Explore The Rustic Life Of Thekkady With Lunch

The very sound of the word Thekkady conjures up images of elephants, unending chains of hills and spice-scented plantations. In the Periyar forest of Thekkady is one of the finest wildlife reserves in India and spread across the entire district are picturesque plantations and hill towns. On this day tour of Thekkady visit a coffee and spice plantation, learn about beekeeping, chocolate and poppadom making. Also visit a South Indian ashram (monastery).

Highlights
• Visit to a coffee & spice plantation
• Views from Valiyapara & Ottakathalamedu
• Santhigiri ashram

You will be picked up from your hotel in Periyar and driven to a coffee plantation in nearby Thekkady. After the tour of the plantation you will also get to see how your daily dose of coffee is produced before it ends up in your cup.

Drive next to the vantage point of Valiyapara, which literally means ‘giant rock’. From here you can get a full view of Thekkady, its paddy fields and plantations.

Also visit a farm and learn about beekeeping and honey collection. See how your crunchy poppadoms are made.

The next stop is Santhigiri Ashram. Spend some time watching the residents as they make coir products and weave fabrics at their handlooms. You will also get a chance to interact with the Swamiji (head monk) and seek his spiritual guidance.

Take a break for lunch (beverage excluded) at a local restaurant.

After lunch, visit a spice plantation and see how spices like nutmeg, cardamom and pepper are grown.

Your next stop is Ottakathalamedu, a viewpoint on the top of a mountain that offers a spectacular view of the Thekkady Dam and surrounding hills.

End your visit of Thekkady with a performance of some folk dances of Kerala.

At the end of the tour, you will be taken back to your hotel in Periyar.