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Plantation Nature Walk

This is a half-day excursion in the lush green hills of Kundamkuzhi, located an hour’s drive north-east of The Hermitage. You will walk through shaded plantations of coconut and areca palm, rubber trees and pepper vines, that are perched on the edge of the hillside with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. The area is rich in wild species of many plants – coriander, lemon-grass, chillies, water-apple, papaya – and the walk is fascinating as it gives an idea of the ways in which local people have always lived in harmony with nature. You will visit deep man-made caves which have been dug into the hillsides to provide natural conduits for potable water, have a natural pedicure from feet-nibbling fish, enjoy a water-massage from monsoon waterfalls and learn how to catch frogs using only a thin stem of the palm leaf!

"The greeting in Neeleshwar set the tone of the coming week: it was warm, professional, calm and had an understated attention to detail that meant you could completely relax into the arms of the place. Neeleshwar is beautiful, superbly run and the best place I have ever visited for recharging a weary body and mind. By the end of the week I felt 10 years younger."
Monty Don ( Gardening expert)