Ramathra Fort, India

Photo Gallery

The 350 year old Ramathra Fort has been in the same family for 11 generations and has recently been restored into a luxury 6 room retreat deep in the Rajasthani countryside. Surrounded by hills and forests and with Lake Kalisil only a 20 minute walk below the ramparts, the area attracts a lot of wildlife, especially birds. Since the owners have restored the surrounding eco-system after years of de-foresting, other larger animals have returned to the slopes surrounding the fort, like the Blue Bull.

The fort really is home from home and is very relaxing. In the cooler months (cool is 25 degrees C !) they put day beds out on the remparts so you can watch the wildlife unfold on the plateau below. This is an outdoor place and the activities are all geared to that but if you just want to relax in the tranqulity of the castle then it is a great place to unwind with uninterrupted views in every direction.

This is undoubetdly one of the most authentic fort retreats in the country, if not Rajasthan itself and rather than being a hotel, it is really a home and that is its real appeal, along with the charming hosts who share their home with you in every way, and make sure that amazing service is the order of the day.

Rooms

There are 6 rooms and in the peak travel months October - March, they also erect 6 beautiful tents with there own permanent private bathrooms. The furnishings are all traditional and in very good condition, and you can tell this place has been restored with a lot of due care and attention to detail. The 2 upstairs suites come with their own living area, large bedroom and huge bathroom. In addition there is a balcony with another terazzo bath and rainfall shower which is a window to the countryside below - a great way to start the day.

The downstairs rooms are equally well maintained and appointed and despite not having their own lounge area, are very generous in size at c. 45m2.

Dinng

Eating at Ramathra is a unique experience because they only do home cooking here and you will sample dishes never before seen in any Indian restaurant in the west. All their produce is grown locally and they even have their own farm in the valley where 90% of the vegetables, all organic, are grown. They farm a lot of their own meat from the same smallholding. The barbecued chicken was exquisite as were the lightly spiced green tomatoes. Breakfast is a mix of fruits, yoghurts and breads, and if you want to try eating a more Indian style fayre that is naturally on offer too. Unique, delicious and also pretty healthy.

Facilities

Ensuite Bathrooms
Fireplace
Custom furnishings
King size beds
Luxury cotton bed linen
Dining room
Bar
Many terraces all over the ramparts

Touring & Exploring

Today, tigers are rare and the bandits only legendary, but visitors regularly see several varieties of deer, blue bulls, wolves jackals, hyenas and, if lucky, a wild boar, bear or leopard.

Jeep safaris from Ramathra Fort take you across the Daang through its badlands to several spectacular places that are best explored on foot. Destinations include Utgir Fort at the rim of the Chambal River valley, cave temples of Ghanteshvar and Kurka, and the Chuaki gorge. With all the jeep safaris you’ll meet villagers and see their homes as they tend small plots in the fertile valley or herd cattle on the Daang scrub. Several stops are planned when crossing the Daang for photography and animal-spotting, making the journey as fun and interesting as the destination.

Map of Karauli District, India

Travel Information

Fly into Jaipur and take a 4 hour private transfer through the Rajasthan countryside. Alternatively, take the train from Agra to Sawai Madhopur and then the Fort's staff will pick you up for a shorter 2 hour transfer.