To bask in the serenity of glorious hills and the scenic beauty that Kerala has to offer, book your next trip to The MudHouse Marayoor, an experiential, one of a kind stay nestled amidst the rural scapes of Marayoor, near Munnar.
The MudHouse Marayoor is nestled close to the treasured Sandalwood forest and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary where time travels slowly, gradually painting the sky a different hue with each passing hour.
This oasis of tranquillity is set atop a gentle hill surrounded by the Western Ghats and the Sahyadri scenery, presenting a breathtaking view of the Marayoor valley, making The MudHouse Marayoor an ideal getaway for eco- conscious guests.
A road with obstacles
The land was very barren and with Marayoor being in a rainshadow region, working on the soil was never easy. In addition, the lack of regular supply of labour and materials out there was also tricky. Moreover, as things work slowly in a village, it presented difficulties on the ground during the initial stages. These were some of the challenges Roopa and her team had to face in those early years of working on the stay. But even though the journey thus far has been difficult, they have enjoyed every moment of it, she says.
She adds, “One thing that helped us to overcome these challenges was that we never saw our project as a business venture rather a passion to create an environmentally friendly property and today we are happy to share it with our guests. In everything we do, we keep nature and the people who work for us in mind. While the Marayoor village has been kind to us, we are equally proud to provide regular employment to many local villagers who are now part of the core team that runs our stay.”
The place and the neighbourhood
There are 5 cottages available, including a tree house that has a tropical open roof bathroom and a panoramic view from a private balcony.
“The tribes of Marayoor constructed all our mudhouses and the tree house applying the expertise handed down to them by their forefathers, which is a disappearing art in modern times,” Roopa shares. The team also makes every effort to offer their visitors the best amenities for a comfortable stay, such as a fully functional kitchen and service attendants available from breakfast till dinner.
Cycling around the village, hiking through the sandalwood forest, or simply taking a leisurely stroll outside in search of a picturesque riverwalk are all enjoyable activities for visitors. The place let’s one become immersed in the natural beauty, exploring organic farms, or watching the sunrise and sunset from nearby viewpoints or discovering the delights of showering under an open sky.
Anamudi Peak is around 40 minutes from the vacation rental, while the stunning Thoovanam waterfalls and Chinnar wildlife reserve are only a 20-minute drive away.
More in-store
Discussing the upcoming goals for the stay Roopa told us, “Our journey has been very organic and not backed by any corporates. We are a family operating venture and heart to the ground. The feedback and love from our guests is very inspiring and makes us dream bigger. We do have some plans to expand the concept of experimental sustainable stays in other locations and hope to share it with the rest of the world soon.”
She concludes with a note on her vision, saying, “We hope we can be a place that can inspire people to go further in their journey to reduce environmental footprints and promote sustainable lifestyle. A place for all generations to experience the past and think about the future.”
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