The serene countenance of the Buddha greets me as I enter the large gates of the property. Seeming to exude a peace that diffuses through the surroundings, this certainly is an apt figure to represent the equally tranquil and placid environs within which it reposes.

The lush verdant slopes of the plantation glisten in the morning light. Draped in vibrant green with intermittent bursts of deep red from clusters of ripened coffee berries which valiantly peek through the green dominance, the landscape is truly a sight for thirsting eyes that are weary from dreary urban sights.

Kissing the startlingly bright blue skies in the background, the rolling stretch of the Western ghats stand sentinel as if stoically watching over the space which lies within their protective realm.

Nestling in the lap of this natural splendor, lies the Trishvam Tapovana by TGI Hotels and Resorts. This is an elegant and very aesthetically pleasing getaway, with undulating paths flanked by charming cottages and other structures designed in the eye catching style of Malnad architecture.

Located near Sakleshpur, a well known town in the Hassan district in the state of Karnataka in India, this resort offers luxurious and refreshing options for visitors who seek sanctuary in the heart of nature, away (but not too far) from the cities that they are fleeing from, to obtain that much needed respite, brief though it may be.

So join me on my latest discovery and revel in the charms of Trishvam Tapovana where your spirits are guaranteed to be uplifted as high as the mountains that are always within your view!

About Sakleshpur – 

Sakleshpur is a hill station which nestles in the lap of the Western ghats mountain range. Also known as Sakleshpura, this is a taluk in Hassan, a district that falls within the Malnad region of Karnataka. The Malnad or Malenadu belt is one of the 3 geographical zones in the state. Mal(e) Nad(u) translates to land of rain.

Sakleshpur town is the headquarters of the taluk and it lies along the Bangalore Mangalore highway, thus being very easy to access.

Ancient temples, aesthetically built forts, numerous waterfalls and hillside plantations clad in shrubs of tea, coffee and spices which make for panoramic vistas, are some of the attractions that have put this place on the tourist map.

With a range of options for stay and adventure, this naturally beautiful region is growing rapidly as a tourist friendly destination.

About The Great Indian Group of Hotels and Resorts (TGI) – 

TGI Hotels and Resorts manages and markets a chain of small, medium and premium hotels and resorts across India.

About Trishvam Tapovana – 

Tucked away in secluded quietude deep within a vast and lush coffee plantation, lies this beautiful resort called Trishvam Tapovana. Located 20 km from the town of Sakleshpur, this elegant space opened its elaborate wooden doors to guests, as recently as January 2023.

A venture by TGI Hotels and Resorts, this resort provides a luxurious experience for guests who seek to vacation at classy and comfortable retreats.

Occupying a space of 5 acres within the 45 acre flourishing coffee estate, the traditionally designed structures lend a stylish old world charm which blends harmoniously with the luxurious modern trappings that embellish the place.

Architected in the traditional Malnad style of the region, the buildings have been constructed using the rust red laterite stone, plenty of dark hued wood, beautiful yellow oxide floor or slate grey flooring and bright red Mangalore tiles for the roofs. All these elements contribute to the rustic and endearing appearance.

Features and Amenities – 

Trishvam offers a host of features to make for a complete entertainment package and ideal holiday. The 5 acres of the resort comprise of the reception building, the residential rooms and cottages, restaurant, spa, banquet hall and board room, swimming pool, play area, rain dance platform, gazebo and other public spaces.

Apart from this, the place is occupied by the all pervading coffee shrubs, flowering plants, fruit trees and other vegetation.

A short video of the property – 

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The reception – 

This is a red tiled building which consists mainly of a spacious pillared verandah which is open on 3 sides with in-built traditional seating that runs along the parapet on either side.

At check-in, guests are welcomed with an Arathi and tikka and treated to a refreshing glass of juice.  

A couple of traditional games are also placed here for guests to try their hands at while completing the formalities.

