As the bus drove through the empty roads, I became suddenly aware of the temperature getting low. I slid the window open to let the fresh air drown me in. With bougainvillea flowers adorning the arched entrance & a generous garden space filled with variety of flowers, the simple yet beautiful tiled houses of Sowmarpet stole my heart in  first instance. I felt happy that we chose Sowmarpet instead of the touristy Coorg.

Chiguru Homestay
This homestay was one of the reasons why we chose Sowmarpet. We reached sowmarpet by 8 am. From there, we took an auto to our homestay. There are buses available too(But not frequent!)

Homestay is located in the slopes of a hill offering a splendid view of mountains. This homestay can host upto 23 guests and has ample parking space.

Chiguru Homestay swept us off our feet with their palatable food on the very first day.
Breakfast – Pundu(Kadumputtu) with potato-peas gravy & egg gravy

What other best way than to start with an unknown local delicacy?

Everyone was given a seperate dining area offering enough privacy. And the most important part is that you get to eat best Kodagu foods here.

Attractions nearby
In and around homestay
The area around homestay was surreal with a stream passing by. Despite not at its fullest, it looked pretty in the morning sunlight with butterflies fluttering around the bushes and trees. Water was damn cold too and that made it even more better.

Mallali falls
Mallali falls is just 1.5 km from homestay. You can just walk to the falls yourself. You may have to walk down 300 steps to reach the falls. Water was less as we went in December. It’s a touristy place. If you want to avoid crowds, I would suggest going in the morning.

We were bit late to lunch after visiting Mallali falls. Everything was served hot despite the fact that we were late. As we thought that breakfast was the best, they stunned us with their variety in lunch too.

Lunch – Rice, Pulav, Roti, Chicken gravy, Chicken fry, Sambar, Beetroot sabji, Rasam, Curd, Payasam. And the quantity was more than enough too.

Dodda betta peak trek
Around 4:30 pm, we got into our host car to go on a short trek to Dodda betta peak. We drove past a resort amidst plantations. Afer 2 kms, the road was hardly there.
Surrounding beautiful scenery complemented the bumpy ride. Tall betel nut trees; Not so maintained coffee plantations; Pepper creepers snaked around the trees; Birds chirping and returning to their nest.

After driving 5 more kms in the bumpy road, our car came to a halt. We got down to start our trek.

Trek started with steady ascent with dried grasses swaying its way. After a little ascent, the panoramic view of the mountains unfolded to make us spellbound. As we reached our first pit-stop, we were flabbergasted by the setting sun amidst the clouds above the mountain peaks. The sky was blue all around except for the place surrounding the sun, as though the setting sun was casting its color to offer a magical view.

After little rest, we headed to the peak. Scenery was different this time. Standing out of the yellow dried grasses were those green trees which made the scene different yet dazzling.We reached the top after a steep climb. The yellow sun had turned to orange by now; The evening light had started to fade; Mist had covered the nearby ranges. With breeze so soothing, we sat at the top hand in hand looking at the misty panorama of rolling hills and the setting sun in total awe.

Around 6:30 pm, we started back to our homestay. After a hot shower, we splurged ourselves on the scrumptious food spread.

Dinner – Fish curry, Chicken Fry, Roti, Rice, Sabji. 

Pushpagiri trek
If you have another day in hand, you can trek to Pushpagiri ranges. It takes full day. You may have to start early morning with packed lunch from home stay. You can expect to reach back around 6 pm. As we had only one day planned, we couldn’t make it to Pushpagiri. There are scope for many trekking activities in and around homestay. You can check the website of homestay for other attractions nearby.

Looking back at the wonderful day spent, my lips parted to curve a smile and contentment in my heart was unexplainable. That day couldn’t get any better I felt as I processed in my mind how this home stay had made us to experience such warm hospitality, incredible Kodagu food and picturesque landscapes.

I would suggest staying in this home stay for minimum two days, as the stay was worth every penny. Only downside though we felt was that the room could have been better. But for every other aspects like hospitality, delicious home cooked food, warmth, guidance, I would happily go back to this home stay.

Price : INR 1800 per person(Including all the three meals) Such a good bet right?

They even provided us 2nd breakfast on the day we were leaving and also dropped us in the nearest bus stop to catch bus to Sowmarpet. Such hospitablity!

You can book your room by calling the numbers(indicated in the website).

Lohith : 9449275853, 9686802434

You can also check the website of Chiguru homestay website here

Month of trip – Dec 2018