MANOJ NARAYANAN

Manoj’s experiences of more than 15 years in the travel industry have played a very important role in moulding his interests and love for travel, tourism and hospitality. His travels showed him all that was the best in these fields; what could be made better; and what the need of the hour was. Thus the concept of Ecotones is a dream come true for Manoj: a place where smiles are not put on but genuinely shared; a quiet retreat to just unwind and not be disturbed by anything other than the breeze beating a gentle tattoo on your face. And Manoj makes sure Ecotones remains that way. Hailing from the village of Muthuvankudi where Ecotones is located, Manoj is well-versed with the peoples and their cultures which goes a long way in understanding the pulse of the area and its people. Stationed at Ecotones throughout the year, he oversees all the activities offered at Ecotones.

SPIRIT to discover

MANOJ NARAYANAN

STORY to share

WILDLIFE & BIRD WATCHING

STYLE to experience

ECOTONES CAMPS - BORN OUT OF A PASSION

INDIA, KERALA, MUNNAR

Wildlife & Bird Watching

The concept of Ecotones is a dream come true for Manoj: a place where smiles are not put on but genuinely shared; a quiet retreat to just unwind and not be disturbed by anything other than the breeze beating a gentle tattoo on your face. And Manoj makes sure Ecotones remains that way.

Photo: Ecotones Camps

STYLE to experience

ECOTONES CAMPS - BORN OUT OF A PASSION

Manoj is part of Ecotones Camps team. And what makes Ecotones Camps stand out from the crowd?

While most hotels or resorts at Munnar resemble a concrete jungle, Ecotones is a breath of fresh air: literally and figuratively. Ecotones blends in with its surroundings. Roofs are thatched with reeds, which were harvested sustainably by our Muduvan (a forest tribe of Kerala) friends. The thatches are not treated with chemicals to last longer, as they usually are. Skilled Muduvan workers hand-crafted mud-bricks from earth that was readily available in our campus to construct our mud houses, in their traditional style.

Most of our staff are locals, who get their training in accordance with contemporary tourism standards. Many fruits and vegetables are also sourced locally, so that local farmers, small businessmen & women profit from Ecotones, ensuring community involvement and upliftment.

Guests can visit local farmers, interact with them and try their hand at harvesting organic produce too. Plastic mineral water bottles are not offered; instead local spiced water is available free of cost in re-usable glass bottles. No televisions grace the rooms, with the hope that guests will venture out and see the beauty of nature around.

Ecotones Camps believe that even small actions like these can go a long way in preserving the beauty of Munnar and its surroundings, which are gradually degrading, due to the enormous pressure of callous and commercial tourism.