Hilltop Ramathra Fort has a commanding view of the countryside. One can sit on top of the fort’s massive outer wall and look out over farmland, rugged scrub of the Daang plateau, Kalisil Lake and its irrigation canal. Sunrises are especially spectacular and at twilight one can watch herds returning from the jungle or blue bull grazing in the forest scrub below. What distinguishes Ramathra Fort from many other heritage homes is its remoteness from the urbane and closeness to nature. Comfortable accommodation with ensuite facilities and mod-cons offer a restful night’s sleep. A courtyard style garden is central and serves as comfortable sitting area for guests. One of the turrets of the ramparts has been converted to a jacuzzi, soak in and look out to studding views especially at sunset.  

Within the fort complex is the restored and renovated multi-storied palace, containing six guest residences, split into suites and deluxe rooms. Each features its own bedroom, an elegant seating area, a large bed with luxury linen, custom furnishings and hand-woven rugs. The use of Karauli stone and traditional construction practices bestow an authentic and sophisticated ethnicity to these spaces.

The suites have a private terrace with grand views of the landscape and its magnificent sunsets. The deluxe rooms are enclosed by an open courtyard and serve as connecting rooms for use of a small group or family.

In addition, six beautifully designed Luxury Tents are set against the fort’s rampart walls surrounding a lush courtyard lawn. With high ceilings, screened windows, each spacious tent is decorated with modern teak furniture, printed cotton furnishings and traditional woven rugs. The sleeping chamber has comfortable beds and night tables with reading lamps. The sitting area with its cushioned chairs, coffee table and writing desk provides ample room to enjoy morning tea or to spread out a map and plan the days adventure.

Dining

One part of the restored fort has been organized as dining room, lounge and bar. The dining room opens out through arched open doorways to the lawns. Dinner time is very special in Ramathra; beautifully dressed tables are set in the garden under a night sky that deserves a special mention – silent, star spangled and inky blue! Ramathra serves up delicious regional fare from the family kitchen using farm fresh, seasonal produce. Room service is not available.

The vast Daang plateau, stretching east to the Chambal River valley and as far as south as Ranthambhore, offers many scenic vistas with its secluded gorges and hidden shrines. It is home to a variety of deer, blue bulls, wolves, jackals, hyenas, wild boar, sloth bears and panthers.

Walking & cycling trails in the village and surrounding area are a rewarding experience and popular with guests as are night safaris into the buffer zone area of the Kailadevi National Park.

Other activities on request include birding in the lake and boating on the lake as well as picnics. Water birds abound on the lake which is also a rich feeding ground for the ducks, storks and cormorants that visit every winter. Birds such as local water fowl, kingfishers, saras cranes, stilts and herons can be seen throughout the year.

Perfect for individuals, couples, families with kids and small groups, as well as anyone looking for a bit of solitude in beautiful countryside.

Operational status

Ramathra Fort is open all year.

Ramathra Fort has been in the family for over 10 generations. Keeping the legacy alive, the fort has been restored along with the forest around.

No Single Use Plastic: There is a strong policy against single use plastic and plastic in all forms is discouraged.

Safe Garbage Disposal: Being in a remote location, Ramatrha Fort is conscious of how to work with the garbage generated. Composting and segregation of dry waste that is sent for recycling measures are in place.

Water Conservation: Water is recycled and the grey water is used to regenerate the forest around the fort.

Energy Efficiency: Solar heaters to heat water are used and energy efficient lighting and appliances are in place.

Nature and Biological Diversity Conservation: The Fort lies on a hill that had suffered deforestation in the past years and Gitanjali and Ravi have spent time reforesting the hill. This was carried out with recycled water from the Fort resulting in a thriving forest with animals finding their way back here. Ramathra Fort was chosen for the District Level Wildlife Conservation Award (February 2022) by the Tiger Watch for their successful habitat restoration work in the Ramathra Fort Conservancy. Further the private conservancy model has brought focus on lesser known species as well as introduced a sustainable ecotourism model to the Kailadevi Wildlife Sanctuary, part of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve.

Local Community Engagement: The staff are from the local community and all including the guides and boatman have been trained in hospitality with no prior experience.

Light Footprint Tourism: Ramathra Fort grows, buys and uses organic vegetables that are grown on the farm below the hill or sourced locally from nearby farms. Meats are bought fresh and cooked the same day.

Sensitive Destination Discovery: The experiences offered are centred around Ramathra Fort. Walks to the village give an insight to rural Rajasthan that is still steeped in its cultural traditions.

Heritage Preservation: The Fort is 350 years old & has been restored using local materials & local artisans and workmen. This has ensured that the restoration was in line with the traditional style with antique furniture used.

Human Touch: The family is deeply involved with the local community and regeneration of the environment around them has been a key tenet as part of their hospitality offering. Guests are encouraged to contribute to the local school instead of giving gifts. The donation is used to specially encourage the girl child as well as provide warm clothes and shoes for the children, planting of trees and cleaning of the school. It is further used to support a small dispensary at the village to provide basic medical facilities.

The RARE Sustainability Quotient is a self-audit tool that is used by our hotel partners to measure, document and assess their planet and people friendly practices and is based on the RARE Touchstones.