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Pakistan Karakoram Highway Expedition
Pakistan
Talayar Valley Bungalow is a colonial era, tea-planter’s bungalow, set near the Munnar hill station on the Western Ghats of Kerala. Built in the first half of the past century, it was occupied by the colonial estate managers and their families, who lived a life that was once luxurious and isolated. Now owned by the Woodbriar Group tea estate, these are comprehensively updated, creating a look that is more high-end boutique hotel complete with original fixtures and furniture.
Surrounded by green mountains and overlooking the beautiful Pambar river, Talayar Tea Bungalow offers just four spacious rooms. All are individually decorated with large comfy beds, tasteful wallpaper and luxuriant bathrooms. Sitting areas with fireplaces look out onto the surrounding gardens, often visited by a variety of birds. Keeping the colonial style ambience, tea is served in the veranda and meals are tailored to your tastes and served in the dining room or in the gardens.
The highlight of your stay at the Talayar Valley Bungalow is the Tea Experience. Living within the tea estate it is hard not take a guided tour and visit the 'Tea Manufacturing Workshop' to learn the secrets of selecting and making a good cuppa. The fine experience begins with plucking your own tea, processing, tasting and finally rising up to the Manager’s position to understand its economics. One day, visit Munnar to see Kathakali dance or hike up the 2,740m Anamudi Peak.
Amenities
Bar/PubCoffee ShopConciergeCribs/Infant Beds AvailableDisabled FacilitiesGardenMultilingual StaffRestaurantSafety Deposit BoxesStay Talayar Valley Bungalow features just four spacious rooms. Each of the rooms are individually decorated with warm tones and furnished using period style furniture to create an old-world ambience. All are homely with plenty of space and are surrounded by lovely gardens filled with birds and the occasional stray elephant. The Royal Talayar Suite is the largest and one of the rooms sits separately from the main building which is more private and has its very own Terrace area.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Talayar Tea Bungalow but there are no specific facilities available for children. Babysitting service can be arranged on request.
Dine There is an inhouse restaurant with trained chefs at the Talayar Valley Bungalow. Day’s menu is tailored in consultation with the guests and meals prepared with fresh ingredients and spices either locally sourced or from their own kitchen garden. Meals are served in the elaborate dining area or al fresco in the hotels lawns.
Relax There is a cosy living room with a fireplace and comfortable seating for relaxing during the day. Surrounding the Talayar Tea Bungalow are private tropical gardens, perfect for leisurely walks with spectacular views of the surrounding hills with tea plantations. In the evenings you can enjoy a BBQ and sit around the fire pit enjoying a drink.
Experience Munnar is a former hill resort of the British Raj, now surrounded by rolling hills dotted with 19th-century tea plantations. Talayar Valley Bungalow offers a wide range of guided walking and biking tours through the surrounding tea estates and mountains. You can visit the ‘Tea Manufacturing Workshop’, learn about tea plucking and processing, and also visit the Tea museum. Interesting sites in the area include Mattupetty dam, Rajamala Lakkom waterfalls and Briar wooden bridge.
Location 18km from Munnar, on the way to Udumelpet.
Getting there The flight to Cochin from London is roughly 10-hours, indirect via Dubai, with Emirates. From Cochin drive 4-hours into the beautiful Wetern Ghats where you will find Munnar. The Bungalow is only 18km from Munnar.
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.
Destination
Southern, India
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May 04 - 19, May 19, 2025
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