The Malnad stretch of the Western Ghats in Karnataka is rightly famous for its natural beauty and traditional cuisine. This region makes for a great getaway for anyone who wants to stay close to nature and wants to relish good food!

In Attihally, near the hill station of Sakleshpur, is HemaKoota homestay run by husband-wife duo Gowtham and Manu Gowda. Set in an area of rolling hills with slopes covered in coffee, cardamom and pepper plantations and lush forests, HemaKoota is a simple home built in the traditional Malnad style with deep verandahs and tiled roof. The homestay offers six comfortable rooms, with attached baths and hot running water, in two bungalows.

The best part of the homestay experience is the Malnad cuisine on offer—all dishes are personally made by the hostess. The dishes include crowd pleasers like Akki Roti, a chapatti type flat bread made of rice flour, Neer Dosa, an unfermented dosa, Shavige or string hoppers, Kadubu, a stuffed dumpling type of dish made in both sweet and savory varieties and Malnad style pork and chicken curries and fries.

There is a whole range of activities to choose from to ensure all this good food doesn’t go straight to your waist!

The Bisle and Kaginahare reserve forests, among the 18 most diverse spots in the world in terms of flora and fauna, lies close at hand. Treks, hikes, birding walks and four-wheel vehicles to explore the great outdoors can be easily organised, as are plantation walks.

The best experience, though, might be just lounging on the verandah of the homestay watching the rains sweep through the green countryside.

Price: Rs 2,200 per person per night; includes all meals and some activities

Read more: http://www.hemakootahomestay.com/