A nature-inspired boutique homestay

Slow living in the hills of Kanthalloor

Stay in a hand-built mud house or a rustic wood house, high in Kerala's Western Ghats. Wake to mist on the mountains and a homemade breakfast; end the day around a campfire under a sky full of stars.

Explore the staysCheck availability

  • 1,525 m

    above sea level

  • 50 km

    beyond Munnar

  • ₹3,500

    breakfast & campfire incl.

A dramatic rock face rising above forested hills near Kanthalloor
Lanterns glowing around the pergola at dusk

Welcome to Kanav

Your haven for earthy, traditional living

Kanav is a serene retreat in the mountains of Kanthalloor, where traditional Kerala living meets modern comfort. Our charming mud houses and rustic wood houses are designed for an authentic, unhurried stay, surrounded by rivers, waterfalls and lush plantations.

Whether you're here for quiet reflection or a little adventure, you'll find home-style meals, cool mountain air and hosts who'll make you feel like family. It's a home away from home, where comfort meets authenticity.

The hand-painted Kanav sign at the entrance, with thatched cottages and the mountain behind
Woven pendant lamps above a wooden counter, with misty trees outside the window

01

Built by local hands

Our mud houses were raised by Kanthalloor locals from natural materials, the way homes here have always been made.

02

Home-cooked, every morning

Wake up to a warm South Indian breakfast from our kitchen, included with every stay.

03

Wild places on the doorstep

Rivers, waterfalls, shola forests and plantations all around, with wildlife sanctuaries a short drive away.

The stays

Two ways to stay, four homes to call your own

Each home sleeps a couple and two children, and every booking comes with a homemade South Indian breakfast and a campfire under the stars.

A mud house bedroom with whitewashed walls, a wooden ceiling, a jute rug and a folding chairMud houses

Earthy elegance meets boho inspiration

Built by local hands from natural materials, our mud houses stay cool and calm inside while fog drifts over the hills outside. Whitewashed walls, jute rugs, wooden ceilings and soft lamplight invite you to slow down and let the rhythm of nature set the pace of your day.

  • The hand-painted Mannilave sign lit by a lantern

    Mannilave Premium

    Earthy elegance with a boho soul.

    ₹3,500 weekdays₹4,000 weekends

  • A thatched mud house with guests playing badminton outside

    Thanal Luxe

    2 mud houses

    An earthen retreat of two beautifully crafted mud houses.

    ₹3,500 weekdays₹4,000 weekends

A timber verandah glowing in warm evening light, with a reclining wooden chairWood houses

The warmth and rustic charm of timber

Crafted from fine wood, with rich textures and earthy tones that echo traditional Kerala architecture. Large windows open onto lush greenery and fog-covered hills, while the sounds of the forest drift in on the crisp mountain air.

  • The hand-painted Koodaram sign glowing at night

    Koodaram Deluxe

    Rustic charm with a touch of comfort.

    ₹3,500 weekdays₹4,000 weekends

  • A wood-panelled bedroom with a rattan wardrobe and a woven pendant lamp

    Illam Villa

    Most spacious

    Spacious serenity wrapped in timeless wooden warmth.

    ₹5,000 weekdays₹5,500 weekends

Group bookings

Coming with six or more?

Bring the whole gang. Groups of 6+ adults stay for ₹2,500 per head, including breakfast, dinner, tea & snacks and a campfire.

Plan a group stay

Pricing, simply

  • Weekdays are Monday to Thursday. Weekends are Friday to Sunday and public holidays.
  • Prices cover a couple and two children.
  • Extra guests aged 8+ are ₹1,500 per head.
  • An extra bed is available on request.
Download the rate card

What's included

Tranquility, as standard

The good stuff comes with every booking. Want a little more? Add any of the extras when you book.

  • Homemade breakfast

    A warm South Indian breakfast, served 8–10 AM.

  • Evening campfire

    A crackling fire and a sky full of stars.

