Amidst Luxury & Nature at Villa Urvinkhan, Chikmagalur

If there was anything that could lure us from the luxurious comfort of our getaway at Taj Bekal, Kerala (read all about it here) it would be a seamless blend of luxury & nature! Villa Urvinkhan estate, nestled in the Western Ghats is one such place. Established in 1800s, a stay here is a great way to experience plantation life while enjoying comforts of a home stay. Beautiful vistas, an infinity pool facing the lush ghats, soothing bird calls & serenity......form an irresistible combination that soothe tired nerves.

Urvinkhan Estate, that literally means dense forest is located at an accessible distance of approximately 3 hours from Mangalore airport. We drove from Bekal, Kerala & hence the journey stretched to 5 hours. Protip: Keep some ginger candy handy as the last 25 to 30 kms are winding & may cause discomfort. Hire a cab in advance, approximate cost INR 3000/- from Mangalore airport.

The estate has 5 uniquely styled cottages with a spacious sit out area, outdoor shower, unhindered views of the vistas & spacious bathrooms being a common feature. We stayed in a cottage that had a beautiful outside camp fire, antique furniture in form of a carved four poster bed, diwan & a dressing mirror & a bath tub with unbeatable views.

The sit-out area in the cottages.

 

Who can resist these views?

The Outdoor Shower Area.

The Beautifully Carved Furniture is a nice touch!

We reached in time for a late lunch buffet spread - a mix of Malnad cuisine & other South Indian favorites. After a brief rest, we enjoyed a cup of tea by the poolside and watched the sky turn pink announcing sunset. We walked around one of the many easy trails around the estate before dinner & watched fireflies dance amidst the trees :). Dinner was again a buffet spread with simple home style food but with a good balance between vegetarian & non-vegetarian food. Protip: If you are a non vegetarian, do try the Pepper mutton & Akki roti.

The next day, we woke up early & after breakfast decided to soak in the cool waters of the infinity pool. The waters were cold & our spirits were high as we made friends quickly with Nikhil & Ketki, travel enthusiasts like us.

After lunch, we tried our hand at fishing in a nearby pond.....and it was an experience like no other!! The fact that I caught a fish in 10 minutes, added to my elation & we quickly released the fish back to the waters! Protip: During monsoons the ground may be slippery, wear appropriate clothing & long boots!

We settled with a drink at the bar area after our fishing adventure!

After dinner, we settled around a cozy bonfire & chatted away with Nikhil & Ketki for company with tales of faraway lands.

The third & last day of our stay started with a refreshing swim, hearty lunch & endless cups of coffee from the estate! I squeezed in time to shoot a few looks here ( check Fashiontourist to know more).

The estate has a fabulous ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) trail that takes you around the plantation at a leisurely pace. I tried my hand at it and went around the trail with the plantation cheering me on!!! :)

We bid our goodbyes to this fabulous getaway nestled amongst the western ghats with a promise to make another pit stop soon :D