Sterling Holiday Resorts , a subsidiary of Thomas Cook (India) Limited, has launched Leopard Haven Jawai, a new wilderness property in Rajasthan. The resort features 19 cottages, suites, and villas, aiming to deepen the company's footprint in the state and expand its wildlife portfolio.

Property details and accommodation

The new property, Sterling Leopard Haven Jawai, is situated near Bera in the Jawai region of Rajasthan. It offers an intimate retreat experience with a mix of accommodation types designed for privacy and comfort. The property includes Jawai Villas with private balconies, Pool Villas with plunge pools, and Two-Bedroom Pool Villas for groups.

Strategic expansion and local experiences

The launch marks a strategic addition to Sterling's wilderness category, positioned between Udaipur and Jodhpur. This location creates a natural link in the Mount Abu-Udaipur-Jawai-Jodhpur journey, offering a contrasting wilderness chapter to the heritage-focused Rajasthan circuit. The resort emphasizes locally rooted experiences, including guided leopard safaris, excursions around the Jawai Dam reservoir, birdwatching, and crocodile spotting.

Guests can also explore the surrounding countryside, tribal villages, and Rabari communities. The on-site restaurant, Jawai Vista, serves Rajasthani flavors inspired by regional millets and rice, featuring dishes like Methi Bajra Khichda, Panchkutte ki Subzi, Mathania Chicken, and Jawai Laal Maas.

Management commentary

Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director & CEO of Sterling Holiday Resorts Limited, stated that the destination strengthens the portfolio by deepening presence in Rajasthan and adding weight to the national wilderness offering. He noted that while leopards provide the initial pull, the richness of the holiday comes from the surrounding culture and landscape.

Manish Gurani, owner of BMMR Hospitality LLP, highlighted the rarity of Jawai as a place where wildlife and everyday life coexist without over-engineering for tourism. He emphasized that Sterling was the right partner to build demand around the destination rather than just the property.

Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel have introduced exclusive charter flights to Lakshadweep from Bengaluru, with the service planned for the end of 2026.

Exclusive island access via charter

The charter flight programme is a joint initiative by Thomas Cook India and its group company SOTC Travel, targeting travellers seeking direct connectivity to Lakshadweep from Bengaluru. The offering is positioned as an exclusive travel product, with departures scheduled toward the end of 2026.

Key details of the Lakshadweep charter programme

The initiative reflects growing demand for curated island travel experiences, with both Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel combining their distribution and product capabilities to offer the charter programme to customers departing from Bengaluru.