In this new era of post-Covid travel, everyone is looking for restorative holidays instead of spending time dashing in and out of planes or box-ticking famous tourist spots. I personally love slow travel – while staying active in whatever way possible, and Evolve Back Coorg seemed like the perfect choice to escape the crowd and unwind in the lap of nature.

Let’s step into the world of the scented hills of Coorg.

Get Introduced to Paradise

Surrounded by lush 300 acres of coffee and spice plantation, this 5-star luxury resort not only gives its guests a visual treat but also offers an aromatic experience. A 3–4 night stay at the property is ideal to explore the array of activities and enjoy some glorious sunsets while sipping on a warm cup of coffee. You will get to enjoy the sweeping views, flora and fauna, tribal designs, and plantation walks accompanied by a guide, who will also help you plan your entire stay at the property with an ever-smiling ‘Namaskara’. 

Ease into your stay alongside the peaceful River Kabini as you make your way to the luxurious villas. The Heritage Pool Villa, where I stayed, is inspired by the Kodava architecture. Tribal patterns, earthy detailing, wooden pillars, and a huge focus on outdoor space. This villa, very beautifully, manages to combine the warmth and detailing of the past with plenty of modern perks. The Heritage Pool Villas have a separate living room and en-suite bedroom with a courtyard and a personal temperature-controlled swimming pool with deck chairs.

Imagine waking up to the view of the hills, strolling in the courtyard, lazing by the poolside with a book in your hand and a drink by your side… this is what I would call complete bliss!

Explore Coorg’s Many Attractions

If you are someone who likes to explore with ease and enjoys interactive experiences, this property is a feast. There is plenty to keep all age groups captivated – bird watching, plantation walks, coffee tasting sessions, Ayurvedic treatments, coracle rides, cultural shows and more. 

My favorite experience, however, has to be the guided plantation tour. As a coffee lover it was a bit embarrassing at the start that I knew so little about the history of coffee and it’s process. Litin, the plantation tour guide, made sure we became experts by the end of it. Just walking through acres of untamed nature, exploring the spice-scented pathways, and learning about the bean to cup process is what makes this walk an unforgettable memory.

The best part is how it ends – just when we were about to say goodbye to this informative experience, the guide surprised us with a beautiful setup overlooking the plantation. We were served a glass of fresh cherry wine and some scrumptious treats. 

Enjoy Exotic Kodagu Cuisine

As a guest at Evolve Back Coorg, you get to experience both staying in luxury cottages as well as enjoy the impressive Kodava flavors – that’s exactly what I did for every single meal! My favorites were the bamboo shoot curry, Akki roti, and Mutta Porichathu (South Indian style egg preparation in coconut oil). 

They have 3 options for you to explore the local cuisine – Peppercorn (fixed course meals), Granary(all day dining) and Plantain leaf (thalis).

Peppercorn has a stunning setting overlooking the private lake definitely a sight to behold! The Granary offers an exotic buffet bursting with delectable smells, textures, tastes, and local flavors. A feast for all the senses! Plantain leaf offers a variety of Thalis with a daily changing menu that helps you experience different flavors. 

Calm and welcoming – this property is packed with staggering scenery and kind experiences you’ll remember for a lifetime.

(Featured Image Credits: Orange County Resorts & Hotel Ltd.)