Spice trails & Country life

Starting from: Kochi

Season: All year

Duration: 8+ days

Highlights: Kochi - Spice, coffee & tea plantations - Jungle trek - Athirapally waterfalls - Tribal experience - Local cuisine

Drive through Kerala's beautiful countryside and taste fantastic local cuisine made with these spices; spend time at farms, villages and with tribes and stay amidst plantations and spice villages on this fantastic spice trail.

This holiday is perfect for travellers who want to experience rural life, get an insight into the spice cultivation process and enjoy Kerala's delicious cuisine.

We help with all the arrangements - a private vehicle with a driver, local guides where necessary, handpicked quality accommodation as per your choice, a personalised itinerary, and local assistance during your trip; to make sure that this is the trip of a lifetime!

Each of our holidays is a personal experience and our goal is to design an itinerary that matches your dream trip.
Below is an 7 day / 8 night itinerary to give you a general idea of our Spice Trails & Village life
 itinerary starting from Kochi:

Day 1 - Arrival & Kochi

Arrive in Kochi. Later in the day take a guided walk around the Fort Kochi area followed by a traditional dance performance.
Overnight in Kochi.

Day 2 - Athirapally falls & Jungle trek

Drive to via cardamom, rubber, coffee and nutmeg plantations to the Athirapally falls where you will have a guided jungle trek to get acquainted with the variety of wildlife in the area.
Overnight at a resort in the rainforest for 2 nights.

Add-on activities:
Wildlife safari
Cooking lesson

Day 3 - A day with the tribals

Visit a tribal colony where you can get to know the locals and enjoy a meal including the traditional bamboo puttu and freshly caught fish.

Day 4 & 5 - Munnar

Drive to Munnar where you will spend two days in the midst of nature surrounded by hills. Walk through the evergreen forests and undulating pathways with scenic views of peaceful spice, coffee and tea plantations. 
It is possible to have a cooking lesson and also learn about tea processing, the different varieties of tea and visit the tea museum.
In the evening, enjoy a campfire with delicious food cooked using the local spices.

Optional add-ons:
Mountain biking
Kolukkumalai Jeep Safari

Day 6 & 7 - Kumily & Thekkady

Drive through the rolling hills to Kumily, known for its cardamom plantations. Continue to Thekkady, the town which grows 12 different types of spices.
Spend two nights in a spice village resort where you can explore the ecosystem with its diverse trees and birdlife, visit the villages to experience local life and culture or pick your own organic vegetables for dinner.

Optional add-ons:
Periyar Tiger Reserve trek
Papermaking workshop
Cooking lesson
Pepper plantation tour
Mountain biking

Day 8 - Departure

Drive back to Cochin for your flight back.

Since your exact itinerary is customised for your arrival and departure times, activities and tours you choose, and the pace of your trip; these might change.
We can of course also accommodate any preferences you have.

Here are some of the ways in which we can customise this trip:
- Add extra days to slow down the pace or enrich your itinerary with more time for activities or detours
- Cut a day or two from the itinerary to allow for reduced time or budget
- Create a themed itinerary with an emphasis on your favourite activity or interest f.e. history, culture, architecture, cuisine etc.

Price from: 1,325 USD per person on a twin-sharing basis in summer

Inclusions:
- Accommodation with breakfast for 6 nights
- Chauffeur-driven private air-conditioned car for 7 days
- Day guide in Kochi
- Current applicable taxes
- Contact person in India

Note: These prices are not applicable for festival dates and Christmas-New Years period.

Notes:
We offer a variety of comfortable vehicles for different group sizes with a local driver, and a guide for the sightseeing.

We offer a wide variety of accommodations from star category hotels to heritage hotels, all well rated and located so as to balance your daily travel time.

Your detailed itinerary will include must-see attractions and offbeat sights. We can also add tours and activities of your choice, restaurant recommendations and any other special interests you have. Some of this might require adding extra time to the trip.

And of course, we are always available for questions or assistance during your trip.

Additional information for your trip will be sent to you after the booking. This will include details about weather and clothing, currencies and payments, electricity system, food and water, safety, contact info, and other useful tips.