Western Ghats, Karnataka holiday accommodation
| country: | India |
| location: | Western Ghats, Karnataka |
| price: | From US $25 - US $50 per person per night. US $ 50 per day package includes accommodation in the deluxe cottage as well as some escorted jeep excursions |
description
The retreat is our Organic Spice Plantation and Research Centre nestled in the heart of the Western Ghats (in Kodagu district of southern Karnataka). Surrounded by rolling hills and densly forested valleys, this is a naturalist's paradise waiting to be discovered.
Let us show you the true meaning of bio-diversity as you explore remote idyllic valleys and tropical rainforests or learn how coffee, cardamom, pepper, vanilla are organically cultivated under the shade of rainforest trees. Anglers can also try catch the mighty Masheer in the nearby Cauvery river. All this and more awaits you. We have also designed several escorted road tours that take you to some of the most interesting and beautiful places.
Destinations include Mysore City, major wildlife sanctuaries, spectacular beaches of Karnataka, white-water rafting on the river Kali, as well as some of the most interesting historical architecture in all of India ( Belur, Halibed, Hampi, Aihole, Pattakal, and Badami).
Let us show you the true meaning of bio-diversity as you explore remote idyllic valleys and tropical rainforests or learn how coffee, cardamom, pepper, vanilla are organically cultivated under the shade of rainforest trees. Anglers can also try catch the mighty Masheer in the nearby Cauvery river. All this and more awaits you. We have also designed several escorted road tours that take you to some of the most interesting and beautiful places.
Destinations include Mysore City, major wildlife sanctuaries, spectacular beaches of Karnataka, white-water rafting on the river Kali, as well as some of the most interesting historical architecture in all of India ( Belur, Halibed, Hampi, Aihole, Pattakal, and Badami).
rooms, food and facilities
During this time as our guests you will be accommodated in an elegant cottage set in a rustic surrounding of bamboo, banana, coffee, and orange plants. This guesthouse has been specially designed to meet international standards of style and comfort.It features 2 bedrooms (with attached western toilets), a spacious living room complete with kitchenette and fire place and a beautiful veranda overlooking a crystal clear stream. Some meals will be served at the main house where guests can avail the facilities such as our library, slide collection and
international telecommunication services (including e-mail), and the best blues music collection in the country. The cuisine is a careful selection of delicious Indian and Continental foods, featuring home-made breads and pastas, savoury curries, fresh seafood, locally grown organic vegetables and fruits (passion fruit, avocado, pineapple, mango, papaya, orange, etc.) and coffee.
How to find us
India has several major international airports (Mumbai/Bombay, Delhi, Chenai/ Madras, Calcutta).
From there you can easily take connecting flights (or trains) to Bangalore, Mangalore or Mysore where you will be personally met and escorted to the WAPRED Research Centre near Madikeri in the comfort of our private vehicle. Madikeri is 250 km (road journey of about 6h) from Bangalore and 140 km from Mangalore (road journey of 4h).
Save hours - search 38 flight booking sites simultaneously using our amazing one stop flight search to find a flight to this accommodation
India has several major international airports (Mumbai/Bombay, Delhi, Chenai/ Madras, Calcutta). From there you can easily take connecting flights (or trains) to Bangalore, Mangalore or Mysore where you will be personally met and escorted to the WAPRED Research Centre near Madikeri in the comfort of our private vehicle. Madikeri is 250 km (road journey of about 6h) from Bangalore and 140 km from Mangalore (road journey of 4h).
Save hours - search 38 flight booking sites simultaneously using our amazing one stop flight search to find a flight to this accommodation
One of the most relaxing places I have ever been - if only we could have
stayed a week or two. The retreat truly feels like exactly that - you feel
as if you are in the middle of nowhere, with only the sound of the frog
chorus at night and no cars (which in India, made a pleasant change). Our
guide, Danesh, was wonderful - he took us on fabulous treks through the
Ghats, took us to the houses of friends and family for freshly-squeezed lime
juice, brought us the most fabulous feasts which we ate outside our cottage
and lit us a bonfire every night.
We have vowed to return here one day!Helen Bailey
how this holiday makes a difference
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This Eco-tourism project has been carefully designed to minimise environmental impact and the proceeds directly support activities of our environmental NGO whose aims are to raise ecological awareness and develop sustainable agriculture practices for this fragile environment. The major research project is to develop and field-test Eco-friendly methods of pest- control for the local crops grown in the shade of rainforest trees.
We also employ and actively educate the locals on environmental issues such as the harmful (health and environmental) effects of pesticides and the importance of preserving the rich bio-diversity etc. The cottages are made using Eco-friendly designs and materials and feature an alternate energy solar lighting system.  We are developing and promoting low cost (and low-tech) sustainable agriculture practices as an alternative to costly chemical fertilisers and pesticides and mono-culture systems. There is also a great 'wealth' of bio-diversity in the remaining forests and private holdings and we try to educate the locals that it must be preserved for the economic, social and environmental benefit of future generations. We also employ 10 people (mostly women) from the local community for both the field work and to look after the guests. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've lead the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |