Kaner Retreat: India’s first desert botanical resort
Surrounded by a sacred grove where wildlife roams freely, Kaner is shaped by the quiet rhythm of the Thar. Founded by journalist-turned-conservationist Sapna Bhatia, it offers guests a personalised introduction to the desert’s landscapes, traditions, and artistry through guided walks, cultural encounters, and extraordinary dining. Designed with warmth and intimacy, the retreat invites every guest to feel less like a visitor and more like they are being welcomed home.
At its heart, Kaner celebrates a culture of abundance: the richness of desert botany, the generosity of local communities, and the timeless traditions that show how life here flourishes against all odds.
Inside the Thar: a bespoke Rajasthan Desert programme
This thoughtfully curated programme reveals the many facets of the Thar. Over four days, you can explore desert groves on botanical walks, traverse shifting dunes by jeep or camel, watch migratory birds at Kheechan’s Ramsar-listed sanctuary, and meet camel herders whose traditions have endured for centuries.
Seasonal highlights include the Kaner Clay Experience, a seven-course culinary journey inspired by desert heritage. Even restful interludes – sunset tea on a hillock, stargazing by firelight, or breakfast in the glasshouse lounge – are designed to deepen your connection to the desert.
"Kaner Retreat stands alone in India - a pioneering desert botanical resort where wellness, inventive gastronomy and the surrounding desert wilderness converge to create an experience found nowhere else."
Kaner Clay Experience and Culinary Journey
Among the retreat’s most distinctive offerings is the Kaner Clay Experience, which bridges cultural heritage with contemporary gastronomy. It begins with the Thar Desert Pottery Project, curated by Dr. Madan Meena, whose collection of 500+ artefacts illuminates the lives and artistry of Rajasthan’s potters.
You can also gain insight into the fading Jajmani system, where potters once exchanged clay vessels for food during village festivals. By reviving such customs, Kaner sustains cultural memory while prompting reflection on reciprocity in today’s disposable world.
The evening then transitions into a seven-course menu inspired by pottery traditions and the five elements – earth, water, fire, air, and space. Crafted with foraged, sun-dried, and locally sourced ingredients, each dish balances tradition with innovation.
The experience is led by a rotating roster of acclaimed chefs, including Condé Nast Traveller’s 40 Under 40 honouree Chef Pankaj Sharma.
Where you’ll stay on your luxury India holiday: Kaner’s Villa Sanctuaries
Kaner’s ten villas are desert sanctuaries, perfect for your luxury holiday in India. Each is inspired by a native flower and designed to blend with the surrounding landscape.
Courtyards, shaded alcoves, and meandering pathways create spaces for reflection, while glasshouse lounges and stepwell-style pools offer serene retreats between explorations. Every detail – from safaris to shared dining – encourages you to slow down, attune to the rhythms of the desert, and experience the Thar in a deeply personal way.
Immersive Experiences and Sustainable Travel
A holiday to Kaner Retreat with us is designed to be as philanthropic as it is refined – supporting pottery communities, sustaining conservation efforts, and championing eco-conscious dining. Every experience is carefully personalised and offers the opportunity to become immersed in authentic encounters that create a lasting impact.
Rather than simply observing, you’ll step into the rhythms of desert life. You might spend time with master weavers at their looms, sit alongside potters as they shape clay, or taste camel cheese in the home of a herder while hearing the stories of this enduring tradition. Each encounter is tailored to your interests, ensuring your time at Kaner Retreat is both deeply personal and rooted in the life of the desert.
Other nearby optional activities include a half-day visit to Osian, an ancient desert town near Jodhpur, where you can wander among exquisitely carved 8th–12th century Hindu and Jain temples, including the Mahavira Jain Temple and the hilltop Sachiya Mata Temple, and soak in centuries of desert heritage.
The Kaner Clay Experience is available from October to March to enjoy the outdoor desert experiences, with limited availability each season.
Read our interview with Sapna Bhatia to learn more about the story of Kaner Retreat.
