22 January,2009 07:18 AM IST | | Ganshree Kedlaya and Sumana B Jayanth
Eco-tourism, agri-tourism, wine trails... those who like the great outdoors have plenty to choose from. Whether it's a relaxing weekend or an activity-packed one, these places offer something for everyone.u00a0
Our Native Village
Located on a 12-acre farm, this eco-resort has houses made of mud bricks with tiled roofs and spacious courtyards.
Only 20 per cent of the land has been used for construction, and the rest is used to grow grains, vegetables, herbs and medicinal plants. Organic farming is practiced here.
Our Native Village generates more than 95 per cent of their electricity using solar panels, windmills and biogas plants. All the waste is treated using leach pits, reed water pits and recycling processes and a biogas digester.
The resort hopes to meet nearly 60 per cent of its water needs with rainwater that is collected into a 60,000 litre tank and harvested. Even the bricks used for construction are stabilised mud bricks made from earth dug up for the foundation of the resort.
Apart from scenic splendour, Our Native Village offers a day-trip to neighbouring villages in bullock carts. For those with a sense of humour, there are bullock cart driving licenses issued here!
Activities include teaching guests how to churn butter, milk a cow, start a compost pit, grow organic vegetables, and plough a field. Traditional games such as gilli danda, spinning tops, hopscotch and flying kites are taught. History buffs can go exploring the area for veeragallus (memorial stones commemorating local heroes).
There are ayurvedic rejuvenation packages for those who want to pamper themselves.
At: Survey 72, Kodihalli Village, Mudurai Hobli, Doddaballapur Taluk, Hessarghatta.
Call: 2844 6616u00a0u00a0
The Dune
The Dune celebrates harmony between man and nature. This 30-acre eco-friendly beach hotel has aesthetic bungalows, villas, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and, best of all, 700m of sea front.
This beach resort advertises its commitment to reduce the impact on the environment. Not all the rooms have air conditioning for environmental reasons. They offer various types of Ayurvedic massages. They also conduct yoga classes for house guests everyday.
The restaurant serves healthy food, prepared using organically farmed vegetables.
The Dune is the base for the AIR (Artists In Residence) programme, which provides work studios for artists from all around the world.
At: 150 km south of Chennai and 15 km from the heart of Pondicherry.
Call: 39079 610200u00a0u00a0
Spice Village
Spread across 15 acres of spice gardens at an elevation of 3,000 ft above sea level and adjacent to the Periyar National Park midway between the temple town of Madurai and Kumarakom is the Spice Village.
You can choose to stay either in the tribal huts thatched with elephant grass or in cottages on the plantations.
The huts are designed along the lines of the dwellings of the native tribes such as the Ooralis and the Mannans.
The garden practically bursts with a rich array of spice trees and there is a botanist who offers a wealth of information.
Ayurvedic physicians, trained therapists, dieticians, masseurs and yoga instructors render their services at this resort. The facilities include treatment centres (separate for ladies and gents), steam baths and medicine centres. You can go on treks, visit the spice and pepper plantations or go on a boat ride in the Periyar Lake.
At: Thekkady, Kerala
Call: 91 484 3011711u00a0
Last-minute getaways
Some getaways are more away than the others. From strolls on sand-kissed beaches to moonlight treks, here's what they offer
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Skandagiri
Say Skandagiri to any trekker worth his walking shoes and watch his face light up. Located approximately 70 km from Bangalore city, Skandagiri offers great camping and night trek options. Watching the sunrise from an altitude of 1350m is a dream come true. You can actually feel the clouds swirling around you.
Location: Around 70 km from Bangalore city, Skandagiri is close to Nandi Hills. It is off the Bellary Road (NH-7 Hyderabad-Bangalore Highway), and is very close to Chikballapur town. The village is called Kandavara Halli and the hill is called Kandavarahalli Betta (aka Skandagiri and Kalwarahalli Betta).
How to get there: From NH-7, turn towards Nandi Hills. At the base of Nandi Hills turn right and proceed to Kalawara village via Muddenahalli (birth place of Sir M Visvesvariah).
Must Do's: This is a tedious trek, so carry water, torch and snacks. During the day, roadside shacks sell bread, eggs and tea. But if you are embarking on a night trek, you should be self sufficient. If you start climbing around 2 am, you will reach the peak just in time for the gorgeous sunrise.
Devbagh
Tucked away on the west coast, is the island of Devbagh in Karwar. Casuarina plantations on the shores make it a romantic destination. Devbagh, which means the place inhibited by celestial beings, has a pristine beach.
Scuba divers and snorkeling enthusiasts would love the spot. If you're really lucky, you could spot dolphins.
Location: Devbagh is 524 km from Bangalore. As soon as you enter Karwar, you come face to face with the sea, dotted with several small islands. Distinct amongst them, around 3 km away is Devbagh.
How to get there: You can take a night bus, and reach Karwar early in the morning. The nearest airport is Dabolim airport, Goa, which is 140 km from Karwar. From Karwar, is a 10-minute boat ride from the Kodibagh jetty on the backwaters of the Kali river.
Must Do's: Curl up up in a hammock under casuarina trees with a good book. Devbagh redefines unwinding and relaxing. You can even opt for a a boat ride along the Kali in the evening where the boatman will be your guide.
There is a Narasimha Swamy temple on Kumargad island. Try the seafood cooked by the locals and you're sure to turn up your nose at star-hotel fare!
