The land of brave kings, luxurious palaces and imposing forts, Rajasthan is also home to many small villages that seem to be lost in time. One such is the village of Chandelao, which is around 40km from Jodhpur. Here, the descendent of a local clan of landlords has transformed his family’s homestead into a heritage homestay. While the homestay in itself is a destination, owner Praduman Singh ensures guests have much to do and experience outside his home\'s walls and are immersed in life in rural Rajasthan.

Chandelao Garh, the fortress-style ancestral-home-turned-homestay, is a small hotel with just 23 rooms. You enter it through a magnificent stone archway. The original 18th century red, carved Jodhpur sandstone building stands majestically in spacious grounds. The central colonnaded courtyard is the hotel’s dining room, while the outer walls house the guest rooms.

While you will get most modern comforts here, do not expect telephones and televisions. The rooms are all unique—not surprising, considering parts that were not meant to be bedrooms have been converted for this purpose. In many rooms, the beds are set in beautiful niches. All rooms are kitted out with period furniture. 

The kitchens serve Western and authentic Rajasthani cuisine. The chapattis are cooked on wood fire and at every meal you are sure to get a good sampling of Rajasthani dishes.

Breakfast and lunch are served in the colonnaded main building but when the weather is fine dinner is served on the terrace above the main gate of the Garh. Here, along with your meal, you can enjoy the cool evening breeze and the view of the city lights  of Jodhpur in the distance and the magnificent desert sky above.

There are many ‘spots’ within the property for the guests to lounge around in. On the upper level of the central building is a sitting room with comfortable chairs and a small library with tiger and leopard skin floor rugs from an earlier era. The terrace with its comfortable cane chairs is perfect for an evening tête-à-tête. The gatehouse terrace offers magnificent views of the village and the Rajasthani countryside.

The surrounding areas attract migratory birds and, in fact, the Garh’s grounds are home to peafowl, parakeets, bulbuls, rollers, bee-eaters, and hoopoes.

While you might be tempted to stay-in throughout your trip, do resist it as the rewards are plenty for those who step out. The village of about 2,000 with its twisting lanes, traditional mud brick homes, fields and pasture land is a great place to explore. There are traditional potters and craftspeople, who will gladly show you the intricacies of their craft. You can enjoy camel and horse rides too. The surrounding region attracts migratory birds between October and March and the homestay can organise jeep safaris. You will see Black Buck, Nilgai and Chinkara too. Another great experience is enjoying a barbeque dinner in the desert under the stars--the staff will happily arrange one for you. 

Price: Rs 4,000; includes breakfast

Read more: http://www.chandelao.com/

Slow Travel

Chandelao Garh reuses almost 70% of its grey water. In this rain scarce region, the Garh harvests rain water. It has also helped nearby villagers in rain water harvesting by helping build channels to collect rain water. Solar energy is used throughout the property, including for water heating. Grid-electricity is used only for air conditioning. About 80% of employees are local. The property supports an art and craft project, Sundar Rang, where local women work with textiles, thus creating income for these women and preserving traditional skills.