|
Welcome to 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).
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.
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.
|
Back
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. 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.
nsely
fulfilling what with innumerable varieties
of birds flitting in and out of sight.
