Aman-i-Khas

Aman-i-Khas is an exclusive wilderness camp set in the rugged hills of Rajasthan on the outskirts of Ranthambhore National Park.

Combining the Sanskrit word for ‘peace’ with the Hindi word for ‘special’, khás, Aman-i-Khás offers accommodation in 10 luxury air-conditioned tents each with soaring canopies draped in the Moghul style. There are also three separate tents for dining, spa treatments and relaxing. Twice-daily, guided wildlife viewing excursions take guests into the park to spot indigenous game including tigers, leopards, hyenas, sloth bears, crocodiles and chital deer.

More about this hotel

Facilities

Spa

Centred by a small fountain, the Spa Tent consists of two separate treatment areas, each featuring twin massage tables.

The therapists at Aman-i-Khás distil millennia of knowledge of the healing arts into rejuvenating spa treatments. These include a variety of massages, scrubs, stretches, facials and foot treatments designed to soothe and revitalise.

Half or full hour Reiki sessions are available, as well as guided yoga and meditation.

To experience the traditional body art of India, have your arms or hands decorated with delicate henna art using local ingredients, herbs and spices.

Safari

The experience at Aman-i-Khás is focused on viewing wildlife. There are twice-daily guided excursions in an open-top vehicle that transports guests on wildlife safaris into the core of Ranthambore National Park. The park was once the hunting ground of the Maharajah of Jaipur but 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.

The core of the park, which measures around 400 square kilometres, presents the best opportunities to spot tigers, leopards, jungle cats, hyenas and sloth bears. Guests are not guaranteed a tiger sighting, but the area is among the best to do so in India. Chital deer, antelope and gazelle can also be seen roaming the savannah whilst the lakes and waterholes are home to the Indian marsh crocodile. Bird life, both resident and migratory, is prolific and over 350 species have been sighted within the park.

The best time to view game is in the early morning and late afternoon from open-top safari vehicles. The morning starts with tea or coffee at 5am with vehicles leaving camp shortly thereafter. Excursions last around 3.5 hours and take place twice a day. Trips are led by National Park-appointed guides who take guests through the park on a variety of routes. Snacks and drinks are provided. The morning excursion returns at about 10.00am when breakfast is served either in the Dining Tent or in the privacy of a guest’s own tent. Afternoon excursions depart from the camp at around 3.00pm and generally return at 6.30pm. Excursion times are set by the park authorities as only a limited number of vehicles are permitted inside the park core at any one time. Safaris need to be secured prior to arrival. Details such as a guest’s first and last names, father’s first and last names, passport number, nationality and date of birth are required to book and confirm safaris.

Camel safaris in the outskirts of the park and through traditional villages are also available.

Fireplace

Situated in the central area of the camp, this outdoor spot with its nightly log fires serves as an informal lounge and dining area. It is the ideal location for basking in the winter sun, as well as providing a relaxed pre- and post-excursion meeting point.

Lounge

Located adjacent to the Dining Tent is the Lounge Tent, furnished with banquettes, reading tables and chairs. The Lounge provides a wide selection of coffee-table books on the National Park, India’s tigers and the history and culture of Rajasthan, as well as other aspects of Indian heritage. Also on offer is a selection of novels, magazines and board games. Guests may listen to the CDs available with personal CD players. A small range of local handicrafts, fabrics and sundries are available for purchase.

Internet

Wireless broadband connections are available in the Lounge Tent and some public areas.

Accommodation

Tents

Aman-i-Khás features 10 luxury tents identical in style, each set on a raised concrete plinth. They echo the rich Moghul travelling tents of bygone days with ‘rooms’ separated by cotton drapes. Constructed of canvas and supported by a steel frame, with interior walls and ceilings draped in fine cotton, each tent measures 108m². Entry is through a screened area that contains an armchair, dining table and chairs. There is also room to sit outside on the concrete deck. The centre of the tent, with its soaring six-metre canopy, features an oversized daybed ideal for lounging.

Opening out from the central area are three sections for sleeping, bathing and dressing. The bedroom area is fitted with a king-size bed flanked by twin writing desks. The bathing area includes a shower, soaking tub and separate toilet, whilst 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.

Gastronomy & Bar

Softly lit by lamps, the Dining Tent is furnished with one large central table and several smaller tables, all surrounded by chairs. Indian cuisine and a range of Western dishes are served, and the freshness of produce is ensured as most of the vegetables and herbs are grown in the camp’s organic vegetable garden. Dinner is most often concluded around a roaring outdoor fire that serves as a focal point in the evenings.