Explore The Splendour of Jodhpur with amã Stays & Trails

Rajasthan has always stayed true to the meaning of its name Land of the “Rajahs” or “Kings". Being the largest state in India, it has never failed to disappoint its visitors with its rich heritage, history, and scenic extravaganza all brimming with colors. Each part of Rajasthan sings a very different tune. Moreover, if you are a lover of mountains and sands, then this state will always impress you, with both the Aravalli and the Thar Desert, as its geographical features. Jodhpur nicknamed as the ‘blue city’ is one of the best places in Rajasthan to visit.

The city was founded around 1459 AD by Rao Jodha Rathore and with a rich history tourists fall in love with Jodhpur, home to majestic forts, palaces, temples, and innumerable beautiful attractions.

The view of Jodhpur, as a whole, from the top, is absolutely breathtaking with the old city houses draped in blue color. The indulgent city spoils you with various choices in terms of activities. Though people commonly associate Jodhpur with popular places like Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawans, and Chamunda Mata Mandir, there are numerous offbeat enriching experiences you can embark upon to see Jodhpur differently.

Offbeat Things To Do in Jodhpur

Desert Safari & Hot Air Ballooning in Thar Desert

Desert safari with camel rides offers an adventurous yet breathtaking expedition across the vast stretches of the Thar Desert. A few moments with the yellow desert sun, soaking in the perfect beauty of the endless sand dunes is a memory to behold.

A similar pleasant experience awaits you in Osian, a lesser-known place, an hour’s drive from Jodhpur City. As you decide to walk on the sand, besides your camel crossing the dunes and bracing the coarse desert winds, you may suddenly imagine yourself to be a Bedouin or the lost traveller from a storybook. As the sun gradually disappears, you can settle down amidst the stillness and treat yourself to a typical Rajasthani dinner to make your experience even more memorable. An Osian desert safari can also include a jeep safari to Bhikamkore or Dabdi. Osian is also known to give even Khajuraho steep competition when it comes to architectural excellence, a classic example being the Majestic Sachiya Mata Temple. You can also embark on hot air ballooning at Osian to experience amazing panoramic views.

The Bird Sanctuary at Kichan

However, Jodhpur is not only about desert experiences. Surprisingly, it is home to a natural bird sanctuary at Khichan where avid bird watchers enjoy themselves. Previously, touted as a sleepy town, 4kms from Phalodi, it is presently a second home to Demoiselle cranes of Eurasia and Mongolia, who visit around August. Capturing these beauties is a must-do activity for every bird watcher.

Bishnoi Villages

If you would like to expand your horizons from the busy city life, exploring the rural side of Rajasthan with the safari to Bishnoi villages is ideal. A jeep picks you up and drives to the first stop, The Shepherd’s Village. The villagers take utmost care of the domestic animals from camels to sheep. Gudha village offers the travellers an opportunity to zoom their lens on some wildlife species like the blackbuck, cranes, antelope, etc, whose natural habitat is around Guda Lake. The last two villages are a feast for creative-minded people. The Weaver's village and The Potter's village are ideal to mesmerize the guests with the stunning techniques of traditional weaving, the skills being passed on from one generation to another. Shaping and crafting clay while making beautiful pots at Potter's village, could never have been appreciated more. The safari ends with you absorbing a never-ending flow of interesting stories about the villagers' daily lives and experiences while enjoying a simple and delicious meal at a native home with an earthy fragrance.

Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park

You would be definitely missing out on a gemstone of your experience, without a trip to Rao Jodha Desert Rock Park. It was created in 2006, out of a large rocky wasteland. Since 2011, it is welcoming visitors to an interesting mix of geology and ecology. On one hand, you may find yourselves surrounded by more than 250 species of plants, some even surprisingly growing in a very arid landscape. On the other side, as a city dweller, you come across various rocks that you have seen for the first time. Rhyolite and Breccia are a few of them. Some still bear the proof of molten lava flow, which happened millions of years back and well-trained staff and naturalists are always there to guide you through this superbly exciting journey.

amã Stays & Trails in Jodhpur

To experience Jodhpur differently when you are visiting the city with your family & friends, amã Stays & Trails offers 2 distinctive stay experiences with the best villas and bungalows in Jodhpur.

Abhay Villa at Bisalpur in Jodhpur aims to gift you, your family and friends an identical experience of living on a farm. Built on rustic farmland, the estate is surrounded by stables, deep wells, and a shooting range. The villa is built on a heightened platform that is connected to a large swimming pool and a beautiful garden, with an outdoor sitting arrangement. The three spacious bedrooms with large bay windows are indeed a treat for guests and make the Abhay Villa amã Stays & Trails one of the best pool villas to stay in Jodhpur.

Kothi at Umednagar is a bungalow of amã Stays & Trails, built on a completely arid landscape, sprawling over 40 acres. The gigantic bedrooms, being four in number can easily accommodate eight guests. The most significant feature of the bungalow is the unique amalgamation of red sandstone, a homage to the history of Jodhpur, and the aristocratic taste for colonial-style furniture including tastefully curated art deco chandeliers.

As you step onto well-manicured lawns, your eyes seem to wander off to some far and wide uninhabited land, home only to innumerable varieties of flora and fauna. The rich character & vast arid landscape of Kothi Umednagar makes it one of the best bungalows in Jodhpur.

Elaborate meals in both villas are served with lots of warmth by the well-trained hospitable staff, that explores the intricacies of the rich Rajasthani cuisine, with subtle touches borrowed from the Mughal and the Rajputi cuisines. The fact that should be proudly mentioned is that all the ingredients are fresh and sourced locally. As a small surprise, the guests are offered to spend time at the villa kitchen and rustle up delicious culinary stories, guided by the chefs. You may enjoy a meal featuring Junglee Maas and vow to cook Ker Sangri, back in the city, that you have learned in the villas.

You may love to opt for the Heritage Walks in the Osian, in the Thar Desert, to enrich yourself with the enchanting history of the ancient Hindu temples, as you explore the ruins.

If dawns and dusks are pleasant, a sumptuous dinner awaits you, out in the open, and can be fulfilling too, to say the least. As you eat, you may just quietly listen to the relaxing sounds of nature.

Cool-weather and a starry night sky demand an unforgettable experience as the bungalow chefs grill the vegetables and the meat, chosen by you and your friends at the barbecue grill, set up in the garden.

A bright sunny morning can start with you and your family heading for a nice and cozy picnic in one of the many spots surrounding the property. Jeep safari to camel safari includes everything you need to explore from a desert expedition.

So, it is time that you gear up for a rejuvenating getaway, leaving all the stress and noises of city life behind, and enrich yourself with a myriad of magnificent experiences as the blue city vanishes all your blues, being re-energized by the villa stay at amã Stays & Trails.