Start off the New Year with blessings from Nature at CGH Earth’s newly-opened beautiful Lockhart Bungalow. Nestled amidst 1,500 acres of tea, at the legendary heritage Lockhart Estate established in 1879 in Munnar, the bungalow offers a wonderful way to set the tone for 2025.

Embrace the storied splendour of the stunning tea plantation with its three colonial-style bungalows. CGH has transformed one of them into a lovely, inviting homestay option for discerning guests looking for a countryside experience in one of the finest hill stations in the South. From its lofty perch atop a hill the bungalow offers 360-degree panoramas of the verdant landscape which you no doubt will be impatient to explore.

Located 8 km away from Munnar town the estate has opened up a beautifully refurbished three-room bungalow for guests. With its atmospheric colonial-day vibe and the massive bathroom it is idyllic for peaceful indulgences, like breakfasts on the lawns and afternoon teas sampling an array of local teas and coffee with sandwiches and cakes and other tempting offerings from the kitchen.

Abandon yourself to the rhythms of nature on the sunrise walk. Immerse yourself in the reflections of tranquillity as your footsteps lead you through beaten-earth pathways to the secret nooks and crannies around the estate. Eternal optimism sweeps through your being as you wander through the vast swathes of tea bushes whose produce will journey on to bring warmth and friendship in tea shops, afternoon high teas and fireside chats all over the world.

The Lockhart tea factory is distinctive for being one of India’s oldest orthodox tea production establishments. You can enjoy a 'make your own tea' tour here. This includes a tea plantation walk, picking tea leaves along with the local tea picking ladies, witnessing the weighing process, and lunch at the estate bungalow. After lunch, you will process the tea you have collected in the factory for about an hour; the programme ends with a fun-filled exclusive tea tasting session.

New years are about departures and arrivals. Out with the old and in with the new. The sublime beauty of the Munnar countryside is like an elixir which will revive even the most downhearted, angst-ridden guest. As you pedal your way through the gorgeous countryside, peppered with forest groves and open fields by small villages let it all melt away.

Stop by the woods to breathe again and centre yourself in forest bathing, in the Japanese way of the soul-stirring sensory delights of shinrin-yoku. It’s a form of physiological and psychological exercise— a deeply healing process, which we all should welcome. Let go of the angst and acrimony, let go of the anger and the resentments, the self-doubts and aloneness. As you grapple over some frustrating aspect of a relationship gone awry, let the forest heal you as you discover the truth of oubaitori, the Japanese idea of people like flowers bloom in their own time and in their own individual way. Slip into the folios of the divine as nature wraps around you like a warm shawl of forgiveness and healing as you learn to relax and reconnect with the world anew.

Biking tours apart you can set off for gentle treks in the area or enjoy a lovely bird watching excursion with a naturalist who really knows the area well. The Lockhart Gap offers stunning views of Bison Valley, so named after its population of Indian gaur, which are found plentifully here. Lockhart Gap is a popular picnic spot much loved for its views of the hills all the way up to Thekkady.

For those who are unfamiliar with Munnar, it’s interesting to note that it is of significant importance as a hub for growing tea, coffee and spices. Wander along the shops and stalls lining the streets in the market to pick up some of the produce from these retail outlets. Also on sale are items such as cardamom, pepper, dry fruits, coconut products, cashew nuts, curry powders, honey, syrups, green tea, aromatic oils, home-made chocolates.

Your stay at Lockhart offers a wonderfully joyful way to welcome 2025. The warmth and hospitality, planter-style, that you encounter here is something you won’t forget in a hurry. Don’t be surprised finding your way back again and again to enjoy recapturing the memorable moments you spent here.