Kanchigar Estate Homestay - Where coffee is a way of life!

Nivedita, your gracious host makes you feel at home from the get go. She is also the architect of the residence - a combination of a colonial style planter’s home and an ethnic Indian bungalow with sloping roofs, high ceilings and ethnic interiors. With just 4 rooms on offer, this abode stays true to the homestay concept - you stay with the family in their residence, share meals and be a part of their family - providing you an intimate and personalized experience. Your days at Kanchigar estate are occupied with walks in the estate, angling in the man-made pond, picnics, hikes, reading a book in the deck watching the sun set on the green hills and of course learning all about coffee! For those interested in yoga, you can also request for a yoga session every morning during your stay.

Though there are activities galore, the plantation walk at the neighboring Kanachur estate with a third generation planter is a highlight. He will take you through the entire process of coffee production and gives you a glimpse into the daily life of a planter on this walk. His passion for coffee shows in the way he conducts the walk and it is infectious!! He has been given many awards for his achievement in coffee-farming and uses international technology to maintain sustainable farming practices. A dinner at his elegant home is also a treat and not to be missed. Another experience that warrants a mention is the coffee tasting session which shows you how coffee can be brewed to your taste.

While you can revel in the solitude that Kanchigar Estate has to offer, it is also a perfect launch pad to visit the temples at the nearby towns of Belur and Halebeedu - the erstwhile capitals of the Hoysala Empire. A mere 45 minutes’ drive takes you to Chennakeshava Temple at Belur and 30 minutes further to the Hoysaleshwara Temple. Both temples are the epitome of Hoysala style of architecture with intricate carvings, numerous figurines and the unique star shaped base – not to be missed! You can then come back to the serene surroundings of the estate away from the bustle of Hassan town which is otherwise used as the base to explore these temples.

We understand that seeing and doing while on a holiday is important, however, food is an intrinsic part of the whole experience and at Kanchigar estate this is done with absolute finesse. You will get to taste delectable local dishes which are prepared by your host personally, whether vegetarian or non-vegetarian, everything is lip-smackingly good. All the ingredients are sourced from the veggie patch within the estate!!

To sum it up, a stay at Kanchigar estate is an authentic and immersive experience at a home away from home. Its location coupled with tranquil surroundings and warm hospitality makes it a perfect retreat to soak in the best of nature and culture of the region. The best time to visit Kanchigar Estate at Chikamagalur is between the months of December and March which is the coffee picking season.