My ‘slow travel’ indulgences in Bhamaria, Gujarat
Sojourning at Champaner Heritage Resort was an exceptional ‘slow travel’ experience. As the name suggests, it’s an old haveli turned into a beautiful heritage resort, which allows you to revel in the regal nuances of Champaner. I loved my stay at Champaner Heritage Resort a little extra, as it’s located in a picturesque village called Bhamariya, a village set at the edge of a huge reservoir called Dev Dam.
Also read: My Champaner Guide – Top Things To Do
My ‘slow travel’ indulgences in Bhamaria, Gujarat
Postcard rural scenes of Bhamariya
There are lots of postcard scenes to witness in Bhamariya – a bullock cart being shepherded, women ploughing the fields, fishermen casting their nets into the river for a catch, thatched roof houses, and lots of pretty wild flowers and butterflies.
The orchard of mangoes
Besides, Champaner Heritage Resort has its own orchard of mangoes. There are 2700 mango (Kesar) trees that greet you as soon as you enter the resort. The resort is built on 40 acres of land with lots of forested lushness, imperial gardens, kingly mansions and a large swimming pool.
The stately mansions
The two mansions, namely Champaner House and Bhamariya House, take their guests back in the regal era. The stately elements of the place are beautifully blended with the modern amenities without taking away its traditional soul. So yes, you can enjoy a relaxed, peaceful and a royal stay in Bhamariya.
Also read: The Soul Of Kutch Through My Lens
I enjoyed delicious Gujarati food
You can expect to have ‘your’ kind of food at Champaner Heritage Resort. They are gracious enough to prepare tailor-made meals for you. For instance, they made Jain food (no onion, no garlic) for a Jain family. And, as I’m always keen to taste the local food wherever I go, I requested them to prepare authentic Gujarati meal for me, which they obliged happily.
My nature walk with naturalist, Ramesh Sarvani
Staying at Champaner Heritage Resort is a rendezvous with nature. You will spot a variety of birds while you lounge in the portico of your room, and you will realize that a peacock or two are always hiding somewhere in the foliage.
I also enjoyed my conversation with naturalist, Ramesh Sarvani, while we took a walk into the orchard of mangoes at the resort. He educated me quite a bit about the birds, trees, butterfly plantation, and also shared a few insights on how to survive in a forest when there’s no food or water. He told me that one could chew on Banyan tree roots, which worked like energy booster.
Also read: The Safest Destination In India For Solo Female Travelers
Bird watching tours and boat rides
There are quite a few immersive experiences for nature enthusiasts to savour in Bhamariya, such as bird watching, exploring the village life, and taking a boat ride, which is exclusively available to the guests of Champaner Heritage Resort. It was a beautiful evening. My fellow travelers and I were escorted to the shore for a lovely boat ride. Adding to the pleasure of boating and taking in the beautiful views of the hills and the forests around, the genial staff of the resort had got tea, coffee and cookies for us. It was absolute bliss!
Wildlife sanctuaries
As I mentioned earlier, Bhamariya is quite a nature-driven place. There are quite a few wildlife sanctuaries of Gujarat, which can be easily visited while you stay at the resort. You can visit Jambughoda wildlife sanctuary, which is 36 km, Ratanmahal wildlife sanctuary, which is 97 km, and Shoolpaneshver wildlife sanctuary, which is 185 km from the resort.
Also read: 8 Reasons To Visit Dudhwa National Park
My morning walk in Bhamariya
Places like Bhamariya enthuse a new energy into you. Even though I’m not an early riser, I made it point to get up early and set out on a morning walk of my own. The best way to explore villages is on foot. It’s refreshing to walk in the midst of so much of lushness, listen to the song of various birds, see butterflies hover over the flowers, and just surrender to the meditative power of nature.
You can also explore Bhamariya on a bicycle, which is provided by the resort.
Also read: Suhelwa – A Picturesque village of North India
Champaner Heritage Resort is 60.5 km from Vadodara, and 458.8 km from Mumbai.
Note: My stay was sponsored by Champaner Heritage Resort. However, all opinions and photographs, as always, are my own.
Would you visit Bhamariya to experience its rustic charms?
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