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Elathottam |
‘Ela’ is short for ‘elakka’ which means cardamom and ‘thottam’ translates to the word plantation. And that’s just what Elathottam is – a home stay on a fully operational cardamom estate perched at a height of over 4100 feet above sea level. |
Getting There |
Any visit to India would be incomplete without a little sojourn into ‘Gods own country’, Kerala. Located at the southern tip of India, Kerala is a fast emerging tourist destination and holiday spot. In the heart of Central Kerala is a dense tropical forest called the Periyar Tiger Reserve. |
Known for its abundant wildlife and lush vegetation, the Periyar Wildlife Reserve in Thekkady, is a tourist’s delight. 10 kms before Thekkady, bordering the Periyar Tiger Reserve, a little path diverges from the main road and disappears through a labyrinth of trees. A dirt track hewn into the side of the mountain takes you high up into the clouds right up to Elathottam, or Mullayar Estate (Top), as its been called for the last 5 decades. So, if you’re asking for directions, be sure to ask for Mullayar Estate(Top). |
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| The Estate Bungalow |
In a little clearing in the heart of the estate is a quaint little cottage, built over half a century ago out of granite and still used as an estate bungalow. Besides its old world charm and rustic simplicity, the cottage offers a ringside view of vast stretches of soft clouds, thickly layered atop verdant hilltops. Spectacular vistas of endlessly undulating slopes; unforgettable sunsets and sunrises; undisturbed tranquility and unparalleled oneness with nature; Elathottam is a veritable Paradise amidst misty and mountainous surroundings. |
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| A Quick Tour |
Lush fronds thickly laden with ripe cardamom bedeck every trail you take through this estate. A short descent through these broad leafed bushes brings you to a sparkling fish pond. Carefully culled out of granite and stone, here’s where you can enjoy peaceful hours of utter serenity with only the geese for company and the reflection of the deep blue sky in the stillness of the water. An exciting ride down almost 1000 feet in an open SUV leads you to yet another breathtaking sight – a water reservoir that is almost 34 feet deep. Numerous shoals of gliding fish make this a perfect venue for a lazy afternoon of quiet angling. The world is a very different place beside these emerald waters. |
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| Accommodation |
Large and spacious bedrooms with well appointed attached bathrooms provide all the essentials for a comfortable holiday here. There are two bedrooms available in the cottage for visiting guests. Bookings can be made either on a Single, Double or Twin sharing basis. The attached bathrooms have both running hot and cold water. |
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The sparkling facilities add the perfect touch of luxurious living to this otherwise rustic experience. An intimate dining room is the perfect setting for many an exotic meal fragrant with the flavours and aromas of local cuisine and hospitality. Enjoy peaceful evenings on the patio with only the receding sounds of the setting sun to sustain your solitude. Catch up on all the reading you’ve been putting off, or simply enjoy the company of your thoughts. |
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| Cuisine |
So what’s a holiday without a feast or two for the hungry palate? Authentic local fare cooked with fresh, farm grown vegetables and fruits. Fish and meat sourced fresh everyday from the village market and cooked to perfection. Sizzling barbecues to add to the enchantment of misty evenings spent in the silence of the land. |
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