Does silence roar? Or does it twitter? Perhaps both. Welcome to the Rainforest boutique resort, tucked right into the lap of nature. Shrug off the city along with your coat and just soak in the misty sprays of the cascading Athirapally waterfalls at Chalakudy, Kerala. Or simply rest your eyes on the lush green of the pristine Sholayar rainforest.
Here, you have the luxury of choosing to just be. Let your senses awaken to the chants of the wild, the rumble of the 80-foot high waterfalls and the busy chatter of exotic birds. Besides, at the Rainforest, going natural does not equate to being austere. Slip into the welcoming warmth of silky quilts or down a delicious drink as you lounge in your well-appointed room.
As a boutique hotel set in 7 acres of virtually virgin rainforest, they pamper their guests as well as the environment. For an intimate yet grandiose experience with the wild, step into the Rain forest.
Luxury Room
Six luxury rooms that draw you in with their chic interiors and prompt services on-demand, be it the stacked mini-bar or the doctor-on-call service. The stylish furniture has a touch of minimalism about it, while being high on the comfort factor.
Look out the large windows for more than a glimpse of the forest that surrounds you. You have all the beauty of nature right outside your window and all the comforts of modernity inside your room: special care has been taken to ensure that every room is insect-and-dust-proof.
You may just end up spending more time in the relaxing shower than in the room. And did we mention sipping a piping hot cup of coffee while enjoying the misty falls, right from the balcony?
Premium Room
If the luxury rooms are swish, the two premium rooms elevate the concept to the next level. Step in, and be prepared to be mesmerised. for just drawing your curtains will provide you with the breathtaking waterfall view right from the living room.
The tastefully-furnished room is sure to catch the eye of the aesthete for the care that has gone into finding just the right pieces for the room, from the modernist painting to the sleek bedside lamps. The colour palette of the room's and their decor have been conceptualised to blend in with the natural beauty surrounding the resort: the white linen offsetting the terracotta floors and dark wood furniture.
If you want to refresh yourself before exploring the forest and the falls, just step into the in-room jacuzzi. Let the water jets massage the fatigue out of your body. Like to wallow in your bath? How about doing some sightseeing right from your tub? The bathroom also looks out onto the magnificent falls.
Celestial Room
A room fit for the gods: the ambience of the elegant celestial room is designed to suit those who appreciate the finer things in life. The roomy interiors of the suite are laid out in high style.
Making do with little is definitely not on the celestial room's design agenda; neither is it part of the mental make-up of the clients who opt for this singular room. That's why the Celestial room comes with luxuriant add-ons like the walk-in wardrobe and foot massager.
Of course, looking out the large windows at the misty falls is a luxury that beats every manmade one. Need we explain why this is the preferred room of celebrities on their secretive visits to Athirapally?
Tree House
Just looking at this tree house is sure to bring back happy memories. Climb into it, and the tree house surprises you with its airy expanse, not to mention the amenities at hand. So you can lounge in luxury even as you indulge the child in you.
The tree house is an exceptional example of the fusion of nature with modern architecture. This design marvel, created by a Swiss architect, has been engineered to allow for the needs of the growing tree. Special care has gone into the design of the tree house to ensure that the tree is unharmed while the tree house remains a safe abode.
Standing in your tree house and looking out at the tops of the trees in the rainforest and the thundering waterfall is an exhilarating sight indeed. A feeling of oneness with Nature prevails. This one-of-a-kind tree house is unique in Kerala, for the kind of luxuries it offers while being right out there in the wild. Enjoy all your en-suite amenities even as the breeze tickles you awake in the mornings or the twittering birds keep you company before sunset.
At Foliage, the alfresco restaurant at Rainforest, dining is an experience to be savoured. The menu is tailored to your needs and you can even try some unusual, native delicacies. The Restaurant's other speciality is scrumptious continental fare.
The restaurant opens out to the lawns, which have a 180-degree view of the waterfalls. Every mouthful is accompanied by the song of the falls and the wind whispering in the trees. There's nothing quite like a dinner in moonlight; try it on the lawns at the Rainforest for an experience you will never forget. Sit out on the lawn, sip your favourite beverage and get munching, even as the night plays out around you.
It's the perfect setting for romantic dinners: the muted roar of the falls adds to the allure of the starry sky and the feeling of being by yourselves in the vast wilderness. Taste every mouthful and every moment as time unravels in slow motion.
