ramathra fort karauli district rajasthan: rajasthan

The 350 year old Ramathra Fort has been in the same family for 11 generations and has recently been restored by 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 its 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 hav etheir 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.

 

 

 

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 hav etheir 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activities:

Ramathra village trail: A complete walking tour of Ramathra village, a small hamlet of cattle herders and farmers, takes about 3 hours and is included in the room price.

Boating at sunset: Take a row on the lake at sunset to watch the birdlife. This is also complimentary and binoculars and a bird book included.

Wilderness drive: our the countryside, visit Gujar hamlets and explore a cavenous gorge and an old cave temple. £19 p/p

Night safaris:  Jeep safaris take you across the Daang plateau stretchng east to the Chambal river valley and as far as Ranthambore national park in the south. The area is filled with gorges and animals that can be sighted include: Blue Bulls, deer, wolves, jackals, hyenas, wild boar and if lucky, bears and leopards. £ 22 p/p

Cycling at Ramathra: take a 10 km bike ride in the totally unspoilt countryside to see nature at its best. £ 12 p/p

Day trip to Karauli: Just over an hours drive from Ramathra is the closest town, Karauli. The city Palace and the temple of Madanmohanji are very well preserved and the Karauli bazaar is a great and busy place to shop in. £ 22.00 p/p

Jeep safari to Ranthambore: A full day trip through the countryside in 4 wheel drive jeeps, across the river banas and eventually to Ranhambore fort. £38 p/p

Ramathra Fort would be included as part of a 10 day + tour of Rajasthan with a private driver. Approximate cost using heritage properites in other areas would be £ 2,500 per person including flights from the UK and requisite entrance fees and guide/ vehicle costs.