An idyllic lot can happen over coffee

In the midst of the Western Ghats, Harley Estate is a perfect getaway for nature lovers.
Harley Estate
Harley Estate

Tucked away amidst winding coffee plantations and the heavy aroma of spices is an estate from a bygone era.

Situated at 3,400 feet above sea level, the Harley Estate is an idyllic spot that speaks about a plantation history that is 150 years old and is known for its coffee varieties. Nestled far from the main road in the midst of the Western Ghats in Manjarabad, Hassan district of Karnataka, the Golden Woods home stay here is serene and rustic with no TV or mobile connection to disturb you. There’s even a waterfall and a man-made lake.

Bird watchers can sight a great variety of the species. Even if you sit in the courtyard, you can see them with or without your binoculars. According to the estate owner, it supports a sustainable ecosystem with a large variety of flora and fauna and home to over 200 types of birds and other wildlife.

This is a perfect place for hiking or a trekking as it is an undulating terrain. We trekked four hours to Moorukannu Hills, where the forest is dense and verdant; small rivulets and rolling grasslands criss-cross and appear as one climbs up.

The Harley Estate offers some of the best and award-winning coffees of the world and holds workshops on brewing. It was once a British plantation, and its documents go as far back as 1864, where a Britisher, Edmund Broughton Ellicott, planted the first set of plants in the foothills of the Manjarabad fort. Over the centuries, the estate has maintained its rich tradition of complete natural environment.

Chandini D M, the owner of the estate and founder of Golden Woods, says: “We are trying to document that we support a better ecosystem than the nearby forests. We have identified over 200 species of birds here. It is also part of the elephant corridor. We also have animals like gaurs, boars and deer.” Chandini also has her own skin care products for guests. These are made naturally from coffee and other plants, and are chemical-free.

The local Malnad cuisine made our stay wholesome. “All the Malnad food we serve is organically grown on the estate and prepared in the local style,” adds Chandini.

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