Resort Review | Kadkani Riverside Resort, Coorg

Even before I reached Kadkani Riverside Resort in Coorg, I was already in a good mood since the last 25-30 kms drive to get to the resort is through coffee and pepper plantations on either side of the smooth road. The air was crisp, the weather was pleasant and what I liked was the serenity I experienced being away from the cacophony of city life. It was just Mother Nature and me. Kadkani is surrounded by coffee plantations on three sides and the Cauvery River bank forms the fourth side making it an oasis of tranquility.

I stayed in a Deluxe Plus Cottage and the first thing that caught my eye was the elegant towel art in the form of a swan. The cottage was cosy and had a walk in closet with a life size mirror, bedroom with a sitting area, bathroom and sit out portico where a cup of aromatic coffee in the mornings or evenings is bliss. The other cottage options include Den, Deluxe and Premium. It is refreshing to be at Kadkani because though you are in wilderness yet you have all the desired contemporary comforts. The resort also gets my thumbs up for its Coorgi hospitality which comes straight from the heart and for promoting responsible and sustainable tourism.

The next morning I was looking forward to my early morning bird watching cum plantation walk. It is curated by naturalist Ganesh HR aka birdman of Coorg. His in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm makes it totally worthwhile to get up in the morning. The walk is an interesting visual treat of birds along with coffee, pepper and cardamom plantations.

The activities at Kadkani are nature centric and include zipline, rope river crossing, paddle boating, bamboo rafting and mahseer fishing. They also have board games, table tennis, shuttle, air rifle shooting, basket ball, a swimming pool and a hobby centre for kids. Kadkani is the first resort in Coorg to have its own golf course and for golf afficiadios playing a game at its nine hole golf course surrounded by arecanut trees and coffee plantations is an experience in itself. There are professional coaches who can teach you golfing in 5 days or 2 hours as well.

At Pride of Pachat, the multi cuisine restaurant, I savoured Coorgi delicacies including Akki Otti or rice chapattis, Puttu or steam-cooked dishes, Pulavs, Baimbale Curry prepared using tender bamboo shoots, Kumm Curry made with wild mushrooms, Banana Halva and Mango Payasam. Pandi Curry made from pork, various fried and roasted meat, chicken or fish preparations should not be missed. Conferences for 60-80 participants, bonfire and barbeques, forest safaris and traditional cultural programs are also organized on request. Kadkani also sells Coorgi specialties of coffee, pepper, honey and jam.

The travel desk organized my sightseeing itinerary which included the picturesque Abbi Falls which is a roaring waterfall between dense forests, a quick walk on the outer wall of the remnants of the Madikeri Fort, reliving the days of royalty when the kings would watch the mesmerizing sunset from Raja’s Seat, taking darshan at the revered Omkareshwara Temple and visiting the Namdroling Monastery which is one of India’s largest monasteries. You can also choose from visiting the origin of River Cauvery at Talacauvery, watching a demonstration of grooming an elephant and taking an elephant ride at Dubare Elephant Camp and experiencing the life of Tipu Sultan at Srirangapatna.

Kadkani Riverside Resort
Hachinad-Pachat,Ammathi
Kodagu, Coorg, Karnataka-571211

Reservation Numbers- 09480833781 and 82

www.kadkani.com

Khursheed Dinshaw

Image Courtesy  – kadkani Resorts