Spice Village, Periyar
in Kerala’s Cardamom Hills
Come here to slow down, to see how a community can live lightly and well, and to rediscover the priorities that get lost in the noise of modern life.
Location
The village lies on the fringe of the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve, a 925 sq km protected area centred on a scenic artificial lake and home to Asian elephants, rare tigers, more than 60 species of mammals and over 300 species of birds. It is reached by a four‑hour drive from Cochin.
Accommodation
Inside, the cottages are simple, spacious and beautifully natural, with furniture crafted from recycled wooden crates sourced from Cochin. For those wanting extra comfort, the Deluxe Cottages offer more living space and private gardens that feel wonderfully secluded.
Dining follows the resort’s sustainable ethos. The celebrated 50 Mile Diet Restaurant sources every ingredient from within 50 miles; the dishes are organic, ethical and deeply rooted in Kerala’s flavours. The Wood House Bar, complete with a snooker table, offers a relaxed place to unwind.
For curious travellers, the Tiger Club natural‑history room holds 400 books, documentaries and knowledgeable naturalists. It’s a perfect complement to Periyar’s wildlife outside.
Experiences
- Set out on a bamboo‑rafting adventure, trekking through Periyar’s forests before gliding across the lake’s remote catchment areas.
- Join guided jungle treks with local naturalists, walking into Periyar National Park in search of elephants, bison, Malabar hornbills and, with luck, elusive big cats.
- Cruise Periyar Lake at dawn or dusk, watching sambar deer, wild boar and elephants graze along the water’s edge.
- Follow the Pepper Vine trail, learning the secrets of Kerala’s most prized spice with an expert naturalist.
- Try your hand at paper‑making, transforming vegetable waste and old clothes into beautiful handmade sheets using traditional techniques.
- Explore the hilly town of Kumily, wandering through waterfalls, spice gardens and wildlife‑rich slopes where women pluck tender tea leaves on the plantations.
- Discover Thekkady’s highland rhythms, cycling or strolling through village lanes scented with cardamom, pepper and clove.
This is responsible tourism at its best; environmentally light, culturally rooted, and deeply enriching. And if you’re learning about the spice trade, this is an excellent place to see where pepper, cardamom and even tea grow naturally.
Talk to us about designing your journey >
From the Team
“There aren’t many places where you can make your own paper – so seize the chance. It’s a wonderfully mindful experience, and picking up a few handmade sheets or a notepad afterwards means you’ll carry a little piece of Spice Village with you when you write.”
Why Plan with Journeysmiths
Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.Every journey we design begins with listening. Whether you’re travelling as a family, a couple, or across generations, we take time to understand how you want to feel – not just where you want to go. From there, we carefully weave together exceptional places, trusted guides, and seamless logistics to create journeys that flow naturally and feel entirely your own.
Positive Impact
We prioritise working with properties that address location-specific needs from education to conservation and environmental sustainability. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.We prioritise working with properties that address location-specific needs from education to conservation and environmental sustainability. We assess our partners to ensure the people we work with share our values of ensuring our trips continue to act as a force for good. Here we share some of the positive impacts your stay here contributes to.
Great Places to Combine with Spice Village
Spice Village works beautifully as part of a wider journey in India. We often pair it with contrasting environments to create a sense of flow and variety.Spice Village works beautifully as part of a wider journey in India. We often pair it with contrasting environments to create a sense of flow and variety.
Stay in this harbourfront heritage hotel in Fort Cochin, where every room overlooks the busy historic harbour, and you’re perfectly placed for the iconic Chinese fishing nets and the spice‑laden markets nearby.
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The smallest details…
Our trip to India with Journeysmiths was exceptional, with our contact (Ross) on top of even the smallest detail. The suggested itinerary was perfectly thought out and provided a welcome mix of cultural experiences and natural wonders. Organisation 'on the ground' was seamless, including our transport, guides and other local contact. All accommodation exceeded our expectations and ensured we actively looked forward to returning to our hotel every day, despite the fun we were having.
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