Coffee Tourism
“To drink is human, to drink coffee is divine!” To Sipp endless cups of Coffee is now a passe the “in” thing is now is to head for those places where Coffee is grown and experience firsthand on living the life of a coffee planter.Coffee tours are the latest buzz in the Indian tourism scenario.
Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are the three coffee growing states in India.
Coffees, similar to wines, taste wise stands different from each other. The flavor essentially alters depends on number of factors like the soil and climate it grows in, the processing (wet vs dry)and, of course, the roasting method.
Among ther Coffee tourism hotspots Coorg referred to as the Scotland of India has taken the lead and can be undoubtedly declared as the coffee country of India, followed by Chikmagalur, Annamalai hills of Tamil Nadu, Munnar and new areas like Andhra Pradesh and Orissa.
Coorg
In the Coorg region Coffee tourism is spearheaded by Tata Coffee that offers plantation trails in this evergreen land. Old colonial Bungalows amid the idyllic coffee growing estates have been thoroughly spruced up and offered in two places namely Pollibetta and Glenlorna estates. Pollibetta just an hour’s drive from Madikari has coffee estates which are spread over an extensive area. A number of activities are offered to the tourists here apart from breathing the invigorating fresh air. A guided tour of the coffee making process tops the list of must dos at Pollibetta. Then there are the drives in open-top jeeps through the coffee-plantations with knowledgeable guides to understand the art of growing coffee. A casual stroll in the estates and interaction with the coffee planters are also extremely enjoyable. For golf enthusiasts, there is the Tata Coffee Golf Course to tee off your vacation in style.
Glenlorna plantation trails are located about 30 km from the Pollibetta trail near Hudikeri. Incidentally Glenlorna is the sole tea estate in the coffee country of Coorg. The bungalow at this estate is perched on a hillock and gives a bird’s eye view of the lush green plantations. Here also a visit to the tea factory coupled with a guided tour of the coffee and tea plantations are offered to the tourists.
Other than Tatas many private home stays are also offered in and around Madikari, Gonikoppal et al.
Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur district along with Hassan of Karntaka are also among the prominent coffee growing areas. Along with Plantation Trail Bungalows of Tata Coffee, there are also many others providing accommodation amid expansive coffee estates.
