Cover Story THE ULTIMATE GLAMPING RETREAT

THE BORDI JAISALMER IS A LUXURY CAMP SITUATED AMID THE DUNES OF THAR DESERT. WE DISCOVER THIS HIDDEN GEM ON A COVER SHOOT WITH BOLLYWOOD ACTOR ARJUN KAPOOR, WHO IS ALL SET FOR THE RELEASE OF HIS FILM SANDEEP AUR PINKY FARAAR THIS MONTH.

Actor Arjun Kapoor luxuriates in a glamping retreat in Jaisalmer, while talking about his childhood memories of travel and bucket list.

Sasha. (p. 38)

THE LAST TIME I WAS IN JAISALMER, I was a teenager. The Thar left an indelible dent on my mind back then. The city has some of the most beautiful heritage structures (I can never get over the exquisiteness of Patwon ki Haveli), but there’s nothing that compares to the mightiness and the barrenness of the desert. The dunes have stories of their own, ones that involve romantic sojourns, stargazing nights, adrenaline-pumping 4x4 rides, and hours spent gawking at the wilderness. So, when we decided to shoot our cover star, Bollywood star Arjun Kapoor, in Jaisalmer, whisking him away to the glamping retreat of The Bordi Jaisalmer was a natural choice. Amid the dunes of the Great Indian Desert, we were going to #DiscovertheUndiscovered. As Kapoor succinctly puts it, “There’s a nice nuance to Jaisalmer. There’s so much silence, vastness, and yet [it is] so compact. [Unlike Jaipur and Udaipur] Jaisalmer is a bit mellow, and I like that energy.”

After a 13-hour-long overnight drive with the photographer, we catch the first rays of the morning sun as we cross the lesser-explored Khuri to reach the dunes where The Bordi Jaisalmer is

located. The owner, Vikram Singh Bhati, hails from the royal family of Jaisalmer. “The minute we saw this space, we knew we had to do this luxury camp. The Bordi is built on 40 acres of private dunes,” he tells me. In fact, this is one of Jaisalmer’s first luxury glamping retreats. “There were more mud huts earlier,” Bhati reveals. Located in the Desert National Park (DNP), the small hamlet of Khuri boasts some of the most beautiful dunes in Jaisalmer. As a result, The Bordi is a dreamy retreat for nature-lovers and birdwatchers. “You can spot the Great Indian Bustard as DNP is its breeding ground,” Bhati adds. For the uninitiated, the Great Indian Bustard is among the heaviest of flying birds and a critically endangered species. The bird is often an indicator of the health of grasslands, and Rajasthan houses more than 50 per cent of the country’s total bustard population. So integral is the species to the region that it has inspired the aesthetic of The Bordi’s main dining area, with evocative motifs adorning the ceiling.

Launched in 2019, this little-known camp has 13 luxury Swiss tents, each made in a customised circular design occupying approximately 84 square metres. They have all the amenities you might need but wear a minimalist aesthetic. Each tent offers undisturbed 360° views of the dunes, courtesy of 12 windows. As I sink into the most comfortable bed I’ve used in a while, with the desertscape of Thar as my view, a sense of contentment permeates my world. I gaze at the sandy horizon that seems to underline the incredible natural beauty of our country, which a hidden gem like The Bordi taps into.

Every evening, there are cultural performances by local musicians and artistes. Bhati is candid, “We want to grow along with the local community. Most of our decor, including the woven cots in each tent, are handmade by local artisans. Besides providing a desert-and-wildlife experience, The Bordi gives you a glimpse of our local art and handicrafts.” Before a delectable dinner of junglee maas (a signature meat curry), I am mesmerised by a folk performance around bonfire. “Salim Khan [the main singer] has performed across 45 countries, and the group has even appeared in Coke Studio and opened Jaipur Literature Festival [in 2020],” says Adhiraj Singh Naruka, the manager of the luxury camp. As Khan belts out Manganiyar songs and other popular folk tunes against a clear starry sky, the atmosphere turns magical. It’s the kind of experience that encapsulates ‘tourism with a purpose’—we are able to support the local community while staying at one of the most luxurious glamping retreats in Jaisalmer. It is exactly the kind of trip we endorse in our campaign #DiscovertheUndiscovered.

Cover star Arjun Kapoor likes the mellow energy of Jaisalmer.

Arjun Kapoor was recently in Jaisalmer for the shoot of his upcoming movie, Bhoot Police. ON HIM: Jacket, Arjun’s own; t-shirt, `799, H&M; pants, price on request, JW Anderson for Uniqlo; shoes, stylist’s own.

The actor likes the mellow energy and nuance of Jaisalmer. ON HIM: Jacket and pants, price on request, JW Anderson for Uniqlo; t-shirt, `799, H&M; shoes, stylist’s own; sunglasses, Arjun’s own.

From top: The Bordi Jaisalmer is built on 40 acres of private dunes; this little-known camp has 13 luxury Swiss tents, each made in a customised circular design.

Inside one of the luxury tents at The Bordi Jaisalmer.

Kapoor will star in the film, Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar, releasing March 19, 2021. ON HIM: Trench coat and shirt, price on request, Cuin; pants, `15,000, Antar-Agni; shoes, stylist’s own; sunglasses, `10,000, Sasha.

Kapoor says he lazed around at home last year, so he wants to explore on his future travels. ON HIM: Shirt, `11,800, Urvashi Kaur; pants, `15,000, Antar-Agni; shoes, Arjun’s own.