COORG (KODAGU)
Coorg, locally known as Kodagu, covers approximately 4,100 sq mtrs of the eastern slope of the Western Ghats and is roughly 3,200 metres above sea level.
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It is abundantly rich in wildlife like wild boar, wild fowl and deer as well as in natural forests filled with indigenous timber like rosewood, nandi, balanji, bamboo and teak among others. Its hills are covered with verdant coffee plantations and its plains with undulating paddy (rice) fields.
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Coorg caters to all tastes – be it a lazy stroll through gurgling brooks and streams or adventurous hikes through lush green natural forests and mist-laden hills. In this part of the world, you wake up to the gentle chirping of birds, the intoxicating aroma of coffee blossoms and the comforting scent of rain-dampened earth & smoking wood fires. You get to enjoy the exhilarating experience of pure sweet air under warm blue skies and clear black nights twinkling with a million and one stars…
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Coorg (Kodagu) - fondly known as the Scotland of India – is now also home to a unique Homestay - CAPTAIN K’S GETAWAY!
THE PEOPLE, CUISINE & FESTIVALS
THE PEOPLE:
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The main community in Coorg (Kodagu) are the Coorgs (Kodavas) who follow an ancestor-based religion rather than the traditional Hindu religion though there are a lot of similarities between the two. They are famous for their hospitality as well as their contribution to the Indian Defence Forces and Indian Sports. A warrior race known for their bravery, the Kodavas are the only people in India permitted to own firearms without a license! The other major communities are the Kodava Mophlas and the Beary’s (both Muslim communities) and the Kodava Gowdas
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THE CUISINE:
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Coorg cuisine is considered to be among the most delicious of the South Indian cuisines and - like most of them - is only lightly spiced in order to enjoy the flavour of the main ingredient being cooked. Traditional food was based on what was readily available and thus locally grown rice, edible wild mushrooms, wild mangoes, bamboo shoots, wild fowl and wild boar form an integral part of the Coorg cuisine. Pandi Kari (a pork delicacy) accompanied by Kadambuttu (a traditional rice preparation) is a favourite among the locals and visitors
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THE FESTIVALS:
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UGADI – is celebrated on the first day of the Hindu calendar and marks the beginning of the New Year. Crushed neem leaves with jaggery and coconut are eaten to ensure good health throughout the year​
KAILMOORTHA/KAILPOLUDU – is celebrated on September 3rd of each year and marks the end of the transplanting of the paddy (rice) fields. It is primarily for the men folk, where the family’s weapons, guns, ceremonial knives and farming implements are blessed with a puja for the same
KAVERI SANKRAMANA – is celebrated on October 18th of each year and marks the sudden upsurge in the Kundike (spring) at Talacauvery. It is primarily a festival for the women folk with a puja performed to the Goddess Kaveri. Only vegetarian food is prepared during this time
PUTHARI – is celebrated on a full moon day in early December of each year and marks the beginning of the rice harvest (thus also referred to as the Harvest Festival). Both men and women - dressed in traditional ceremonial costume – offer a puja in the house and later in the fields
CLIMATE & ATTIRE
Coorg, often called the Scotland of India, enjoys a hill-station climate though - thanks to the effects of climate change – it has turned considerably warmer over the past decade with heavy showers occurring quite often when they are not supposed to!
SPRING: is usually between March and June of each year. It is characterized by a mild climate with hot days and cool nights. June usually sees the onset of the southwest monsoon with light drizzles for most part of the month.
Attire: Cottons for the day and jackets & shawls for the evening are advisable...
THE MONSOON: is usually between July and September of each year. It is characterized by a wet climate with cold days and chilly nights. The months of July and August sees weeks of heavy downpours & misty mornings with a few sunny breaks in between.
Attire: Woollens and raingear for the day and jackets & shawls for the evening are advisable...
FALL & WINTER: is usually between October and February of each year. It is characterized by a cool climate with cool days and cold nights. The months of October, November and December see mildly sunny days with the occasional light shower. January and February begin to warm up with hot days and cool evenings.
Attire: Light woollens for the day and jackets & shawls for the evening are advisable...
OUR HOMESTAY
Captain K’s Getaway is named in memory of our late father (& grandfather), Capt. Kieren Alvares, who retired early as a Captain with the Merchant Navy to begin his own Shipping and C&F Agency in his hometown of Mangalore. His love for nature later led him to purchase barren land close to Madikeri which, with diligent care and attention, he transformed into this verdant paradise which truly became his getaway!
