UPVAN JAWAI
About us
About Upvan Jawai: The Wilderness That Time Remembered
Upvan Jawai is a boutique luxury wilderness retreat near Jawai Bandh in Pali district, Rajasthan, set among granite hills that shelter one of India's best-known wild leopard populations. The retreat offers tented and stone cottages, guided leopard safaris, outdoor dining and cultural evenings on a quiet property surrounded by open fields and rock. Rated 4.9 on Google by more than 270 guests, Upvan is made for travellers who want comfort without losing their closeness to the wild.
The Meaning Behind Upvan
In Hindi and Sanskrit, upvan means a grove or garden: a tended space at the edge of the wild. That idea shapes everything here. The retreat is designed as a sheltered clearing in Jawai's rugged landscape, where you rest in comfort while the hills, the birds and the leopards stay just beyond the boundary.
We call it barefoot luxury. It means generous rooms and good food without formality, staff who know your name by the second morning, and days shaped by sunrise, sightings and slow evenings rather than a fixed schedule.
Where We Are: The Granite Hills of Jawai
Upvan Jawai sits on the Sumerpur–Bijapur Road in Tehsil Bali, Pali district, a short drive from the Jawai Bandh reservoir. Nearby lies the Jawai Bandh Leopard Conservation Reserve, notified by the Rajasthan government in February 2010 and covering about 19.79 sq km of granite outcrops and thorn forest.
Jawai is not a fenced national park. Leopards here live among caves and boulders close to farms and villages, which makes sightings on open rock faces possible at dawn and dusk. In the cooler months, the reservoir draws migratory birds and is home to mugger crocodiles.
The region lies roughly between Udaipur and Jodhpur, so it fits easily into a Rajasthan road trip.
Stay With Us
Choose between two cottage styles, each with a private bathroom:
Tented Cottages
Canvas retreats with plush bedding and a sheltered deck facing the granite horizon. Ideal for guests who want to hear the wild at night.
Stone Cottages
Built from local granite, they stay cool through the afternoon and open onto a private sit-out with views across the fields to the hills.
Shared spaces include a swimming pool, rooftop cabanas, an indoor dining room and a stone dining pavilion for evenings outdoors.
Experiences at Upvan Jawai
- Leopard safaris: guided dawn and dusk drives in open jeeps with naturalists who have read these hills for years.
- Outdoor dining: fresh, home-style Rajasthani meals served under the open sky.
- Bonfire evenings: lantern-lit lawns once the hills go quiet.
- Cultural nights: Rajasthani folk music and dance beside the fire.
- Nature and birding: slow morning walks and birdwatching around the reservoir.
- Village tours: visits to Rabari settlements to meet the herders who share this land with leopards.
- Weddings and events: intimate celebrations set against the granite hills.
Our Bond With Jawai's People
The Rabari herders have grazed their flocks across these hills for generations, living alongside leopards with a tolerance rarely seen elsewhere. Leopards are often spotted on rocks above temples and village paths, and local communities have long treated them as part of the landscape rather than a threat.
We see ourselves as guests in their country. We ask visitors to approach village tours the same way, with curiosity, patience and respect. Staying at Upvan means seeing Jawai through the people who know it best.
Recognised by Guests and Travel Media
Upvan Jawai holds a 4.9-star Google rating from more than 270 reviews, with guests often mentioning the staff, the food and the safari. The retreat has been featured in Travel + Leisure, Condé Nast, Forbes, The Hindu, Outlook Traveller and Luxury Travel. You can also find us on MakeMyTrip, Booking.com, Agoda and Expedia.
Why Guests Choose Upvan Jawai
- Minutes from Jawai Bandh and the leopard hills
- A choice of tented or stone cottages
- Experienced safari naturalists
- Home-style Rajasthani food
- A pool, rooftop cabanas and open lawns
- A genuine connection with Rabari culture
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Upvan Jawai located?
Upvan Jawai is located on the Sumerpur–Bijapur Road in Tehsil Bali, Pali district, Rajasthan 306707, close to the Jawai Bandh reservoir. The retreat sits among the granite hills of the Jawai region, roughly between Udaipur and Jodhpur, and is easy to reach by road from either city.
What kind of accommodation does Upvan Jawai offer?
Upvan Jawai offers two styles of stay: tented cottages and stone cottages. Tented cottages have plush bedding, a private bathroom and a sheltered deck. Stone cottages are built from local granite, stay cool through the afternoon, and open onto a private sit-out with views of the hills.
Can I see leopards from Upvan Jawai?
Yes. Upvan Jawai arranges guided leopard safaris at dawn and dusk across the granite hills around Jawai Bandh, one of India's best-known leopard habitats. Sightings are frequent because leopards rest on open rock faces here, though wildlife is never guaranteed. An experienced naturalist guides every drive.
Is Upvan Jawai good for families and couples?
Yes. Couples come for the private cottages, quiet evenings and outdoor dinners, while families enjoy the pool, open lawns, safaris and village tours. The retreat also hosts weddings and small events. Speak to our team about activities that suit children, older guests or a special occasion.
Continue Exploring
₹11,000 a night, meals included
Tented Cottage
Canvas between you and the hills, and a deck facing the granite.
₹10,000 a night, meals included
Stone Cottage
Granite walls that stay cool all afternoon and quiet all night.
2 nights · from ₹35,500
Complete Jawai Tour Package
Three safaris in three zones, the dam, and two evenings of music.
Plan your trip
Plan Your Stay at Upvan Jawai
Ready to slow down in leopard country? Call +91 90798 46869 or email reservations@upvanjawai.com to check availability, ask about safari packages or book your cottage directly.