Welcome to Shola Kutir, our 25-acre off-grid coffee estate near Chikmagalur. The hosts developed this estate over the last 4 years working hard to grow coffee without eating into forest land. 2/3rds of the estate has been left for the jungle to take over.
If you’ve explored our homestays, you know how much we love estates that embrace agroforestry and permaculture practices.
The property is located at an altitude of 4,600 ft above sea level. Shola grasslands and montane rainforest surround the plantation, growing wild and free. This region, in the heart of the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, is home to over 120 plant species and over 200 species of birds.
Shola Kutir certainly warrants the label ‘responsible’. Our friends have upcycled fallen timber and wood to craft beautiful furniture to furnish the cottages. For electricity and power, they have meticulously laid pipes, checks, and swale dams to leverage hydel energy generated from the moving streams around. The hosts also took us on a stroll around the estate, and excitedly explained how they’ve been growing native trees to replace silver oak and other non-native and invasive species.
There has also been a concerted effort to encourage native wildlife to flourish here. Endemic frogs, reptiles, birds, civets, and more live on the property unharmed, making this a mini rainforest. Shola Kutir is a favourite haunt for scientists who use the estate as a temporary home for their research. Its proximity to Chikmagalur also makes this the ideal escape within an escape!
comforts
There are five cottages with attached bathrooms. Each one is fully furnished with double beds and single beds, ideal for a family of four. Avid travellers themselves, the hosts have lovingly decorated each cottage with sculptures, paintings, ceramics and fabrics from their own journeys. Lounge on day beds and read to your heart’s content. There are also balcony sit-outs with a view of dense tree cover. A little loft area has bunk beds for the kids. Bathrooms are large with modern amenities (and hot water). Bright walls, glass lamps, vibrant masks, mirrors, and more reflect the colourful personalities of the two young hosts.
The property is operational all through the year.
food
Eat food in the common dining area a few steps from your rooms. The preparations vary from South Indian to North Indian. Breakfast is a healthy mix of cereal, eggs, and fruit, or a south Indian spread along with coffee and tea. Of course, expect great coffee at any time. A variety of ingredients are sourced from the estate and farms nearby. For lunch and dinner, expect homely food that might incorporate chicken.
ideal for
This is a great place to be away from network connectivity for a few days. It takes the burden off checking emails so you can focus fully on what is around you – forest, coffee, and a wide variety of birdlife. Coffee enthusiasts – witness responsible coffee growing under forest cover! Come here to watch the coffee-making process in action. Shola Kutir is perfect for families and solo travellers who want a safe and serene place to stay in to explore the forests, waterfalls, and the estate.
getting there
The estate is about 30 km from Chikmagalur and it is preferred that you come in your own vehicle. The last stretch to the estate’s entry is a one-way mud road. If you have trouble getting here, the hosts will organise a driver to come and lead you through the last leg of this journey.
Catch an overnight/day bus to Chikmagalur from Bangalore.
There are rickshaws plying from Chikmagalur that will bring you here for a fee. The host can organise a taxi if you’d prefer.
things to do
Go on a guided tour of the coffee estate and see how the hosts have slowly started to encourage endemic forest growth over the invasive and foreign silver oak species that have become (unfortunately) popular here. You can also sit anywhere in the estate and enjoy the views, read a book, or catch up on writing. See a number of birds (apart from drongos and bee-eaters, spot Asian fairy bluebirds, sunbirds, and many more gorgeous avian friends).
The hosts are friendly and might give you a little tour of their own farming experiments. You can also explore the Shola forest above the estate and the nearby waterfalls. The Western Ghats are known for their native Shola forests – tropical mountain forests that are declining rapidly in the region and require protection from responsible estate owners.
price
Cost (per night) Rs. 6,300 + 5% GST = Rs. 6,615 for 1 guest in 01 room.
Rs. 7,350 + 5% GST = Rs. 7,718 for 2 guests in 01 room.
Rs. 11,025 + 5% GST = Rs. 11,577 for 3 guests in 01 room.
Rs. 14,700 + 5% GST = Rs. 15,435 for 4 guests in 02 rooms.
Rs. 18,375 + 5% GST = Rs. 19,294 for 5 guests in 02 rooms.
Rs. 22,050 + 5% GST = Rs. 23,153 for 6 guests in 02 rooms.
Includes – Accommodation as stated above, all meals (veg and non-veg), morning and evening tea/coffee, the assistance of the caretaker, linens/towels, all applicable taxes, and 5% service charges.
In total, we have five rooms at the property and can host a total of 15-20 guests. Children between the ages 5-10 are charged 50% of the adult tariff and children above 10 are charged full. The property is pet friendly too!
