Places 40 Lay of the
Places 40 Lay of the Land safari destination. And The Oberoi Vanyavilas Wildlife Resort (oberoihotels.com) is an especially charismatic abode to call home in these parts. Apart from tiger safaris into Ranthambore, the all-tent property (think canopied king-sized beds, free-standing bathtubs and teakwood flooring) also offers birding trips. Depending on the season, one can spot grey herons, oriental magpies, red wattled lapwings and pelicans at Surwal Lake, a 45-minute drive from the resort. The Chambal River, home to the world’s largest population of critically endangered gharial crocodiles, is also within driving distance. The ultimate leopard-spotting site is in the Pali region of Rajasthan, the airport closest to which is in Jodhpur, western Rajasthan. Here, leopards have for centuries co-existed with man and are considered sacred by the local Rabari people. In the near absence of man-animal conflict, they are often sighted lazing on rocks in broad daylight, especially around the Shiva temple in Peherwa. Also, unlike elsewhere, leopards here are part of social units and are frequently seen in the company of others, which has led researchers to reexamine what they know about the big cat’s behaviour. Stay at Suján Jawai (thesujanlife.com) and make your own impression. Over the past decade, the resort’s conservation efforts have created animal corridors where mother leopards have been seen with their cubs heading to a nearby reservoir. A most unforgettable way to explore the region’s rocky terrain is on horseback, astride the camp’s own Marwari and Kathiawari horses. Both tigers and leopards can be spotted in the arid rocky landscape of the Sariska Tiger Reserve, about 110 kilometres from Jaipur. Here, skilled naturalists at the rustic-chic Utsav Camp Sariska (utsavcampsariska. com) lead tracking tours to seek out leopards and striped hyenas who are partial to the boulder-strewn terrain around the hotel. Tigers prefer the more verdant confines of the state-run reserve and can be spotted on safari tours conducted within the sanctuary. LIVING HISTORY In a destination rife with eye-popping palace hotels, visitors are truly spoiled for choice. Jodhpur’s Taj Umaid Bhawan ( tajhotels.com), might be the most imposing of them all, with its crowning dome visible from miles around. Back in the day, the 347- room residence was considered one of the world’s largest royal homes. Today, befitting the residence of a maharaja, this Art Deco palace hotel continues to be the standard bearer for opulent living. Jodhpur was once the capital of the Marwar kingdom, and to get the full import of its history, one must venture up to the awe-inspiring Mehrangarh Fort. An excellent Above: leopard-spotting is a major draw to the region; top: Six Senses Fort Barwara, set in a lavishly restored 14thcentury edifice near Ranthambore National Park PHOTOS FROM TOP: © SIX SENSES, THOMAS MIDULLA CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM
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