Glamping is short for glamorous camping: staying outdoors, close to nature, but with the comforts of a proper bed, a private bathroom and a roof that keeps out the rain. It sits between a tent and a hotel room. In Maharashtra, glamping has become a popular way to enjoy lakes, hills and forests without roughing it, and at Hiranya it takes the form of Swiss-style cottages by Mombatta Lake near Ellora.
Glamping versus camping
Traditional camping means pitching your own tent, sleeping on the ground or a mat, and sharing bathrooms, if there are any. It is wonderful for the adventurous, but it asks for gear, effort and a tolerance for discomfort.
Glamping keeps the outdoor feeling while removing most of that effort. The accommodation is already set up, usually on a raised platform, with real beds, linen, lighting and an attached bathroom. You still hear birds at dawn and step straight out onto grass, but you do not wake up stiff or damp.
The term covers a wide range of structures: canvas safari tents, domes, treehouses, yurts, wooden cabins and Swiss-style cottage tents. What they share is a setting that puts nature first.
Why glamping has grown in Maharashtra
Maharashtra has a great variety of landscapes within a few hours of its big cities: the Sahyadri hills, backwater lakes, the Konkan coast and the open Deccan Plateau. As more people from Mumbai, Pune and beyond look for short breaks away from screens and traffic, glamping has offered a comfortable way to spend a night or two outdoors.
It suits a wide range of travellers. Couples like the privacy and the setting, families appreciate that children can run about safely on grass, and groups of friends enjoy bonfires without worrying about who carries the tents. It also works well in the monsoon and winter, when a solid roof and warm bedding make all the difference.
What a Swiss-style cottage is
A Swiss-style cottage, sometimes called a Swiss tent, is a sturdy, tent-like structure on a raised base, with a sloping roof and fabric or panelled walls. Inside it feels more like a small room than a tent, with space to stand, a proper bed and furniture. The name comes from the alpine-cabin look rather than any Swiss connection.
The raised base keeps the floor dry and level, the double layers help with insulation, and the front usually opens onto a veranda, which becomes the heart of the stay: the place for morning tea, an afternoon book or evening conversation.
What to expect at Hiranya
Hiranya has nine glamping cottages, including poolside cottages, set on our 15-acre property on the banks of Mombatta Lake in Daulatabad. Each is Swiss-style with an attached bathroom and a veranda. Breakfast and access to the outdoor swimming pool are included with the stay, and free Wi-Fi is available on the property.
A typical glamping day might look like this:
- Wake to birdsong and step onto the veranda as the light comes up over the lake.
- Join a dawn kayaking session or take a quiet walk to look for kingfishers and langurs.
- Have breakfast, then head to Ellora, about 15 minutes away, or Daulatabad Fort, about a kilometre from the resort.
- Spend a slow afternoon by the pool, open from 6 am to 7 pm.
- Eat at the waterfall-side restaurant, where food is cooked fresh to order.
- End with a bonfire and stargazing on a clear night.
If you prefer something simpler, we also have camping tents, and for more conventional comfort there are air-conditioned deluxe rooms with mountain views.
Tips for a first glamping stay
Pack light, comfortable clothes, a warm layer for winter nights and a light rain jacket in the monsoon. Closed shoes are useful for walks, and a small torch helps on paths after dark. Insect repellent is sensible, especially around dusk near the water.
Most of all, plan less than you think. Glamping works best when you leave time to do nothing: sit on the veranda, watch the lake change colour and listen to the evening chorus.
Book your cottage by the lake
Our glamping cottages are a relaxed way to explore Ellora, Daulatabad and Grishneshwar while staying close to nature. We take confirmed bookings only, so reach out a day or more ahead on WhatsApp or through our reservations team to check availability and current rates.