  • Hot showers

    Fully heated, for crisp mountain mornings.

  • Hammocks & sit-outs

    A private chill-out area to do absolutely nothing.

  • Wi-Fi

    Across the property, for when you need to check in.

  • Pets welcome

    Bring the whole family, furry members included.

Little extras, on request

Mention them while booking and we'll have everything ready.

  • Barbecue evening

    Let us know 4 hours ahead

  • Lunch & dinner

    Home-style Kerala meals, pre-ordered

  • Welcome drinks

    A refreshing start to your stay

  • Airport pick-up & drop

    From Cochin or Coimbatore, extra cost

  • Safaris, treks & tours

    With trusted local partners

  • Early check-in / late check-out

    Subject to availability

The place

Kanthalloor, nature's hidden gem

Tucked into the Western Ghats, Kanthalloor is a peaceful village of mist-covered mountains, dense forests and flowing rivers. The cool, breezy weather lingers most of the year, making it a refreshing escape from the heat.

It's one of the few places in South India where apples, strawberries and plums grow. The farms around us yield fresh produce all year round, from ripe guavas to winter harvests of beans, carrots and tomatoes.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary and Anamudi Shola National Park are close by, as are the prehistoric Muniyara dolmens and the sandalwood forests and ancient rock paintings of Marayoor.

A rocky mountain stream running through dense forest
Low clouds settling over forested hills
Wildflowers on a hillside, with blue mountains and clouds beyond

Experiences

Build your own adventure

Once you arrive, chat with your host about what you love and we'll help you craft the perfect itinerary. Guided tours are run by trusted local partners who know every trail and waterfall.

  1. 01Half day

    Kanthalloor jeep safari

    Sightseeing in and around Kanthalloor, with waterfalls, farm visits and local favourites.

  2. 02Full day

    Kanthalloor & Marayoor

    Everything on the half-day safari, plus the Marayoor sandalwood reserve forest and a traditional jaggery factory.

  3. 031 hour

    Night safari

    A drive out to Vettakaran Kovil to spot local wildlife, if luck is on your side.

  4. 042–3 hours

    Shola forest trek

    An assisted trek through dense shola forest, with sweeping views of rolling green hills.

Nearby, and worth the drive

National parks, waterfalls, dams and viewpoints around Kanthalloor, Marayoor and Munnar.

Things-to-do guideKerala Tourism
  • Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Chinnar watchtower
  • Anamudi Shola National Park
  • Eravikulam National Park
  • Pampadum Shola National Park
  • Mathikettan Shola National Park
  • Marayoor Sandalwood Reserve
  • Marayoor Eco Park
  • Marayoor rock paintings
  • Muniyara Dolmens
  • Rajeev Gandhi Nature Park
  • Thoovanam Waterfalls
  • Lakkam Waterfalls
  • Keezhanthoor Waterfalls
  • Methap Viewpoint
  • Kundala Dam
  • Mattupetty Dam
  • Echo Point
  • Top Station
  • Vattavada vegetable villages
A family sharing a home-cooked meal at a wooden table
Guests painting at a wooden table beside a window overlooking the garden

From our kitchen

Home-style Kerala food, made with care

Mornings begin with a South Indian breakfast, on the house. The rest of the day, our kitchen cooks simple, hearty meals to order, so let us know ahead and tell us about any dietary needs.

Breakfast

8–10 AM · on the house
  • Idli with sambar & chutney
  • Dosa with sambar & chutney
  • Puttu & kadala curry
  • Toast with strawberry jam

Lunch

Pre-order
  • Kerala mini meals
  • Chicken curry

Dinner

Pre-order
  • Chappathi, plain rice or ghee rice
  • Chicken fry & chicken curry
  • Veg curry
  • Barbecue chicken

Snacks & chai

Tea time
  • Onion bajji & pazham pori
  • Egg burji & veg salad
  • French fries
  • Tea, coffee & milk
See the full menu & prices

