Activities

- As YOU like it!

All sorts of activities can be undertaken at the Hermitage, but not necessarily as an organized program. Guests can decide how they want to spend their day, how active or inactive they want to be. Walkabouts on the farm and participating in farm activities are part of our stay program and are at no extra cost. Those guests interested in the local culture, and interacting with the local communities, will get plenty of opportunities to do so. Guests may also choose just to relax, read, chat, or play a game of mah-jongg.

What follows is a list of some activities for your stay at The Hermitage. Your hosts are always available to help you plan your days here.

Trekking
You will find the Western Ghats a remarkable area to trek in. Chose the length of your trek, half or full day; some areas require higher standards of physical fitness than others. Delight in the areas around Abnali, Dongargoan or Jamgoan. Explore the banks of The Bandora and Mahadai rivers. If tracking animals is what interests you, indulge. You will find Birding hotspots in all these areas. Charges depend on the length of trek and the area selected.

Excursions by 4 x 4 Jeep
There are a number of excursions that guests can undertake. The cost of an excursion depends on the duration, either half or full day, and the distance travelled. All full day excursions will include a picnic lunch.

Krishnapur Village and the Mahadai Valley:
Krishnapur is a small village of just a few houses deep in the interior and located in the Valley of the Mahadai (Mandovi) River. A truly amazing place to spend the day, enjoy the river, marvel at the views, identify birds and butterflies. Swim, trek, or even read.

 

Bhimghad
A natural stone fortress deep within the interior, near the village of Krishnapur. It was used by Shivaji the great Maratha ruler as an Outpost. It is believed that Bhim, of the Indian epic, the Mahabaratha, visited Bhimgad and hence the name. The trek is strenuous and you need to be physically fit. Wonderful views, thick jungle, and total isolation.

Gavali
A tiny remote village set in the middle of mountainous terrain. Visit the Pohe Vajara waterfalls and the pool at the bottom. Best after the monsoons. A hotspot for butterflies. The Trek to Pohe Vajara is strenuous and you need to be physically fit. A thoroughly enjoyable and wonderful experience.

Pansera and Dikaygalli
A short distance away by Jeep from the Hermitage, spending the day at Pansera is something you won't regret! Take your swimwear along for a dip in the river. Plenty of birds and butterflies to spot and wonderful views of the Mahadai Valley. Visit Dikaygalli a small hamlet hidden away in the folds of the valley, follow the stream and take a dip in the river.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
Just an hour and a half away is the wild life sanctuary at Dandeli. Also worth a visit is Kavala Caves, limestone caves said to be inhabited since prehistoric times. Climb the 1000 steps to get you there, admire the view and then enter a labyrinth of tunnels that go on underground for miles.
Syntheri Rock: On the banks of the River Kaneri is Syntheri Rock, a 90-meter high granite monolith moulded by nature. Home to rock bees, and pigeons.

Ulvi Caves - Dizzying gorges breathtaking views and rock pillars 500 meters high.

Adventure Sports at Ganeshgudi
Just an hour's run from the Hermitage is the small settlement of Ganeshgudi and the river Kali. Under the expert guidance of John Pollard and his team, have a go at white water rafting. Also available the ultimate white water experience, solo kayaking. For the less adventurous, there is the option of a coracle ride down the river Kali, and the opportunity to do a bit of crocodile spotting.

Tibetan Settlement at Mundgod
Drive through enchanting country to Yellapur, a small rural settlement, and continue your journey to Mundgod and the Tibetan Settlement. Visit the monastery and carpet centre. They also have a clinic dispensing Tibetan Medicine.

Other Places of Interest
Other places of interest include a visit to the waterfalls at Gokak; Lalguli falls at Yellapur; the historical town of Kittur; and the temples of Halsie. For those of you interested in birding there is the Ghataprabha Bird Sanctuary, and for those on a longer stay, you can use the Hermitage as a base to visit the historical sites of Northern Karnataka at Hampi, Badami, Pattadakal and so on.

Textile Dyeing
The Natural Dyeing of Textiles: One of the most enjoyable and hugely satisfying ways to spend your time is to try your hand at dyeing fabric with natural dyes. Here at the Hermitage, nature provides a wealth of plants that will yield their colour for the purpose of dyeing, many having been used since antiquity. Almost any organic material will produce a colour when boiled in a dye-bath, and almost all the parts of a plant can be used, leaves and stems, twigs and flower heads, barks and roots, hulls and husks. The range of colours is incredible, yellow red and brown, blue, purple and pink.
The dyeing experience begins with the collection of dyestuff, you can pick and choose, select and reject be it leaves, berries or seeds. Part of the enjoyment is not knowing what colour will result! Using a different mordant with the same dyestuff can produce different shades, for example, iron [old rusty nails will do] is used to darken colours, tin brightens them.
You will find all that you need at the Hermitage to start you off on your first dyeing experience.

Throwing a Pot
Ever thrown a pot? Have you ever wished you could try your hand at the potter's wheel? Said to be a meditative and stress relieving activity, at the Hermitage you can spend as long as you like experimenting with clay. For those of you, not too keen on the wheel, try your hand at other methods of pottery making, using the clay that Khanapur Taluka is so well known for.

Yoga Classes
The Hermitage provides a wonderful backdrop to practice your yoga, quiet and serene. Arrangements can be made for a yoga master to give you lessons. Beginner's welcome. However advance notice must be given so that arrangements can be made.

A customized itinerary can be put together for you, we invite you to discuss your needs via e-mail. Or if you prefer you can make your choices when you get here.

Does this appeal to your sense of what a travel experience should be?