Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
229959; College Rd)
and
HDFC
(Racecourse Rd)
have ATMs.
Cyber Inn
(Ko-
State Bank of India
(
9am-9pm)
has internet access, opposite from Ayurjeebah.
hinoor Rd; per hour ?20;
Getting There & Away
Seven deluxe buses a day depart from the KSRTC bus stand for Bengaluru (fan/AC ?315/
450 six hours), stopping in Mysore (?195, 3½ hours) en route. Deluxe buses go to Man-
galore (?169/250, four hours, three daily), while frequent ordinary buses head to Hassan
(?95, four hours) and Shimoga (?210, eight hours).
The Plantations
Spread around Madikeri are Kodagu's quaint and leafy spice and coffee plantations.
Numerous estates here offer 'homestays', which are actually more B&Bs (and normally
closed during monsoon). Some high-end resorts have begun to spring up too.
Sleeping
Golden Mist
( 08272-265629;
www.golden-mist.net
; Galibeedu; s/d incl full board ?2500/4000; )
One of Coorg's
finest plantation stays, the friendly Indian-German-managed Golden Mist has character-
filled loft-style cottages on its lovely 26-acre property of rice paddies and tea-, coffee- and
spice-plantations. Meals are tasty rustic veg and nonveg dishes made from the farm's or-
ganic produce, including homemade cheese and bread. Rates include nature walks and
plantation tours. You'll need to bring your own alcohol. A rickshaw costs ?150 from
Madikeri.
HOMESTAY
$$
Rainforest Retreat
( 08272-265639;
www.rainforestours.com
; Galibeedu; dm ?1000, s/d tent ?1500/2000, r from ?2000/4000)
A
nature-soaked refuge located on an organic plantation, the Rainforest Retreat is an NGO
that devotes itself to exploring organic and ecofriendly ways of life. Organic farming, sus-
tainable agriculture and waste management are catchphrases here; check the website for
details. Accommodation is in tents and eco-chic cottages with solar power, and activities
include plantation tours, birdwatching and treks. An autorickshaw from Madkeri is ?200.
GUESTHOUSE
$$
