A Leaf of Change: Ginkgo biloba
(maidenhair tree), a living fossil, a timeless survivor, sustained and consciously propagated by people.
RARE's journey started with an unassuming logo, influenced by nature and encouraged by our early partners. It was a tentative step toward defining what RARE would become. As time passed, our commitment to "conscious travel" began to redefine luxury through sustainable and regenerative experiences, inspired by every hotel that joined the community.
A Community of Visionaries
Founded in 2004, RARE India passionately champions small, private, concept hotels that focus on “conscious travel.” These unique hotels, such as Churhat Kothi, Chhatra Sagar, Shahpura Bagh, and others, all share compelling stories in extraordinary locations. Initially, the market for experiential travel was niche, but through powerful narratives, we captured the attention of world travelers. In 2009, RARE found its relevance at the heart of a travel renaissance with experiential travel. In 2019, RARE gave sustainable tourism a practical language through The RARE Touchstones, shaping its commitment to conservation, community, heritage, wellbeing and mindful hospitality.
Celebrating Community
RARE India is a vocal and passionate partner of small, private, concept hotels with a sharp focus on ‘conscious travel’. Charged by a simple idea of preferring unusual routes and unheard of ideas in hospitality, RARE India was born in 2004.
our value proposition
AUTHENTICITY
Pioneering hoteliers that have set the trend for planet first and community inclusive travel, telling authentic stories of the destination.
SUSTAINABILITY
Environmental conservation and responsible tourism practices are at the heart of everything we do.
COMMUNITY
RARE hotels empower local communities through fair tourism practices and sustainable economic opportunities.
How did it all begin?
Churhat Kothi in Bandhvagarh, our first lodge onboard was one of the best conservation based lodges in the country which set the blue print for RARE. Soon similar hotels joined us – Chhatra Sagar, Shahpura Bagh, Ramathra Fort, Bhainsrorgarh Fort, Windermere Estate, Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge, Sarai at Toria each one with compelling stories in unique locations.
The market for experiential travel was very niche and through powerful narratives we had the attention of world travellers. It was in 2009, the travel dynamic pitched us in the middle of a renaissance – a travel renaissance! And RARE in a happy coincidence of time and space found its relevance.
A decade later, in 2019, came another defining shift: the rise of sustainable tourism as a central philosophy. This was articulated through The RARE Touchstones, which became a practical grammar for responsible tourism, giving shape to ideas of conservation, community, heritage, wellbeing and mindful hospitality across the collection.
Years of Excellence
Stakeholders Engaged
Destination Countries
RARE Circle Members
Our Mission
To preserve and celebrate India’s cultural heritage while creating transformative travel experiences that benefit local communities, protect the environment, and inspire responsible exploration.
RARE Touchstones
For us at RARE, the pinwheel is the perfect representation of travel that is light and ecstatic, guiding us wherever the wind blows.
A child wielding a pinwheel is ecstatic with joy, movement, curiosity, and unalloyed wonder. Is that not why we all travel?
Hence, the pinwheel represents the innocent, playful, and hopeful symbolism of harnessing the energy that Earth bestows upon us.
From Our RARE Circle
Conscious travel involves making conscious choices. RARE matches my sensibility to a tee. When I travel in India, I have a particular kind of place in mind. I want authenticity, simple elegance and warmth mixed with a sustainable mindset. I know the food will be good as well. RARE is my go-to that has that extra something that allows me to relax. I want to touch the ground where I am. On most occasions, the owners are there to make sure you feel at home, which I do from north to south. This is RARE.
SAYS PEGGY MARKEL, USA ON FEBRUARY 15, 2026
Our absolute favorite holidays in India have been through, and thanks to RARE. Each time we craved a beautiful getaway that wasn't over-commercialized, we turned to RARE. In 2012, she introduced us to Satpura ( M.P ) which to this day remains a family favorite - not just the lodge, but Satpura Park and the amazing naturalists like David and Rishi who we are in touch with to this day. Then she introduced us the quieter side of Goa, well before it became everyone else's favorite destination. And the list goes on and on. I couldn't recommend RARE more highly!
SAYS NEEL BROKER, USA ON FEBRUARY 15, 2026
Our RARE experiences have been incredibly special. Each one spectacular and unique! Thank you RARE for creating a treasure chest of unforgettable and blissful memories.
SAYS CAPT. ROHIT BAJAJ AND NEEHARA, GURGAON ON FEBRUARY 15, 2026
I'm always asked for recommendations from people, but when I have questions myself, I often turn to Shoba Mohan and RARE--I know that each property would only make the cut after her personal experiences there, and recommended through a lens of luxe but conscious and responsible tourism.
SAYS DIVIA THANI, EDITOR, CONDE NAST ON FEBRUARY 15, 2026
RARE has played a big part in my family and I having discovered the rich cultural, historic and diversity of food of India. We have visited over 60 destinations in India, with a large number of properties across curated through RARE and each has been more amazing than the one before. Truly RARE is rare in this respect.
SAYS RAHUL CHAWLA, MUMBAI ON FEBRUARY 15, 2026