What will it be like to wake up to sunlight filtering in through dense woods? To go to sleep, lulled by the rhythms of the rainforest? The majestic Sholayar forest reserves practically cradle the Rainforest boutique resort, the clean lines of its architecture being the only clue to this hideaway when seen from a distance.
Traditionally, tropical rainforests are called the 'jewels of the Earth' because of the richness of animal and plant life found here. Scientists often find as-yet-undiscovered species of reptiles, amphibians and mammals in the secret depths of the mighty rainforest. Often, the rainforest flora consists of rare, medicinal plants and herbs. To stand under the verdant canopy and sense the forest whispering around you is like slipping into another time altogether: a simpler time when man had not yet broken Nature's peace. The experience becomes much more meaningful when you interact with the resort personnel who offer you much more than the best of service; they are well-versed with the features and quirks of the breathtaking waterfalls and the rainforest that surround them.
The Rainforest resort is accessible only by a road that winds through the hills and trees of the ravishing rainforest. Once you are here, you can give up all the cares of civilisation and rewrite the cadences of your life. The experience of living in communion with Nature transports you to a higher plane altogether. So much so that on your drive back to the airport, you wonder if the Rainforest and its sublime experience was just an hour's drive away!
Nature's Experience
A well-preserved tropical rainforest is in itself an uncommon sight; spotting the exotic animals and birds that make the forest their home is rarer still. You can see all that and the added beauty of a thundering waterfall at Athirapally. The Rainforest boutique resort is situated in the Sholayar range of virgin rainforest. That is why conservation is high on our priority list and we ensure that we are up to date with eco-friendly practices.
Man is yet to set foot in much of this protected forest; so what you experience here is nature at her purest. On a guided jungle trek (subject to approval of the Forest Department), you come face to face with some exquisite and endangered plants and trees. The experienced native guides share their knowledge of the rainforest with you, helping you understand the world around you better. You may even spot some rare animals and birds too, like the hornbill, the monitor lizard and various types of monkeys. Herds of elephants and deer are also a common sight. There are over a thousand species of wildlife in this rainforest, including snakes, bears, leopards and wolves. The guides are experts at picking up the trails of these animals so that you get an up-and-close experience. Keep your cameras ready.
It is indeed a unique experience to step into such a pristine landscape; much of the forest has been untouched for centuries. Besides, the Parambikulam Forest Reserve is easily accessible from Athirapally, via adventure-filled routes. Incidentally, these are also the shortest ways to get to the reserve. The Rainforest resort arranges on-demand guided trips to get there.
Tribal Experience
There was a time when living meant satisfying the barest of needs in the simplest manner possible. The tribesmen of the Sholayar range still live much of their lives in this simplified manner. Four different tribes co-exist peacefully here: the Kadar, the Malayar, the Muthuvar and the Mannaan. Most of the tribal people subsist on activities like hunting, fishing and collecting honey and medicinal plants from the jungle.
Their lifestyles hearken back to a bygone era and they are extremely hospitable. You can camp with them for a while, taking in their way of life. The Rainforest resort can also arrange a night's stay or two in the middle of the forest, with the tribal colony. The tribesmen will also cook you meals their way. The bamboo puttu, steamed in the hollow of a bamboo, is a must-try. Expert fishermen, these tribesmen will also readily prepare indigenous delicacies from fish freshly caught by them.
Living as one among the tribal people is a splendid back-to-nature experience. It's life at its simplest best. No cell phones, no TVs, no technology to take away from your one-on-one interaction with Mother Nature. Your experience is enriched by the presence of knowledgeable guides, who are picked from among the tribal people.
Waterfall Experience
Trek right down to the base of the mighty Athirapally falls. Nothing refreshes the mind as much as standing at the foot of the falls and being enveloped in the magical, cleansing spray. Just close your eyes and feel the blessings spray down on you; when you open your eyes again, you feel like a new person.
You can even take a picnic hamper with you down to the base. Tucking into your lunch seems so much more fulfilling with the roar of the waterfall and a gurgling stream for company. It's also a delight to see people young and old share in the joy of just being at the waterfall. It's also a wholesome family experience; at the falls, bonding with the family takes place at a deeper level.
You have just seen the 'Niagara of Kerala' but your heart yearns for more. If you are up to working up a sweat, check out the Charpa falls that are just 2km away. Though less known, the Charpa falls is no less alluring; it tumbles and plunges right onto the road during the monsoons. Haven't had your fill of waterfalls? Head to Vazhachal, 5km away. Situated amid dense forest and herb plantations, the scenic wonder of the place is sure to thrill your heart.
