Waking up in the middle of a coffee plantation, surrounded by a reserve forest, is not something most of us city dwellers are used to. Compared to the constant hustle of urban life—the traffic, honking, pollution, and even the daily loudspeakers playing the familiar Swachh Bharat “Matkum Kuppai, Makkal Kuppai” awareness song—this felt like a completely different world.
Here, the morning began gently with the sounds of birds and the cool breeze flowing through the plantation. For someone used to city chaos, waking up to such calmness truly felt like heaven.
With a warm cup of freshly brewed, homegrown coffee in hand and a hearty breakfast to start the day, we set out with absolutely no fixed plans—something that often leads to the most memorable experiences while traveling.
The Attempt to Reach Eleneer Waterfalls
We decided to explore Eleneer Waterfalls, located about 5 km from our stay at Coffee Gudda Resort.
About halfway through the route, the road turned into a rough off-road trail. Eventually, we had to park the car in the middle of a dense wooded stretch and continue on foot. There was no mobile reception, and not a single person around to guide us in case we took the wrong path.
The waterfall lies inside a private property, and visitors need to get permission from the owner and pay a small entry fee of ₹50. We began walking along a muddy, sloping trail that stretched for nearly a kilometer through thick vegetation.
During the trek we even encountered a snake, which definitely made the walk a little more adventurous—and cautious.
Unfortunately, luck wasn’t on our side that day. When we reached the property area, there was no one present to grant permission, and without network coverage we couldn’t call the number mentioned at the entrance.
Although we couldn’t actually see the waterfall, the trek itself turned out to be quite memorable. It would have been perfect if we had managed to reach the falls, but sometimes the journey itself becomes the story.
Deciding to Stay Longer
Once back at the resort, the calm surroundings tempted us to extend our stay. The beauty and quietness of the plantation made it difficult to leave immediately.
We spent the rest of the day slowly exploring the estate—walking through rows of coffee plants, observing the flowers and greenery, and simply soaking in the peaceful atmosphere.
We also visited a small Ganesha temple tucked away within a nearby tea garden, a charming and serene little spot surrounded by nature.
Later in the afternoon, we stopped by a local jewellery store, Annapoorneshwari Jewellery, to look at some traditional designs. The shop owner was very friendly and happily chatted with us about his work, his children, and their higher education.
Interestingly, he mentioned that he doesn’t advertise his business at all. He seemed content with the steady flow of customers he receives through word of mouth—a simple yet refreshing perspective in today’s fast-paced commercial world.
Dinner Through the Tea Estates
As night fell, we drove once again through the dark, winding roads surrounded by tea estates to have dinner at the now familiar Nandhini Dosa Camp.
The quiet drive through the plantations, with cool air flowing through the windows and almost no traffic around, felt incredibly peaceful.
Sometimes the best travel days are the ones without a rigid itinerary—just nature, quiet roads, and simple experiences that stay with you long after the journey ends.
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