Coffee & Ecotourism Experiences
Turtle Pond Home Stay
I show you how coffee is grown and made on my working farm in Coorg, and you join in fitness and nature activities that are part of real planter life.
Pricing Guide
Planter-Led Estate Walk & Specialty Tasting
Experience
- Guide: 90 minute trek led personally by the planter through hilly terrain and coffee shrubs.
- Education: Technical breakdown of Robusta cultivation, salt water fermentation methods, and blossom shower irrigation techniques.
- Process: Walkthrough of the drying yard and explanation of seasonal cherry picking standards.
Tasting
- Cupping Session: Tasting of experimental single estate micro lot Robusta coffees.
- Demo: Instruction on manual brewing methods (Pour over or South Indian filter).
- Snacks: Local biscuits or rusks served alongside black coffee.
Logistics
- Group: Small group format for direct interaction.
- Gear: Bamboo walking sticks provided for steep sections.
Full Board Rustic Homestay at Turtle Pond
Accommodation
- Room: Private room with attached western bathroom in the main house.
- Type: Rustic farm stay environment (non AC, fan cooled, exposed brick aesthetic).
- Access: Usage of common patio, garden seating, and the natural turtle pond area.
Food & Beverage
- All Meals: Includes Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner.
- Cuisine: Home cooked Coorgi dishes (Akki Roti, Rice balls, seasonal curries).
- Drinks: Unlimited plantation coffee served black or with milk throughout the stay.
Activities
- Trails: Self guided access to walking paths across the estate.
- Nature: Access to natural streams on the property.
- Evening: Communal bonfire setup (weather permitting).
3-Day Planter-Fit Active Retreat
Fitness Regime
- Training: 5 outdoor workout sessions led by Niran (Kettlebell, Functional Strength, Animal Flow).
- Assessment: Real time form correction and movement pattern audit.
- Wellness: Guided forest bathing walks for mental detoxification.
Adventure
- Trek: Guided hike to Braveheart View Point (approx 45 mins steep climb).
- Farm Work: Hands on session with planting saplings or setting sprinklers.
- Off Road: Local exploration drive in a 4x4 Jeep.
Stay & Logistics
- Duration: 3 Days and 2 Nights accommodation (Partner property or estate rooms).
- Nutrition: Full board healthy meals curated for active recovery (high protein).
- Bonus: Includes full access to the coffee plantation tour and tasting.
About Coffee & Ecotourism Experiences
Real Life at Manchalli Coorg
This isn’t the usual vacation spot. I invite you to step into planter life, in the middle of the Brahmagiri mountains, where everything’s hands-on and nothing is sugarcoated. Here, it’s all sweat, soil, and a bit of magic. You’ll see what goes into making coffee and living close to nature - minus the filters.
Coffee, Start to Finish
I take you through every step - from soil to cup. The plantation walk isn’t some neat garden stroll; it’s a working farm. You’ll see Robusta coffee plants up close, learn about the tough bits - weather, waiting, and that 10-month ripening grind. We talk 'Shinrin Yoku' (forest healing), soaking in the green. I’ll brew micro-lot coffees for you, including single-estate Robusta and whatever new batch I’ve been experimenting with.
Retreats to Move and Reset
If you want more, join my active retreats. It’s fitness in the wild - functional training, kettlebells, outdoor yoga. The ‘train anywhere’ idea is real here. You’ll hike to viewpoints, try mountain biking on estate trails, and maybe bounce around in my jeep. There’s downtime too - chilling in waterfalls, planting saplings, and feeling the mud between your fingers.
Why Do This?
Simple - most of life is showing up and doing the work. This is for folks who want to see what’s real in coffee, fitness, and nature. You get the good, the rough, and the gratitude that comes with it. That’s the vibe.
Meet your Expert
Niran Ponnappa
110 connects in last 3 months
My Story
Hey, I’m Niran. Grew up in Coorg, juggling coffee plants and kettlebells. My strength? Comes from both the gym and muddy trails on my bike. Some days are wild, some plain boring, but I keep at it—Toned Abs one morning, coffee plant duty the next. I’m 38, still grinning, still hustling. Life’s not about perfect days, it’s about the grind and finding joy in the small stuff. Nature sorts my head out every time.
My Work
Fitness & Lifestyle Coaching - I help you build functional strength with routines that fit real life, not just the gym.
Just Show Up - No magic tricks. Consistency in fitness is the real deal. You win by turning up, every time.
Train for Real Life - We focus on everyday strength workouts—be it hiking, playing, or just feeling better daily.
No Shortcuts, Just Progress - Sustainable fitness routines, clean eating, and patience. Eighteen years in, still no quick fixes.
