When night falls, when lights from the many resorts on mountains across begin to flicker, when the last vehicle has groaned its way up the ribbon-thin road, just sit in your balcony facing the mountains and listen to the silence as it slowly envelops you.
There’s so much to do at the Indriya Birds Valley Resorts but the best way to unwind after a stressful week is to laze around the six acre property located in a valley at Kunchithanny, which is around 17 kilometres from Munnar.
The night and the silence seem brittle, often broken by birdsong. Listening to the birds sing at night can be a different experience. There seemed to be birds all around. And when the first rays of the sun lights up the foggy grey you are able to spot some of them that whistle sweetly, chirp, make melodious calls even as you are drawn into their world at daybreak.
Now you know why they call their resort Birds Valley.
Built on the slope of a hillock the resort has cottages spread across the property amidst greenery offering beautiful views of the mountains and the valley. The lobby designed balancing image, style, operating efficiency and customer comfort provides a link to the cottages, the restaurant, and conference hall.
The cottages classified into five categories - Valley View, Mountain View, Maalika, Honeymoon Cottage and Presidential Suite - have private balconies with beautiful views. “Each of the cottages is self-sufficient, aesthetically designed, have their privacy and are connected to an efficient room service. Each of the cottages has their identity. For example, Maalika has twin rooms built in traditional architectural style, while the Honeymoon Cottages come with all facilities of others along with better privacy,” says Retheesh K.R., Resort Manager.
Above the lobby is the ethnic-themed multi-cuisine restaurant. Huge glass-paned windows open on three sides and there is also an extended area that offers a great view and is a great private dining space. The restaurant has been designed with wood panelling and stout beams that hold up the sloping thatched roof. The sturdy wooden furniture compliment the interior décor. “We have a buffet breakfast every morning and depending on the number of guests we arrange buffet dinners too. Since the cottages are spread across the six acres we serve our guests at their rooms too.”
For those who decide to spend most of the time in the resort there are ample activities other than snoozing off or listening to the symphony of birds. A well-equipped health club, Ayurveda spa, swimming pool, kid’s play area, pool table are some of them. “We also have other customised activities like the coffee, cocoa and toddy experience. Afternoons are perfect for a trip to the coffee and cocoa plantations where the guests get to see how toddy is collected from the coconut trees and are given a chance to taste the fresh drink. Camp fire with music, bathing in the nearby river along with your family, poolside barbecue are other activities we organise. A tree house at the highest point, in one end of the resort, is a great place to chill out with friends.”
If you have seen Munnar more than once there’s nothing better than spending a couple of days in Birds Valley. Trek the slopes through the small patch of tea garden, the endemic species of fruit trees and herbs. When your legs tire stretch out and get back into the world that you had left behind - the world of the birds, their songs, their chorus. Simply listen and forget yourself.
( The writer was at the resort on invitation )
