Castle Bera, Rajasthan

Quirky, remote, and lost in time, Castle Bera is as idiosyncratic as it is historic. Nestled amidst the Aravali range, this hidden gem has views of the Jawai Dam, whilst the Jawai river flows right by Bera village. A magnet for nature and birdlife pelicans, Greylag and Barheaded geese, and Demoiselle Cranes can be spotted, as well as Bluebulls, hyena, crocodile, and of course, what Jawai is famous for, leopards. Castle Bera organises excellently guided wildlife and photography tours. Though it might seem remote, there are still plenty of sights to see with Ranakpur Temple is a nearby day trip and Kumbalgarh Sanctuary within a two-hour drive. With just five guestrooms, Castle Bera allows total privacy and for guests to enjoy and personable stay, meeting with the owner, Thakur Baljeet Singh, himself. Dine on ‘home-style’ Indian cuisine. An utterly immersive experience, and rather grand for a homestay.