Wildernest is located in the Chorla Ghats, amidst the Sahyadris, which range across Goa, Maharashtra and Karnataka. It is interesting that the actual resort is in Goa, but the highway leading to the resort base is in Maharashtra. From the resort, the view of Vajra falls, located in Karnataka, is stunning.
The resort supports and sustains one of India’s first private sanctuaries which is 700 acres in area. They also have a 100% local employment policy. It is located just a couple of hours drive from Panjim.
Experience
The 5-minute funicular ride from the parking lot up to the resort cannot be missed as it introduces you to the view.
Wildernest houses India’s first infinity pool, a common swimming pool overlooking the waterfalls.
One can make a clay pot, cup or anything, using the potter’s wheel, with expert guidance at the in-house pottery studio. One can also get henna/mehendi done during their stay.
The pre-dinner activity may include a wildlife movie, folk dance or the like. The folk dance performed during local festivals like Shigmo, Ganesh Chaturthi and like is the same one performed here by the locals.
There are lots of treks within the property that are done with their in-house guide. The waterfall trek is hosted in the morning and the highest point trek, where one can catch the sunset, based on weather, is in the evening. The night trek, barely a 30-minute trail is a must-do as the bio-luminescent fungi and glow worms are seen here.
Wi-Fi and Jio networks are only reliably available around the reception area, so it's a good opportunity to go offline.
Rooms
There are a variety of rooms to choose from:
Forest view cottage accommodates 2
Valley view cottage accommodates 2
Valley view cottage with a private plunge pool accommodates 2
Family cottage accommodates 4
The valley view room, with the pool, had views of the four waterfalls and it was pleasant to listen to the waterfall while taking a dip in the pool. The room was simple and had a full glass window between the pool and the room. Drinking water was provided in copper jugs in the room, unlike other resorts that provide single use PET bottled water.
Food
The stay is inclusive of breakfast, lunch and dinner buffets, along with high tea. All delicacies were very local and homely. They were spread out in clay pots on a fire, along with ladles made of wood and coconut shells. The main raw vegetable was also displayed next to each bhaji, which made it so much easier to choose what to eat. I believe it will also reduce food wastage.
BREAKFAST: Tea, coffee, Bournvita, sprouts, poha, upma, salad bhaji, mirchi pakoda, boiled eggs, omelette, pao, butter, jam and papaya.
LUNCH: Salad, chutneys, pickles, ragi chapati, rice chapati, regular rice, boiled rice, pulao, beans bhaji, paneer sabji, mutton, fish curry, pineapple and more.
DINNER: Salad, chutneys, pickles, regular chapati, mirchi pakoda, regular rice, boiled rice, jeera rice, potato bhaji, palak bhaji, fried fish, chicken masala, banana and more.
The high tea had tea, coffee, Bournvita, kapo and chakali.
What to bring along
Comfortable clothing that is easy to dry, rain-friendly footwear, reusable bottle for water, salt for leeches, swimsuit, strong torch, munchies, mosquito repellent, umbrella and other rain wear.
Carry cloth napkins, toiletries, tea-coffee-sugar in your own containers for a more sustainable stay.
DETAILS:
DIRECTION: https://goo.gl/maps/1xqpjqBLBmdzxtui9
RATES: Monsoon prices start at Rs 7,000 (including all meals)
CONTACT: 08314207954 - https://wildernest-goa.com/
(Heena Shah is an avid traveller and covers topics such as sustainable travel and lifestyle. Got comments, suggestions? Contact: Explorer.heena@gmail.com)