ON NATURE’S LAP

WINTER GREENS ECO-RESORT

CHIKMAGALUR

How to get there

Winter Greens is located off Kadur Road, 10 km from Chikmagalur town.

Things to do

Take a walk in the lush plantation, soak in the smell of rain, watch birds, catch up with your reading (a library is coming up in the resort), and indulge in group activities, games or corporate meetings.

Explore the rolling hills of the Western Ghats. Located within a few hours’ drive from the resort is the scenic Kemmangundi, Bababudangiri, Mullayanagiri (the highest peak in Karnataka), and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary.

Tariff

Rs. 1,850/- per person per day on a triple-sharing basis, Rs. 2,050/- per person per day on a double sharing basis and Rs. 2,500/- per day for single occupancy. Includes all meals.

For details, call: 08262-220869

E-mail: info@wintergreens.in or

Visit: www.wintergreens.in

Photo courtesy: www.wintergreens.in

News gathered from a travel site.

WATCH CLOUDS

Basic Halli

Bangalore (Rural)

How to get there

Kanakapura Road begins from the Banashankari Temple in South Bangalore. Kanakapura town is between 55 and 70 km from Bangalore, depending on where you start from. Basic Halli is 9.5 km from due east from Kanakapura. Basic Halli is located at Kadavekere Doddi, Kanakapura Taluk.

Things to do

Take part in the cycle dash from the peak of the Bilkal Rangaswamy Hill all the way back to the campsite. Explore the area around the campsite on bicycles or by foot. Also go for the hour long night walk through the campsite and in and around the surrounding farms. Drift to sleep in the open air under the starts.

Tariff

The tariff at Basic Halli depends on the package you choose, the weekend stay is priced at Rs. 1,500/-, weekday package is priced at Rs. 1,200/- and the Day Package costs Rs. 350/-. Group bookings can be made for large groups, the campsite cal also be booked.

For enquiries, call: 94801 90080/96203 46362.

            For details, visit, www.basic-halli.in or

E mail: goto.basichalli@gmail.com

Details of this information is gathered from a traveler.

EXPERIENCE NATURE’S BOUNTY

Double Dutch Resort

Athoor, Dindigul

How to get there

The resort is 25 km from Dindigul, 55km from Palani, 65 km from Kodaikanal and 90 km from Madurai. Drive up to the Sembatti crossing and turn into the Athoor village and follow the sign boards.

Things to do

Take a walk up to the water fall or the cave temple, or along the rice fields, peanut gardens and coffee estates and in coconut and palm groves. Go bird watching or trekking. Take motorbike rides and experience a slice of Indian village life or visit the rural market. Swim in the lake or take a coracle ride. Visit the nearby towns of Madurai, Kodaikanal, Dindigul and Periyar.

Tariff

The budget rooms are priced at Rs. 1,500/-, the Economy rooms at Rs. 1,800/- and Deluxe Rooms at Rs. 2,500/-. (Inclusive of tax and exclusive of food).

For details, call-04543-294499 or 94438-228742.

Information gathered from a tourism site.

COFFEE IN COORG

COTTABETTA BUNGLOW

SOUTH KODAGU KARNATAKA

How to get there

Coorg is 240 km from Bangalore. Hit the Mysore Highway, take the diversion to Ranganathittu Sanctuary and drive down.

Things to do

Take a tour of the bungalows, all located within a three km radius and the Glenlona tea estate in Hudikkeri on the Kerala border.

Take inn the early morning drizzle on the walk through bougainvillea-carpeted roads.

Tee off at the nine hole golf course.

Get adventurous with white water rafting, originated by Coorg White Water Rafting, in upper Barapole River

Tariff

Superior rooms: Rs. 4,250/-

Luxury               Rs. 5,040/-

Heritage             Rs. 5,800/- and

Heritage Suite    Rs. 6,160/- for one night (including taxes) and an authentic English breakfast with a Coorg Speciality paa puttu (rice flour cakes eaten with spicy red chutney.

For reservations: Call: 08274-251428/251411-12.

IN NATURE’S MIDST

KALLARACKAL FARM GOVINDAPPERI (TIRUNELVELI)

MAYURAM ECO LODGE

How to get there

Govindapperi is 247 km from Ernkulam, 167 km from Madurai, 137 km from Thiruvanathapuram and 67 km from Thirunelveli Junction.

