Nature's Delights at Orange County |
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Orange County Resort is built in traditional plantation style, set in its own coffee plantation next to the River Cauvery and surrounded by forest. We discovered this hotel more than seven years ago and were totally smitten! The location is superb and surrounding scenery is absolutely stunning; the perfect retreat for those who enjoy being close to nature. There have been more than 300 species of birds spotted here, not to mention the odd wild elephant or two!
Being surrounded by thick tropical forests it is not uncommon to see wild animals such as deer, wild boar and elephant just outside the hotel boundaries. That's what makes this location so exceptional, you really are right in the middle of all of nature's delights. The hotel itself is sympathetically designed in keeping with the surroundings, with the rooms built in cottage-style, some of which even have their own pool. There is also a separate section called The Camp where there is a row of luxury tents complete with en-suite shower rooms, overlooking the river, and perfect for those who want to experience the great outdoors in style and luxury. In all, apart from boating on the River, forest treks, exploring the spice and coffee plantations the hotel also has a choice of 3 restaurants, 2 swimming pools (one exclusively for The Camp guests), the coffee bar where you can sample Orange County's own coffee and the bar. The cottages are spacious and nicely furnished with en-suite shower & WC. The tents are very well appointed with tea- & coffee-making facilites, en-suite shower & WC and veranda. Itinerary: SUNDAY Arrive in Goa from the U.K and depending on arrival time, either transfer directly to the domestic terminal or transfer to a hotel near the airport for a couple of hours before returning to the airport for your connecting flight to Bangalore. Upon arrival in Bangalore proceed by road to Hassan. Check-in at Hoysala Village (or similar) for overnight.
MONDAY Early morning departure for Belur with its seemingly endless rows of carved figures, large and small, which adorn the walls and ceiling skirts. Gods, human figures, elephants, flowers and miniature turrets pass the gaze in an exquisite legacy of perfection and Halebid — site of one of the biggest Hoysala temples. After making a stop for lunch, depart for Orange County Resort in the district of Coorg. The journey takes approximately 4 hours through some very stunning countryside with an abundance of coffee and spice plantations and lush green forest. Check in at Orange County for the next 4 nights. TUESDAY Today, there is a guided Spice Tour taking you through the fascinating history of spices. You'll wonder how Coorg, a little district in South India, has managed to retain such a distinctive culture in spite of successive rulers like the Kadambas, Gangas, Cholas, Hoysalas, the Vijayanagara Kings and the British. You'll discover legends garnished by the arrival of coffee taking you way back to the 17th century. You'll learn how the rolling plantations of coffee and plantation culture introduced by the British added colonial grandeur to this magical land. Today, Karnataka produces 140,000 tonnes of coffee a year, making it the largest producer of coffee in India. WEDNESDAY After breakfast, depart for the Dubare Elephant Camp, which offers a glimpse into the life of the elephant, returning to Orange County in time for Lunch. In the afternoon depart for Byllekuppe, the second largest Tibetan settlement outside Tibet. Complete with a Tibetan monastery with 7000 monks, a Tibetan village and a flea market, it is an amazing experience to visit this place. The temple, with its gold-plated roof, transports you straight to Tibet in all its splendour. THURSDAY Today is at leisure to just enjoy the stunning, natural surroundings, take a dip in the pool or enjoy one of the many optional activities available such as a trek into the forest or a boat trip on the river. FRIDAY Rise and shine for an early morning departure back to Bangalore airport for your flight to Goa with 9 fabulous days by the beach at your chosen resort before your return flight back to the UK. This tour is only available in conjunction with Saturday flights from the UK. The tour is based on standard accommodation with two adults sharing a twin/double room on bed and continental breakfast basis. Supplement for tented accommodation in The Camp £35 per person per tour.
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