Green Magic Tree House Resort, Wayanad

Green Magic Tree House Resort
Wayanad - India

On my way to Ooty - one of many Hill Stations in India - I stopped at the Green Magic Tree House Resort for an overnight. Shortly before I left Mysore I heard about these tree house hotel in the rain forest of Fintser Hills, Kerala.

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Green Magic Tree House Resort - a bumpy 30-minute Jeep-ride up the hill.

Needless to say, my bad-planed trip didn't result in a tree house stay - others were faster and had booked well in advance. I had to spend the night in one of the 'row-huts' on the ground.

Not that it was a bad thing per se - the staff was wonderful, the vegetarian food simply delicious and the bed comfy - but ever since I gazed up to those fairy huts I am spell bound.

I long to return to spend a few days away from the world's hustle and bustle - without phones, computers or any other urban disturbances.

What could be better than waking up with the first sun rays that filter through the leaves, listening to the jungle concert composed by wildlife, reading and sipping tea in the slightly swaying tree canopies, and glancing once in a while lazily through the thick misty foliage into velvety green valleys, interrupted only by the occasional visit of the squirrel in residence, while waiting for and other blissful sunset.

A magical setting for a Tree House Resort

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The Green Magic Tree House Resort is set amongst 500 acres of enchanting jungle hills at an altitude of approx. 4000 feet (1300 m), surrounded by innumerable shades of green in the Wayanad rain forest that circles Vythiri - a hilly region of dwindling coffee-, pepper-, tea- and cardamom plantations. A perfect hideaway for nature loving stressed out visitors.

The Indian "eco-entrepreneur and pioneer" Babu Varghese is responsible for this adventure. Incidentally, it's not the only or first eco project he designed. When rice boats got replaced by trucks, he converted them into luxury houseboats called Kettuvaleam that navigate tourists through Kerala's backwaters.

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The Tree House Resort is built of eco materials like wood, bamboo, cane and with the help of local craftsman who applied indigenous techniques used for centuries by the Paniya tribe to build their erumadams - their native habitats to protect them from wild animal attacks.

The Tree House Resort offers all the basics. Built on giant ficus trees - apparently one of the most sturdiest trees with strong roots - the tree houses are equipped with western-style flushing toilets, sinks and showers - albeit cold ones. The two-story houses have open plan bedrooms with double beds and wrap around verandas.

Minimal negative impact

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For once, an eco resort truly deserves that description. The green philosophy is thought out and carried through - It's taken seriously up here. There are no pollution spitting and noisy diesel generators, instead renewable energy is produced - a combination of gober gas from cow dung and kitchen waste for cooking. Kerosene hurricane lamps provide a romantic and fitting ambiance.

Water source is a small lake close by. The water is brought in through high-density pipes and sent through a fine jet to turn a turbine with a dynamo. The electricity is stored in batteries for limited use.

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It doesn't stop there. Absolutely no plastic is allowed and the guests are banned from using cosmetics. Instead, the goodies-basket is filled with soap made of red sandalwood and turmeric for the face, weak bark for the body and rice charcoal-toothpaste.

Vegetables and fruits are grown organically for the delicious traditional Kerala cuisine, served on banana leaves - a fingerpicking delightful experience!

Good to Know

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If you are panicky about heights, you might want to rethink your night in the penthouse tree suite.

Not only are the tree houses swaying a little in the tree canopies approx. 26 meter (90 feet) above ground - one of them is accessed by a unique and somewhat scary looking hand-winched wicker cage.

Of course, the construction of the tree house resort is proved and tried and secure as can be - but the sight of the 'mechanics' - a water filled bag that hauls the cage up the tree - can be intimidating at first, and so can balancing along the suspension bridge made of coir rope.

The Tree House Resort is camouflaged by the thick jungle foliage and reached by a 30 to 45-minute drive (4x4 vehicle only) from Calicut. Driving in the rainy season can be quite a challenge on the dirt track.

You can take guided hikes on natural jungle walkways that lead to view points and learn about the abundant flora and fauna - hundreds of varieties of tree ferns, mosses and flowering plants visited by flamboyant butterflies and birds. It's also home to an army of leaches so you may want to take appropriate shoes and long trousers with you.

There's only you and nature - so you better like your own company.

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The temperature is a year-round cool 15 - 25° C (59 - 77 F). It's very pleasant, though an extra sweater can't hurt since it is a bit on the damp side, especially during the rainy season.

From June to December the Wayanad hills are drenched with rain. This is the season for the adventurous that enjoy the mist clad mountains of the rain forest, but don't mind the extra leeches lurching on the ground.

Oh, and you better not forget the password. To enjoy room service of sorts in the lofty heights, you've got to imitate the cuckoo's call and tea will be winched up to you.

Treehouses: 4 with 2 double bedrooms each
Jungle cottages: 8 - Rates: US$ 85
Bathrooms: private en-suites in the tree houses
Room Service: Limited
Transfers: To and from airport and train station included in the US$-room-rates
Single occupancy: 70% of the rate below.
Rates: US$ 240 per treehouse and night plus taxes - Rates include breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea for two (no soft drinks or alcohol available).

Address

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Jungle Park Resorts
Green MagicNature Resort
Vythiri,Lakkidi
Wayanad
Kerala
India

Telephone: +91-495-6521163
E-mail Information

Before you decide to go read the reviews. I had a wonderful time there but that was quite a few years back and things seemed to have changed quite a bit. So please take the time to read up on the latest news.

Getting there

20 km to Kalpetta (nearest town)
68 km Calicut Railway Station
85 km Calicut International Pairport
125 km Ooty
130 km Mysore
290 km Bangalore
220 km Bangalore
13 km to the nearest Hospital

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Area Attractions

The hills and valleys around Wayanad are filled with jungle life, waterfalls, and picturesque plantations. Trekking, bird watching, elephant safaris, herbal garden, floriculture and horticulture farms.

The area is also the cradle of a rich cultural heritage. Trek to a tribal village or visit the Edakkal caves (Neolithic drawings, rock carvings), the tomb of Pazhassi Raja, Wayanad and Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuary, and many places of interest.

Excursion and trekkings can be booked at the Jungle Park Resort.