Privacy and luxury go hand in hand when it comes to travelling. Yes, most of us absolutely love the outdoors and everything nature, but just from a distance. Enter glamping, the luxury camping trend that’s attempting to make the outdoors a little more manageable for those who may draw the line at the idea of pitching a real camping tent.

Grabbing the attention of Gen Z travellers, glamping offers outdoor enthusiasts an upgrade on relaxation, leisure, and luxury. While the term was first coined in 2005, the trend has since taken the country by a storm, and rewritten the rules on outdoor adventures. The West warmed up to it quite a while ago, but it seems we’re finally there too. Does your ideal version of indulging in nature involve sipping wine in a hammock outside a campsite? That’s what glamping brings to the table.

Now that travel has (knock on wood) slowly restarted, why are people opting for glamping? Kanhai Kapoor, Associate Vice President of Taj Safaris, says, “With people still conscious about their choice of stays, glamping provides the comfort of social distancing as well as offers an outdoorsy getaway and a much-needed scenario change. Without having to compromise on luxury, glamping adds to the experience of staying amidst the lap of nature, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. With more travellers opting for this, the wildlife experience will surely be heightened.”

From snow pods to decked-out shelters and glasshouses, here are some of the locations to keep in mind when you’re planning your glamping trip.

DIY With CampKing

Sure, a curated one-stop visit is cheaper in the short run, but what if you’re looking to make the perfect wilderness getaway entirely on your own terms?

India’s largest luxury tents supplier CampKing allows you to do just that, with a range of super-luxurious tents ranging from cutting-edge modern designs (such as the Mushroom Tent showcased above), or more traditional options to suit the tastes and needs of any kind of camper. The company has over 3,640 tents installed in its 16+ years of experience — making them a great, reliable choice for someone looking to plonk down a quirky, compact holiday home.

All you need to do is provide the location!

Banjar Tola by Taj Safaris

What: Banjar Tola lodge is situated along the banks of the Banjar River overlooking the heart of Kanha National Park. Two intimate camps of nine tents each are built on the banks of the still river, overlooking the national park. Each elegant camp boasts its own pool with outdoor as well as indoor lounge options and interactive dining areas. Nestled amid 90 acres of Sal forest, the jungle safari resort is equipped with a magnificent swimming pool, al fresco dining decks with a stunning backdrop, library, interpretive space, and a Safari Shop. If you’re looking to relax and rejuvenate, ask for a massage or a lavish spa treatment in the privacy of your tent, or the private deck.

Where: Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

How to get there: Travellers can reach there via road, train or fly to the nearest city, either Raipur or Jabalpur, depending on where you’re travelling from.

The Bison Resort

What: Ever dreamt of camping in the jungles and watching wildlife from your own personal space? Located at the junction of Bandipur and Nagarhole national parks, on the shores of the Kabini river in Karnataka, the Bison resort is for those who love to be surrounded by wildlife and nature. A first of its kind in India, this property offers something rustic yet luxurious. The rustic tents are all furnished with four-poster double beds, couches, and en suite bathrooms. The property also offers a wide range of activities such as treks, boat rides, bird watching, and night walks. You can spend your day watching elephant herds, a pack of wild boars, and a herd of deer from your glamping tent. If it is your lucky day, you may even hear a tiger roaring into the night during its hunting hours.

Where: Kabini, Karnataka

How to get there: The nearest airport is Mysore at a distance of 80 km from the resort. You can hire a mode of private transport to reach the property.

Glampeco

What: What’s glamping without Manali on the list? Situated in the Hamta village of Himachal Pradesh, Glampeco is an offbeat glamping destination in the snow-capped hills. If you are looking out for a workcation or a surreal camping experience with a hint of comfort, this unique property will be perfect. For the first time in India, you can experience a stay in Geodesic Domes Glamping tents, which are perched at a height of over 2,600 mt, with a splendid view of Dhauldhar ranges and Manali valley.

Where: Manali, Himachal Pradesh

How to get there: There are flight connections from both Delhi and Chandigarh to Bhuntar(Kullu) airport. It will take you around two hours from the airport to Glampeco. It takes approximately 14 hours to reach Manali from Delhi and 9 hours from Chandigarh.

Aman-I-Khas

What: Ranthambhore is on the must-visit bucket lists of every wildlife lover. On the outskirts of the national park sits Aman-i-Khas. Mughalinspired tents overlooking the picturesque landscape, which is home to abundant wildlife. These enormous tents are perfect for glamping, where each one comes with a spacious bedroom, living area with a daybed, a separate dining area and bathroom. The property offers a range of activities for adventure enthusiasts such as camel safari through villages, bird watching, Chambal River cruise, Khandar Fort trek, and many others.

Where: Ranthambhore, Rajasthan

How to get there: Travellers can take a flight to Jaipur, followed by a three-hour drive to the property

Lead Image: thevibe.asia