HILLVIEW HOMESTAY

Hillview Homestay lives up to its name: from almost every side of the house there is an unobstructed panoramic view of the Western Ghats and surrounding plantations. Hillview is a recently built house with striking architecture and modern interiors. This is home to Mr. Babu Chandran, his wife and two daughters at university. Babu built the house here to enjoy the fabulous views and he has many acres of spice plantation, growing pepper, vanilla, coffee, fruits, and much more. Guests are constantly provided with produce from the plantation (especially the superb coffee!), and organically grown food always features in the abundant meals cooked by Mrs. Chandran. Eating with the family is usually a feast of rice, vegetables and exotic curries served on freshly cut banana leaf.

The house is centrally located so that most attractions, such as the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, the Edakkal Caves, and Pookot Lake can be easily reached. In immediate proximity to the house, treks to the nearby Meenmuthy waterfall (where you can swim in the pool below), and to the Sunrise Valley provide breathtaking views. Chembra Peak, visible from the balconies of the house, is a more ambitious but exhilarating trek and can be attempted with a guide.

In the evening you can watch the stars shimmer in the unpolluted skies. Mr. Babu is happy to answer any queries regarding the constellations. He is a fascinating person to talk to with great knowledge of history and geography. What’s more, every morning an ethereal mist covers the plantations which stretch out from the house, a sight worth waking up early for. An incredible place, enhanced even further by the warm hospitality of the hosts.

• Visits to Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary
• Trek to the nearby Meenmuthy waterfall
• Trek to Neelimala viewpoint
• Treks and bird watching at the Chethalayam falls
• Walks in the tea plantations and visiting the family’s plantation
• Visits to Sunrise Valley
• The guided trek to the top of Chembra Peak
• 7km trek in the Bhramagiri hills to the Pakshipathalam Caves where wild birds and plants can be seen
• Trips to see the ancient rock paintings in the Edakkal Caves
• Visits to the charity design and production centre of Uravu, where bamboo crafts are made, creating a variety of functional and decorative products
• Visits to the Sultan Bathery Jain temple
• Visits to the famous Thirunelli temple
• Visits to Wayanad Heritage Museum in Ambalavayal
• Walking in Kuruva Island
• Boating on Pookote Lake
• Cooking lessons
• Star gazing

• Two large ensuite bedrooms with balconies, in the house
• No a/c
• A cottage with suite rooms: two bedrooms (ensuite), and a sitting room
• Sitting room with TV, outside balcony, dining room
• High security
• Internet access
• Laundry facility