Roaring RAJASTHAN

From Jawai's dramatic landscape and Jaisalmer's rich heritage to Ranthambore's enthralling wilderness-Isha Mayer explores SUJÁN's luxurious, eco-conscious hospitality offerings in the beautiful state

- Isha Mayer

It was 5:50 am when I left for the morning game drive at Jawai, Rajasthan. Pacing through 850 million-year-old granite rocks situated along rich agrarian fields, sand rivers, scrubland and patches of light forest, the jeep finally came to a halt. "There she is-Fenela," whispered my field guide. The bold leaopard stared at us. Unbothered by our presence, she continued to mark her territory in the bushes nearby before heading up to the rock and perching herself, looking like a majestic queen. Such are the wildlife experiences that SUJÁN JAWAI promises. Nestled within a dramatic wild landscape, it is now the only Indian hotel to be featured in the World's 50 Best Hotels 2024 list, an annual ranking of the best venues globally, at #43.

My Route du Bonheur (Route of Happiness) tour began with SUJÁN's third camp (the first two are in Ranthambore and Jaisalmer, respectively). SUJÁN is a member of the Relais and Châteaux group, which for 70 years has offered experiences that immerse you in a place and its culture, allowing you to discover them up close.

LIVING ALONGSIDE LEOPARDS

SUJÁN JAWAI derives its name from the seasonal Jawai River, which flows through this region and empties itself into the Jawai Bandh, one of the largest reservoirs in the state. The camp is located equidistant from Jodhpur and Udaipur, making it accessible to travellers.

While the leopards are the stars of the show, the safaris and nature trails bring you closer to the semi-nomadic Rabari herdsmen coexisting harmoniously with the wild cats. 'Rabari' is derived from the word 'Rehaan', meaning 'a person who shows the path.' Wearing white dhotis, scarlet turbans and traditional jewellery and footwear, it's common to witness the Rabaris leading their herd of goats to graze the rocky lands of Jawai.