Distance from Bangalore: 275 kms
Route: Bangalore – Nelamangala – Kunigal – Bellur Cross – Channaray Patna – Sakleshpur – Hanubalu – Cofee Valley
Season to travel: Summer. Rainy season if you don’t mind the leeches.

It’s a shame that Outlook 52 breaks from Bangalore doesn’t list this destination. This is the ideal place for city dwellers who want a quick break from the city life and want to get lost in the woods.
Coffee Valley is an estate near Sakleshpur, whose owner decided to build cottages within the estate

and have visitors over. It has everything that one needs for a weekend break. It’s quite close to Bangalore, at 250 kms. it’s ideal for a quick drive and back. It’s quiet and calm – mobiles won’t work and no televisions in the rooms so you get to do all the introspection you want with just the cicadas giving you company. If you want to laze around and just want to relax, the greenery around and the serenity agrees with you. If you want get adventurous, then the mountains all around welcome you with open arms.

There are no ‘tourist spots’ as such. There is a sunset point which gives an incredible view.

This is the only spot I have seen from where the whole 360 degress is beautiful. Green all around, wind so strong you can barely stand, sky a mixture of blue, orange and red – you will carry those moments even after you are back. There is a small lake which has the same serenity. The water is not clean, so don’t expect to take a dip there. You can take a book and some biscuits along -

read the book and feed the fish. An ancient temple at the top of a hill is worth a look. The view from the temple is quite good. This place has lots of trek trails for the regular trekkers. With its varied vegetation like pepper, pineapple, jackfruit, coffee, guava, cardomom, cinnamon – this is a heaven for plant lovers.

The hosts are extremely hospitable. They treat you like guests rather than as customers. They take care of every small need.

The rooms are clean and well maintained. They keep a set of playing cards in case you feel like playing. They take you around for sight seeing. They don’t keep anything planned – this trip is highly customizable. The hosts ensure you get your dose of sleep – they encourage you to wake up late!

Food – yummmm….. this is probably the best part of the trip. The food is so delicious, you just can’t have enough. The dessert is most likely fruit salad custard – all fruits coming from the farm around! Cofee flows like water – it’s offered before you even ask for it.

The weather was not very pleasant. This is not a hill station – so it’s not cool. It does get hot in the

afternoon, but it gets pleasant as the sun sets. Since the cottage is right in the middle of the dense estate, it doesn’t get very hot. Serenity is definitely the biggest plus point. No vehicles, no mobiles, no television, no radio – all you hear is the cicadas, birds chiriping and the gushing wind. If you listen carefully, you will hear your own heart beat.

I am sure this place will be twice beautiful when it rains. I am definitely visiting this place in rainy season.

What are you waiting for? Pack your bags and rush to Coffee Valley. Peaceful life awaits you there.

Resources

Coffe Valley website