“We invite you to explore the misty green hills of Wayanad with us, and uncover their best-kept secrets while staying on our coffee & rubber estates in bamboo cottages raised on stilts. Finger-licking good food is our promise!”

~Sunil, host at The Treasure Trove in Meenangadi, Wayanad

Overview

Surrounded by the grandeur of the Western Ghaats, the hilly terrain of Wayanad is home to dense tropical forests interspersed with majestic coffee estates and plantations of rubber, coconut & tea. Perhaps one of the greenest stretches of India, Wayanad is relatively untouched by the tourism of South Kerala, which makes it a charming place for nature lovers. From a deep forest trek in the heart of the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary where tigers are most likely to be spotted, to a hike up the rugged terrains of the Chembra Peak, traditional tribal settlements, and scenic waterfalls, lakes & ‘sunset’ spots, Wayanad has plenty of ways to rejuvenate any traveller.

True to its name, The Treasure Trove is set amid a 25-acre coffee & rubber estate in the small town of Meenangadi in Wayanad, where you can watch (or better still, participate in) the lactating of rubber trees and the pruning of coffee leaves in the early mornings, live in bamboo cottages perfectly crafted by the craftsmen & women of Bamboo Village, sleep to the dancing lights of fireflies & wake up to the sweet orchestra of birds, watch the mist play hide & seek with your abode, savour delicious home-cooked local cuisine, and experience the heart-warming hospitality of a native Wayanadi family.

• The Western Ghats, as seen from Wayanad
  Photo by Hrishikesh Premkumar
• The Treasure Trove cottages
• A family of wild elephants spotted from the main road
• Forested landscape of Wayanad
• Lush greenery in Wayanad
  Photo by Nitin Pai
• The Western Ghats, as seen from Wayanad. Photo by Hrishikesh Premkumar.
• The Western Ghats, as seen from Wayanad. Photo by Hrishikesh Premkumar.

Stay

Accommodation is provided in two beautifully crafted bamboo cottages raised on stilts, each with a balcony overlooking the lush green coffee estates, interspersed with jackfruit trees. The grand bamboo roof and the ferrous cement-covered bamboo foundation of the walls, ensure that the cottage remains naturally cool in every season.

It’s hard to tell that these bamboo cottages were the first large-scale project of the craftsmen & women of Bamboo Village, a community-run project enabling the women of Thrikkaipetta village generate an alternate source of income through bamboo handicrafts. Each cottage consists of a spacious, well-furnished double room with an attached western-style bathroom. The walls of the cottages are adorned with masks & paintings made by the women of Bamboo Village.

• Bamboo Cottage raised on stilts
• Balcony of the Bamboo Cottage
• Interior of the Bamboo Cottage
• Bathroom at the cottage
• View from the balcony of the cottage
• Rubber estate at The Treasure Trove

Food & Drinks

Reena, Sunil’s wife, is an excellent cook! Breakfast typically consists of local specialties like Aapam-Stew, Idli-Sambar & Dosa-chutney while lunch & dinner are a spicy mix of seasonal vegetables and curries. Non-vegetarian food can be prepared on request. Reena’s genius is hard to match, and she’s ever eager to share her cooking secrets with her guests.

Coffee is a speciality at The Treasure Trove, made from home grown coffee beans, while chai, rasam & butter milk are delicious, given Reena’s prowess in the kitchen.

• Optional outdoor dining area

Activities

You can choose to spend your time at The Treasure Trove discovering the treasures in your backyard – the acres of coffee estates & rubber plantations that culminate in spectacular views of the Western Ghaats, and a variety of endemic & migratory birds that find refuge in the greenery and sing you to sleep. You can spend hours lounging in the quiet recluse of your balcony, doing the things you love to do but never get the time for.

Activities at The Treasure Trove & in Wayanad include:

• Walking along the plantation trails
• Volunteering at the farm during the pruning & harvesting season.
• Visit to traditional tribal settlements in Wayanad.
• Jungle Safari & Deep Forest Trek in the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Picnic at the Kuruva Islands.
• Visit to the prehistoric Edakkal Caves.
• Swimming & rock climbing in the Soochipara Waterfalls.
• Day / Overnight trek to Chembra Peak.
• Visit to Pookot Lake, Sunrise Valley & Phantom Rock.
• Traditional handicrafts shopping at Bamboo Village.
• Boating at Banasura Sagar Dam, India’s largest earth dam.
• Camping & bonfire at a local forest settlement.
• Day trip to the tea plantations of North Wayanad.

