Wilderness Camp

Rooms

The 7 tents are made of heavy-duty cream linen, and are pitched in a row above the sandstone ramparts, separated from one another by little walls. All face out over the wilderness, and the awning of each contains 2 thickly cushioned deckchairs; a great place to snuggle up and watch the sun rise.

Inside, they're surprisingly roomy and regal, with smart polished teak furniture and striped jute rugs. Marigold block-printed tent linings billow above your head, and white curtains are draped across one end. The beds are big and comfy, decked out with white cotton and marigold duvet covers, and these can be made up as twins or a double. In one corner there's a writing desk (for this is a truly inspirational setting!); in another, teak-wood chairs with thick cream cushions. The large windows have flaps to allow light and fresh air through, and are covered in heavy insect netting.

What's really lovely though, are all the thoughtful details you gradually notice. Royal blue dressing gowns are folded into neat squares, old-fashioned lanterns adorn the walls, and there's plenty of space to store and hang luggage. While you're at dinner, a nifty turndown service takes place, and you return to a lantern-lit glow.

The bathroom is very impressive, too. Forget roughing it because you're camping - the toilet flushes, the walls and floor are tiled, and the thick towels are snowy white. There's a walk-in shower with solar-powered hot water and the large sink is decked out with a range of bespoke Rohet toiletries (all the usuals, plus a loofah and dental kit). Our only complaint would be that the shower head is fixed at shoulder level - annoying if you want to wash your hair.

Eating

The dining room is open-sided with a thatched roof and you can sit in small or large groups to eat; whichever you prefer. We started talking to other guests over aperitifs in the adjacent lounge and asked for our dining tables to be pushed together; this seemed to be a popular request. Tables are attractively laid with scarlet and yellow linens, and china and glasswear embossed with the Rohet family crest and motto: 'Life is to give, not to take'.

Food-wise, meals were hearty rather than haute cuisine. Some things were very good, others disappointingly bland in a country where spice is the variety of life. When we arrived, mid afternoon, we were served high tea on the sun deck - tea, coffee, little sandwiches and cakes. Dinner kicked off with vegetable soup and this was followed by a curry buffet - rice, naan, cauliflower curry, a rather nondescript chicken dish, sag aloo with paneer cheese and some barbecued chicken. There was also a pasta dish.

Breakfast the next day was a hot and cold buffet. Cooked options included Bombay potatoes (delicious), porridge or eggs, bacon and beans (all rather unappetising). Yoghurts, fresh papaya and other fruit and cereals were all on offer, and once we sat down the chef whipped up some tasty pude (little Indian pancakes), which we ate with marmalade and honey. Juice was of the carton variety.

Staff can easily arrange a picnic expedition during the day to a local beauty spot.

Activities

• Horse or camel rides are a must; many rate these expeditions as the highlight of their stay in the desert, indeed in Rajasthan. The family claims - with good reason - that their Marwari horses are the best in Rajasthan. A perfect day's ride is the 18km to (or from) Rohet Garh, with colourful villages and a picnic lunch en route
  
  
• However if, like us, you fear becoming saddle sore, opt for the Jeep safari instead. This 2-hour trip takes you to see herds of black buck antelope and wild camels, and you'll also visit local Bishnoi villages. The Bishnois are an ancient Rajasthani tribe, who worship nature in all its manifestations: women suckle motherless deer, die to save trees and go hungry to provide food for animals. At one of the villages you may be invited to partake in an opium tea ceremony with the village elders - a real honour
  
  
• Sit on the sundowner deck and watch animals come to drink at the waterhole - look out for chinkara (Indian gazelle), Demoiselle cranes, peacocks and desert foxes
  
  
• Spend an afternoon at Rohet Garh, where you can have Ayurvedic treatments in the spa, or laze by the gorgeous swimming pool

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Hiking
• Horse riding
• Shopping / markets
• Wildlife

Kids

Children are welcome, but older kids would be better suited to the wide open spaces and the adventure of the desert. It's ideal if they're into riding horses and camels. You'll need to bring a travel cot for babies.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Extra Beds Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Wilderness Camp is 18km into the Thar Desert from Rohet Garh, where you'll begin your journey into the wilderness, and about 60km from Jodhpur. It's 206km from Mt Abu, 280km from Udaipur, 235km from Jaisalmer and 334km from Jaipur.

By Air
Jodphur (60km away) is the nearest airport. It's served by internal flights from most Indian airports, including Delhi, Mumbai (Bombay), Jaipur and Udaipur - click on the links below for a list of airlines.

By Rail
Jodhpur can be reached by rail from Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Agra, Bikaner and Jaisalmer.

From the Airport/Station
Rohet Garh is a 50-minute car drive from Johdpur; the hotel can arrange transfers - see Rates.

By Car
Rohet Garh is on the main highway from Jodhpur to Udaipur and on the way to the famed Ranakpur temples. Our Tailormade Tour Operator can arrange a driver for the single journey or as part of a longer bespoke tour of Rajasthan.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Rajasthan and getting around