Spice Trails of Kerala

Name: Spice Trails of Kerala
Brand: Exodus
Rating: 4.7 (65 reviews)

65 reviews

Activity

Walking & Trekking

Overview

Walk through the beautiful hills and tea plantations of South India

Traversing the Western Ghats, from the colonial hill station of Munnar to the colourful temple town of Madurai, we discover the two southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Kerala is a tropical paradise with idyllic beaches, fertile forests and plantations of spice and tea; here we reach our highest point, the peak of Meesapulimala. We then cross into the barren landscape of Tamil Nadu and marvel at the intricately carved Sri Meenakshi Temple at Madurai. A trip to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary boasts an array of wildlife and an abundance of colourful birdlife, and a cruise on a traditional houseboat offers the chance to relax on the tranquil backwaters of Kerala. Our journey ends in historic Kochi (also known as Cochin), a port which has been luring traders and explorers for more than 600 years.

Key Information

Trip Code: TGK
Ways to Travel: Guided Group
Countries: India
Carbon Footprint: 31kg CO2e per person per day

What's Included

All breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners
All accommodation
All transport and listed activities
Tour leader throughout
Group arrival and departure transfers available

7 days of Walking & Trekking

Pace:

Moderate: 3mph-4mph (5kph-6kph)

Terrain:

Low altitude; good paths.
Altitude maximum: 8,630ft (2,630m); average: 5,250ft (1,600m)

Day 3: 6.5 km / 3.7 miles
Day 4: 14 km / 8.7 miles
Day 5: 15 km / 9.3 miles
Day 6: 16 km / 9.9 miles
Day 7: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Day 8: 7 km / 4.3 miles
Day 11: 5 km / 3.1 miles

Highlights

Discover the beautiful hill station of Munnar
Trek through the historic tea plantations of Kerala
See the communities customs, art and natural remedies at Vattavada village
Visit the colourful Sri Meenakshi Temple at Madurai
Spend a night on a traditional houseboat in Kerala

Itinerary

First Destination: Kochi (Cochin)
Next Destination: Kochi (Cochin)

Meals included:Dinner

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

Meals included:Breakfast

First Destination: Kochi (Cochin)
Next Destination: Kochi (Cochin)

The adventure begins in Kochi (also known as Cochin), a historic port city on the Malabar Coast.

Around 6pm, say namaste to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.

Your tour leader then ensures a big welcome by arranging a group dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Want more time in Kochi? Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Dinner

In the morning, we drive away from the coastal plain to Munnar, a town within the highest mountains in Kerala. The drive is approximately 100mi (160km) and should take about six hours. Munnar is a beautiful hill station on the Western Ghats, once used a summer resort by the British government due to the fresh mountain air. It is situated at the confluence of the three mountain streams Mudrapauzha, Naliathanii and Kundala and is surrounded by lakes, reservoirs, forests and several tea estates.

Anamudi (8,840ft/2,695m), the highest peak in South India, dominates the skyline and the many smaller peaks are a walker’s paradise.

Accommodation: Eastend Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

After breakfast, we take a short 4×4 drive through old Munnar and travel down to the tiny village of Nagarmudi (4,920ft/1,500m), where we start our trek accompanied by a local guide. The walk begins with a gradual ascent through the tea plantations and then climbs into the Seven Malai Hills. Just before reaching the summit (5,580ft/1,700m), we walk through cardamom and coffee plantations.

Our hard work is rewarded with spectacular views over Munnar and other local villages. We then descend back to our vehicle. In the afternoon, there is an optional visit to the tea museum.

Accommodation: Eastend Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

We have a beautiful one-hour drive to the Silent Valley, passing through tea estates and plantations in a valley surrounded by hills. Our trek starts with a gradual walk on the plains of the tea plantations at approximately 5,250ft (1,600m), followed by a gentle climb to the grasslands. There are beautiful views all around, mostly of the tea estates, which gives us a good feel for the area.

After lunch, we continue with the second part of our trek through eucalyptus trees. The terrain becomes steeper as we leave the tea plantations and finally reach our camp (6,560ft/2,000m), where we spend two nights.