• A traditional tribal settlement at Chekadi in Wayanad
• Bamboo village project in Wayanad
• Lactating of rubber trees
• Phantom Rock
• View of the Western Ghats from the rubber estates
• Teak forests of Wayanad
• Chembra Peak
  Photo by Hrishikesh Premkumar

Costs

Prices at The Treasure Trove:
INR 2,000 for a Solo traveller
INR 3,000 for Twin Sharing a bamboo cottage per night, including taxes, breakfast and dinner.
Extra Adult - INR 700 per night
Child (7-10 yrs) - INR 500 per night

 

Location

The Treasure Trove is located in the small town of Meenangadi in Wayanad, which is well connected to Bangalore & the rest of Kerala by both state-run and private buses. Kozhikode is the nearest railway station and the best way to reach Wayanad from Chennai, from where buses frequently ply to Wayanad.

Best time to visit

October to March are the best months to visit Wayanad, when the weather is pleasantly cool and misty. If you love the rains, the monsoons are a romantic time to witness the lush greenery of Wayanad.

Checklist

• Light warm clothes if you're travelling in winter
• Walking shoes
• Umbrella, water-proof shoes, poncho if you’re travelling in the rainy season.
• Books to read & write, stationery to paint & draw, basically anything you've always loved to do and never got the time to
• Binoculars for bird watching
• Cosmetics you need
• Prescription medicines, if any
• Camera & batteries / charger

Photo Gallery

• The Western Ghats, as seen from Wayanad
  Photo by Hrishikesh Premkumar
• The Treasure Trove cottages
• A family of wild elephants spotted from the main road
• Forested landscape of Wayanad
• Lush greenery in Wayanad
  Photo by Nitin Pai
• The Western Ghats, as seen from Wayanad. Photo by Hrishikesh Premkumar.
• The Western Ghats, as seen from Wayanad. Photo by Hrishikesh Premkumar.
• Bamboo Cottage raised on stilts
• Balcony of the Bamboo Cottage
• Interior of the Bamboo Cottage
• Bathroom at the cottage
• View from the balcony of the cottage
• Rubber estate at The Treasure Trove
• Optional outdoor dining area
• A traditional tribal settlement at Chekadi in Wayanad
• Bamboo village project in Wayanad
• Lactating of rubber trees
• Phantom Rock
• View of the Western Ghats from the rubber estates
• Teak forests of Wayanad
• Chembra Peak
  Photo by Hrishikesh Premkumar

Reviews

“The Bamboo house was too good. Mrs.Reena always greeted us with a smile and told us about where we can get the best local stuff, from kerala sarees to coffee powder. Although our marriage Anniversary had passed a day ago she arranged a beautiful candle light dinner for both of us. The balcony of the bamboo house was too good.
We enjoyed the sounds of the nature and want to have more and more trips through India Untravelled.” ~ Kaushik Gampa, travelled in August 2015

“We were welcomed by Reema who owns the homestay with her husband and runs it very efficiently. The cottage itself is eco-friendly, sparse and neat. The best part about it was the lovely sitout that opens right into the plantation. You get the feeling of being seated on top of coffee and pepper plants.” ~ Rachna, travelled with her husband in October 2014. Read her entire review on her blog.

“I have been in India for just under a month now and am currently at the first homestay in Wayanad. I have seen elephants, swam underneath a waterfall, walked around a lake, and watched the sunset over the dam. I have a great passion for photography, and this trip has really helped to develop my skills and techniques. The country is alive with colour! I am very happy to be here. As a tourist, the hidden gems and locations that you are advertising in India really open my eyes to how beautiful the country is.” ~ Kellie Rickell, travelled solo on our North Kerala itinerary in September 2012.

To feature your review / testimonial, please write to untravel@indiauntravelled.com.

Responsible Travel

The bamboo cottages at The Treasure Trove have been crafted & built by the craftspeople of Bamboo Village, a project spearheaded by a local organization called Uravu, to generate alternative livelihood opportunities for the residents of the Thrikkaipetta village. Sunil & his family personally host all guests.

Below are some tips to practice responsible travel while in Wayanad:

• Pack your bags with environmentally friendly things. Carry as little plastic as possible.
• Do not leave behind any non-biodegradable waste.
• What you wear has an impact – environmentally and culturally – dress ethically and appropriately.
• Respect the local culture and refrain from physical intimacy in public places.
• Carry a good water bottle. Fresh water is available at the camp for re-filling your bottles. Refrain from buying numerous plastic mineral water bottles.
• Local food is great. Try it as much as possible and avoid packaged food. Ask for modifications in the food according to your taste, instead of wasting it.
• Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol and refrain from drugs, especially in public places.
• Seek permission before photographing people, so their privacy is respected.
• Do not pluck any medicinal plants & flowers, and do not disturb the wildlife.