The fragrance of coffee, waterfalls all around, and the birth place of the holy Cauvery; I found Madikeri to be a perfect gateway for the winter.
This tropical hill station of Karnataka has its route through the most enchanting coffee estates and some crazy hair pin bends of the Western Ghats. If you are putting up in Bangalore and had been longing for a good ride through the plains and hills, Madikeri is a good option. It is absolutely worth it to head to Madikeri's peaceful and heavenly climate; as a traveler you would enjoy the place and the route even more.
I was longing to experience the chills of winter; but, I didn't have too many leaves to relish a long vacation. Deep inside, I had already booked Ooty for the summers and hence Madikeri was the only feasible option left. With the stay and food sorted at the homestay that we had very wisely chosen; my December weekend was about to introduce me with the first chills of the year.
Silver Brook Estate is the homestay where we stayed. Approx. 7km from the town of Madikeri, this estate was located in Kadagadal, on the Madikeri-Sidhapur road. Amidst the lush green coffee estate, in the embrace of pepper corn groves, our cozy winter weekend was sorted.
The estate has 5 rooms, each equipped with TVs, attached baths and king size beds, split between three separate units. Two are part of the main bungalow, so perfect for a couple. And two are part of a separate unit, with one being independent with its own sit out area. The tariffs vary by the month, but a room costs between INR 5,000 and 7,000.
The food in the estate requires a special mention. The owner, Yogesh, is an ex-Taj chef who puts his personal touch into the food. And then you have the extremely cordial staffs. Ever smiling, ready to stop by and talk to you for a while and serve you the best cup of coffee and cookies. Don’t forget to try the authentic pandhi curry for dinner, served with hot phulkas or rice. Not to be disheartened if you are a vegetarian. You can try the aloo-bari sabji and the amazing dal fry.
My favorite corner was the huge wooden swing in the verandah. With amazing architecture of the Victorian era, sunrays falling along the aisle and the wooden swing standing right at the end; this surely is the favorite section of the entire property for most of the visitors.
They have planted over 150 indigenous trees with special emphasis on those that attract birds and are essential for maintaining eco balance. If your eyes were yarning to get a glimpse of greenery, well! you are at the right place.
Not just a walk within the property, you could also do the following:
- 3km trek to the Botlappa Cave Temple
-Paddle your feet in the brook flowing in the estate
-Walk through the coffee plantation
-Hire an auto and visit the nearby places; such as Dubare National Park, Golden Temple, Abbey Falls and few more
If you are in an absolute mood to chill and rest, get hold of a book from the library, grab a cup of coffee and head to the swing. You could even sit in one of the chairs placed in the lawn. With bougainvillea shrubs here and there and the birds chirping; get cozy and comfortable on the chair, feel the warmth of the winter sun on your feet, sip your coffee and get lost in the pages of the book you are holding.
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