Amanbagh Resort

Amanbagh is a verdant oasis of mature palm, fruit and eucalyptus trees lying within a walled compound once the staging area for royal hunts. Evoking the palatial elegance of the Moghul era, Amanbagh's Haveli Suites and Pool Pavilions provide a tranquil base from which to explore the rich heritage of Rajasthan, India's dramatic frontier region.

The topography of the Alwar region consists of sandy plains interspersed with craggy hills, a stark contrast to Amanbagh's setting which is an oasis of verdant greenery. Deriving its name from aman, meaning 'peace' in Sanskrit and bagh, meaning 'garden' in Hindi, Amanbagh lies within a walled compound once used by the Maharajah of Alwar to site his mobile hunting camps in search of the elusive tigers known to roam the nearby hills.

The resort is very much a modern day 'Mughal Palace', conceived in the present, but paying homage to the architecture and design of India's golden age.

Amanbagh provides four categories of accommodation. All categories of suites feature a large bathtub carved from Udaipur green marble and are fitted with Bose sound systems and a personal bar.

Courtyard Haveli Suite
Courtyard Haveli Suites are located on the ground level of two dwellings on either side of the swimming pool. The entrance to each Suite is via a courtyard with an outdoor dining area. Inside, a living area includes a large daybed, two armchairs and a writing desk. Beyond is a private courtyard. The adjoining bedroom features a domed ceiling high above a king-size bed and a bathroom filled with natural light.

Garden Haveli Suite
Also on the ground level are Garden Haveli Suites. Identical in design and furnishings to the Courtyard Haveli Suites, they are differentiated by a private terrace that overlooks a garden.

Terrace Haveli Suite
Terrace Haveli Suites are located on the upper level of the two dwellings. Access to each is via a staircase that leads through tall wooden doors to a spacious terrace with an outdoor dining area and two chaise lounge chairs. Inside, a sitting area features a daybed, two armchairs and a writing desk. The bedroom area offers a king-size bed and large bathroom with a bathtub and separate dressing room.

Pool Pavilion
Pool Pavilions are located around the perimeter of the resort, each with its own private swimming pool and spacious garden. Entry to each Pavilion is via a garden courtyard that leads to a foyer passageway. The foyer provides access to the shared living area and bedroom on one side, and to the bathroom on the other. The living area features a king-size bed, writing desk, daybed and armchairs. The bathroom includes a spacious dressing area, twin walk-in wardrobes, twin vanities, separate shower and toilet.

Dining
The Restaurant is positioned on the ground floor of the main building and provides a regal atmosphere beneath its double-height ceiling. Tables and chairs are also set on the outside terrace. The menu's focus is fresh and seasonal Indian and Western food. Salads, herbs and many vegetables are grown in the Amanbagh organic kitchen gardens.

The Library Terrace, located on the second floor of the main building, is ideal for informal dining in the evening, particularly during the hotter months when a cool breeze may be enjoyed under a starlit sky. The Salon Bar is located opposite the Restaurant and offers a cosy place to relax and unwind.

Elevated above a canopy of trees, the Roof Terrace provides sweeping views over the surrounding landscape and is another option for dining and refreshments.

Library
The Library is located on the second level of the main building. There are a variety of reference books on the history, arts, culture and wildlife of India, as well as a selection of novels,magazines, newspapers, audio CDs and board games. A PC with internet access and a printer are available here, although the entire resort enjoys Wi-Fi.

Spa
The Spa at Amanbagh provides a complete wellness experience with yoga, Qigong, meditation and Reiki on offer, for all levels of experience. Highly-skilled therapists provide a range of healing therapies, as well as facials, massages, scrubs and traditional henna art. Treatments use Aman Spa products which are made from the purest of organic ingredients.

Swimming pool
The Swimming Pool is at the centre of the resort's gardens and measures 33m by 12m. Light meals, snacks and drinks are available poolside throughout the day. Beyond the swimming pool is the wading pool measuring 12m by 12m. Both pools are cool throughout the summer and heated during the colder months.

Boutique
The Boutique offers a wonderful selection of the region's silverware, jewellery, textiles and fashion.

There are a host of ways to explore the countryside, from camel cart, camel, horseback and elephant to bicycle or jeep.

Boat Ride: Guests can take a Shikara boat ride on tranquil Lake Mansarovar.

