Life on the farm Essential information

Activities available at Nellithota and Getting There:

surrounding areas:




Single or multiple-day forest treks
Wildlife and bird watching
Nearby railheads: Kumta; Ankola; Haveri; Hubli
Nearest airports: Hubli; Belgaum; Goa Nellithota
Buses (ordinary and deluxe) directly to Sirsi are

Working in the areca orchard and organic
home garden as desired
available from all railheads, airports, and other places.
From Sirsi town, transport to Mathighatta (39 km) is
Forest Retreat

Learning about the local plant life and
herbal medicines available by bus or hired vehicle. You can also directly

Cooking traditional malnad meals and drive to Mathighatta in your vehicle.
helping with seasonal food processing Charges per person are Rs. 600/day including meals.

Lounging, relaxing, swimming in a natural Guide fees will be separate. No pets, please.
pool, reading, daydreaming

Visitors will be provided with: To make reservations, please contact:

A choice of two comfortable rooms Savitri & PP Hegde
connected to the family home; or a larger “Nellithota”
room for groups Mathighatta, SIRSI 581402

Three home-cooked vegetarian meals per Karnataka, India
day, plus snacks

Clean toilet, heated bathwater, electricity
ph 08283-246358
in rooms, drinking water

Experienced and knowledgeable local guides
for treks

Climate:
Summer (March-May): 18-35° C (hot and humid!)
Monsoon (June- September): 15-28° C
Winter (October-February): 12-27° C (best time!)

Savitriamma and P.P. Hegde are active members

of Vanastree – the Malnad Forest Garden and
Seed Keepers’ Collective. The collective
promotes diversity in home gardens, seed saving,
organic agriculture, forest conservation, and Mathighatta Village, Sirsi
ecologically responsible livelihoods. You will be
helping with all of these endeavours by being a
guest at Nellithota.
About Nellithota 2 km
Wildflowers,
The Western Ghats of Uttara Kannada district are butterflies and
world-renowned for their biodiversity and rich impressive views
natural heritage. Nellithota, the forest home of of the Western
Savitri and P.P. Hegde, offers the beauty of the Ghats.
this mountain region with traditional Indian 5-6 km
hospitality. The family has been farming here, A large rock
near the village of Mathighatta, for generations. outcrop with
Their homestead features a plentiful garden and caves, tunnels
orchards, where visitors can learn hands-on about and a wealth of
organic agroforestry or simply sit back and enjoy. 8 km wildlife. 1.5 km
The surrounding jungle contains natural and Uphill trek to a Shallow swimming hole for
cultural treasures accessible through treks of ridge featuring lounging and cooling off.
various lengths; but innumerable varieties of incredible 360°
birds, plants and wildlife are literally just at the views. Camp
back door. and stargaze
Visitors to Nellithota will have the rare experience nearby.
of sampling fresh, local cuisine, exploring 12 -13 km
undiscovered stretches of jungle, and observing A great spot for viewing the
everyday agricultural life in the malnad region. sunset with camping close by.
Nellithota is an ideal place for singles, families, or All trek distances
groups. Getaways may be quiet and peaceful or listed are one way.
action-oriented, based on the visitors’
5-6 km
preferences. The Hedge family enjoys sharing
A wetland
their home and their region’s natural wealth with
with many
guests, and always make them feel welcome with
wildflowers
spontaneity, warmth, and humour. Kannada, or a
and birds.
little English or Hindi work here – but language is 7 km
not the important thing as you will see! A more challenging climb to a
waterfall, with opportunities to
view snakes and raptors.

13 km 9 km
Rent a jeep or walk to Easy walk to an ancient forest
this spectacular with massive evergreen trees.
limestone outcrop and
temple. Camping
available nearby.