounding the pool provide privacy and make it incredibly relaxing. It’s especially refreshing to take a dip after returning from a daily excursion.

aman-poolPhoto: Aman-i-Khás website

Guided wildlife viewing excursions leave twice daily. Excursions last approximately 3.5 hours. The tours take guests into Ranthambore to spot indigenous wildlife. Prize predator sightings in the core of the park include tigers, leopards and smaller jungle cats. Chital deer, antelope and hyena can be seen roaming the savannah, while lakes and watering holes are home to the marsh crocodile and prolific birdlife. The open-top vehicles transport guests and provide excellent views. The best time to view game is in the early morning and late afternoon.

Visitors are invited to join guided nature walks through the low hills. These walks are led by a naturalist, as is another excursion that travels by SUV to the Banas Riverbed to spot water fowl and wading birds.

tigerPhoto: Aman-i-Khás website

Ranthambore National Park, once the hunting ground of the Maharajah of Jaipur, was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1955. Following concerted conservation efforts and the launch of Project Tiger in 1973, the tiger population is now more visible and stable.

Aman-i-Khás is available for reservations from October to April, which is also the best time for wildlife spotting. Find out more about Aman-i-Khás.