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Chambal Safari Lodge

Mela Kothi

Mela Kothi

Mela Kothi

Mela Kothi

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20759
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River Excursion

River Excursion

 

Set in sprawling woodland in the Chambal Valley just an hour by car from Agra, Chambal Safari Lodge makes an excellent alternative to staying in Agra itself.

Serving for over 100 years as an administrative building for a family established here for over 500 years, the lodge was extensively renovated a few years ago for tourism purposes.

The result was a 12-room eco-lodge providing access to a little-visited region, just an hour from Agra and the Taj Mahal.

Cottages and Suites are dispersed amongst four areas, including the main lodge (the Mela Kothi) which houses one large room.

Excursions on foot or by jeep, boat or camel accompanied by a local naturalist offer an insight into this untamed region.

River trips on the Chambal River are popular and Gangetic dolphins can occasionally be spotted here.

The ruins of the ancient citadel of Atar can be explored by camel whilst birders and wildlife lovers will enjoy trips to the Sarus Crane Conservation Reserve

What's so Special?

Enjoy easy access to Agra and also the wildlife and environment of the Chambal Valley.

Bear in Mind

Getting to Agra for sunrise means an earlier start than staying in Agra itself of course.

The Mela Kothi

The restored Mela Kothi has one large well-appointed bedroom - Gharial - with front and rear verandahs and access to the library across the pebbled courtyard.

The period furniture and furnishings bring alive the stately grace of this heritage building.

The Imli Serai

The Imli Serai, the guest wing of the Mela Kothi, has two very spacious and luxurious suites.

The Bougan Serai

The Bougan Serai, tucked in a private grove, has a large luxurious suite – Surkhab and a spacious twin bedroom - Hans.

The two rooms can be interconnected, if required. The enclosed rear garden backs onto open farmland and provides ample private space.

The Neem Serai

The Neem Serai has two cosy twin-bed cottages – Koel & Thick-knee, and two large luxury cottages – Hornbill & Spoonbill, set around a shaded central courtyard.

The luxury cottages have private sit-outs with comfortable deck chairs and Indian charpoys (string cots) for lazing in the winter sun.

The Neem Serai effortlessly blends local architecture with contemporary conveniences and comforts.

The Shisham Serai

The Shisham Serai offers four comfortable twin-bed independent cottages with front and rear verandahs – Skimmer, Barbet, Ibis & Tern.

The cottages nestle in an enclosed garden space with hammocks and garden benches.

The spacious private verandahs at the rear of the cottages, with charpoys and deck chairs, are ideal for relaxing after the day’s activities.

National Chambal Sanctuary

Ancient Indian texts refer to the Chambal as the Charmanyavati - originating from the blood of thousands of cows sacrificed by the Aryan King Rantideva.

Its ‘unholy’ origins have certainly helped the Chambal survive, and thrive, untouched and unpolluted, and it remains one of India’s most pristine rivers.

The Chambal Ravines (altitude 200-500 m) are the product of centuries of soil erosion by flood and rainwater. They form an incredible maze of intertwining mud cliffs, with tropical dry scrub forest vegetation, that provide shelter for numerous birds, mammals and reptiles.

The National Chambal Sanctuary (NCS) is a 400 km stretch of the River Chambal and covers a 1 to 6 km wide swathe of the ravines on both sides of the river, covering an area of 1235 sq. km.

Granted Protected Area Status in 1979 to help revive Gharial populations decimated by indiscriminate poaching, the NCS is an Managed Nature Reserve lying in the Indus-Ganges Monsoon Forest belt.

The NCS is one of the last surviving habitats of the Gangetic River Dolphin and also provides protection for 1200 Gharials & 300 Marsh Crocodiles.

The sanctuary is home to eight species of Turtles and the Smooth-coated Otters and boasts of a rapidly increasing and impressive bird list of over 330 species of resident and migratory birds.

The Sanctuary is gaining a reputation as one of the most reliable places to see the Indian Skimmer.

2019 - 20 Price Guide:

  • 4 nights from £190 pp

Includes:

  • 2 nights accommodation with breakfast
  • Return airport transfers from Agra

This is a guide price only, based on travel in low season.

Prices will vary according to availability of airfares on the dates of travel and seasonal hotel and airfare surcharges.

Please ask us for any current special offers.

Jasmine Bonus:

  • Free daily breakfast

Contact Us:

All of our India Holidays are completely tailor made and we can put together any kind of itinerary to suit your interests and budget.

Call us now to speak to an India holiday expert about your India holiday or honeymoon to India.

Call us now on 0333 7000 747

Click to enquire by email

We're open from 9 until 9 daily and our 0333 number is a local rate number included in most call packages.