I always get caught on Valentine Day. I would like to come up with something meaningful to my husband every year something that goes beyond dinner reservations and last-minute gifts. I had chances to surprise him this time with an experience. Something unexpected. Something memorable. This is when I have come upon Sterling ReWild Sariska, a modern-day wilderness resort, right on the frontier of the Sariska Tiger Reserve, and only a four-hour drive away through Delhi.  

Last year Valentine Day was on a Friday and without saying a single word to him I made a reservation of a quiet wild adventure just with the two of us. The resort is 5 hours away from Delhi, so we left early morning and got ourselves we out of Delhi and then we drove through the dusty scenery of Rajasthan as the city drifted away in the rear-view mirror.  

What had been attractive in the road, as it wound up into the Aravalli hills, became dramatic rocky country, broad open skies and a feeling of repose that promised to be the opening of a new world. He continued to make conjectures of locations and I continued smiling. It was half the fun to see him so much curious.  

First Impressions: Wild and Finely Refined 

 As soon as we arrived at Sterling Re-Wild Sariska that afternoon I realised that I had made the right decision. The resort is spaced over 13 acres, and it has a natural integration within the surroundings rock formations, canvas tents and rough textures reflect the land rather than an overlay of it. The Sterling Staff received us with ease, with their casual, thoughtful, and sincerely good nature. Check-in was easy, relaxed and established the appropriate atmosphere of all that ensued.  

We stayed in the Mountain View Antler Tent with Outdoor Shower and Sit-Out and it was all I had hoped. It was very roomy, well planned and all so comfortable that it was not like a tent but rather a sheltered rest area in the wilderness. The personal sit-out had rolling hills and open skies, which were ideal in quiet conversation and leisurely mornings.  

The Surprise of Valentine  

The Valentine’s Setup I confess- this is what I found nervous. I contacted the Sterling team in advance to organize a Valentine surprise in our tent as we were out on an expedition around Sariska in the morning and the staff assured me that everything would be done.  

That was the morning when we drove to a Sarika jungle safari and were able to feel the excitement of the reserve the calmness, the expectation, the picturesqueness of the forest awakening. When we were back in the afternoon, we found the tent door open and I froze in dismay. The room had been changed upside down with mellow lights, amorous decor, the flowers carefully put and a well-packaged Valentines cake on the bed waiting on us. It was not too much nor too artificial but was very cozy and personal, just like I had imagined.  

My husband stood there a moment or so and turned to me and said, you planned all this? This was the only thing that justified the trip. The Sterling ReWild staff did it all in the same way an expert would do it, without raising any commotion. 

 Food, Cozy and Considerate Hospitality 

 Another highlight was having a meal at the resort. Food was cosy and well-balanced – the combination of local cuisine and commonplace options. Breakfasts were leisurely, and breakfast gave us energy to last the day, whereas dinner were relaxed and personal after a day in the country. However, the hospitality was remarkable.  

The employees were aware of our tastes, could easily adjust the schedule and showed up regularly without being obtrusive. It never seemed to be written; it was just good human service.  

How This Valentine Trip Succeeded  

Sterling ReWild Sarika strikes a balance as it is very much attached to nature, but never out of comfort. It is riotous and yet not crass, lavish but not noisy. Our Antler Tent was a lowly love-nest of ours, every morning a cup of coffee on the siteout, every night a quiet night under the stars, and all the rest we should have had only silence and clear skies can provide.  

Getting Out with More Than Memories 

 It was all too soon as we were checking. Within a few days, we had caught up, reintroduced each other and had moments which were truly special and not hurried. By the time we were heading back to Delhi with the Aravalli hills fading out in the rear-view mirror we were already discussing a return trip. Maybe for an anniversary or maybe just because. Sterling ReWild Sariska did not only present us with a few days in lovers paradise, but it also presented us with a memory we will have permanently. And honestly? I suppose it is just the best Valentine surprise I have ever planned last year. 

Rishika  

Civil Engineer