Igloo-inspired dome stays, the latest in luxury camping

From the desert to the mountains, geodesic domes’ are sprouting across the country as glamping’s new trend

- Abhilasha Ojha

From a distance, on a bright, sunny morning, the three "igloos" look like something on the set of a sci-fi film. The three white domes at Avalon Cottage, a luxury resort in Kanatal, Uttarakhand, stand out in the midst of all the greenery for their unusual, futuristic architecture. The interiors are luxurious-king-sized beds with ergonomic mattress, spacious bathrooms with amenities, aesthetic décor and on the sprawling deck, one can soak in the panoramic views of the mountains.

"Most of the enquiries from potential guests are for the domes," says Jasmeet Kochhar, co-founder, Avalon Cottage. "They're the first to be sold out." Spend some time inside one and it's easy to understand why people are hankering for a stay in these igloo-inspired domes. You wake up to the view of the mountains, and sleep while gazing at the stars through the semi-transparent dome. The experience is meditative, relaxing and revitalising. That apart, as Kochhar says, "it's a great photo-op, it's Instagrammable."

Further west, and a few miles from Jaipur, Teela, a glamping resort, opened with nine domes last year to become a desert oasis offering views of stars and a private dinner experience, besides other adventure sports and activities.