Aesthetics & Philosophy

Khem Villas is a serene ecological oasis that encompasses a diverse ecosystem of grasslands, forests, and water bodies. It provides an ideal base for exploring the remarkable flora and fauna of Ranthambore National Park. Spanning 25 acres, this tranquil haven has garnered numerous awards for its exceptional service.

The primary building of Khem Villas is situated adjacent to a charming pond and contains a set of rooms, The Library, and Bar. The garden and these areas are the main public spaces of the property. The cottages, villas, and tents are located in separate sections of the property and offer ample space for privacy. Some accommodations come equipped with outdoor baths or private sit-outs.

The owners of Khem Villas are actively involved in several social projects. They would be delighted to arrange visits for those interested in learning more about their work. By choosing to stay at Khem Villas, guests also support these initiatives, as a portion of the profits is invested in them each year.

Accommodation

At Khem Villas, great care has been taken to ensure that the accommodation is eco-friendly. While it has an air of sophistication and elegance, it is also rustic and down-to-earth, reflecting Usha's personal style and influence. Throughout the property, natural elements are incorporated, and the construction materials and techniques used are locally-sourced.

Khem Villas features two villas, eight cottages, ten tents, and four rooms. The villas are elevated, providing a breathtaking view of the open grasslands, forests, and hills. They also offer ample private outdoor space. The cottages are spacious and comfortable, arranged around a central area. The tents are called so only in name, as they are set up on a wooden platform and supported by a steel frame. They are roomy and minimally furnished with modern amenities.

The main building houses four bedrooms that can be rented individually or as a private space for a small group. The upstairs rooms have large bay windows that offer scenic views of the surrounding greenery. All accommodations are functional yet luxurious, featuring stylish en suite bathrooms, some with outdoor bathtubs, and tasteful designs with wooden flooring, teak furniture, white linen, soft lighting, and ample space.

At Khem Villas, all meals are vegetarian, prepared with fresh produce from their organic farm. Some dishes may contain eggs. They receive fresh milk from a local dairy daily, and they make their own yogurt and cheese in-house. Their carefully curated menus by Usha offer a diverse selection of Indian, Western, and Oriental cuisine, which have earned praise from their guests, some of whom have even asked her to create a cookbook!

Experiences

Khem Villas is situated near Ranthambore National Park, making it an ideal destination for wildlife lovers. Game drives to the park can be arranged directly, and a visit to the Ranthambore Fort inside the park is also recommended. For those seeking adventure further afield, Team can arrange a river safari on the Chambal or a visit to the black buck sanctuary.

The hosts offer a lovely evening experience with drinks around a campfire while enjoying the sounds of the jungle. On winter nights, guests can stargaze with the help of camp naturalist Digvijay's spotting scope by the lake.

Team has organized several activities showcasing rural life for children and young adults, including a lesson in organic farming, visits to the local dairy and school, bird and butterfly walks, and art classes to learn black and white miniature brush painting. Guests can also opt for a short camel ride to explore the local terrain.

Khem Villas has a unique Age Veda Spa spread over a thirty-acre plot with walking tracks, natural grasslands, and thick forests. Yoga, sunbathing, meditation, massages, and herbal baths are available. Nature trails within the property offer rewarding bird and wildlife sightings.

Visitors can buy black and white miniature brush paintings of tigers, a unique craft of Ranthambore, at the hotel shop. Khem Villas is an ideal destination for those who want to experience nature up close. The accommodation, spread throughout the property, offers privacy for individuals, couples, small groups, and families.

Note that Khem Villas is closed from July to September, and Ranthambore National Park is closed to visitors from end June to early October every year.

Conscious Travel

The owner, who grew up inside Ranthambore, learned about the jungle's natural ways from his father, Fateh Singh Rathore. Despite becoming a doctor, he pursued his passion for protecting tigers and launched a comprehensive conservation program that involved the local community. He is actively involved in various community projects, including the establishment of a school, hospital, wood-for-wood project, biogas plant, non-formal environment education, legal aid to combat poaching, and an anti-poaching sting operation, in association with the NGO Tiger Watch. Goverdhan won the prestigious Ashden Award for Sustainable Energy in 2004 for his work in alternative energy using cow dung in biogas digesters, which was presented by Sir David Attenborough at the Royal Geographic Society in London.

Tiger Watch, an NGO founded by Mr. Fateh Singh Rathore, is dedicated to protecting the natural habitat of Ranthambore National Park and curbing tiger poaching. The organization, which works with prominent conservationists, aims to supplement the resources of the Forest Department in managing the park.

Khem Villas has been instrumental in creating small water bodies and planting indigenous trees in the vast grasslands since 1989. As a result, the area has become a natural habitat for various animals and birds such as jackals, jungle cats, hyenas, desert foxes, and crocodiles. The camp also supports a seedling nursery that distributes tree saplings to local farmers, enabling them to grow their own renewable supply of timber and fuel wood. The camp serves vegetarian food, including a few egg preparations, sourced from the in-house organic kitchen garden.