Sitting atop a hillock, at the foothills of the Western Ghats, Varshini Estate looks out across paddy fields, village-owned banana plantations, and the rolling landscape beyond. The hosts moved here from the city in search of a quieter way of life. At Varshini, you get to spend a little time within the rhythms they have built for themselves, surrounded by a working plantation and the everyday life of the Malnad countryside.
Built in the Malnad architectural style, the main house has Mangalorean roof tiles, carefully chiselled laterite walls and a thottimane orcentral courtyard. Wooden pillars and carved timber details lend the interiors a sense of craft and character. Verandahs and sit-outs run along the outside, while an upper-floor balcony opens to views in several directions. A collection of antiques with their own histories, gathered by the hosts on their travels across India lends the interiors a sense of history and personal discovery.
Around the home is a 25-acre estate, growing coffee alongside trees native to the Western Ghats, including hundreds of jackfruit trees, a diversity of flowering plants and a small kitchen garden of herbs and vegetables. Everything has been grown organically, with care taken to rewild the landscape without introducing plants from elsewhere. The calls of hornbills and whistling thrushes ring through the plantation, while a large natural wetland lake on the property draws an array of waterbirds.
comforts
The heritage-style house has four rooms, each named after a Kannada poet. The rooms are furnished with a combination of double and single beds and can accommodate three to four people, making them suitable for families or small groups. A central courtyard sits at the heart of the house, while a wraparound verandah and several sit-outs offer places to pause throughout the day. Upstairs, a balcony with more wooden lounging chairs, looks out across the surrounding landscape.
The two cottages offer a little more privacy, set among the trees on the slopes of the hill, about five minutes away from the main house. Built from laterite bricks, the larger cottage has a king-size bed, a living area and a sit-out, and can accommodate three to four people, making it a good option for a small family. The smaller cottage only features a beautifully lit bedroom and an ensuite bathroom, and is intended for two guests, an intimate choice for couples.
Meals are served in a shared outdoor dining area, where guests can gather over the estate’s Malnad cooking.
food
Food is one of the highlights of a stay at Varshini Estate. The kitchen serves local Malnad cuisine, drawing on the flavours and ingredients of the region. The estate’s own coffee is another part of the experience, taking you from the plantation to the cup.
ideal for
Varshini Estate suits those looking to step away from city routines. Its open hilltop setting, plantation landscape and comfortable living spaces allow you to experience the wild without venturing too far into the wilderness.
The estate is particularly rewarding for those interested in architecture, history and the cultural landscapes of the Malnad region. Nature enthusiasts will also find plenty to appreciate, from the diversity of plants to the birdlife.
And for anyone curious about coffee growing or simply interested in how people have chosen to build a life closer to the land, Varshini offers a chance to experience the rhythms of a working plantation.
getting there
Varshini Estate is just off the village of Sakleshpur, around three to four hours by road from Bengaluru. The final two kilometres to the property follow a narrow but motorable village road, with the last 500 metres climbing uphill. The approach can be trickier during the monsoon, but drive slowly and you should be fine.
things to do
A good place to begin is with a walk around the plantation. Accompanied by a local guide who shares stories of his hometown and the surrounding landscape, you can learn about the coffee estate, its native trees and the plants that grow alongside the crop. If you’re interested in the everyday workings of the farm, join the morning routine and spend some time around the farm animals, an especially enjoyable experience for children.
A walk to the natural lake within the property takes around 20 minutes. This wetland is a rewarding spot for birdwatching.
Back at the house, browse the hosts’ collection of antiques, spend time with a book from the library or settle into one of the verandah sit-outs and take in the views. There is space for outdoor games, too, or you can simply let the day unfold at its own pace.
For an excursion beyond the estate, the 12th-century temple complexes of Belur and Halebidu are around an hour and a half away, making them worthwhile visits for those interested in Hoysala architecture and history. The Manjirabad Fort is less than 10 kilometres away, though it can get crowded and is best visited on a weekday.
price
Cost for one night:
8925/- for double as well as single occupancy
Extra person: 3150/-
Children (5-10 yrs.): 2232/-
Inclusions: All meals – veg only (from lunch on the day of check-in till bfast on the day of check-out), tea coffee snacks, guided farm walk, bonfire, applicable service charges and taxes.
