KrishRaj Farms: CountryFamilyEscape @Leopard Trail Aravali near city & airport!

Designed as an ode to my parents (Mom: Krishna and Dad: Rajendra), KrishRaj farms was crafted for relaxation, and reconnecting with nature. 5 acres of beautiful greens, lawns, fruit orchards, fish pond, flora and fauna, and a pvt. outhouse. A private sanctuary to disconnect and unwind, at the foothills of the Aravallis; surrounded by serene village fields on three sides. This tranquil atmosphere and accessibility on the popular Leopard Trail next to the city, makes it a sought-after destination.

Location

Whether you prefer driving down yourself or opting for public transport, getting here is hassle-free. At the same time, the area is cutoff from most mainstream spots, allowing for a peaceful retreat within the beautiful village of Pandala Sakatpur.

Drive time: 50 minutes from Indira Gandhi International Delhi Airport and 30 minutes from Golf Course Road and most other places in Gurgaon. Your journey to our farm stay takes you through the popular Leopard Trail, surrounded by 10,000 hectares of pristine Aravali forests. This area is a weekend favourite for its famous trails leading to the picturesque Lotus Pond and various other hiking adventures. Runners, joggers, bikers, birdwatchers, off-road enthusiasts, and other adventure seekers frequent this area for its natural beauty.

The Farm

The entire Krish Raj House and its five-acre farm are exclusively yours to enjoy. Guests will have access to all of the fenced-in farm which includes the outhouse, lawn and fruit orchard. The space is tranquil, although you might hear the occasional rooster crowing to glory early mornings. (Wakey! Wakey!). At any point in time, we have few resident caretakers who live in their own accomodations on the other side of the property away from the outhouse. Their devotion and care is what keeps our greens green!

Upon arrival, you'll enter the property through a green coloured farm gate, just off the main road, at the sharp bend on Leopard trail; when you see a large pond on both sides of the road. Look for the welcoming "KrishRaj Farms" name-plate on the upper right corner of the gate. Drive down the gravel driveway, across the green lawns, to the outhouse. There is enough room for multiple cars to park, as the outhouse is designed for 6 adults. Our resident doe eyed ever friendly doggo Ruby might be there to welcome you (unless of course she is on one of her property rounds or idling under a shaded space).

Inside the huge lawns next to the outhouse, there is lots of space for running around, playing the frisbee, badminton, football with net posts or cricket (equipment available on site), or just taking in the scenery. For the ones here to simply relax, there is a gazebo at the far end from where you can enjoy views of the beautiful Aravali ranges, star gaze in the night, or simply have a morning coffee (or cocktail!). Take the opportunity to enjoy the complete absence of roads and buildings, and lose yourself in the greenery that surrounds you.

The small fish pond within the premises has colorful Koi fishes: feel free to feed them, while dangling your legs from our bamboo bridge. Lotus and lillies grow in small water bodies amidst banana trees.

The Roosters and their entourage moving around enjoying the morning rounds as they go looking for the early worm! We have resident Bee eaters, the Drongo clan and the Water hen family on site. If you see something resembling a large yellow banana flying from one tree to the next, congratulations! You have just spotted yourself the beautiful Golden Oriole. Some of them were there already before us and some we welcomed as we settled in over the years.

As you walk across the lawn, and head out to the east side of the property, you will be welcomed by the veggie patch and the fruit trees galore. We grow our own veggies suited for the season and the climate. Depending on the season, you will see loads of peach, plum, pomegranates, pomello, citrus, guava, amla, jamun, mango trees flowering and fruiting. If you are the hands on type, you are welcome to help us plant , weed or pluck/dig out any ready produce. If you are not, Lazing around on the khatiya under the neem tree and digging your teeth into ripe sweet mangoes is always an option! We try and incorporate principles of permaculture on the farm and are totally chemical, pesticide free since inception. Our farming ethos encourage us to work on the soil through making our own biomanure, bioenzyme, neem sprays and use of cow dung.

A sixty year old neem tree with a Shiv temple underneath adorns the centre of the fruit orchard. The tree is the haunt for multitude of peacocks who have that as their home for as long as we have seen. The Koel family resides there and might welcome you with its melodious sound. All in all we have been able to spot over 30 resident bird species, not to mention the colourful butterflies, dragonflies, insects and even the occasional snake. Yes, we are a farm stay, and all animals are welcome here- an animal lover’s paradise!

