Tulsi Village Retreat near Munnar: A Cocoon in the Kerala Hills

Disclosure: I paid for this stay myself and the views are my own. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you. Stayed: May 2026. Last updated: 24/09/26

Are you searching for a peaceful escape in the Kerala hills?

I discovered a simple log cabin, with an incredible view and the feeling that I had stepped into my own little world, surrounded by trees, birds and endless green hills.

This is my review of Tulsi Village Retreat in Kallarkutty.

As part of a six night solo wellbeing trip in Kerela, I spent two nights at Tulsi Village Retreat, about 28 km from Munnar.

I stayed in its Private Cocoon Cabin. A gorgeously quiet stay immersed in nature.

➜ Read more about my 6 night Kerala Wellbeing Trip here

My honest review covers the accommodation, food, accessibility, the solo travel experience and what it was like as a wellbeing stay.

Note: Despite the name, it isn’t a retreat in the spa or yoga sense: there are no organised classes, treatments or programmes. It’s a place of individual cabins where you make your own retreat (which is all I wanted).

“Tulsi Village was born in 2014 from a simple idea to create spaces where people can pause, breathe, and experience life in its most natural and authentic form.” Tulsi Village website

My experience at Tulsi Village Retreat

Tulsi Village Retreat sits in a beautiful natural setting in Kallarkutty, surrounded by lush greenery and hills. I arrived wanting very little from my two nights other than space, nature and a chance to slow down, and that was exactly how I used my time.

There are several types of accommodation, including A-frame cabins, treehouses, cottages and the Private Cocoon Cabin where I stayed.

Private Cocoon Cabin review: the view, deck and privacy

I was very happy with my choice. All the accommodation looked appealing, but my cabin felt particularly special.

“Private Cocoon” is the perfect name. You enter from the back, up a few steps from what looks like a fairly bland exterior, into a spacious, curved wooden cabin that immediately feels cosy and grounding. Then the whole space opens up to the most incredible view.

The front is almost entirely glass, and you walk out onto a large wooden deck overlooking Kallarkutty Dam and the valley beyond. Greenery stretches as far as you can see.

I walked out onto the terrace and immediately felt my breath deepen and my mind clear.

One of my favourite things about travelling is finding somewhere with a view that just keeps going, whether over mountains, hills, grasslands or the ocean. I always notice an immediate change in my mental and emotional state when I have that kind of expansive view. It takes me away from small me, with my problems, to out there. I am no longer the centre of the universe; I am part of the universe. For me, that sense of openness is deeply restorative.

I loved waking up in the morning to the sunshine dancing through the curtains. I’d open them, stand there looking out…wow

The cabin also felt genuinely private. It isn’t overlooked by anyone else. You have to stand right out on the deck at the front and look back towards the retreat’s grounds to see the other cabins. Most of the time, it felt as though it was simply me, the trees and the birds.

The décor is simple but thoughtfully designed, with some cute touches. The bathroom was functional and clean, and the Wi-Fi was excellent. There were also plugs on the terrace, which made it possible to work outside if I wanted to.  

The grounds at Tulsi Village Retreat

The retreat is set in a natural, hilly landscape, surrounded by lush plants, spices, vibrant flowers and greenery. There are different places to sit, including a hammock, although I spent most of my time on my own terrace.

Is Tulsi Village Retreat accessible? Steps, slopes and slippery paths

This is not an easily accessible property if you have mobility issues. The retreat is set on a hillside, with steps, uneven paths and some steep sections. After rain, some paths can become slippery. There were also steps up to my cabin.

If you have mobility or balance difficulties, I would take this into consideration before booking. The Private Cocoon Cabin itself was comfortable for me, particularly because I spent most of my time on the terrace, but getting around the wider property requires more effort.

I’d also recommend arriving during daylight hours. I wouldn’t have wanted to navigate the paths for the first time after dark, particularly when wet, because although there is lighting, it’s quite dim. The staff were helpful, carried my bag to the cabin and warned me about the tricky steps.

Are there insects and mosquitoes?

As with any stay in the Kerala hills, expect some insects. It wasn’t a big problem for me, apart from the evening I left the light on, which drew them in. The retreat had a lovely natural fix. The owner’s mother, picked leaves from a nearby tree and burned them, and it worked well as an insect repellent. I believe they were neem leaves, a traditional insect deterrent in India, though I didn’t confirm this.

I didn’t have any trouble with mosquitoes, possibly because of the altitude, though that’s just my guess.

Food at Tulsi Village Retreat (and an alcohol-free stay)

The website states that freshly prepared vegetarian and non-vegetarian delicacies, including local specialties made with organic ingredients from nearby farms is available.

Unfortunately, I visited during the LPG shortage linked to the conflict in the Middle East, so the retreat wasn’t able to provide its usual restaurant service. Instead, I was given a takeaway menu and could order from a nearby restaurant. It was cheap and cheerful and perfectly fine, but I was a little disappointed, because eating local food is part of what I enjoy about a stay like this.

