Tipai by Wilderness Luxuries, Tipeshwar

Tipai is constructed using rammed earth and stone masonry sourced from the site itself. Designed by Ariane Thakore Ginwala, the structures respond directly to climate and terrain, prioritising passive cooling, thermal stability, and minimal visual intrusion. The main lodge and shared dining areas occupy a central clearing. Villas are positioned deeper within the property and approached along shaded pathways, creating gradual revelation rather than immediate exposure. Privacy is achieved through distance and orientation rather than enclosure. Water management forms part of the architectural strategy. Canals and reservoirs recharge the water table, while underground tanks store runoff. Native planting and regenerative landscaping support long-term ecological balance, allowing the forest to continue its recovery.

The bar in the main lodge serves as a natural place to gather at the end of the day, whether after time spent in the park or exploring nearby lakes and villages. The gym is fully equipped for guests who prefer to maintain their routine, while the natural, zero-chlorine swimming pool is particularly valued during the summer and monsoon months. Aaste, Tipai’s forest spa, is conceived as a space for genuine recalibration rather than quick indulgence. Set quietly within the landscape, it draws from both Ayurvedic traditions and contemporary therapeutic practices, allowing treatments to be adapted to the pace and needs of each guest. Therapies use native oils and natural ingredients sourced from the Deccan and the Himalayas, chosen for their restorative properties and connection to regional knowledge systems.

Set beneath palaash trees, this evening-only experience centres on a seasonal tasting menu built around produce from Tipai’s garden and neighbouring farms. Cooking is done over fire and embers, drawing on regional traditions interpreted with restraint.

The bar offers a concise cocktail list shaped around forest botanicals, seasonal ingredients, and regional spirits, developed in collaboration with mixologist Tim Etherington-Judge. It is most often enjoyed as the day softens into evening.

Tipai Wildlife Sanctuary has been envisioned as a multi sensory lifestyle experience, highly personalised and that empowers travellers to understand nature in all her hues. Not restricting experiences to safaris which is usually the case for any retreat close to a national park, Tipai endeavours to show forests to travellers from the lens of community living, its impact on architecture, cuisine, wellness and wildlife. The full Tipai Wildlife experience includes farm and village visits, guided nature walks, birding excursions and Fishing.

Nature Walks and Junior Ranger Programs with trained naturalists who know the local landscape and hence onsite stories is one of the highlights at Tipai. Citizen science programs like setting up Camera traps and monitory them, star gazing activities as well creating wildlife art works with a talented local artists are some of the things to do which makes Tipai atleast a three night stay.