Set amidst misty hills, lush green forests and vast stretches of coffee plantations, Coorg is a quintessential holiday destination. It’s one of those places which immediately mesmerize you and make you feel like you’ve walked right into a postcard!

 Heritage meets luxury at the Plantation Trails

Live the planter’s life at the heritage bungalows at Plantation Trails! These houses overlook the never-ending verdant coffee plantations and add a unique experience to your holiday. Imagine staying in a quaint colonial cottage (as old as 100 years) once upon a time occupied by a former British planter! The thought itself is so exciting!

Every bungalow has a unique story to it; we stayed at the Woshully bungalow- the oldest heritage bungalow at the Plantation Trails, built 115 years ago! With its ornate and Victorian furniture (think rosewood beds and a fireplace) it instantly takes you back to a bygone era. Equipped with modern amenities to suit the contemporary traveller, the place still has a homely touch to it. Every bungalow has a butler and an exclusive cook who whips up mouth-watering Coorgi delicacies for you. Talk about pampering!

 Of Nature trails & Bird-watching

The Woshully bungalow is famous for its ‘Durbeen road’ winding through the plantations. So you can just curl up on a chair on the verandah with a book, taking in the breathtaking view; or go for a nature trail or take a guided ‘Bean to Brew’ tour of the coffee plantations. (more on that in my ‘The Bean Therapy at Plantation Trails’ post).

Nature lovers can set out on a guided bird-watching tour to learn about as varied as 300 avian species home to Coorg.  As you take a stroll down the trails taking in the pure air, you’ll see parakeets and mynas fluttering around and hear the melodious koel. Coming from Mumbai, where spotting a sparrow has become a rarity, this was a pleasant experience. However, do not venture out unattended into the estate, lest you may fall prey to a wild elephant, warned us the manager!

 Local sight-seeing

The Bylakuppe town is home to the second largest Tibetan settlement outside Tibet where one can visit the Namdroling monastery. Calm and soothing, one can spend some time in solitude at the golden temple. You can also pick up the signature Tibetan colourful prayer flags or any other souvenirs.

Another place worth visiting is Mandalpatti. It is worth the back-breaking ride uphill in a gypsy, because you are rewarded with a spectacular view. Imagine stretches and stretches of green pastures and hills enveloped in misty clouds. Carry a picnic basket and perch yourself at a good spot and I promise you it will be an afternoon well spent 🙂

The Hungry Trotter Travel Hacks:

• Take a flight/train to Mysore (100 kms from Coorg) or Mangalore (150kms from Coorg) instead of Bangalore.
• The best time to visit Coorg is between October and February.
• For accommodation, the Plantation Trails makes for a lovely stay in a quaint bungalow. There are some good homestay options as well which you can check out. School Thota and Nature Fresh are homestays which friends have tried out and liked.
• The conventional touristy spots like Abbey falls, Dubare Elephant Camp, Talacauvery are worth a miss. They are very crowded, especially over weekends, since they are ideal for picnic excursions for locals.

Which place according to you makes for a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the city?