Why is Kaner Retreat called India's first desert botanical resort?
Kaner Retreat is called India's first desert botanical resort because it is centred on the ecology, conservation and celebration of the Thar Desert's native plant life. Surrounded by a protected sacred grove (Oran) and home to a diverse collection of indigenous desert flora, the retreat offers guests a unique opportunity to engage with the desert as a living botanical landscape. Guided botanical walks, restoration initiatives, educational experiences and design inspired by native species are woven into every aspect of the guest experience. More than a luxury stay, Kaner Retreat is a place where hospitality, biodiversity conservation and desert ecology come together, creating a new model for responsible tourism in Rajasthan. Kaner Retreat is a luxury, boutique property located near Jodhpur on the Jodhpur-Jaisalmer highway.
What is an Oran or sacred grove?
An Oran is a community-protected sacred grove found across Rajasthan, where trees, wildlife and natural ecosystems have been preserved for generations through local traditions. These landscapes are living examples of conservation in the Thar Desert and mark the beginning of desert botany, protecting native plant species and biodiversity. Kaner Retreat is located alongside one such Oran, offering guests a unique opportunity to experience this rich ecological and cultural heritage.
What kind of experiences does Kaner Retreat offer?
Kaner Retreat offers immersive, offbeat experiences that uncover the hidden and undiscovered side of the Thar Desert. Guests can enjoy guided botanical walks, sacred grove explorations, camel and jeep safaris, birdwatching, village visits, artisan encounters, private dune dining and the signature Kaner Clay experience. Each experience is designed to connect travellers with the desert's ecology, culture and communities in an authentic and meaningful way.
What awards and recognition has Kaner Retreat received?
Kaner Retreat has been recognised as one of India's most distinctive hospitality destinations, earning acclaim for its unique blend of desert ecology, design and responsible tourism.- Gold Award for Responsible Tourism at the Rajasthan Tourism and Outlook Magazine Awards (2023).
- Featured in Desert Escapes by Lannoo Publishers (Belgium), a global survey of 40 of the world's most extraordinary desert stays. Kaner is one of only two Indian properties included.
- Founder Sapna Bhatia is the only representative of an Indian hospitality project featured in Desert By Design, a landmark publication on desert architecture and design.
- Sapna Bhatia appeared on the cover of Condé Nast Traveller India in recognition of her work showcasing the culture, ecology and stories of the Thar Desert.
- Kaner Retreat has been featured by leading travel publications and is widely recognised as India's first desert botanical resort.
This recognition reflects Kaner's commitment to creating meaningful, offbeat and sustainable experiences that celebrate the ecology, culture and communities of the Thar Desert.
Who are the founders of Kaner Retreat?
Kaner Retreat was founded by Sapna Bhatia and Samir Bhatia, a husband-and-wife team united by a shared vision of showcasing the ecology, culture and communities of the Thar Desert.Sapna Bhatia, an international journalist who grew up in the Thar Desert, returned to her roots to create a destination that celebrates desert botany, conservation and storytelling. Samir Bhatia, an alumnus of IIM Ahmedabad with a background in management consulting, helped shape the retreat's vision and guest experience. Together, they created Kaner Retreat, India's first desert botanical resort, where guests are personally hosted and introduced to the hidden, offbeat and undiscovered side of Rajasthan.
What is the best way to experience Kaner Retreat?
The best way to experience Kaner Retreat is through the 3 day Thar Unplugged, the resort's signature all-inclusive journey into the hidden, offbeat and undiscovered side of the Thar Desert. Rather than a conventional sightseeing itinerary, Thar Unplugged introduces guests to immersive, culture, craft and culinary experiences.
