Woodland Bungalow established in 1991, is part of Woodland Estate, a quaint coffee plantation in southern Kodagu, adjoining Nagarahole National Park and very close to the Bramhagiri mountain ranges.
It was originally the residence of my parents Ponappa and Kusum who managed the estate.
Subsequently with the demise of my father, and with my mother preferring to reside in Mysore, the bungalow was converted to a home-stay to welcome discerning guests who desire to wallow in the lap of nature!
A three-decade old family-owned plantation bungalow; the bungalow has been totally re-furbished with two additional rooms added in an adjoining cottage!
Woodland Bungalow has a main building in which are two well-appointed neo-retro suites, and an adjoining cottage. Common facilities housed in the main bungalow include a lobby with a television set, living room, dining area. All guest suites have modern washrooms with individual solar water heaters. The cottage is a modern iteration of the classic bungalow has two modern mini-suites.
The bungalow has primary and secondary power back-ups to address situations! While the main bungalow has a beautiful veranda overlooking the paddy fields and the lakes at a distance, the cottage has a semi-private veranda in the front overlooking the estate and private rooms at the rear with a direct view of the lakes!
Food is traditional Kodava, with some cuisines from the neighbourhood thrown in.
If the guests can get around to stepping out from this luxury home, activities include an estate walk, where one can learn the deepest secrets that make a fine cup of coffee.
A walk or a Jeep drive to two lakes offers another kind of adventure and excitement! For those who really want to venture beyond their comfort zone, the famous Nagarahole National Park and Tiger Reserve is 15 km by road; but merely 2 km away as the crow flies! The Tholpetty Wildlife reserve is again just 15 km away. Irupu falls, a naturalist's delight is a 25 km away!
The plantation, ponds, paddy fields, game sanctuaries are what photographers dream about! It is needless to add that after the day's tour around the various sights of Coorg, the evenings will be around a camp-fire where there is sheer revelry.
With only the stars for company on a clear night, it will be an ecstatic experience in the middle of nowhere, where the air is so pure, that the lungs hurt!