SteppesTravel
Menu
Popular Destinations
Our Destinations
Holidays Types
All Holiday Ideas
About
Our Content
Travelling Safely
When to Go
Best time to Go
All best time to visit guides
Restaurant, Xandari Resort & Spa, San Jose, Costa Rica
Home Hotels Windermere Estate

Windermere Estate

B Corp
Contact us

Once the summer resort of the British Government in South India and set at the confluence of three mountain streams, Windermere is a 60-acre Cardamom Plantation known for its excellent hospitality.

Why we like Windermere Estate

Full of character and charm, it remains the best place to stay in Munnar and offers spectacular views of the surrounding valleys.

Facilities

The Cottages and Garden Rooms are spacious and have king-sized beds, with a view of either the valley or garden, while the Planters Villa Rooms, set among oaks and with perfect views of the surrounding tea-clad hills of the Western Ghats. There are big bathrooms, bigger beds (over six feet), and thoughtful inputs, such as a balcony and large windows.

Activities

The spice plantation and cardamom estate are a fascinating exploration. It’s also possible to hire bicycles and ride through the local villages and quiet, winding roads. There is good shopping in Munnar, especially for spices. Treks and walks can be arranged depending on fitness and ability. There are some challenging treks or gentle strolls. A tea safari in a jeep through a local tea estate is a visual feast, as it’s the highest tea estate in the world. Perched on a treacherous ridge rising above the plains of Tamil Nadu, it’s almost otherworldly in its magnificence.

Ideally suited for

  • Child Friendly

Price guide

£££££

Location

Windermere Estate is located on a 22-acre spice and coffee plantation in Munnar. Perched on the Western Ghats (which has been listed a World Heritage Site), this little hill town has incredible scenery, historical heritage and a diverse biosphere.

Idea
India
Echoes of Empire: A Ganges river cruise
This seven-night river cruise from Farakka to Kolkata reveals the soul of Bengal, blending cultural discovery with comfort aboard the ABN Rajmahal. The boutique vessel feels personal and refined. 
8 days from £2,995pp
Woman on Boat, Ganges
View Holiday Idea
Group tour
India
Photographic Safari with Paul Goldstein
Since first leading a safari in India in 1998, award-winning photographer Paul Goldstein has introduced more than 500 travellers to the thrill of their first wild tiger.
Departing 29th April 2026
11 days from £6,735pp
Tiger, India, by Paul Goldstein
View Group Tour
Group tour
India
Kings of Tiger Conservation
More than a typical tiger safari, this unique conservation-focused journey offers unmatched insight into the survival story of the Bengal tiger.  
Departing 20th March 2026
14 days from £7,995pp
Tiger walking along road, Dudhwa National Park, India
View Group Tour
Group tour
India
Private Indian train journey with special guests
Board the Deccan Odyssey luxury train on an eight-day private rail journey through India’s culturally rich and picturesque region of Maharashtra. Accompanied by guest speakers Anirudh Kanisetti and William Dalrymple alongside specialist guides, you will participate in a combination of daily excursions,…
Departing 17th January 2026
8 days from £6,795pp
Deccan Odyssey Train, Rajasthan, India
View Group Tour
Group tour
India
India: A Private View – The Mughal Legacy with Ursula Weekes
For those keen to better understand India, and for those who believe that knowledge and understanding of a country is best achieved through art and history, this alternative itinerary through Rajasthan and the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Delhi-Agra-Jaipur is an opportunity not to…
Departing 13th February 2027
15 days from £8,500pp
Fatehpur Sikri archways and fort, Agra, India
View Group Tour
Idea
India
Golden Eagle Madras Mail – South India by Luxury Train
Journey through Southern India, covering everything from India’s most important cities of Mumbai and Hyderabad to spectacular World Heritage Sites and the coastlines of Goa and Kerala.
15 days from £14,205pp
Deccan Odyssey Train, Rajasthan, India
View Holiday Idea
Group tour
India
On the Trail of Snow Leopards
This snow leopard group tour works with the Snow Leopard Conservancy Trust India in Ladakh and is accompanied by a team of expert trackers from the mountain community of Ulley as well as Indian naturalist Indrajit Latey. Spend five full days exploring…
Departing 27th January 2026
12 days from £6,965pp
Rare and elusive snow leopard on mountain top lookout, Ladakh, India
View Group Tour
Idea
India
Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan
Picture India in your mind’s eye and there’s a strong chance you will think of Rajasthan. Begin with the legendary Taj Mahal before taking a deep dive into the region’s most vibrant cities. This holiday also takes time to visit some of…
14 days from £6,595pp
Detail of decorated gateway, Amber fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
View Holiday Idea
Idea
India
Tiger Safari in Central India
This holiday suggestion is perfect for anyone keen to see tigers in the wild. Experience 10 game drives over eight days, accompanied by best-in-field naturalists, in three of the top tiger parks in India; Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna.
10 days from £5,995pp
Bengal Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park, India
View Holiday Idea
Idea
India
Highlights of Kerala – Cochin, Munnar and Backwaters
For a slower but no less rewarding Indian holiday, head south to the laid-back state of Kerala, home to hillside tea estates, exceptional beaches, wildlife parks and vibrant ports and cities.
12 days from £5,495pp
Tea Estates, Munnar, Kerala, India
View Holiday Idea

Need Inspiration?
Browse our India holiday ideas.

We know a thing or two about bespoke holidays – we’ve been creating them since 1989. Take a trip through the India holidays that we love today.

