Imagine stepping out into your personal bucolic courtyard on an exquisite autumn morning. You walk up to your machan and see the sky smiling right at you, bright as a child's painting; its hues of pinks and oranges piled on top of each other. For once, this sight is not hazed by pollution and concrete buildings, but is heightened by the awe-inspiring Aravalli hills amidst which your luxurious chalet lies. This dream is one which finds fruition in reality, every single day at Trees and Tigers, a luxury wildlife resort in Sariska.
Ideal For:
Trees and Tigers is an ideal getaway destination for those looking to spend time away from the chagrin of the city. Tucked away in the lap of nature, Trees and Tigers makes a great destination for a vacation with family, friends, spouses and even your own self! The resort is a haven for wildlife and photography enthusiasts.
About Trees and Tigers:
Craving a trip to the mountains to revel in their unadulterated beauty? Now you don't have to travel all the way to Himachal, you can simply experience living amidst nature, wildlife and Rajasthani culture at Trees and Tigers Resort. Situated at a distance of 190km from New Delhi, in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, the resort is located amidst wilderness in the village Kushalpura. It is the perfect destination for a road trip to the sunshine state.
Themed around the prominent Sariska sanctuary, Trees and Tigers is committed to preserving the natural beauty of the forested area it is located within. The decor of the resort is pastoral and stands apart with the classy and modern touch that each corner of the resort is adorned with. The resort boasts of a courtyard, which is the centre of all activities – bonfires during winter, moon-bathing on full moon nights, and for dancing the night away. The swimming pool at the resort is another attraction, located in the middle of the forest, bedecked with sun beds, loungers and pool chairs. The deck leading up to the pool is embellished with lanterns, hence preserving the natural touch that the resort stands for. An attractive part about the pool is that it does not come time-bound, you can even swim at midnight, bathing under the moonlight.
At the resort, you are sure to satiate the wildlife enthusiast within you. Since it is visited by about 150 different species of migratory birds every winter season, the lake within the resort is home to frogs and cat fish, whereas deer and blue bulls are common sights at the boundaries of the resort. If you're a bird watcher, it is a good idea to spend a few days at Trees and Tigers, and photograph rare birds at leisure, throughout the day. Trees and Tigers is the home in the lap of nature that you have always dreamed of.
The Cottages:
A stay at Trees and Tigers doesn't just come with a luxurious room, but with an entire cottage, with your personal courtyard and machan to enjoy the wildlife as much as possible. The rooms are done up with contemporary aesthetics, finished with a dressing room and a state-of-the-art luxurious bathroom.
Cost:
All the cottages at the resort belong to the premium category and will cost you about ₹8,800 (room only), ₹10,620 (breakfast included), ₹12,390 (breakfast and lunch included) and ₹14,740 (all meals included) per night. These prices are inclusive of GST. If you're going with a group of friends or family, you can book the twin cottages that are connected to each other by a private pool in the courtyard!
Food:
To further make you feel like royalty, the restaurant at the resort specialises in Indian and Mughlai food, with various dishes from across Rajasthan. An eclectic array of continental food is also available.
Best Time to Go:
As temperatures hit about 50 degree celsius during summer months, the best time to visit the resort is from August to April. During monsoon, the forest around the resort is in full bloom and its greenery and myriad colours are a sight to behold. Winter season is when the resort is most in demand for its abundant fauna.
How to Get to Trees and Tigers:
Sariska is midway from Delhi and Jaipur, and hence a must visit due to its convenient location. The following directions are from Delhi:
By Air: The closest airports to Trees and Tigers are the Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi and Jaipur Airport. From here you can reach Trees and Tigers by road.
By Road: Coming from Delhi, you have to reach the Ghatilala Village in Kushalpura, Alwar. Drive along: NH248, turn left onto Sariska Road, cross Natni ka Bara onto Malakhera for 4km, turn left onto a gravel road at the Trees and Tigers board, go through the village and you will reach the resort.
By Train: The closest railway station to the resort is 30km away in Alwar. At the Alwar railway station, you can hail a cab to reach the resort.
Places to Visit Around Trees and Tigers:
Trees and Tigers is away from the crowd, but is also centrally located. Below are the places one can visit:
Situated only 15km away from the resort is Sariska Tiger Reserve whose main attraction are its tigers. For the past few years, it has been reported that Sariska is home to about 13-15 tigers. Apart from tigers, one can also spot the Indian leopard, jungle cat, caracal, striped hyena, Indian jackal, chital and the four-horned antelope.
Certified as the most haunted place in all of Asia, the ruins of Bhangarh Fort are usually on every Indian traveller's bucket list. The drive from the resort, which is only 66km, takes you through typical sights of a Rajasthani village. The fort is open for visitors till 6pm, so be sure to visit Bhangarh before the sun goes down. Also, keep your cameras and your wits about.
The Siliserh Lake is a massive natural lake which was redirected ages ago to act as a water source for Alwar. At the banks of the lake lies a royal palace that was built by Maharaja Vinay Singh for his wife, Queen Shila, in 1845. The palace is open for visitors, in fact, you can even enjoy a cup of tea at its rooftop that overlooks the lake – a perfect way to witness a sunset.
Abhaneri, located 64km away, is known to be home to India's largest step well, and is a must-visit for all those interested in architecture and history. Apart from this, Abhaneri also has a temple devoted to Harshat Mata, which is also a must-see.
If you're visiting the resort to purely unwind and relax in its tranquility, then there's a lot to do within its premises. Your personal machhan can be converted into a star-gazing spot as the skies are absolutely clear. You can take a swim in the pool or simply lounge alongside and soak in the sun. The resort also organises Kalbelia dance which is a Rajasthani dance form performed by the Kalbelia tribe of the state, along with puppet shows during the nights. Jungle Safaris, night safaris and camel rides can be arranged on prior intimation. You can also experience village life by taking a tour of the village that circumscribes the resort, and get an experience of the real, rural Rajasthani culture.
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