Masinagudi, Nilgiris
Tucked away in the little village of Masinagudi which is a beautiful place on the foothills of Nilgiris just after the Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, India., is Shambala a Swiss style chaleton stilts built with shale and rock from the area. An airy cabin with large open-to-the-jungle windows lets in the serenity of the valley. A cozy accommodation for two with additional space for two more, it is an ideal hideaway. A place to unwind! Alfresco dining on the deck is a magical experience with spectacular views of the forest. Spend the night out on the deck that hug the domicile on either side and let the soothing night time rhythm lull you to sleep. You may actually make friends with some of the nocturnal forest creatures that visit the area.
At Shambala our chef is inconspicuous for a purpose; we value privacy and allow guests to holiday at their own pace. Should the guests have an urge to cook, the kitchen is well stocked with essential pots, pans, cutlery, crockery and the larder is amply supplied with fresh ingredients from fruits and vegetables to condiments. A cookbook with recipes to suit every palate has also been put together. There is also a microwave, an electric kettle and a coffee maker for that morning cuppa! For those who want to be pampered the option of ordering in is always there. Guests will also receive a complimentary bottle of wine.
The more adventurous and sporty will be delighted with the 18 speed All Terrain Firefox bicycles, a night vision torch and reference books on birds and plants of the area, all available on request. The obliging caretaker is always at hand to provide any assistance, be it buying supplies from nearby Ooty to arranging the tribal guide for a trek into the forest.
Every attempt has been made to ease the impact of human habitation on the environment. The eco-friendly philosophy has been maintained consistently in every aspect of the cabin; from the materials used in construction to the organic cotton sheets and assiduous waste management. Though it is easy to succumb to the comfortable embrace of the cabin, the beauty and enigma of the jungle, its creatures and life within entice you to explore its mysteries, making a nature lover out of every guest.
Shambala - beckons for a perfect jungle holiday!
Address
Shambala, 9 /171, V azhaithottam, Masinagudi, Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu.
info@thegreenappleexperience.com | www.shambala.com
Experience
Shambala - a place where man and nature commune in perfect harmony.
It is an ideal hideaway. A place to unwind, Have a magical experience with spectacular view of the forest around. Shambala beckons for a perfect jungle holiday.
Facilities and Services
Parking
Hair Dryer
Tea / Coffee maker
Mini Fridge
Microwave Oven
En-suite Dbl bed
Unique Experience: Jungle hideout
Shambala also do have small room for the security guard. Property is with a small sit-out, dining area, ensuite master bedroom.
Activities
Trekking:
Trekking through the virgin forest, Share the secrets of the dry deciduous forest, which boasts a wealth of flora and fauna that thrill the ornithologist, the botanist and the interested nature lover. The trip could get adventurous if the tree trunk you're leaning on moves, say a small prayer. There is every chance of seeing / encountering wildlife (sloth bears, elephants, bison, dholes, tiger, panther a variety of birds, etc.) at close quarters on a trek.
Elephant camp:
Visit forest department elephant camp where around 29 pachyderms are cared for and trained. You can witness them give a thorough cleaning, followed by a pooja.
Visit to:
Like the famous Darjeeling tea, the Nilgiri Tea plantations are famous for its green leaf tea. A visit to a local tea, coffee or pepper plantation as a half day or full day trip could be organized. The trip gets all the more exciting and refreshing when one actually gets to visit a factory and observe the journey of the leaf through different processes before its end.
Location and Access
Shambala is situated at Masinagudi, which is 160 kms from Coimbatore airport. Mudumalai / Masinagudi is well connected by good roads. There is a regular bus service from Bangalore, Mysore, Coimbatore, Calicut, Cochin, Kotagiri, Coonoor and Doddabeta. Buses ply regularly to Mudhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. Nearest broad gauge railway head is Mettupalayam (46 kms ).
Routing to Shambala is as follows: From Mavinhalla on to ooty high road just after 1 kilo meter turn left with in 100 meters is Shambala.
Nearest tourists destination
Mudhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary (65 kms): A good place to spend time with wildlife, the 321 sq km Mudhumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is home to a large number of animals including the Elephant, Gaur, Python and Spotted Deer. The sanctuary is also has a sizeable presence of the avian species including some migratory water birds.
Coonoor (18 kms): Situated on a lower ridge of the plateau at an altitude of 1858m. Coonoor is the second largest hill station in the Nilgiris.
Kotagiri : It is 28 kms from Masinagudi. The climate is very salubrious which is 6503 feet above sea level. Kotagiri is shielded by the Doddabetta ranges which receives much of its rain from northwest monsoon. One can enjoy a pleasure ride on road flanked by green tea beds on either side.
Ootty: ( 28 kms) A day trip to Ooty, one of the many hill stations explored and discovered by the British can also fit into the agenda. It includes a visit to the renowned botanical gardens, boating on the lake, etc.,
Tariff
No. of Rooms: 1
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Category of Rooms: Deluxe Room
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plans: (MAPI)
Summer Winter
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rack Rates: Rs. 6500/- Rs. 8000/-
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Summer: April 2011- October 2011 Winter: November 2011 - March 2012
Enquire
All Properties
Kottoor House
Mayapott
Nelpura Homestay
Parayil Homestead
Thadi Perra
Vacha Kannotra
Vacha Waters
House at Mahabs
Shambala
Shembagha Vilasam
Region
Elamthottam
Kottoor House
Mayapott
Nelpura Homestay
Parayil Homestead
Thadi Perra
Vacha Kannotra
Vacha Waters
Tamil Nadu
House at Mahabs
Shambala
Shembagha Vilasam
Category
Elamthottam
Kottoor House
Nelpura Homestay
Parayil Homestead
Bungalow
Mayapott
Thadi Perra
Vacha Kannotra
Vacha Waters
House at Mahabs
Shambala
Shembagha Vilasam
Experience
Hill Station
Palace
Culinary
Ayurveda
Beach
Adventure & Wildlife
Village & Rural
Cultural & Heritage
Plantation & Farm
Style
A truly get-away-from-it-all place. Shambala, a plush, many-windowed wood, stone and log studio apartment on metal stilts with a large deck, is right in the heart of the forest. I t sits bang on the animal corridor and animals barely bother to skirt it. Wild boar come snuffling close, elephants do their brand of gardening in the yard. Birds galore: with binoculars, you can count the feathers. Sloth bears, hyenas, tigers-this is not a place to be wandering about at night. The elegant and romantic studio with a double bed and pull-out couch is maintained in pristine nick by the caretaker who also ensures that the kitchenette is stocked with provisions. Guides will take you on a trek to the many watering holes in the forest. Two all-terrain mountain bicycles are also at your disposal.
The more adventurous and sporty will be delighted with the 18 speed All Terrain Firefox bicycles, a night vision torch and reference books on birds and plants of the area, all available on request.
The obliging caretaker is always at hand to provide any assistance, be it buying supplies from nearby Ooty to arranging the tribal guide for a trek into the forest.
