Introduction

The spice plantations of Thekkady are a huge draw for travelers from all over the world. A walk through them opens up a vista of pristine greenery shrouded by low hanging clouds, gurgling brooks and a pale shadow of the Western Ghats in the backdrop. Plantation eco-tours are organized by the District Tourism Information Office at Thekkady in junction Kumily. Accompanied by an English-speaking guide you will be taken on tour of the cover, cardamom, pepper, rubber, vanilla, coffee and tea plantations. In addition to this, you will also be shown around tea factories, tribal settlements and the surrounding hilly region.

Stroll amid lush, terraced farms, sprawling tea estates while listening to bird songs and the murmuring of mountain streams. Make stops along the way to take pictures of the verdant surroundings, and breathe in the fresh mountain air, before continuing to some of the most picturesque vantage points in Kerala. Scramble down along a rippling stream, appreciate the wild flowers covering the wilderness in a spray of colors, keep an eye out for exotic birds, sample an array of spices, and inhale the fragrant air. The most abundantly found spice in Thekkady is pepper, but you will also see a variety of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric and curry leaves on the slanting slopes of the spice plantation.

There are specially designed vantage points to give you a grand sweeping view of the Sahyadri Organic Tea factory housed in a beautiful white-washed building in Peermade. Take a trip to this factory, see how tea is processed, and pick up pouches of aromatic tea leaves as a souvenir for your friends back home. Plantation tour is one of the most popular activities in Thekkady, and is a must-do on your holiday in Kerala.

Special Attributes

It is the most popular activity in Thekkady, and you are shown the exotic spices and condiments that are grown on its hilly slopes.

Nuisance

The site is very peaceful and free of irritants.

Dressing restrictions

Dress is whatever you find comfortable.

Connectivity

You can take a bus to Kumily either from Kottayam (about 4 hours) or Ernakulam (approx. 6 hours). At the Kumily bus stop, there are ample minibuses to take you to the park. Local transport such as auto-rickshaw takes you to your hotel of stay in Thekkady.

Enjoyed by

Families, Backpackers

Exposure

The climate is really pleasant in this part of Kerala. The sky is mostly overcast, allowing you to enjoy your time identifying spices and soaking up the brilliant scenery.

Avoidable Season

June, July, August

Facilities

Tour of tea factory, and chance to shop for some exotic tea samples.

Things Not Allowed

No such restriction.

Tip

Wear walking shoes, carry along your sunscreen lotion and a bottle of drinking water. Don’t forget your camera!

Type of site

Plantation tour