Looking for a way to beat the stress and grime of city life, one can go anywhere in India, by taking a train, a flight and by road. We are a country that offers luxury, semi deluxe and even enough for the affording classes. It’s all in the mind when we decide if we can or we cannot.
The mountains offer quite a respite, so do the beaches and the plains. This time somewhere in the Blue Mountains we discovered the Kurumba Village, an offering from Nature Resorts (969m above sea level). Pretty much off trail and in the middle of nowhere so to speak, but to be on point, the picturesque hotel rests in the lush over green exactly between Mettupalyam and Conoor. The resort is named after the forgotten tribe-Kurumbas (one of the 5 ancient tribes in the Niligiris) and it’s almost like a tribute to them, since they protected Mother Nature.
An easy flight from Mumbai lands you in Coimbatore and that’s where Nature Resort’s hospitality immediately begins. 56 Km later, one is transported by road into the 10-acre former spice plantation. The air is heavy with the scintillating aromas of pepper, nutmeg and cloves and the mist is sighted rolling in, and one kind of guesses that wi-fi is not going to be their strongpoint, but that’s just as well as the holiday was penned on nature and its offerings.
Everything in the surroundings look surreal in the evening light, as one is hurried to the cottages, dinner is going to be served by the mountain on the treetop. Wonder of wonders the sun decides to wink and go down giving the perfect sunset, warm hues embrace, as the chef cook up a meal miraculously and with ease. Tree top dining is one of the premier experiences that Kurumba Village offers with lanterns et al. Back in one’s abode, one is surprised that in all its natural habitat Kurumba actually offers a Pillow menu? The day just slips into night, silken in its exit.
Of course the cottages are with and without a Jacuzzi and are spacious, with bathtub toting restrooms. The verandahs invite the monkeys on the treetops (one is fairly forewarned) and on looking out at the magnificent view; one can share it with the four legged friends, nuzzling a warm cup of coffee the next day. A whistling thrush makes for the morning music, and those Jacaranda, Rosewood and Jackwood trees seem ages old. The scene, in front flashes the lush earth, snuggled in the warmth of pure green, stretching far and as wide as the eye can possibly see? The cottages are all tribal styled, with natural materials, but with all creature comforts intact. A new day and it looks like the 20 degrees is going to be fun.
Breakfast by the PakkaSuran Mountains, beside a gurgling stream, and astride a noisy waterfall is quite a sight especially in the monsoon. The wind rustles the trees as the smell of coffee permeates the breakfast gaggle. People are soaking it all in the all day dining restaurant-Bevine. The fabled Droog Fort of Tipu Sultan looks back at us menancingly. The day brings its own activities, from cycling in the plantations, to tribal cooking classes, Forest and spice plantation treks, a PakkaSuram Jeep and trek Tour (a picnic lunch), a dip in the picture perfect pool, and a chauffeur driven ferry to the tea plantations to witness a tea ceremony first hand. One can even plant their own tree on the premises and come back to see its progress. Kurumba Village encourages the gap between nature and man.
The evening brings a relief from all the treks and adventure and one is tempted to agree to the wonderful choices of a romantic candlelit bath in clove scented water/ eucalyptus leaves or a rose milk one. Dining is a choice again, this time a menu is chosen and the location is in a cave. All one needs is a dollop of romance. Cave dining is imperiously private and has a personal chef in attendance, the chirpy crickets step in for the violins. The lanterns duly infuse the silence, and the flowers burst forth with their color. The soft breezes complete the experience.
The third day has a plethora of things to do. Spending the daylight hours in a hammock sipping mock tails, while finishing a favourite author or a blissful leisurely stroll through the lovely Kurumba Village Resort shows that it’s a friendly place for the native elephants and yes! The security guards are actually mahouts that gently sway them away if they unknowingly stumble into the resort. Government laws prevent the resort from any kind of barbed wire or electric fencing. All is in accordance with nature and providence.
Cool afternoons are enhanced with a visit to the Ayurshala-the Ayurveda Spa. No resort is complete without this. To balance the doshas and re tool one’s chakras the Spa offers Abhyanga (Herbal Oil), Udwarthana (Exfoliation and Cellulite buster), Unmardhana (Swedish), Shirodhara (thread of bliss), Shiroabhyanga (Crowning Glory), Padabhyanga (foot) Netra Trapana (lotus eye), Greerbasti (Stress Buster) to name a few.
Completely refreshed post the Spa one can yet choose whether they want to have dinner at the Chai Kadai, barbeque by the Pool, or an in-house (on their verandah) meal. The third night encompassed all the feelings of calm and serenity that the Kurumba Village Resort offered.
Important to know is this that the Nature Resorts makes sure to give the guests not only the topmost hospitality that it can afford but makes sure to give its guests the utmost authentic experience ever. They minimize the use of plastic, overuse of detergent, have excellent waste management, and intend keeping the earth as pristine as they can. They encourage minimal noise levels, and vehicular moments in the resort. They have planted more than 3000 trees to give back to nature, have optimal lights to minimize the disturbance to nocturnal wildlife. The list seems endless on the their endeavors. Definitely a place to visit, to enjoy the timely magic and romance! Do not forget your swim wear or comfortable walking shoes whatever the season.
Previously published in FWD Life
Image Credits : Maya Lalchandani, Kurumba Village Resort, trekearth.com
