Driving simply 5 hours down a easy freeway from Bengaluru, I spent an extended weekend in Coorg, interacting with a few of its native entrepreneurs, signing up for off-beat experiences and having fun with a few of the most stunning roads within the southern peninsula. Removed from the vacationer throngs, I spent the weekend discovering distinctive issues to do.

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Strolling by means of lush inexperienced espresso plantations with retired serviceman Ganapathy, I acquired an articulate clarification on the farm-to-cup course of. The swashbuckling Ganapathy’s stately colonial mansion sits plum in the midst of a big family-run espresso property, supplying beans to a bigger chain of wholesalers and producers. For a espresso addict like me, this was an interesting expertise.

Later that morning, over a cup of freshly brewed Coorg filter espresso, I chatted together with his daughter, Anjali, who runs the massively widespread Bengaluru-based Pigout Coorg Kitchen.

“Kodava delicacies is exclusive and utterly undiscovered in India, proper from the components and meat we use to the cooking types,” Anjali stated. “By my meals, our homestay and this espresso property, we wish to put Coorg on the map in probably the most experiential method doable.”

As Anjali laid out a selection of her well-known pandi (pork) curry, pumpkin curry and rice (akki) rotis, I realised that the Ganapathys’ little universe is a vacation spot on the verge of a significant tourism revolution.

“By no means earlier than has Coorg been trendier,” Anjali stated of the gorgeous area within the coronary heart of Karnataka, identified for its flavourful meals, attractive individuals and spectacular landscapes. Whereas Coorg has at all times been widespread amongst weekend roadtrippers from Bengaluru, it’s solely not too long ago that it has witnessed curiosity from discerning travellers throughout the nation.

E-bikes and homestays

My preliminary impression of this place was simply how beautiful the roads are. You possibly can spend hours meandering by means of espresso plantations, hillside roads and film excellent villages. For a base, I selected the fashionable Acacia Villa simply off the principle street. This large three-bedroom villa, listed on Airbnb options an ultra-modern chalet aesthetic, mixing completely with the forest round it.

After a leisurely morning stroll by means of the woods, I made a fast sprint to Madikeri, for an e-bike expertise. A homegrown startup, BLive, specialises in e-bike excursions throughout totally different Indian locations. After a fast briefing, my buddies and I dashed up and down the slopes on our e-bikes, however not with no pit cease at an area espresso producer. The e-bike tour took us to some pretty spots, together with a lake and the highest of a hill. Should you get pleasure from biking, that is undoubtedly beneficial.

In spite of everything that bodily exertion, it was time to find one in every of Coorg’s oldest and most beloved spots. The method to Outdated Kent Property was simply huge sufficient for our automobile to squeeze by means of, which meant that it was actually lower off (learn: no cellphone community) from the remainder of the world.

In the midst of Victorian-style rose bushes, espresso plantations and inexperienced slopes, I stepped into a beautiful colonial mansion courting again to 1800. As soon as belonging to a British colonel and now family-run by the Thaikappas, the Outdated Kent bungalow is a treasure trove of vintage furnishings, centuries-old artefacts and delightful decor, restored to perfection. Right here, the younger proprietor of the property, Sadat, manifests his love for espresso within the type of a high-end espresso bar contained in the bungalow.

One too many freshly-brewed espresso photographs down, I strolled across the Airbnb-listed property and sat within the backyard for a fast snack and a few photos whereas Sadat informed me that his shoppers are inclined to search for sluggish luxurious, experiencing issues like hikes, espresso tastings, village visits and cooking classes.

Kodava attraction

That night, I hopped into an previous open-top Mahindra Commander with some locals and off-roaded (not for the faint of coronary heart) all the way in which to the highest of Mandalpatti, to the panoramic sundown level. Whereas the height in itself is fairly customary, the trek up and down is certainly definitely worth the hassle.

My final night time in Coorg was on the stately mansion-cum-estate of Preet and Prem. The 2 handle their very own property and in addition run the attractive Udaya Homestay about 45 minutes away. “I drive 45 minutes a method each morning to ship a selfmade breakfast to my homestay company, so it’s as genuine as doable,” I used to be informed.

I used to be launched to Preet’s mother-in-law, the household matriarch, who regaled us with tales of elephants in her yard and talked us by means of the cultural uniqueness of a Kodava marriage ceremony as we feasted on some extra pork curry, native greens, biryani and rotis.

I used to be charmed by the refined pleasures of Coorg. Right here you discover nice meals experiences, superior espresso trails and locations to sip a brew, stylish locals who’re at all times prepared to share tales and meals, and hospitality entrepreneurs creating new experiences for travellers. Plan a visit to Coorg you probably have a few days to spare and are hungry for distinctive experiences.

Riaan Jacob George is a luxurious content material and social media specialist

From HT Brunch, February 20, 2022

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