Edakkal Hermitage, Wayanad, Kerala.

Enthrall yourself with the glory of history…
Lose yourself into the magic that is nature…
Breathe deeply into the air rent with peppercorns and coffee beans…
Dream away into the mystique of a mist-screened valley…
Realise a bird’s eye view…
Find home atop a tree…
Dance ethereal in the rugged charm of the amphitheatre …
Perform to a standing ovation of tall trees…
Relax in the cocooned haven of a cottage…
Indulge in a moonlit walk on a velvet night…
Savour the tempting delicacies of typical Wayanad…
Walk into the melting sunset of the distant horizon….
Romance today in a candle-lit cave with the art of the past….

Effortlessly binding history and traditional values, the Edakkal Hermitage combines spectacular vistas of nature and the timeless appeal of heritage of the nearby pre-historic Edakkal caves, with its warm ambience and vernacular architecture. It is in this amazing environ that one can be as captivated by the past as with the present. It is undoubtedly here that one can explore the essence of Edakkal to experience its magic. It is irrepressibly here that one can succumb to the lure of cave art and the art of caving in…

Wadi Kubbaniya - The Treehouse

We have christened the tree house “Wadi Kubbaniya” --- an adventurous sounding name that has been borrowed from one of the cave sites in Egypt, Africa that dates back to 17000 BC.

Dining in a natural cave lit with candles is a unique experience at the Edakkal Hermitage.

We offer a host of visitor services an information centre, camping facilities and cottage  accommodation. Other facilities include a little restaurant that serves traditional Malayali cuisine, a shop of souvenirs and books, and an open-air theatre for cultural and heritage events.

We also organize trips to other interesting places in and around Wayanad like the Muthanga wild life sanctuary, nature reserves, water falls, historic relics and ancient temples.

Media about Edakkal Hermitage.

“Edakkal Hermitage is a resort that aims to call attention to the little known Edakkal Caves and the beauties of eastern Wayanad. This is boulder country and the rooms at the resort are built around the rocks. The resort is on a smaller parcel of land and the theme of rocks and caves is beautifully echoed here. A tiny, spanking new tree house, for a very intimate couple is an easy climb up a bamboo ramp and gives you views out to forever. The terraced premises are exquisitely laid out, with soft grass and veils of Jacquemontia. The hospitality is  unobtrusive and there is a home- stay feel to the dining. The jackfruit thoran and morkuzhambu are to die for, and when we get our morning appams we hurry to pour coconut milk over them before they float out of reach. At night, dinner in a cave is a magical experience. On other nights, we are told, tables are set up under the stars on the stage of the amphitheatre. The same amphitheatre the next morning is ideal for bird watching. The surrounding trees are teeming with golden orioles, red cheeked bulbuls, coppersmiths, drongoes and tiny flitting things that hide in the shrubs. In the infinite distance the hills float on an ocean of mist. The caves themselves, a vigorous climb from the resort are not to be missed. Apart from the mystery of the inscriptions and  Neolithic rock art, the boulders that shape them are astonishing. A deep fissure on the far side gives us a clear view out to Phantom Rock, many miles away. The fissure was caused by an earthquake and reminds us of the fragility of even this massive natural formation and its hard document of the human presence.”

Outlook Traveller April, 2004

“Set amidst a pepper and coffee plantation full of boulders, the Hermitage sprawls across the mountainside with breathtaking views of the lush green below. Imagine sipping a steaming cup of coffee and waiting for the clouds to clear. As the misty curtain lifts with the rising sun, the green valley below begins to take shape. From this height, 3228 ft above MSL, the sights are amazing – rock formations, dense vegetation. Here it is but natural that rocks jut into cottages giving one a feel of living in a canyon. For the adventurous, there is Tree Top – a room atop a tamarind tree. IT can be approached through a bamboo pathway slung across an abyss. The room boasts of a fan, bed and a toilet. Not for the faint hearted, but the view from top is great, especially when it rains, giving one a feeling of floating in air. As the sun sets, dinner is served inside a natural cavern lit up with candles. This is an experience of dining in Neolithic style, a la prehistoric man who inhabited the caves above many moons ago. The Hermitage has blended beautifully into the countryside without blemishing any part of nature. Even the amphitheatre that gives a ringside view has been designed aesthetically. And service with a smile is the motto as food is served at a separate dining area. The choice is mainly veg and non veg south  Indian style. The package includes breakfast, lunch and dinner.”

