A Slow Weekend in a Wayanad Treehouse – The Perfect Monsoon Escape

I stand on the balcony of our treehouse, watching the sky change its mind. One moment, it is a brilliant blue, dotted with huge cotton candy clouds. The next, grey monsoon clouds roll in and the rain begins to fall. Even in the middle of the afternoon, the chorus of crickets and cicadas fills the air. And songs of countless birds echo through the trees. A peacock, its magnificent plumage glistening, strolls out of the bushes to forage without a care in the world. I find myself smiling as I gaze out at the endless velvety green, trying to identify the little bird perched on a tree in the distance. And my heart quietly wonders, how can a place be this beautiful and so incredibly soothing?

We have been to Wayanad many times before. Yet this trip was different in many ways. It is the first time we drove there in our own car. And instead of a hotel or resort in the more popular side of Wayanad, we chose to stay in a quiet treehouse managed by a local family. I must say, our whole experience was elevated by the warmth of our humble hosts and the peaceful surroundings. Read on to know more about this road trip and our amazing stay.

The Drive – Bangalore (Bengaluru) to Wayanad

The drive time to Wayanad may vary depending on where you stay. We stayed close to Kuruva Island, which is nearer to the Karnataka border (around 270 km from Bangalore). It took us about 7 hours, including the stops. We never rush our road trips and relish the journey and the chai breaks 🙂 . So our drive time may be a little longer. But if you start early from Bangalore, 6 hours should be enough including a breakfast stop. If you’re staying farther into Wayanad, in places like Kalpetta or Vythiri, it may take 7–7.5 hours. One thing I can assure you, though, is that the drive is beautiful throughout. So buckle up and enjoy the journey.

The roads are in excellent condition almost all the way, except for a short rough stretch through the forest. But honestly, with the forest looking so pretty after the rains, I was happy to overlook the bumpy road. It also seemed to be butterfly season, as the entire forest was teeming with them – hundreds of yellow and cream-coloured butterflies fluttering around. And then spotting herds of deer and an elephant by the roadside was icing on the cake. 

Don’t forget to make a breakfast stop at Bidadi for its famous Thatte Idli. For the most authentic experience, I’d recommend taking the highway exit and eating at one of the old roadside eateries instead of the restaurants along the highway. We absolutely love Shri Shiva Darshana Shashi Thatte Idli Hotel. Their fresh, melt-in-the-mouth idlis and crispy vadas are completely worth the detour. After all, every good road trip starts with a good breakfast. 😊

Our stay in Wayanad – A cosy treehouse amidst nature

How often do you come across a stay and feel, this is exactly what I was looking for? Because that’s exactly how we felt when we stumbled upon Kalidasa Treehouse and Villa. This time, all we wanted was not a fancy resort, but a peaceful retreat where we could slow down and simply be. A place with all the creature comforts, yet tucked away from the crowds. And this charming little treehouse nestled amidst a plantation felt like the perfect match.

The best part was that it was owned and managed by a local family who served delicious farm-to-table home-cooked meals. Having always loved authentic local experiences over luxury, we were instantly sold. Now, after spending two beautiful days in this little slice of heaven, I can confidently say it has been one of our most memorable stay experiences in India so far.

About the Property 

The property is spread across a three-acre plantation. And it has just one treehouse and one cottage. That means all you see around is lush greenery, with no concrete structures in sight. The plantation is also home to a wonderful variety of birds. So if you are a bird enthusiast, you are in for a treat. The host family lives on the property and manages everything themselves – from preparing meals to taking care of the cleaning and maintenance. I believe this personal touch is what makes this stay so unique.

The Treehouse

The treehouse we stayed in is built around an old tamarind tree very aesthetically. It is compact, but well organised, spotlessly clean and is well equipped with basic amenities. There is a small attached bathroom and a balcony where we loved sitting and watching the rain. The lower part of the treehouse is used as a sitting cum dining area where all our delicious meals were served. I mean food with lush views and bird music is not something we get everyday in the city. So this became my favourite part of the stay.

Our Experience

We loved the property right from the moment we stepped in. Even in the early afternoon, it donned a dreamy look under the cloudy monsoon sky. The pathway leading to our treehouse was lined with coffee plants and fruit trees – mangoes, jackfruits, avocados, papayas and cinnamon too. The loud buzzing of cicadas made it feel more like dusk than the middle of the day. The lone treehouse felt perfectly secluded and wonderfully romantic, as though we had our own little corner of the plantation to ourselves. We would spend hours sitting in the balcony or in the dining area relishing the lush views and watching birds. And when it rained, it somehow made everything even more beautiful.

Then came the food, and this was one of those rare times when I looked forward to every single meal. Not just because everything was delicious, but because each dish introduced us to unique local flavours. Be it the tangy jackfruit seed and raw mango curry, the crispy chundakka (turkey berry) fritters, or the fresh mango-coconut chutney, every dish was wholesome, full of flavour, and felt like it had been prepared with so much love and care. Our hosts made sure we never missed out on anything being vegetarians. Honestly, in all our visits to Kerala over the years, I can’t remember having food that was this memorable.

Before we knew it, two beautiful days had gone by, surrounded by nature and the warmest hospitality. During the entire stay, our hosts made sure we had everything we needed, often even before we asked. When we returned late from our Kabini safari one evening, he was waiting with hot coffee and warm water. Every time it rained, an extra umbrella would quietly find its way to us. But what truly touched our hearts was the way they said goodbye. 