If the restaurant matters to you, check with the property whether it’s currently operating.

The breakfast I did have at Tulsi was very tasty and gave me a good idea of what the usual food might be like. It was simple, traditional Kerala food: pittu and beans one day, followed by coconut roti and vegetable curry the next.

The restaurant area itself has beautiful views.

The retreat is also alcohol-free. I noticed a no-alcohol sign, which I appreciated. I have no problem with other people drinking, but when I’m looking for somewhere peaceful and restorative, I like knowing alcohol isn’t going to be a major part of the atmosphere as I personally don’t drink alcohol.

A wellbeing stay near Munnar: nature, solitude and doing very little

For me, the wellbeing experience at Tulsi wasn’t about organised activities or spa treatments. It was about having somewhere beautiful to sit and doing very little.

I used my terrace for yoga, meditation and reading. Mostly, though, I simply looked at the landscape. That was enough.

Sometimes the most restorative thing you can do is give yourself somewhere peaceful enough to stop.

Is Tulsi Village Retreat good for solo travellers?

I felt comfortable as a solo woman throughout my stay. Most of the other guests were Indian couples and families, which I found throughout my Kerala trip as I was travelling during the Indian school holidays. May – August is also the low season for international visitors, so I met very few international guests during my trip.

I never felt uncomfortable being at Tulsi Village alone, and I got the impression the staff were perfectly accustomed to accommodating solo travellers.

I wouldn’t personally plan to stay here for a long period without your own transport. There isn’t much in the local village beyond a small shop, and Munnar is about 30 minutes away. For me, two nights was enough, particularly because the restaurant wasn’t operating.

Is Tulsi Village Retreat safe for solo women?

As a midlife solo woman, I felt safe and comfortable throughout my stay. The staff were there to greet me when I arrived and were helpful throughout my visit.

However, I’m very used to travelling alone. If this were your first solo trip, the location might feel a little remote, particularly after dark and especially if there was a storm.

I would also recommend arriving during daylight hours. The location is quiet and isolated, and the paths are quite dimly lit at night. I think I might have felt nervous arriving for the first time in the dark. Arrive in daylight and you’ll have a much better first impression of the place. I often find places feel a bit intimidating at night, only to look fantastic at dawn.

What I particularly loved about Tulsi Village Retreat

• The incredible view over Kallarkutty Dam and the surrounding valley
• The sounds of wildlife
• The privacy of the Private Cocoon Cabin
• The feeling of being completely immersed in nature
• Having a beautiful place where I could simply slow down and do very little
• The sense of peace I felt sitting on the terrace

Things to know before you go

• The property is very hilly, with uneven paths that can become slippery after rain.
• There isn’t much within walking distance, and it can feel quiet and isolated after dark.
• You’ll need a taxi or tuk-tuk to get around, which adds to the overall cost of your stay.
• The accommodation is comfortable but not luxury.
• There are insects, especially if you leave the light on at night! I didn’t have an issue with mosquitoes.
• Two nights felt like a good length of stay for me.

➜ Discover Tulsi Village Retreat here.

My verdict: who should book Tulsi Village Retreat, and who should skip it

I would recommend Tulsi Village Retreat if you’re looking for somewhere to disconnect from everyday life, immerse yourself in nature and spend a few days doing very little. It’s a good fit for solo travellers, walkers, birdwatchers and anyone who wants a quiet, alcohol-free base near Munnar.

It may not suit you if you:

• Need easy access or have significant mobility difficulties
• Want lots to do nearby or a lively social atmosphere
• Need a full range of facilities on your doorstep
• Want a structured yoga, meditation or spa retreat
• Want to explore Munnar’s tea gardens and viewpoints. It’s about 28 km (30 minutes) from Munnar town, so you’d be better off staying closer.

For me, the real value of Tulsi was the combination of privacy, nature and that extraordinary view.

Tulsi Village also has a sister retreat: Tulsi Kayal Retreat in Alappuzha, Kerala

➜ Discover both Tulsi Village & Tulsi Kayal

Things to do around Tulsi Village Retreat

I didn’t actually do anything, apart from a very short walk into the village where the accommodation is located! I was perfectly happy staying at Tulsi, making the most of my balcony.

If you do want to explore, the Tulsi Village staff can arrange trips and experiences. These include spice garden tours, cooking classes and jeep safaris.

You can also get into Munnar relatively easily by tuk-tuk or taxi, but I probably wouldn’t make this a base to explore Munnar from as it’s a bit of a trek (28 km) and there’s plenty of closer hotels in Munnar.

Book an organised tour

When I travel I tend to use Get Your Guide or Viator to book trusted tours and experiences.

Here are some ideas:

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