good for you

A holiday at Our Native Village can take you back to your childhood years, when life was simple and about kite flying, top spinning battles, catapult fights, marbles and hop scotch. When scaling new heights meant how high you could climb the guava tree and innovation was all about stealing mangoes from your neighbour's tree under his nose!

Our Native Village aims to bring these long-forgotten memories back to life through your experiences in this unique traditional 'Indian village style' accommodation.

This resort has been creatively and thoughtfully built and claims the title of the first 100% eco resort in the state of Karnataka. This is definitely a 'back-to-nature' type of resort, whose activities and style reflect the rural simplicity of the area. Although that doesn't mean that you have to go without life's little luxuries, as you will soon discover after a visit to the Village Spa, whose focus is the revival of rural health traditions. An Indian head massage or 'dhara' treatment can be a life-changing experience.

Mahatma Gandhi once said: "the villages are the soul of India", but when you leave this place you might just find you leave a little bit of your mind and body there too.

good for india

In a country with such a huge population and high resource usage, Our Native Village's efforts to create India's first 100% eco-resort are admirable. The resort is entirely constructed from sun-baked mud bricks and local materials. The property generates most of its own power using renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and bio gas, and also has extensive water recycling programs.

Most of the vegetables used are from the surrounding 12 acre organic farm, so a fresh supply of organic vegetables is available to guests every day. All toiletries are natural, organic and hand made locally exclusively for the resort.

Our Native Village provides employment to resident villagers and invites local artisans to visit the resort to demonstrate their skills to guests. Through its programs it works to keep the traditional arts and crafts of India alive.

It has also recently launched an initiative called the Foundation to Enable Eco Living (FEEL) which aims to facilitate eco living for the local community.

Rooms

Food

Simple, tasty, Indian village food is served at the resort using locally organically grown vegetables from the property's own farm wherever possible.

Meals are served on the open verandah restaurant, where you will experience traditional cuisine native to the region. Specialties of the house include the bisi bele bath, ragi mudde with mutton curry and Kori Roti with Naati Chicken curry!

Features & Facilities

• A unique eco retreat on a 12 acre organic farm in the heart of an Indian rural village.
• Built on 100% sustainability principles.
• 100% natural swimming pool and spa.
• Massages and spa treatments based on ancient Indian medical texts.
• Local activities include bullock cart rides; pottery classes; nature walks; and classes in organic farming.
• Bar and restaurant serving vegetarian and non vegetarian food.
• An ideal venue for special events such as weddings and parties.
• Plenty of activities for children including an animal petting farm, sand pit and playground.
• Conference facilities and 'back to nature' corporate training programs.

Local Info & Activities

• Activities: All the activities offered at Our Native Village aim to revive traditional Indian village games, practices and rituals. Make sure you learn how to play 'gilli danda', bugri (spinning a top), fly a kite, or relive your childhood memories with a game of hop scotch. There are also classes in how to make flower garlands; milk a cow; churn butter; or plough a field in the traditional way.
• Bullock cart rides: The resort has three traditional bullock carts which will show you how to plough a field in the 'old' way, or simply take you for a ride. Take the challenge - it is the first and only place in the world where you can earn your bullock cart driving license!!
• Hero Stones: Veerakallu, or hero stones, are a phenomenon unique to the region of Karnataka. These tall granite stones are inscribed with the history of the area dating back over 1000 years. The area is liberally dotted with these stones that are a unique combination of art, poetry and historical fact and are well worth visiting.
• Cruising: Another special feature of the region is the old 'coracles', circular fishing boats that have been converted into comfy cushioned launches - perfect for a night ride on the lake or some Indian star gazing.

Sustainability

Geographically, Our Native Village is located in a desert region, and has not had access to government services such as water or electricity. It has developed its own self-sustaining model utilising 'eco-conscious' initiatives such as renewable energy and water recycling programs.

The property uses local organic produce grown on its own farm, helping to keep tourism revenue in the community.

The resort has been carefully and sensitively created using local materials and suppliers.

'The Village' also supports a number of community-based projects and has recently launched a not-for-profit charity called the Foundation to Enable Eco Living (FEEL) to help instil eco living and environmental management principles in the local community.

Getting There

Our Native Village is located at the Kodihalli Village, 40 kms north of the city of Bangalore in the state of Karnataka, India. Bangalore is served by an international airport and the resort is 90 minutes by road from the airport.

Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.

Rates & Bookings

basic room:

US$75 per/room/per/ night – based on 2 people sharing

US$65 per/room/per/night – single person

Includes: Breakfast and taxes

deluxe room:

US$90

Deluxe rooms are based on a couple sharing and including accommodation; breakfast; lunch; evening tea; dinner and taxes.

full room:

US$125 per/room/per night - based on 2 people sharing

US$95 per/room/per night - single person

Includes: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, taxes and two full massages.

extras

• There is no extra charge for children under 5 sharing their parents room
• Children over 5 yrs and under 12 yrs can share their parents room for a charge of US$15 + 12.5% tax for room and breakfast. Extra US$5 + tax for lunch and extra US$5 + tax for dinner.
• Children above 12 years are considered as adults.

booking & cancellation policy

• A booking is secured on the payment of 15% deposit. The remaining 85% is due on arrival at the hotel.
• A cancellation fee of 25% of total cost of booking is charged for cancellations made 14 days before arrival date.
• 65% cancellation fee is charged for bookings made 7 days before arrival date
• No refund given for cancellations made 7 days before arrival date.

Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.