Nestled in approximately 75 acres of coffee land, Captain K’s Getaway (a unit of Glendale Estates – a coffee plantation) is located a mere 7 kms from the district HQ of Coorg (Kodagu) – Madikeri (Mercara). It offers you the unique combination of privacy coupled with most resort-style amenities and facilities. With only two deluxe units (with an additional smaller unit conditionally available), it enables you to enjoy a completely private vacation with your family and/or a few friends.
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The plantation in which our homestay is situated contains Robusta, Arabica and Liberica coffees, spices like pepper and cardamom, an organic vegetable garden and a variety of indigenous fruit trees. Besides our many pets, Glendale Estates is also home to a large number of birds, wild boar, wild fowl and the occasional herd of elephants! Our plantation also boasts of a serene view of rolling hills and green valleys as well as century old trees, streams, and walking/hiking trails.
Captain K’s is located at a comfortable driving distance from some of Coorg’s must-see destinations including the Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary, the Tibetan Colony with its Namdroling Golden Temple and Talacauvery (birthplace of the River Cauvery). It is approximately a half hour drive from its capital Madikeri’s famous sight-seeing spots of Abbey Falls, Raja Seat, the 19th Century Fort & Museum and the Omkareshwara Temple…
Captain K’s is also ideally situated for golf lovers as it is only a half hour drive from Mercara Downs Golf Course and a one hour drive from the Bittingala Golf Course. It is also a veritable haven for Birders with its variety of indigenous birds often, and easily, spotted from your verandahs!
Captain K’s offers you plantation, cottage style accommodation with beautifully appointed rooms in a natural setting.
For more details on all of the above and more, do click on the relevant headings under our HOME page…
OUR GENERAL POLICIES
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Our homestay is not available for children below 12 years of age anymore due to (mainly) security reasons
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Our homestay is not available to all-male groups for security reasons
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We do not provide accommodation for accompanying drivers. However, we are a mere 7 kms from Madikeri town and drivers find reasonable boarding and lodging very easily there
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Though we do provide some facilities usually found in hotels/resorts, we however are not a hotel/resort! Thus 24-hour room service or 24-hour F&B service is not available
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Smoking is not allowed in any of the rooms, bathrooms and home theatre and will attract a cleaning charge which will be added to the guest’s final bill
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Alcohol is permitted on the premises. Guests may bring their own alcohol at no extra cost
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Appropriate swimwear must be used in the swimming pool for your own safety. We do not provide a lifeguard. Individuals are advised not to use the pool without someone from their own party at hand to observe them
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Food & beverages are not allowed in the swimming pool
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Cooked food & beverages are not allowed inside the bedrooms & home theatre as they attract insects and other pests
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F&B service will be provided only during the stated times (Breakfast – 8AM to 10AM/Dinner – 7PM to 9PM)
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Tips must be placed in the TIP BOX provided and not given individually as there are many others who work behind the scenes
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In the interest of saving energy and water, guests are requested to kindly switch off all electrical appliances, lights and fans when not required. Additionally, linen will be changed once every 3 days unless required. Guests are urged not to use and/or dispose plastic bags and bottles indiscriminately
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Guests are required to treat everything with respect including the staff, animals and the property itself
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Any damages to the property - willful or otherwise will attract a fee which will be added to the guest’s final bill
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Important: We have a minimum of 5 dogs on the premises at any given time. Unfortunately, we cannot take in your pets anymore as a couple of our new ones are quite territorial!
OUR COMMITMENT TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY & THE ENVIRONMENT
During his lifetime, our late father (and grandfather), Capt. Kieren and our mother (and grandmother) Lavinia were great philanthropists and believed in giving back to the land and the community. Thus, to celebrate their lives, and along with our firm belief in the principal of tithing, we too are committed to giving back to the local community by founding, and annually donating to, the following...
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Capt. Kieren’s Poor Patient Fund - which has helped hundreds of local poor meet their medical expenses
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Capt. Kieren’s Development Fund - which annually sponsors text books & other materials for the labour children at the local Govt School and Anganwadi as well as village tournaments and projects
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Lavinia Alvares Women’s Empowerment Fund - which provides zero interest, micro finance to women from all over Kodagu to help them begin cottage industries
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Animal Relief Kodagu, Madikeri - which humanely attempts to curb the stray dog population through ABC programs
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We are also committed to doing our bit to save energy, water and the environment by instituting measures to…
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Harvest rainwater to meet our personal needs and that of our homestay
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Use eco-friendly cleaning materials as far as possible
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Use organic fertilizers as much as possible
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Use solar power to meet our personal energy needs and that of the homestay with the aim to be totally solar powered as soon as possible
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We thank you for choosing to stay with us and thus directly contributing to our welfare and eco-friendly efforts...
Looking forward to hosting you soon!
Leila, Kieren and Keira