Take the NH 208 to Tenkasi and turn off the highway on the road to Ambasamudram. Eighteen km later, you will reach Kadaiyam. Turn right here and cross Mandiyur and Rajangapuram before reaching Govindapperi.

Things to do

Go for village walks, or simply walk into the savannah.

Take short treks to the hills or go bird watching.

Check out the bankura pottery and terracotta workshops, khadi and village bamboo industries at Tenkasi, bell metal foundries at Ambasamudram, bamboo and cane works at Sengottai, korai mat weaving industry at Patthamadai and Kayathar.

Visit the bird sanctuaries at Koonthankulam, Ariyakulam and Kalakkad Mundanthurai.

You can also visit the Courtallam falls, Manimuthar and Papanasam dams, the Upper Kodaiyar and Manjolai hills with verdant forests and tea, rubber and cardamom plantations.

Tariff

Two non-A/C twin bedrooms cost Rs. 5,000/- each, inclusive of tax and three meals.

For details, Call- 0484-2335673/9447072586/9961560345

Coonoor

The serene hill station of Coonoor lies in the arms of the Nilgiri Hills. In fact Coonoor is located at an altitude of 1800 m. Geographically speaking, Coonoor lies at the head of Hulikal ravine.This picturesque retreat is covered by grassy meadows, tea bushes, a profusion of sunflowers, marigolds and rhododendrons, all growing wild. Coonoor is essentially a small tea garden town where the weather remains pleasantly cool throughout the year.

Links with the world Coonoor does not have an airport of its own. The nearest airport is in Coimbatore. Coonoor is on the toy-train line between Mettupalayam (28 km) and Ooty. The toy train leaves Mettupalayam for Ooty at 7:45 am and arrives at Ooty at noon. The total time taken on the return trip back to Mettupalayam is about 3½ hours. However, this train service is often disrupted during the heavy monsoon season. Coonoor is well connected by bus with Ooty, Coimbatore, and Kotagiri.

Sim's Park

The Sim's Park is an important place to visit in Coonoor. It is a 12-hectare park, having a collection of over 1,000 plant species, including magnolia, pines, tree ferns, and camellia. The botanical garden developed partly in the Japanese style got its name after J. D. Sim, the secretary of the Madras Club in 1874. The key attraction of the park is the annual fruit and vegetable show held in May.

The Pasteur Institute

Very near to the Sim's Park, the Pasteur Institute came into existence in 1907. It specializes in the research for vaccines for rabies and polio.

The institute can be visited only on Saturdays. However, on other days, one can visit the institute with the prior permission of the Director of the Institute. The tour of the Institute is guided.

Pomological Station

The institute is a research center of the State Agricultural Department for persimmon, pomegranates, and apricot.

Accommodation

Coonoor is strategically located and is bestowed with the natural extravaganza of luxury. Regal and memorable ambience echoes with beauty & brilliance. The city of Coonoor offers it's visitors a gamut of hospitality which includes following hotels; Monarc Ritz, Ritz Road ; near Sim's Park, Blue Hills, Mount Road ; 1 km from central bus stand, Sri Lakshmi Tourist Home, Kamrajpuram, Rock by, Taj Garden Retreat, Hampton Manor , run by Taj group, YWCA Guest House, Wyoming, near the hospital.

RUSTIC RETREAT

TAJ KUTEERAM – BANGALORE

HOW TO GET THERE

Taj Kuteeram resorts, Sy No. 34/1, Kukkaanahalli village, Dasanpur Hobli, Bangalore North Taluk

Distance from the city centre is 35 km and from BIAL, 44 km.

Tel No. 91-80-28466326/29/332/347

TARIFF

Standard Rooms- Rs. 4,000/- (double), Rs. 3,500/- (single)
Suite Rs. 6,500/- AP Package (Residential Conference)
Standard Room Rs. 6,500/- and
Suite Rs. 8,500/- (exclusive of 12 % luxury tax)

THINGS TO DO

Meditation and yoga sessions, Nature walk, Nrityagram tour, weekend magic show and pottery workshop, badminton and indoor games, cycling, shooting, archery, bird watching, village games, visit nearby animal husbandry, poultry, duck, turkey, fishery, pig and rabbit farms, trek to Nandi hill and Hesaraghatta reservoir.

This information is gathered from a news paper.