Idea
India
Echoes of Empire: A Ganges river cruise
This seven-night river cruise from Farakka to Kolkata reveals the soul of Bengal, blending cultural discovery with comfort aboard the ABN Rajmahal. The boutique vessel feels personal and refined. 
8 days from £2,995pp
Woman on Boat, Ganges
View Holiday Idea
Group tour
India
Photographic Safari with Paul Goldstein
Since first leading a safari in India in 1998, award-winning photographer Paul Goldstein has introduced more than 500 travellers to the thrill of their first wild tiger.
Departing 29th April 2026
11 days from £6,735pp
Tiger, India, by Paul Goldstein
View Group Tour
Group tour
India
Kings of Tiger Conservation
More than a typical tiger safari, this unique conservation-focused journey offers unmatched insight into the survival story of the Bengal tiger.  
Departing 20th March 2026
14 days from £7,995pp
Tiger walking along road, Dudhwa National Park, India
View Group Tour
Group tour
India
Private Indian train journey with special guests
Board the Deccan Odyssey luxury train on an eight-day private rail journey through India’s culturally rich and picturesque region of Maharashtra. Accompanied by guest speakers Anirudh Kanisetti and William Dalrymple alongside specialist guides, you will participate in a combination of…
Departing 17th January 2026
8 days from £6,795pp
Deccan Odyssey Train, Rajasthan, India
View Group Tour
Group tour
India
India: A Private View – The Mughal Legacy with Ursula Weekes
For those keen to better understand India, and for those who believe that knowledge and understanding of a country is best achieved through art and history, this alternative itinerary through Rajasthan and the ‘Golden Triangle’ of Delhi-Agra-Jaipur is an opportunity…
Departing 13th February 2027
15 days from £8,500pp
Fatehpur Sikri archways and fort, Agra, India
View Group Tour
Idea
India
Golden Eagle Madras Mail – South India by Luxury Train
Journey through Southern India, covering everything from India’s most important cities of Mumbai and Hyderabad to spectacular World Heritage Sites and the coastlines of Goa and Kerala.
15 days from £14,205pp
Deccan Odyssey Train, Rajasthan, India
View Holiday Idea
Group tour
India
On the Trail of Snow Leopards
This snow leopard group tour works with the Snow Leopard Conservancy Trust India in Ladakh and is accompanied by a team of expert trackers from the mountain community of Ulley as well as Indian naturalist Indrajit Latey. Spend five full…
Departing 27th January 2026
12 days from £6,965pp
Rare and elusive snow leopard on mountain top lookout, Ladakh, India
View Group Tour
Idea
India
Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan
Picture India in your mind’s eye and there’s a strong chance you will think of Rajasthan. Begin with the legendary Taj Mahal before taking a deep dive into the region’s most vibrant cities. This holiday also takes time to visit…
14 days from £6,595pp
Detail of decorated gateway, Amber fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
View Holiday Idea
Idea
India
Tiger Safari in Central India
This holiday suggestion is perfect for anyone keen to see tigers in the wild. Experience 10 game drives over eight days, accompanied by best-in-field naturalists, in three of the top tiger parks in India; Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna.
10 days from £5,995pp
Bengal Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park, India
View Holiday Idea
Idea
India
Highlights of Kerala – Cochin, Munnar and Backwaters
For a slower but no less rewarding Indian holiday, head south to the laid-back state of Kerala, home to hillside tea estates, exceptional beaches, wildlife parks and vibrant ports and cities.
12 days from £5,495pp
Tea Estates, Munnar, Kerala, India
View Holiday Idea
View all holiday ideas View all group tours

Where to stay in India

Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any journey.

India

Spice Village

  • £££££

Spice Village is a collection of individual cottages set in a landscaped spice garden in Thekkady, close to Periyar Wildlife Reserve.

 Deluxe Villa, Spice Village, Thekkady, India View Property
India

Brunton Boatyard

  • City
  • £££££

Brunton Boatyard is an elegant colonial-style hotel with distinguished decor, a fantastic outdoor pool and an excellent selection of restaurants. Sophisticated and chic, heritage-style hotel with a superb seafood restaurant.

 Swimming Pool, Brunton Boatyard, Cochin, India View Property
India

Coconut Lagoon

  • £££££

This traditional-style, eco-friendly hotel promising complete escapism. Individual cottages, called tharawads, are set amongst lawns and gardens amid a network of pools and waterways.

 Heritage Bungalow, Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom, India View Property
India

Marari Beach Resort

  • Beach and Island Escapes
  • £££££

Sprawled expansively across 25 acres of land, Marari Resort is separated from the sea by a windbreak of stretching palms. There are a mere 52 cottages, so the sense of space here is much more dramatic.

 Cottage, Marari Beach Resort, Kerala, India View Property
India

Neeleshwar Hermitage

  • Beach and Island Escapes
  • £££££

Neeleshwar Hermitage is a beach and spa hotel in northern Kerala. The resort is stunning in every way, with comfortable rooms, all beautifully designed and influenced by local fisherman’s huts, an excellent spa and unparalleled seafood…

 Neeleshwar Hermitage, Neeleshwar, Kerala, India View Property
India

Old Harbour Hotel

  • City
  • £££££

Surrounded by lush tropical greenery, this comfortable hotel, set in an 18th-century, Dutch Colonial-style building, is a six-minute walk from the Mahatma Gandhi Beach, and three kilometres from the Mattancherry Palace.

 Garden View Room, Old Harbour Hotel, Cochin, India View Property
More luxury accommodation

Contact Us

Start planning your trip

01285 880 980

Send us an enquiry

Complete our enquiry form and start your next journey.

Review Contact Form

Name(Required)

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge, curiosity and expertise set us apart, driving us to create remarkable holidays and Beautiful Adventures tailored perfectly to you, carefully curated to help protect and conserve our planet.

Are you ready to Discover Extraordinary?


More about Steppes