They packed us mangoes, jackfruit, and pathimugam (East Indian redwood, used to make herbal pink water) from their garden. Despite the rain, they stood outside waving until we drove away. Later that day, they even checked in to make sure we had reached Bangalore safely. It didn’t feel like we were leaving a stay. It felt like we were saying goodbye to family. And we knew in our hearts, we would be back again someday.

What we did or Things to do

Honestly, this is the kind of place where you could simply pass time by doing nothing. Just take long walks, enjoy finger licking food with a view, watch the birds, or simply sit down reading a book or watch the rain. However, if you get bored from doing nothing (which I think is impossible 😀 ), there are a few activities you can opt for.

Kabini Forest Safari (Nagarahole Tiger Reserve)

It’s an unusual choice to stay in Wayanad and come for a safari to Kabini. But it is an option. The hosts can arrange a safari in Kabini through a local contact. And it’s a wonderful experience, especially if you enjoy seeing wildlife in their natural habitat. The forest is home to an incredible variety of birds and animals, including the majestic tiger. However, if you are planning your trip at least 10 days in advance, I would recommend booking the safari online yourself as it’s much cheaper.

The stay is about 1–1.5 hours from the Kakanakote Gate, and since the route passes through Nagarahole National Park, the forest checkpoint doesn’t open until 6 am. This makes the morning safari impractical, so it’s best to opt for the afternoon safari (3–6 pm).

One important tip from our experience – plan the safari on the day you are driving back to Bangalore. By the time the afternoon safari ends, and you return, the forest checkpoint is closed.  So you won’t be able to return to the treehouse via the same route. We learnt this the hard way and had to take a much longer route, turning a one-hour drive into nearly four. If you don’t plan to drive back to Bangalore that evening, it’s better to skip the safari and visit Kabini as a separate trip.

Visit Thirunelli Temple

Thirunelli Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is popularly known as the Kashi of the South. Beautifully nestled amidst forests and hills, it is as scenic as it is spiritual. The drive to the temple is equally beautiful, passing through winding forest roads. Since it’s only about 20 km from the stay, you can visit at any time of the day. Just keep the temple timings in mind. The hosts can also arrange a jeep ride to the temple, which doubles up as an evening forest safari.

We loved the jeep ride, driving under a sky full of stars with fireflies twinkling among the trees. We were also lucky to spot 10–12 elephants, along with deer and a herd of bison by the roadside. However, one aspect didn’t sit well with us. Many jeeps stopped to shine bright lights on the animals so visitors could get a better view. We even saw a young elephant become visibly disturbed by the lights and vehicles. We requested our driver not to stop or shine the torch on the wildlife, and I would encourage you to do the same if you choose this safari. Alternatively, you can visit the temple during the day in your own vehicle. The forest is home to a healthy elephant population, so there is still a good chance of spotting them along the way.

Spend time by the river

Take a short 15-minute walk from the property along the main road and you will reach the banks of the Kaveri River. Flowing gently between lush greenery, it’s a very peaceful spot and a great place for birdwatching. We were lucky to spot two different species of woodpeckers in the trees nearby, which aren’t commonly seen.

The large rocks along the river make the perfect place to sit for a while, read a book, or simply close your eyes and listen to the soothing sound of the flowing water. There is also a small check dam a little further ahead. We couldn’t make it there as we were running late and weren’t sure of the way, but the hosts can guide you if you would like to explore it as well.

Sunset Point

There is also a sunset viewpoint nearby that our host offered to take us to. Unfortunately, it started raining that evening, so we couldn’t make it. We were told it offers beautiful views of the river at sunset, so it’s worth considering if the weather cooperates during your stay.

Kuruva Island

Kuruva Island is just a short drive away and makes for a lovely half-day outing, especially in the morning. The ticket booking is online as they allow limited number of people in a day. And on weekends the tickets get sold out. So plan beforehand if you want to visit.

Banasura Sagar Dam

Banasura Sagar Dam is about 30 km from the property and takes around an hour to reach. Although we didn’t visit it on this trip, we’ve been there twice before, including once during the monsoon. Surrounded by velvety green hills, the dam looks absolutely stunning at this time of the year. There are also a few adventure activities like speed boating and zip-lining near the dam. However, they may be weather dependent. So inquire before you visit if the activities interest you.

Know before you go 

• Since the treehouse and villa are nestled amidst a plantation, seeing insects is quite common, especially after lights are switched on. So it’s best to keep the doors closed. Surprisingly though, mosquitoes were very few. As it is monsoon, we also noticed quite a few caterpillars on the trees, and every now and then one would crawl up to the treehouse to say hi. 😀 . So just keep an eye out for them.

• If you’re travelling with young kids, do keep in mind that the property doesn’t have a play area or organised activities. However, if your children enjoy spending time in nature, going on short walks, or spotting birds, they’ll have plenty to keep them engaged.

Conclusion

On our way back, it kept raining for most of the journey. We drove leisurely, taking in every bit of the glowing grasslands, the dripping green forest and the rain-drenched scenery. Of course, one or more coffee stops were made along the way. And we were back home with wonderful memories. So, if you are looking for a monsoon getaway from Bangalore or craving a few days of nature therapy, then let this quiet side of Wayanad work its charm on you.

That’s it from our side. If you enjoyed reading this blog or have any questions about the trip, leave us a comment below. And we will get back to you as soon as we can.