A 3-Day Nature Reset in the Coorg Hills: Waterfall Treks, Campfires and Real Conversations

The retreat runs from 2 to 4 October, based at TauSco Homestay & Campsite in Coorg. You arrive from 11:00 AM on day one, get your tent allocation and settle in, and the programme starts that afternoon. Day three wraps at 3:30 PM. Luggage is stored in a separate hall so you're not hauling bags around between activities.

Abishek Iyappan leads the sessions. He's the founder of PARA and an experiential learning facilitator who works with positive psychology, NLP, cognitive reprogramming and emotional intelligence tools, plus theatre and storytelling. He's also a trained Carnatic singer and has performed in over 1,200 street theatre productions across India — which is why the evening campfires have music in them, not just talking. Reviews from his other programmes consistently mention that he's direct and practical rather than fluffy.

The outdoor side is the real anchor. There's a guided trek to a waterfall through the surrounding hills, and a walk through a coffee plantation where you learn how the crop is grown and processed. Both are led by a local guide. The campfire evenings are where the group actually bonds — music, stories, and people staying up longer than they planned.

What separates this from a generic weekend break is the small group (capped at 30, and typically much smaller) and the fact that the reflection sessions are structured rather than optional add-ons. You'll spend time on where you are, what your patterns are, and what you want to change, and you'll do it in conversation with other people rather than alone with a journal.

Getting there is straightforward but you'll need to sort your own transport. Kannur International Airport is about 90 km away (1.5 to 2.5 hours by road), Mangalore is about 140 km (2.5 to 3.5 hours), and Mysore is about 120 km (3 to 3.5 hours). Buses run to Madikeri Bus Stand from Bengaluru, Mysuru and Mangaluru, and the team arranges pickup and drop-off from the bus stand for participants.

What's included

- 2 nights accommodation in shared camping tents - 3 daily vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) - Snacks - Water, tea and coffee served throughout the day - Welcome drink - Specialized workshops led by Abishek Iyappan - Guided nature hike to a waterfall - Coffee plantation walk - Campfire evenings with music and storytelling - Transportation during the retreat - Pickup and drop-off from Madikeri Bus Stand - Free WiFi - Parking - Luggage storage hall - Professional event photos - Pre and post retreat support from the PARA team

What's not included

- Airport transfers - Flights - Travel insurance - Visa fee - Personal expenses - Sleeping bag or blanket (bring your own) - Personal trekking gear and clothing