Coorg
'Scotland of India' or 'Kashmir of the south' or just simply Coorg: it doesn't matter what you call it as it still has the power to captivate you with its charm leaving behind in your memory the picturesque hills, verdant valleys, tranquil vistas of coffee and tea estates and the refreshing fragrance of teak wood forests.

Plantation Trails
Tata Coffee has built a heritage with its coffee brand in the middle of these picturesque plantations and situated amidst these scenic locales is Tata Coffee's holiday homes 'Plantation Trails'.

Plantation Trails is located in and around the idyllic coffee growing estate of Pollibetta. Pollibetta was once renowned for its high yielding and fine flavoured 'Coorg Mandarin' which was grown as an intercrop. Spread over an extensive area, these estates also grow pepper, cardamom and vanilla as intercrops. Following the plantation's trail along the beautifully pruned hedges, you can breathe in the invigorating air and take in the enchanting scenery of expansive estates. You also interact with the coffee planters whose life, they say, are poured into every cup of coffee. Walking through the estates, you can discover how India has consistently produced and exported a remarkable variety of high quality coffee for over 150 years.

The estate also has a number of activities that you can choose from. You can stroll through the estate and if lady luck is on your side, you can spot a lumbering elephant. A guided tour of the coffee-making process can be arranged and a sports enthusiast can have many activities to choose from. For those who are interested only in relaxing, the estate has lawns where you could curl up with a good book and, of course, a steaming pot of coffee.

The bungalows
The spacious but cozy bungalows at Plantation Trails are a right blend of heritage building with all comforts to make your stay enjoyable making it a perfect getaway from the harsh city life. These bungalows are situated in the undulating highlands of south Coorg at varying altitudes.

Accommodation
Accommodation at Plantation Trails is clean, comfortable and spacious at any of the 3 bedroom or double storey bungalows. Enjoy acres of mind space inside the bungalows, breathe in coffee-rich air an dlisten to lilting bird songs as you stroll around the garden outside. You'll have your own personal cook at the bungalow who is always ready to serve you a sumptuous meal when you get back.

Facilities
Apart from well-appointed and luxurious living conditions, Plantation Trails also offers other services to make your stay pleasurable and, more importantly, make your holiday special. We have room service at the press of a button, laundry service, a Dish TV to keep you connected with the outside world and a doctor on call to make sure all is well.

Activities
There are open-top jeep drives through the coffee-plantations with well-trained guides to help you understand the nuances in growing coffee. These drives are the best way to experience coffee through the eyes of a planter and you can learn how real coffee is made at the Tata Coffee plantation. You can visit the cardamom kiln and take some spices home with you.

Bird watching is another exciting way to experience the sounds and sights of nature at its best. You can arm yourself with a pair of binoculars and a copy of the book 'Feathered Jewels of Coorg' compiled by Dr S V Narisimhan to spot any of the 300 species of birds.

If you are an adventurer, you can trek up the hills of Coorg and explore the countryside with your local guide. You can never know what surprises you may have in store for you.
In the evening, you can warm yourself around a bonfire and a spectacular barbeque dinner should settle you just in time to listen to some stories about Kodagu.

Recreation activities
A golf facility at the Tata Coffee Golf Course is available for all our guests. And is easily accessible from all the bungalows. For the initiated, one can also indulge in some light sport at a game of tennis, table tennis, badminton or billiards.

Best season
Coorg has a continental climate with three distinct seasons - monsoon with rainfall ranging from 115cms - 127 cms; clear dry winters and cool summers, making holidaying at Plantation Trails ideal at any time of the year.

Getting there
By air: Nearest airports: Bangalore, Mangalore and Calicut
By rail: Nearest railway station: Mysore, Tellicherry and Mangalore
By road: Nearest bus station: Gonicoppal - 9km and Mysore - 100km.

top