Around Kanav

@kanav.living
The pergola fire pit at dusk, with the mountain behind
The fire pit at dusk
Friends and children relaxing on a thatched verandah
Lazy afternoons on the verandah
Hand-painted wooden signposts nailed to a eucalyptus tree
Signposts to the sunset point
A mud house interior with sheer curtains, a floor lamp and a folding chair
Inside a mud house
Children swinging in a hammock outside a cottage
Hammock hour
Clouds rolling low over a green valley
Clouds over the valley
Two children walking hand in hand down a stone path at Kanav

Our story

A group of friends, and the valley that brought us closer

We're a group of friends brought together by a shared belief in the transformative power of nature and the deep bonds of friendship. A few years ago, we discovered the serene beauty of Kanthalloor, and it left an indelible mark on our hearts.

The breathtaking landscapes, cool mountain air and tranquil surroundings didn't just bring us closer to nature. They brought us closer to each other, and helped us reconnect with what truly matters.

Kanav is how we share that with you. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat, time with loved ones or a journey of self-discovery, we hope these mountains give you the same sense of purpose and clarity they gave us.

With love, Alizeh & Noah

From our guests

“Those moments I lived there… will be cherished always. Will come back soon.”
RaslanaVisiting from the UAE
Two smiling guests in a warmly lit wooden room
A young child arranging flower petals into a pookalam on the ground

More happy times, fireside moments and misty mornings on Instagram.

Follow @kanav.living

Guest guide

Good to know before you arrive

A few simple guidelines that keep Kanav peaceful for everyone, plus answers to the questions we hear most.

Downloads

Check-in & check-out

Check-in is from 2:00 PM and check-out is by 11:00 AM. Need to arrive early or leave late? Let us know in advance. It depends on availability and may cost a little extra.

Meals

A South Indian breakfast is served from 8:00 to 10:00 AM and is included with every stay. Lunch and dinner are home-cooked on pre-order. If you have dietary requirements, tell us ahead and we'll plan around them.

Children & extra guests

Every house is priced for a couple with two children. Extra guests aged 8 and above are ₹1,500 per head, and an extra bed is available on request.

Can I bring my pet?

Yes! All pets are very welcome at Kanav.

Campfire & barbecue

A campfire is part of every stay. For a barbecue evening, please let us know at least 4 hours ahead so we can prepare, and follow the fire-safety instructions from our team.

Quiet hours

To keep things peaceful for everyone, we observe quiet hours between 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM.

Wi-Fi & connectivity

Wi-Fi is available across the property, but we're in a remote spot and it can slow down at times. Consider it a nudge to look up at the mountains.

Housekeeping

Housekeeping is available daily. If you'd prefer privacy or a particular cleaning time, just let our staff know. For anything urgent, contact the team straight away.

Nature, water & power

We share this land with local wildlife, so please enjoy it from a safe, respectful distance. Kanthalloor's natural resources are precious, so we ask guests to use water and electricity mindfully.

Safety & emergencies

Kanav is a safe space, but we recommend keeping valuables secure and locking your room when you step out. In an emergency, contact our staff immediately.

Getting here

Tucked away, but easy to reach

Kanav sits in Kanthalloor in Kerala's Idukki district, a scenic drive of about 50 km from Munnar.

  • By air

    • Coimbatore Airport~140 km
    • Cochin International Airport~150 km

    Airport pick-up and drop available at extra cost.

  • By train

    • Udumalaipettai~60 km
    • Aluva~150 km

  • By road

    • From Munnar~50 km
    • From Coimbatore~130 km

Kanthalloor, Kerala 685620, India

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Book your stay

Come find your quiet in the hills

For reservations and questions, reach us on WhatsApp, Instagram or email. Tell us your dates and who's coming, and we'll help you plan the rest.

WhatsApp us +91 97781 80215 Email
@kanav.living Download the brochure

Stays from ₹3,500 · Breakfast & campfire included · Pets welcome