Safaris: Amanbagh organises a variety of safaris with different forms of transport including the unique
Malwari horses of Rajasthan, local camels, or even Amanbagh's very own pet camel, Babu.

Bicycle rides: Venture out by bicycle and discover the rural charm of the local villages and farming hamlets.

Walking Trails: Amanbagh also offers many walking trails ranging from easy valley excursions through rural villages to more challenging hikes high into the dramatic Aravalli Hills. These walks can be combined with our cultural trails and picnic lunches in spectacular locations.

Organic garden
An organic market garden provides the majority of Amanbagh's herbs and vegetables, so salads are not only safe from contamination, but deliciously fresh. Guests may feel free to request a tour of the garden with one of Amanbagh's chefs.

Excursions
The sunset cow dust tour
Godhuli is a Hindi word that describes the late afternoon when cows are led home along dusty village roads, and the last sunlight of the day refracts through the dust they leave in their wake. A great way to experience rural Rajasthan is to head out at sunset anytime of the year in one of Amanbagh’s open jeeps for a tour of the surrounding villages during this peak hour.

Somsagar lake
As the inscription on the stone next to Somsagar Lake suggests, it was built in 1598 AD at the time of Emperor Akbar's visit to Ajabgarh. Accessed through a marble ravine, the walk up through the valley to Somsagar makes for an interesting trek.

Mansarovar lake
Mansarovar Lake, at the foot of the road leading up to Neelkanth, is a birdwatcher's paradise from October to February. Mansarovar means 'Made by Shiva' and, like its more famous namesake in the Himalayas, is supposed to bestow beauty and youth on anyone who bathes in it.

Sariska national park
Sariska National Park covers an area of 765sq km. The nearest entrance to Sariska is located close to the turn off to Neelkanth, 35 minutes from Amanbagh. Previously famous for its tigers, it is also home to wildlife such as leopards, panthers, wildcats, caracals, neelgai (blue bull) antelope, chital, sambar deer, wild boar, jackals, as well as langur and macaque monkeys.

Ajabgarh village, fort & temple
Ajabgarh is named for its founder Ajab Singh Rajawat, the grandson of Madho Singh, founding ruler of Bhangarh. Excursions to Ajabgarh from Amanbagh can be organised to Ajabgarh during the day on foot, by camel and horseback, or in the resort's open jeeps. During the warmer months you can travel via camel or open jeep to a candle-lit dinner for two (or more) in a chhatri ruin near Ajabgarh. This overlooks the lake and mountains with the fort perched above.

Bhangarh
Bhangarh is a medieval site of great archaeological importance, 15km from Amanbagh. According to local villagers, the splendid ruins are haunted and it is famously named the 'Bhangarh of Ghosts'. Bhangarh is a national heritage site and whilst many travel guides recommend it as one of the top 10 sites in India, very few travellers manage to include it in their itineraries which means that you will largely have Bhangarh to yourself during your visit.

Narayani mata temple
With its history dating back to 1058 AD, Narayani Mata is as sacred to the Rajasthani as Pushkar or Ramdeora. For a trek to Narayani Mata in the same tradition as the local villagers, depart from Amanbagh by jeep to the start of the welltrodden trail up over the hill and down into Narayani Mata. Here guests can view the temple and adjacent spring of holy water and enjoy a chai stop with the locals before being picked up for the return to Amanbagh.

The temple town of neelkanth
Neelkanth, meaning the blue-throated reincarnation of Lord Shiva, is located inside Sariska National Park, 45 minutes from Amanbagh. The view is spectacular as one climbs up the last stretch of road to the plateau where it is situated. Transfers from Amanbagh are organised by jeep or car in the morning or afternoon. One can also trek with a guide from Ajabgarh Valley to Neelkanth and be met by a jeep for the return journey.

Kankwari fort
This majestic fort, in the heart of Sariska, is a breathtaking sight. Surrounded by a jungle of palm trees, the fort, built sometime during the 16th century, was used to keep Dara Shikoh, the elder brother of Emperor Aurangzeb, under house arrest. One can see why after witnessing the mesmerising landscape and tranquillity of the area, broken only by the gentle sounds of cowbells and the laughter of local village children in the distance. Transfers from Amanbagh are organised by open jeep or car. A light picnic lunch can be provided to be enjoyed atop the fort's towers.