Kaner Retreat - A Sensory Feast in the Thar Desert
Let's Make Travel a Force for Good
Dear Postcard Travellers,
Welcome to the botanical beauty of India’s Thar Desert in Rajasthan. This week, we travel deep into its rippling heart with Postcard Travel Partner Kaner Retreat. Join us as we inhale the sweet scent of desert blooms and dine on farm-fresh food under an endless blue sky.
Desert botanicals will guide you on your journey. Along the way, you’ll discover the sensory gifts of tiny blooms, and you’ll savor the fragrant spices in the flavorful cuisine.
You’ll also be inspired by the story of Sapna Bhatia, founder of Kaner Retreat. Learn what motivated her to leave her life as a jetsetting journalist and return to her home in the captivating Thar Desert.
As Sapna would say, “Padharo, mhare desh!” (Welcome to my land!)
Karen Hastings
Editor, Postcard Travel Club
Quote of the Week
“If a flower can flourish in the desert, you can flourish anywhere.”
- Matshona Dhliwayo
Kaner Retreat - India’s First Desert Botanical Resort
Welcome to the Thar Desert!
Experience the serene beauty of the Thar Desert at Kaner Retreat. This boutique oasis, founded by Sapna Bhatia, offers an unspoiled landscape where desert flora thrives, and a sacred grove, or 'oran,' preserves the harmony between people and wildlife.
Each of the retreat's 10 villas, inspired by local flowers, immerses you in fragrant surroundings. Feast on traditional Thar cuisine, visit a sustainable farm or explore the desert’s secrets on a guided botanical walk or desert safari.
Wildlife awaits you, too. Spot birds at Kheechan Bird Sanctuary or embark on a camel safari.
Open from October to March, Kaner Retreat promises a sustainable and unforgettable desert escape.
Savor Traditional Thar Desert Cuisine
Plants to Platter
Step into a world of sensory wonder at Kaner Retreat's signature 'thali' experience. Begin with a guided nature walk through the sacred grove, absorbing the sights and scents of the desert, then savor the 'thali' that encapsulates the unique flavors of the Thar region, crafted from foraged, seasonal, and local ingredients, all while immersing yourself in the rich stories and traditions of this culinary adventure.
Feast on Farm to Fork Cuisine
More mouthwatering dining awaits at Mharo Khet, a sustainable haven in the heart of the desert. Here, you have the opportunity to engage your senses fully. Join immersive walking tours through a lush tapestry of over a hundred plant species, from exotic moringa to beloved mangoes and strawberries, all while supporting sustainable farming and the nurturing hands of women farmers in the community.
You can also savor Mediterranean-inspired meals with artisanal organic olive oil at an olive farm in Phalodi. Explore the Olive Garden, and learn the inspiring story of Satbiri Devi, who cultivated 6,000 olive trees in this arid landscape just a short drive from Kaner Retreat.
Inhale the Sweet Scents of Desert Blooms
At Kaner Retreat, the power of plants guides your stay. As you step into Kaner Retreat, you're enveloped in the rich bouquet of desert botanicals, each with its own sensory story.
The founder, Sapna Bhatia, weaves her childhood nostalgia into every room, From the vibrant Kaner blooms to the majestic Rohida and Ker flowers, the ochre desert landscape comes alive with botanical beauty.
Each stone villa is a canvas of nature's hues, and the fragrant private courtyards invite you to immerse yourself in the desert's botanical symphony, ensuring that no blossom goes unnoticed in this ode to desert flora.
Founder Spotlight
Sapna Bhatia, Founder of Kaner Retreat in Rajasthan, India
Sapna Bhatia's longing for the desert's open skies and flora led her to leave her journalism career in Delhi and create Kaner Retreat, India's first desert botanical hotel.
Sapna's inspiring story showcases the power of resilience and community, reminding us that success is best when shared, and it's driven by a love of nature and a deep connection to one's roots.
Learn what motivated her to transform the desert landscape into a haven of hospitality and natural beauty . . .
Other Inspiring Articles on the Thar Desert
Unseasonal Rains Bring Abundant Butterflies to Jaisalmer
Early rainfall and pre-monsoon activities in Jaisalmer's Thar Desert have miraculously turned the arid landscape into a vibrant green haven, attracting a diverse array of around 45 butterfly species. This transformation has provided fertile breeding grounds for butterflies and moths, as local grasses and shrubs flourish thanks to the timely rain.
Climate Change May Paint the Thar Desert Green
According to a recent study, the Thar Desert in India may undergo a remarkable change due to climate change. In contrast to the expected desertification seen in many regions worldwide with rising temperatures, researchers suggest that the Thar Desert might defy this pattern and actually become more verdant in the next century.
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