The eco lodge where you would be staying is situated in a certified organic spice farm, in one of the most natural and scenic part of the Western Ghats* in South India. The place is in the midst of a coffee plantation where emphasis is laid on environmental awareness and sustainable tourism.
* Western Ghats are a mountain range hugging the Western coast of the Arabian Sea.
This stay is for environmentally conscious travelers who want to experience a harmonious existence with nature. Surrounded by rolling hills and densely forested valleys, this is a naturalist’s paradise waiting to be discovered. You will experience the true meaning of biodiversity as you explore remote idyllic valleys and tropical forests.
You ‘ll learn how coffee, cardamom, pepper, vanilla are sustainably cultivated .
Sujata, the plantation owner and a naturaliste guide would take you on a tour of the plantation where you’ll enjoy a fine trekking and birding.
One taste the famous “Civet coffee ” with delicious wholesome meals, prepared with bio-gas taken from the gobar-gas plants.
Walk in the plantation.
Education in biodiversity.
Trekking.
Visit to local villages.
Visit Dubare elephant Camp.
Visit Budhiste temples and a Tibetan village in Bylakupee.
The Plantation welcome and encourage all forms of organic farming whether it be revival of traditional practices, biodynamic farming, permaculture or natural farming. They all result in sustaining alive and healthy soils which is the foundation of a strong agri-ecosystem.
They work for maintaining a forest canopy to conserve fragile top soil, replenishing it with compost, and incorporating uncultivated forested spaces within the cultivated areas. They encourage the creation of habitats in all the growing areas to increase the populations of predatory species. They convert animal and food waste into energy called biogas plant. The biogas is used in kitchen stoves and for super fertile compost.
They have created Worldwide Association for Preservation and Restoration of Ecological Diversity (WAPRED ) that is an environmental NGO which aims to promote ecological awareness and develop sustainable methods of agriculture within the Western Ghats region of India.
We Pick up you with a taxi from Bangalore airport or railways station for the plantation in Madikeri (5 to 6 hours)
Check in during the afternoon.
Dinner at 8 pm.
Breakfast at 8.30.am.
Interactive plantation Tour and discussions about the rainforest ecosystem and how the forest ecosystem sustains balanced land use between agriculture and conservation.
Lunch at 1.pm.
Plantation-related activities.
Tea/Coffee at 4.pm.
Dinner and bon fire at 8.pm.
Breakfast at 8.30. am.
Trek to Kalur Ridge to see overview of the Western Ghats with guide.
Lunch at 1.pm.
Slides presentation on “Biodiversity of the Western Ghats”.
Dinner at 8.pm.
Breakfast at 8.am.
Walk down 3.5 km to Kalur Village for a half/full day interactive time with a primary school group of children. Kalur river is beautiful and guests often relax with feet in the water.
Dinner at 8.pm.
Breakfast at 8.am.
Excursion to Dubare/ Cauvery River Elephant camp and tibetan village in Bylukuppe. Dinner at the plantation at 8.pm.
Breakfast at 8.30am.
Half day trek to sacred groves. Diner at 8.pm.
Breakfast at 8.30.am and check out.
Two deluxe cottages are simple but very pleasant, cosy and confortable with it own terrace set in a rustic surrounding of bamboo, banana, coffee, and orange plants and surrounded by a crystal clear stream.
Each cottage has 2 independent bedroom units with attached bathrooms (with bathtub and hot water). All the cottages are powered by eco-friendly 12V solar lighting.
The plantation cottage is a little more rustic and has two comfortable, independent rooms each with fireplace, solar lighting and attached western toilets. This secluded cottage is nestled 200 m (walking) inside the plantation.
There is no 220V current, television or telephones in the rooms.
This stay is possible all the year except monsoon season from june to september.
Minimum 1 person.
The price is a price by person based on a double occupancy in a room.
Accomodation with full board.
All the meals except the lunch for the excursion in Dubare Elephant Camp.
Taxi transferts Bangalore round trip.
Excursion with taxi for Dubare and entrance fees.
All trekkings with a guide.
Insurances for medical and repatriation fees.
5% for the development fund.
International Airfares, visa fees and all taxes and extra fees , all local transport who are not on the programme.
Cancelling insurances.
Inscription fees.
All drinks like fresh juices, beer and other alcoholic beverages and snacks.
Drivers and services tips.
You have the opportunity to extend your stay with 1 or 2 extra days in Mysore* and or Belur and Halebid*. Please consult us.
* Maharadja palace in Mysore: possibility of one extra extension day during your stay to visit Mysore , one of the most beautiful city of India to visit the Maharadja Palace and Chamundi Hills.( Madikeri to Mysore: 2h30 ).
* Hoysalas temples in Belur and Halebid: possibility of one extra extension day during your stay to visit the very famous Chennekeshava temple in Belur with more than thousand sculptures and Hoysaleswara temple in Halebid. ( Madikeri to Belur: 2H 30).