Indian Express, May 30th 2004

“Situated near the Edakkal caves in the Wayanad district of Kerala the charm of Edakkal Hermitage, as this resort chooses to be known works its effect through the following steps. Precincts of the past in vicinity and an enchanting environ of the present to soak in. An air rent with mingled magic of its surrounding thirty acre coffee and pepper plantation and the servings of traditional Malayali cuisine. A scattering of quaint cottages beholding panoramas of the valley below. The promise of solitude amidst heritage and hills. The home away from home feeling is reinforced with the resort’s literally garden fresh delectable offerings from the restaurant. The open- air theatre, with its dramatic Western Ghats backdrop, can be made privy to performances of kalaripayattu (martial art) and tribal dances upon prior intimation. That elucidating Contour Dakshin’s idea of bringing not just the exquisite prehistoric rock carvings of the nearby Edakkal caves to light but also to highlight the region’s culture and arts along with other heritage locations. A ‘present day’ cave of Edakkal Hermitage although focuses on romantic rendezvous from time to time! The lure… of cave art and the art of caving in! Indulge in this place that allows as much pleasure in enjoying the past as it does the present!

Guest comments

The most painful part is checking out. Guess all good things must come to an end – but just this once – can there be an exception?
Renu and Vasanth
22, Ferozeshah Road
New Delhi

This place has given me a taste of heaven. The scenery is not just beautiful but sublime! The resort offers a very comfortable stay in the midst of nature, with even romantic dinners in candle – lit caves. I am amazed and I am definitely coming back all the way from Cyprus! Let more people know about the paradise of Edakkal!
Cristinah Demetriades
Cyprus

A wonderful way to start a new year! Excellent service and wonderful staff!! Keep up the good work and share more such peaceful moments with lots of people.
Thanks a ton
Bharat and Anu
Bangalore

Great! This place is definitely gonna be recommended to all. The service level was outstanding. Do keep it up. You are a notch above most places I have been to. Will be back.
Shivani and Dorshan
Bangalore

Worth coming to Edakkal and Edakkal Hermitage. Great stay… Great Food… Caring people. Stay in Tree House was an amazing experience… We will come back again with loads of people.
With love
Abhijit and Madhavi
Bangalore

The scenic beauty of the Western Ghats, which stand like sentinels overlooking the Edakkal Hermitage has been truly well harmonised with the tradition of hospitality that seems to be an intrinsic feature of the Hermitage. Thank you for the apparently effortless way in which you have accommodated our needs, the creative spirit that is reflected in the ambience within the distinctive setting of the auditorium, the caves and the tree house. One shall carry away special memories of being looked after by a friendly staff team and of delicious Kerala cuisine prepared by expert hands. Until we meet again… continue to heal and nourish your guests. It has been a privilege to experience the spirit of innovation that has made the existence of the Hermitage possible.
Best wishes

Dr. Rashmi Shankar, Bangalore.

Best view in the whole world
Best cave restaurant I have seen
Great Holiday and Great Management
Cheers

Lionel Messias
Goa

Exotic location
Delightful stay
Amazing cave restaurant
Classy Kerala cuisine
Adventure Paradise
Leisure at its best

A DIVINE EXPERIENCE

Chandra Mohan and Swarna
Bangalore

Thank you for sharing your wonderful retreat with us. We had a fantastic and relaxing time. Your staffs were extremely courteous and kind and we wanted for nothing.
Philip Ridje
Texas, USA

What a place to spend a few days to get away from it all!!!. As it says ‘Edakkal Hermitage’ we became two hermits cut off from reality for a few days. The BEST place to spend the New Year!!!. Kerala is cut from India, Wayanad from Kerala, Edakkal from Wayanad……. Thank you And the staff… a million thanks for getting us healthy again with an amazing kitchen --- never was a meal repeated or a request ungranted.
Thank you and see you again.

Graham and Pat
London

We really loved being here amidst nature. The atmosphere is very homely and the staff is very helpful. The food is also homelike. We would love to be here again. Wishing you all a very happy new year.

Sheetal and Ashish
Bangalore

Each one of us has a child within and Edakkal Hermitage pampers this child within. For me living here for two days have been from a fairy tale dream comes true experience. Thank you for each one of you for making this experience like a fairy tale dream.

Vanaja A Nair.
Bangalore