Gazebo – Diagonally opposite the reception is a gazebo/pavilion that houses some of the indoor games like carrom, table tennis, foosball and darts. This place also serves as the venue for candle light dinners or other functions.

Swimming pool – 

The huge infinity pool is a visual delight with a stunning view of the adjacent valley of the plantation and the mountains in the distance. One can just sit here and gawk for hours at the scenic vista.

Apart from the main pool, there is also a children’s section and a temperature controlled hot tub. Soaking in this with the water jets gently massaging you as you gaze at the scenic views, is sheer bliss.

Pool timings are 7 am to 7 pm.

Rain dance pavilion – 

Ahead from the pool is a pavilion with overhead sprinklers where one can enjoy dancing or playing in the artificial shower. This space is also used for private dining, again with the beautiful backdrop of the mountains.

The play area –

This outdoor section has equipment like slides, rope climbing etc, for little children as well as ‘big’ children 😉

Banquet hall and board room –

The restaurant block has the banquet hall and board room on the ground floor. Named after coffee varieties, the Arabica banquet hall and the Robusta board room are venues for private functions or corporate events.

Pool bar – 

The Infinity pool bar is next to the pool and one can order their drinks of choice while chilling by the poolside.

Spa and wellness center –

The spa offers therapies and treatments like massages, aroma therapy, foot reflexology etc and one has to book the slots in advance.

Spa timings are 9 am to 6 pm.

The Stay – 

All the cottages are situated along 2 paths which are to the right side of the reception block. There is an electric buggy to transport guests and their luggage.

All the cottages are very comfortable and well equipped with the usual amenities like wooden cupboards, luggage rack, coffee tables, hairdryer, iron, 24 hour hot water, bath linen, toiletries, mosquito repellents etc.

There are 5 categories of rooms and cottages.

The Hilltop rooms – just as the name suggests, they offer scenic views of the peaks of the background Western ghat mountains. There are 2 blocks of 8 rooms each in this category. These 510 sq ft rooms are very comfortable and feature a spacious bedroom ensuite bathroom and private balcony, along with all the usual amenities.

The Heritage Thottimane is the next type of cottage and personally I found this to be the prettiest and most charming, with its traditional Malnad architecture. Translating to Courtyard house, these dwellings embody the local style of construction with the central open courtyard, exposed wooden beams and intricate carvings, slate grey tiled flooring, several traditional items of decor that reflect the local culture and heritage and large balconies with an uninterrupted view of the plantation and the distant mountains.

 There are 2 thottimane blocks with 4 rooms each. The 575 sq ft rooms are wrapped around the central courtyard and feature a double bed, ensuite bathroom and private balcony. 

The central courtyard is surrounded by corridors on 4 sides, which are furnished with beautiful furniture and antiques.   

The thottimane where I spent a night, even had a tree growing right through the open yard!

The 2 well appointed Valley View Villas feature a room space of 800 sq ft consisting of a living room, a spacious bedroom, ensuite bathroom, a mezzanine floor with extra beds, and a private balcony that again faces the valley and the Western Ghats.

Luxury villas – there are 2 of these villas which face the mountains. With a room space of 950 sq ft, they feature 2 spacious bedrooms, a large living area, a private balcony, beautiful yellow oxide floor and a very unique open bathroom with a wall made of one-way glass which allows you to shower with the stunning Western Ghats in view. A loo with a view is what I would call it 😎

The highest category are the Private Pool Villas which are the ultimate in luxury.  Providing a lavish space of 1250 sq ft, the 2 villas comprise of 2 large bedrooms each with their own ensuite bathrooms, an ample living room, beautiful yellow oxide floor and a splendid private pool to cool off  in seclusion, away from all eyes.

These dwellings provide the perfect setting for a romantic getaway and are ideal for honeymooners or those who prefer to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature, in solitude.

The villas also have an open verandah at the entrance where one can sit for hours together simply gazing at the all pervading natural gorgeousness.

I had the pleasure of spending one night at this grand villa.

