Ranger Woods Homestay

Mr. Sunil acts as host to his visitors and his loves to show them around his house. Mr. Sunil’s mother is an excellent cook, offering guests Western, Chinese and North Indian food as well as traditional Keralan fare. The family’s ancestors were involved in the plantation business and Mr. Sunil’s father used to own a cardamom plantation. They know an enormous amount about the spices grown in Munnar. The area behind the house is packed with spices, vegetation and fruit trees such as passion fruit. Amongst the greenery can be seen giant Malabar squirrels, incredibly coloured butterflies and many species of birds, flourishing in the lack of pollution or noise.

Guests enjoy privacy in the upstairs of the house or in a separate cottage. The upstairs area has a terrace balcony where guests can have a coffee while surveying the view, and are equally welcome to sit in the comfortably furnished sitting room and have a chat with the family.

Opportunities for golf and trout fishing are within range, bicycles are provided and longer treks with a guide and visits to tribal colonies can be organized. The family themselves know the local area inside out, showing guests local walks through the tea plantations, to “Echo Point” to admire the view and to a nearby river where it is possible to swim. A walk to the incredible Attukadu waterfalls is only 3km from the house and is a perfect way to explore the dramatic backdrop to the Ranger Woods.

• Different levels of trekking in the plantations and in the mountains, guides can be organized
• The incredible Attukadu waterfalls are 3km away and the family are happy to show the way to the falls and even drive you there by car
• Another enjoyable short walk is through the tea plantations which stretch out in front of the house
• River swimming can be done in the river 7km away (family can arrange lifts)
• Treks up Ana Mudi (India’s highest peak south of the Himalayas) can be arranged by the family through the forest department)
• Trips to see tribe colonies 60km away can be arranged
• Trips to Eravikulam National Park and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
• Visits to the tea museum in Munnar town
• Boating on the Mattupetty and Kundale Dams
• Visits to an old local church built by Scottish planters
• Trip to the sandalwood area at Marayoor
• Local viewpoint, “Echo Point” creates incredible and eerie echoes
• There are good cycling tracks around, and the family supply bikes
• Ayurveda treatment can be arranged at centres nearby, also a practitioner of Chinese reiki treatment can visit the Homestay for sessions
• The November Tamil Harvest Festival (Karthika) is an interesting opportunity for tourists
• Trout fishing can be done in lakes 18km away
• The house is an excellent centre for bird watching, there are more than 225 species of bird in this area alone
• There is a golf club in Munnar and the family can arrange for you to tee off on the green
• The traditional arts such as typically Keralan forms of dancing or Martial Arts can be watched at the nearby Arts Centre in Munnar
• Adventure activities such as rock climbing and paragliding are offered around Munnar
• Guests can watch cooking or learn recipes by joining in

• 4 rooms varying in size, all with ensuite, one room with a private balcony
• Non a/c, heater provided when necessary
• 24 hour hot water
• Doctor on call
• ISD/STD facility
• Satellite TV in all rooms
• Breakfast provided within tariff, lunch and supper additional
• A large range of cuisine: Keralan, North Indian, Western food and Chinese
• Communal areas are dining room, family’s sitting room and terrace balcony upstairs with chairs and table for reading and relaxing, garden
• laundry service provided
• internet access
• Pick up can be arranged from the airport, railway stations, Munnar town; drivers are also offered accommodation if they have travelled a long way