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What is your idea of a perfect vacation? A little bit of me-time, perhaps, with your thoughts and nature? Or a whole lot of fun with your loved ones? Whatever your choice, Elixir Hills in Munnar is the place that offers you the best of both worlds.
My holiday began when my family and I got down at Munnar in the early hours of the day and found our pick-up vehicle waiting for us. After sleepily gathering our thoughts and belongings, we got into the jeep and made our way to Elixir Hills Resort. The ride from the busy bus depot wiped away any evidence of drowsiness we may have had, as, within seconds, the whole scenery changed. The drive took us through narrow roads that had picture-perfect tea gardens on either side. It made us feel like we had walked straight into a postcard! The green on both sides looked as though someone had generously spilled the color over the hills. The trees and hillocks were shrouded in mist, giving it a surreal feel.
At this point, apart from our vehicle, I could hear no other sound. I was completely lost in my own thoughts, staring out the windows only to be distracted by a herd of cows grazing around the meadows. The world looked so simple, and my troubles seemed far, far away. I felt like I was in a beautiful countryside — maybe I was.
As we followed the sinuous roads, I wondered how deep inside the hills we were going. The roads became steep and led us into a settlement bordering the jungle — we had reached Elixir Hills.
The world out here is so different from the one we usually inhabit; as opposed to the hurried pace and hustle bustle of the city, Elixir Hills exudes peace and quiet. The resort is lavish and tastefully decorated. The mist moving between us and the birdsongs gave me the impression of being out in the wild. The stay was luxurious while connecting us with nature at every step. It truly was the best of both worlds.
After a smooth check-in, I took a hot shower to ease my tense muscles and went out for a stroll. The resort borders the jungle, and its trails lead you to a small, private waterfall and a natural pool in the middle! We followed the trails and kept walking along, the silence being broken only by gravel crunching beneath our feet, birdsongs and a particularly strong chatter of giant Malabar squirrels, native to our country.
We kept trying to spot one on the trees, a task that became much easier as we went deeper into the forest. While I am not an avid bird enthusiast and cannot name the birds I saw, suffice it to say there were a number of them, and quite a colorful bunch too! At certain turns along the trail, we were greeted by a swarm of butterflies that made the trail truly enchanting. While the path was quite muddy and rocky in some places, the hike was, overall, an easy one. We even spotted fresh elephant tracks and occasionally came across their dumps! However, our guide, ever-conscious about our safety and the elephants’ habitat, took us through a safer route. Mostly, we walked under a thick canopy of trees that only made the entire hike more surreal.
As we came into a clearing, we stood awestruck as we took in the gorgeous rolling hills of Munnar. The view was breathtaking. The trail ended near cardamom and coffee plantations.
It is almost a cliche now to say that to connect with nature is to find peace. But Elixir Hills has taught me that it is true, even if it is cliched. The mist-enveloped trails, soft sunlight filtering through trees, spotting a kaleidoscope of butterflies fluttering around just fills me with peace and happiness. So if you are planning a trip to Munnar to get away from the crazy rat-race of the city, Elixir Hills can safely be your go-to place.
