Rajasthan is the best place to be this February thanks to the cool Khajuraho Music festival and Jaisalmer Desert festivals scheduled to happen this month. And while you’re there, stop by on the outskirts of Jaipur, and check into the luxurious stunning medieval heritage homestay that is Khas Bagh.
This farm retreat is run by a retired Colonel N S Rathore and his son, polo player Ransher Singh and boasts of good Rajasthani family hospitality. Khas bagh has lovely open courtyards and verandahs with arches and intricately carved stone pillars and jaalis, which have all been hand craft by the local craftsmen.
The 18 luxurious rooms in Khas Bagh are fitted with classic jharokas, which are those gorgeous types of overhanging balconies that are quite unique to Rajasthan. Alongside the intricately carved furniture is state-of-the-art-bathrooms with rain showers, satellite TVs, spacious wardrobes, and well stocked coffee/tea trolleys designed to ensure that guests are provided with the best of comforts.
Activities at the Khas Bagh
And although the plush interiors would entice you to lounge indoors all day, there are plenty of exciting outdoor activities arranged for guests as well. Some of them include:
Polo Riding: You can get polo lessons from the host Ransher, who is himself a professional polo player. Or you could chill at the Ram Bagh polo club and catch a game in action followed by cocktail drinks before heading back home for dinner.
Horse Safari: If you love horse riding, you can head out for an early morning canter with the horses and choose to breakfast with them if you aren’t inclined go back just yet. There are also special horse lessons available in the paddock for anyone who is interested.
Elephant Safari: Khas Bhag also offers a fun elephant safari if you’re game for a slow ramble across the countryside. The elephants are ever so gracious allowing to be fed sugarcane sticks and painted in different designs.
Jeep rides: Khas Bagh lies close to the sprawling medieval forts of Amer and Jaigarh and the homestay authorizes organize jeep safaris to enjoy the palaces, ramparts, gardens and imposing walls within the fort.
Yoga: The peaceful and quiet environment in Khas bagh also makes it a really cool place to take up yoga classes to invigorate oneself.
Cycling: For the more active enthusiasts there are cycling expeditions available where you can head to the neighboring villages to check out the traditional artisans at work or get a glimpse of authentic rural life in Rajasthan.
And when you’re done with all that excitement, you can wind down by the pool and catch the sunset or enjoy a barbeque with a bonfire and listen to war stories from the host, Colonel Rathore.
If you want to step into a world far away and yet feel right at home, step into the wonderful Rajasthani homestay Khas Bagh. The promise it holds is that you will want to come back, more than once.
Getting There
Khas Bagh : Village: Natata, Kunda, Amer, Jaipur
Email id: info@khasbagh.com
Contact No: +91 9829062392
Web: www.khasbagh.com
From Airport: 30km
From Railway Station : 22km
From Delhi Jaipur Highway: 2km