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Pakistan Karakoram Highway Expedition
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Paradisa Plantation Retreat is a peaceful mountain resort, set on terraces carved into the precipitous Cardamom Hills in Kumily district, Kerala. Owned by Simon Paulose who left his pharmaceutical business to pursue his passion for living in remote places, the property has a humble beginning. Surrounded by beautiful views of the Cardamon Hills, nature trails and its proximity to the Periyar National Park, Simon decided to share his heavenly paradise with guests to the area.
Surrounded by a 40-acre coffee estate, Paradisa Plantation Retreat has just 13 individual wooden villas. All are built in traditional Kerala-style and strategically placed to offer a fabulous view and create an illusion of solitude. Inside, the décor is regal with period style furniture and embellished with antique columns and artefacts. Each has some sitting area offering beautiful views of the Cardamon Hills and its very own organically grown coffee and spice plantations.
The in-house restaurant serves delicious traditional curries and western favourites mixed with salads and soups prepared with fresh local ingredients. Paradisa Plantation Retreat has a swimming pool overlooking the hills, and offers yoga classes and there is a spa nearby. It also offers plantation walks with a visit to their factory, nature walks through diverse habitats and tours to Periyar Tiger Reserve, which is about 30-mins drive. There is also a golf course and some great adventure trips.
Amenities
Bar/PubCoffee ShopConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableGardenMultilingual StaffOutdoor PoolRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesSpa/SaunaStay Paradisa Plantation Retreat features just 9 free-standing cottages. All are built in traditional Keralan style, with jackwood walls, shuttered windows, heavy carved doors and terracotta-tiled roofs. Interiors are pleasingly simple and authentic, with whitewashed walls and dark wooden furniture embellished by antique columns and artefacts. Bathrooms, fitted with showers open out on to private walled courtyards. Private verandas have recliners for soaking up the surrounding nature.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at the Paradisa Plantation Retreat. There is a two-bedroom Cardamom Cottage, a 300-year-old timber house, which is ideal for families. There are no other specific facilities available for children. Babysitting service can be arranged, on request.
Dine There is in-house restaurant at the Paradisa Plantation Retreat overlooking the coffee and spice plantations. It serves a mix of authentic Keralan cuisine, Chinese and favourite continental dishes. Breakfast is a royal buffet affair and lunches are light with fresh salads and soups. Candle-lit dinners are generally a six-course feast of delicious local dishes which include spicy chicken or fish and vegetable dishes.
Relax The facilities at the Paradisa Plantation Retreat include a swimming pool with stunning views and is an idyllic spot to absorb the tranquillity of the surroundings. There is a small enclosure for Ayurvedic massages and Yoga classes. There is also a spa about 6kms away where many Ayruvedic therapies are available. There are also cookery classes where you can learn to cook typical Kerlan dishes from the house chef.
Experience Guests at the Paradisa Plantation Retreat can take nature walks amongst the surrounding coffee and spice plantation and take a look at the factory. Visit the Periyar tiger reserve and take a boating tour in the Periyar Lake, a popular activity. There are also long wildlife conservation treks and Jungle Night Patrols accompanied by two guides and an armed forest guard. There are also programmes with elephants that include elephant rides, bathing, feeding and photo sessions.
Location Nestled in the at the foot of the Cardamom hills in Kerala, the retreat is surrounded by it's own coffee and spice plantation.
Getting there The nearest airport is Cochin, a 4-hour drive away from Paradisa.
When to go Isolated from much of India by the Western Ghats, the climate of Kerala & Karnataka is tropical. The best time to visit is from January through to April. Summer is hot and humid; the monsoon season arrives in early June and lasts till August. While September can be dry and humid. There can be a little rain in October and November, cooling off around December and lasting until February.
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May 04 - 19, May 19, 2025
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