Southern India
Shenbaga Vilaasam
Shenbaga Vilaaasam is a wonderfully unique place to stay, offering a harmonious blend of tradition and modernity within a rural Indian farmland setting. The building itself was built in the early 1900s as a farm getaway for the Zamindarini of Samathur. As such, the mansion offers opulence and luxury alongside a comfortable, homely ambience. The many antiques and art pieces collected by the family remain in place, almost creating a beautiful museum of the property’s heritage.
Nestled amongst hundreds of acres of active farmland, guests can immerse themselves in rural Indian practices, and the local produce is extensively used in the kitchen. Guests can enjoy the formal dining room as they tuck into authentic vegetarian Indian dishes, made by local chefs.
Facilities
Dining room, several outdoor seating areas, air conditioning, WiFi access, laundry service.
Optional Activities
There are many activities available, the majority of which allow guests to immerse in Indian rural life. Rural tours, nature walks, bird watching, or even bullock cart rides. Stroll through the village market or craft market, or visit nearby forts, waterfalls and dams. Additionally, activities such as astrology, cooking lessons, music displays and Ayurvedic treatment allow guests to learn even more about the lives of the locals.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
If you have any questions regarding our India tours, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Naturalist guides were brilliant. We seem to have been given the best one in each place. Had same one for whole of stay in each place. Cultural guides gave just enough information and then left you to ask questions about what interested you which is what we like. They did not seem to have a set patter. Helpful about photographic sites – i.e. good position to take photos.
[OVERALL STANDARD OF SERVICE] Excellent isn’t good enough. In every place we were treated like royalty. Totally relaxed and felt totally safe but not smothered.
[WILDLIFE HIGHLIGHTS] 11 tigers, innumerable rhino, wild elephants, buffalo, otters, hog and swamp deer, and wild boar. Birds at Keoladeo excellent. Watched leopard and three cubs at Siana for 1.5 hrs of exceptional viewing.
An outstanding holiday which far exceeded our expectations. Many people would enjoy it I’m sure.