The Outhouse

The outhouse has a shaded porch in the front with outdoor seating that lets you enjoy your own private space enjoying a cold beverage on warm summer afternoons or a cup of hot coffee soaking in the early winter mornings . You will be provided keys to the main door and the rooms within at the time of entry, to ensure that only you have entry to the outhouse during the duration of your stay.

Equipped with sofas and adequate seating, the living room is a perfect place to eat, read, work, or play games.

Inside you will find a modern custom kitchen with (most of) what any kitchen needs. Pots, pans, cutlery, dishes and basic utensils are all in there for your use. Because it’s small, it doesn't have everything a big kitchen might have, so try to think simple for meal plans. It is also equipped with: a small fridge, toaster, gas stove, microwave, dish rack, kettle, salt/pepper/oil and spices.

Past the kitchen are the two bedrooms. The larger room is fondly named the Banyan room, in honour of the magnanimous Banyan trees at the farm. The room has one king and another Queen XL sized bed with customised bunk bed and slide for children to sleep in and enjoy :) The bunk bed is 5 feet long x 3 feet wide and is suitable for most kids of age 10-12 and under. There stands a wicker wooden almirah, a large screen TV with cable, and little collection of books/board game. This room is perfect for a family of four. The beds have ultra comfy mattress and smooth cotton sheets. An additional free lying mattress has been provided to sneak in that extra person or last moment addition.

This building was originally designed and built with one room. As our family grew, we redesigned the living space to create another smaller room; the Amaltas room, row of these trees exist outside the outhouse on the right and announce their arrival with long dangling beautiful yellow flowers come summer…this room is compact, but should suffice for a couple. The space has a king sized bed with a luggage rack and stow away space underneath.

So max accommodation possible is for 7 adults and 1 child.

It is important to note that there is a single bathroom to be shared between the two living spaces. One needs to close both doors while using the bathroom and open both while leaving the facility. It has a flush toilet and a large tiled shower space which is super convenient. We also provide you with shampoo, conditioner, artisan soaps and towels.

Again, everything inside the outhouse is adequate, but designed to provide simple living. Our number one goal is to provide a memorable and relaxing stay, that helps guests disconnect from the stresses of everyday life, and experience the peaceful, agrarian lifestyle. Our second goal is to do so without disrupting neighbours, the environment, and the animals. Please respect the land and help us continue to be able to share it with others.

Provisions: We stock on essential pantry with coffee, tea, salt, pepper, oil, bread, butter, granola, yogurt, milk, and eggs. Barbeque is provided along with the necessary tools and premium charcoal briquettes to use on the porch (close to kitchen) or at the gazebo (in the lawns) those cold winter evenings. It's free of charge, on the house.

Multiple cafes also exist in the vicinity providing wholesome food. Enjoy traditional dishes like aloo parathas with melting home-made butter or sarson ka saag/makke ki roti. Or may be it’s the pizza and burger which your heart fancies and your belly approves of.

Exploration

Wander out through the charming village roads towards the nearby 9 hole Golf course to experience the serene village life. Along the way, you may encounter some friendly farm animals (horses, goats, and hens) in neighbouring houses. Explore the simplicity and warmth of rural life. Wander through quaint hamlets, interact with locals, and witness traditions that have stood the test of time.

Nearby equestrian farms like Aravali Horse Riding Club offer horse riding lessons and scenic trail rides through the surrounding forests.

Head up the Aravali hills to experience the wild, experience the majestic Aravalis. Capture stunning views of the landscape that will leave you spellbound. One of the most popular hikes (short and sweet) is the one to the Lotus Pond (people come from far away to see the lotuses bloom here in full glory, best time to see is May to July). It can make a perfect spot for morning coffee or a sunset view.

Alongside the leopard trail, you would find sand dunes, with kids and adults running up and down enjoying the sinking sand…There are scenic ponds and lakes on the side as you stroll by. More so on weekends; you will witness city dwellers thronging food trucks serving delicious street fare, perfect for a quick snack. Maggi or momos, anyone?

Pet Policy: We adore pets and our ever affable doggo Ruby would ensure they get enough exercise running around exploring rabbit holes and playing under the sun!