Restaurant and dining – 

Navarasa is the main dining place in the resort and its appealing decor and spectacular views serve to enhance the dining experience even further.

Presenting both a la carte menus and buffet options, this restaurant offers a variety of cuisines which include North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Continental and the not-to-be-missed local Malnad food.

The chefs are not just skilled but are also passionate about their craft and wherever possible, they strive to use fresh ingredients that are sourced locally. I was told that the food is made with no artificial additives and is made flavorful with the use of natural ingredients only.

While their current a la carte menu was not too impressive (I was told that a major revamping of the menu was planned), their buffets and the Malnad food which I specially ordered, were excellent and highly satisfying.

Breakfast is complimentary for the guests and is served between 8.00 am to 10.00 am. The buffet menu covers a range of cuisines including a selection of local items and live counters. There is an a la carte menu when the buffet is not on.  

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Lunch, high tea and dinner are provided as per booking plan.

Lunch is served between 1.00 pm to 3.00 pm and has a buffet or a la carte, depending on occupancy.

They curated a very impressive all local Malnad meal for me, at my request.

High Tea usually consists of a variety of chaats, pakodas and such items and is served from 5.00 pm to 6.00 pm.

Dinner is on from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm and is again buffet or a la carte.

There is also a full fledged bar along with the restaurant.

Apart from the Navarasa, the other options and venues for having snacks/meals/drinks are the in-room dining facility (12.30 pm to 3.00 pm and 7.00 pm to 10.00 pm), the picturesque location of the Infinity poolside bar, romantic candlelight/moonlight dinners at the gazebo and private dining at the Rain dance pavilion.

Barbeques are organised in the designated zone, with prior intimation.

Food options outside the resort – 

The resort is 20 km from Sakleshpur which is the nearest big town, so it is advisable to have all meals in-house itself.

Activities – 

Activities within the resort – 

The naturalist takes the guests on a 45 minute educative plantation walk through the coffee estate.

In the evenings at 5.30 pm if the weather is conducive, there is a guided walk to the sunset view point within the property. This is a climb of around 200 meters from the restaurant.

Children and adults can use the adventure play area.

One can make use of the swimming pool and hot tub.

Every evening depending on the weather, the bonfire is lit at 7.30 pm near the restaurant, accompanied by music.

There are also a few indoor games in the gazebo and reception area for those who prefer a quiet time.

Other than this, just chilling out and gazing at the mesmerising scenic views in the day and the starry skies at night, is entertainment enough!

Things to do in the Surroundings – 

Sakleshpur has several attractions to lure tourists across a range of interests. Being a scenic hill station, it naturally offers opportunities for trekking, hiking, visiting waterfalls etc.

Guests have to use their own vehicles to go around but the staff will accompany them to some of the places which need guidance, like the treks and walks.

A few of the places that one can visit are –

The local View point – The naturalist will accompany the guests on the morning nature walk and lead them to a point around 2 km away from where one can get a panoramic view of the valley and mountains. This takes place everyday from 7.30 am to 8.30 am. One can also drive right up to the view point in a larger car.

Abbe Gundi falls – also called Magajahalli Abbe falls is 6 km from the resort. Google maps is sufficient to get there. There is roadside parking available and one has to descend a flight of steps to get to the falls.

Trekking to the Moorukannu and Agni peaks – There is drive of 1.5 km to get to the base, followed by the trek to the peaks. A staff member will accompany the guests on these treks.

Tea factory tour – Every Sunday there is an open house at the Kadumane tea estate which is around 16 km away. Visitors can get an educational tour of the tea factory and also purchase various flavors of tea. The journey is around 40 minutes one way and the entire experience may take around 3 hours including the to and fro travel. A staff member from the resort will accompany the guest if desired. There is no cost involved other the purchases made.

Manjarabad fort – This 8 pointed star shaped fort which was built in 1792 by Tipu Sultan, is a popular tourist attraction and is 17 km from the resort and 4 km from Sakleshpur town.

