Coorg, officially known as Kodagu district in Karnataka, is nestled in the eastern part of the Western Ghats. It is known for its misty weather, coffee, pork, its indigenous Kodava culture, the Brahmagiri, Talakaveri and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuaries, and the Nagarhole National Park (Rajiv Gandhi National Park). The region is popular all year round with temperate winters, cool summers and gorgeously green monsoons. If that calls to the traveller spirit in you, here are a few places you could consider staying at.
Golden Mist Homestay, Madikeri
Golden Mist is a replanted coffee and cardamom plantation. They also run a farm and homestay, featuring hilly views, quaint guesthouses and great food with produce sourced from a home grown garden. It is an ideal destination if you want to avoid the hype of resorts and believe simple is special. The loft beds are a quaint attraction.
Price: ₹2,000 (per person per night)
Contact: 09448903670, www.golden-mist.net
Honey Pot Homestay, Madikeri
The homestay, smack dab in the middle of a 225-acre coffee plantation, is the stuff dreams are made of for coffee-lovers. Picture yourself with a book on the porch and the aroma of coffee wafting everywhere, and red coffee beans so close you can touch them. Honey Pot Homes features a tree house, an observation tower to ‘observe’ the surrounding flora and fauna, a tour of the estate and numerous dining locations around the estate (which should be fun if you are the outdoorsy, picnic sorts).
Price: upto ₹4,000 (per person per night; including breakfast)
Contact:
www.honeypothomes.com
Pepper Trails Homestay, Virajpet
Pepper Trails is a stone’s throw away from the Nagarhole National Park, making it an ideal place to stay if you want to go on safaris morning and evening. They also offer white water rafting; a plus thanks to their proximity to Iruppu Falls.
Price: ₹1,900 (per person per night)
Contact: 09900393689, www.peppertrails.in
Souland Estates Homestay, Valnoor
Souland Estates offers you the opportunity to live the Coorgi lifestyle and embrace the local culture, cuisine, et al. They are situated very close to the Dubbare Elephant camp (how about spotting baby elephants while you walk through the elephant corridor trail?) and have converted their 100-year-old granary to a beautiful cottage with breathtaking views. Oh, and by the way, pets are welcome.
Price: ₹1,800 onwards (per person per night)
Contact: 08276267429,
www.soulandestates.com
Mountain View Homestay, Madikeri
As the name suggests, this homestay is situated on top of a hill and you are sure to wake up to the mist floating in through open windows. Relatively new to the hospitality sector, they have already garnered good reviews. If you are looking for WiFi, a TV or a fridge, then this may not be the place for you. This is definitely a place to be one with nature and connect with family or friends or even yourself.
Price: ₹750 (per person per night; includes breakfast)
Contact: www.mountainview.in
Silver Brook Estate Homestay, Kadagadal
There is a perennial brook flowing through the estate, hence the name. This award-winning homestay has a penchant for everything environment-friendly. Doors and windows have been crafted from recycled wood, indigenous species have been planted, rainwater is harvested and so on. They also have a beautifully stocked library and interesting antiques on display, adding to the charm.
Price: ₹5,500 (per person per night)
Contact: 08105311309,
www.silverbrookestate.com
Honey Valley Homestay, Virajpet
As the name suggests, the homestay produces a lot of honey. Tagged as the ‘homestay on a hilltop’, it is situated at the base of the Tadiandamol peak. This is a no-frills homestay, with authentic food and hospitality. The grounds boast of a waterfall in the estate, numerous trails to go off-roading on and a staggering amount of wildlife.
Price: ₹1,500 to ₹4,000 (per person per night)
Contact: 08272-238339/ 238888, www.honeyvalleyindia.in
Chilipili Estate Homestay, Hosakeri
They have a plethora of awards and are generally packed to the hilt, so make sure to book your rooms early. Warm vibes and excellent hospitality are the USPs of Chilipili. Also interesting is the fact that there indeed is an old temple near the estate named Chilipili. Walk the trails around the estate and you might just spot a Malabar Grey Hornbill. The area is excellent for bird-watching.
Price: ₹3,000 (per room per night)
Contact: 08272230123, www.coorgchilipili.com
Casa Coorg, Bittangala
Casa Coorg is situated very close to Coorg Golf Links, making it the perfect destination for golf-lovers. The Coorg Institute of Adventure Sports is located close to the homestay making it ideal for you outdoor-types. Birdwatching and endless cups of coffee are a plus.
Price: ₹3,800 (per room per night)
Contact: 09449635127, 09880434127,
www.casacoorghomestay.in
Victorian Verandaz Homestay, Kadagadal
The Victorian Verandaz is a 150-year-old colonial style cottage (called Rustica) with a verandah. Their USP seems to be the fact that the old architecture of the cottage has been preserved and maintained by the same family for almost a century. Travellers swear by the food cooked by Diana, the hostess, and the timelessness of the property. The hosts say they leave parts of their estate uncultivated to encourage biodiversity. It is also close to the Mercara Downs Golf Club and Abbey Falls, both of which are within a distance of 10-km of the homestay.
Price: ₹2,000 to ₹5,500 per person per night
Contact: 08272-200234, 09448059850, www.victorianverandaz.com