Visitor Profile – 

Guests of all ages are permitted with no restrictions.

The resort in its idyllic coffee plantation setting, is ideal for any type of occasion, whether it be a rejuvenating break from the mundane to get away from it all or for corporate team outings or celebrations of intimate nature or family events like birthday parties, destination weddings etc.

It is a great place for individuals, couples, families and groups of friends. Bear in mind however, that only a few spaces are accessible to guests who are differently abled.

It is also a perfect place for artists, photographers, adventure enthusiasts, professionals who want to ‘work from forest’ and those who just want a really quiet holiday!

Best time to visit – 

Sakleshpur is a year round destination. The weather especially within the coffee plantations, is pleasant even in summers. Rainy season has its own charms, though outdoor activities may be restricted. Winters are cold but actually quite lovely and are also a great time to visit.

Phone and internet connectivity –

The property provides a free Wifi connection for its guests. When I visited, the connection was not bad but not totally stable either. Airtel also was not all that reliable but Jio seemed to fare better.

Environmental and Social initiatives – 

Drinking water is provided in glass bottles for those who do not opt for plastic.

Many of the local folk including a good percentage of women are employed at the resort, thus contributing to the surrounding economy.

What is available and what you should carry –

There is a generator for power back up which can support all appliances, WiFi etc, in case of a power failure.

All standard toiletries and bed and bath linen are provided.

Considering the terrain and possible activities, carry a pair of walking shoes, a cap, sunglasses, sunscreen, a backpack, swimwear, binoculars, camera etc.

Since the resort is in a relatively remote location, make sure to carry your medication and other personal supplies which you may need.

The type of clothing you need, is weather dependent but being in the midst of a plantation, it is cool throughout the year especially between sunset and early morning, so it is always a good idea to carry at least 1 coat even if it is summer. Winters are quite chill, hence equip yourself accordingly.

Daytime is warm in summer, so carry light, cotton wear.

And as always, carry your ID card with you.

Additional Information –

Open air parking is available.

The resort presently does not provide accommodation for the drivers of their guests.

This place does not permit pets.

Being a coffee estate, the terrain is undulating and hence this is not really a disabled friendly property. However one of the Thottimanes is wheelchair accessible and so is the first floor restaurant via a ramp. There is also an electric buggy to transport people within the property.

Getting there – 

The nearest airport is the Mangalore International Airport which is 150 km away and the journey via the ghats (mountains) takes around 4 hours.

Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore, is 260 km, around 5 hours.

Driving down from Mangalore or Bangalore, is the most convenient way to get to the resort.

Sakleshpur town also has a railway station and bus stand, both of which are well connected to Mangalore and Bangalore. The resort is 20 km from the town, around 30 mins by road.

Taxis and autos are a possibility for last mile accessibility.

The resort can also organise for transfers if required.

Things of interest en route from Bangalore – 

A few major places of interest en route are –

Sravanabelagola Jain temple – 12 km off the highway and 145 km from Bangalore.

Shettihalli Rosary Church – 30 km off the highway from Hassan

Booking and contact – 

 

Address –

Trishvam Tapovana

Survey No 66 Near Chimmecool Estate, Chimmecool Road,

Agni Village Hanbal, Hobli, Sakleshpura, Karnataka 573134

Phone –  093619 73230

Email id –  reservations@tapovana.com

Website of Trishvam Tapovana

Instagram of Trishvam Tapovana

FB Page of Trishvam Tapovana

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Please Note –

This trip was in collaboration with Trishvam Tapovana and I thank them for the hospitality. My narration is based on the inputs I received from various sources as well as my personal experiences.

For more pictures see My Facebook – Trishvam Tapovana 

Also catch me on My Facebook, My Facebook page, My Twitter and My Instagram

This itinerary was specially curated hence some of the features might have been personalized accordingly. Before booking, please check the facilities offered in your package.

I would really appreciate your feedback and comments in the comment box below.

Feb 5th – 7th, 2024