Accommodation: Full-service camping

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we trek to Meesapulimala Peak (8,630ft/2,630m), the second highest in South India (Anamudi is the highest but it is in a restricted area). From our camp, the trail ascends through rough shola grassland over seven hills, with each hill ranging from 50 to 100m of ascent and descent.

We reach an open ridge, bringing us to Meesapulimala Peak. From the top (which is also the border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala), we enjoy breathtaking views all around. After a break at the top and our packed lunch, we return to camp.

Accommodation: Full-service camping

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

In the morning, we start our trek through the thick forest of Silent Valley and then through pine forests and along the streams of the Rhodo Valley. After, we pass through grasslands and shola forest, where we may be lucky to spot giant squirrels, wild boar and Indian gaurs. Our trail reaches the top of a hill (7,545ft/2,300m) and makes several ascents and descents before reaching the lunch stop.

Following a packed lunch, we continue until we reach Yellapetty village, arriving late afternoon. From here, we are taken by 4×4 (20-30 minutes) and then walk to our campsite at Oorkadu (5,740ft/1,750m).

Accommodation: Full-service camping

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we have a fairly easy walk with some slight ups and downs as we hike to the beautiful village of Vattavada (6,235ft/1,900m). Along the way, we pass through the lush vegetable farming region of Pazhathottam and the ever-present tea plantations in this part of India. We find a shady spot for our lunch stop and then continue our hike to the tribal village of Vattavada. The customs, art forms and natural remedies of the communities in this area make it an interesting place to hike.

Our visit to Vattavada village provides an opportunity to meet the people and learn about their lifestyle. This is known as the market of India due to the quantity of fruit and vegetables grown in the area. If we are lucky, we may also observe some rare butterfly species. Continuing our hike, we take an alternative route to our campsite at Oorkadu.

Accommodation: Full-service camping

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

On the last day of our trek, we pack up and leave our campsite for a morning walk in the area surrounding Oorkadu to Koviloor. This peaceful walk leaves directly from the campsite and passes through serene eucalyptus plantations and shaded forest paths. A gradual ascent of approximately 100m leads us to a flat stretch before we descend to the charming Koviloor village.

We end our trek at Koviloor, where we have a tea break before boarding our bus for the drive to Mundhan. En route, we stop at a scenic spot for lunch. Please note, it is a five to six-hour journey (depending on traffic), which goes via Munnar.

Accommodation: Green Royale (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Leaving Kerala, we drive (approximately two to three hours) through the plains to the colourful temple town of Madurai in Tamil Nadu, one of the oldest and most fascinating cities in South India.

The great Sri Meenakshi Temple, most of which was built during the Nayak period between the 16th and 18th centuries, is at the heart of the city and the life of the town revolves around it. It is a hive of activity and the scene of an almost continuous religious festival. Worshippers bathe in the tank of the Golden Lily and throng the Hall of a Thousand Pillars, where each one is uniquely carved. Madurai is a perfect place to wander around and experience Hindu culture.

Accommodation: Germanus Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Leaving Madurai in the morning, we drive to the small village of Thekkady. The drive is spectacular as the road climbs through the Western Ghats and we have fantastic views across Tamil Nadu. Thekkady is a small yet bustling village from where we visit Periyar National Park. This whole area is a centre for spice growing and, after lunch, we have a short walk around a spice garden, where we can see many different spices growing.

There is plenty of time in the afternoon to explore the bazaar, where we can visit numerous shops selling cardamom, vanilla, peppercorns, chillies, turmeric and other spices. Our total driving time is approximately four to five hours.

Accommodation: Jungle Park Resort (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

Periyar National Park is one of the largest in South India and is set around a large human-made lake. In the early morning, we have a short nature walk in the tropical forest. In the afternoon, you can join an optional boat trip and lake cruise (cruise tickets can be purchased online in advance. We recommend this to avoid long queues. Please inform your leader if you wish to purchase tickets in advance).

This is an ideal opportunity to spot birds, such as kingfishers, storks and hornbills, and occasionally we may spot an elephant, otters, wild pigs and buffalos. There is also the opportunity of an Ayurvedic massage (optional), which can be arranged in the nearby Ayurvedic massage centre, and a cooking class (optional). The park will most likely be your last chance for souvenir shopping. Card payments are taken and there is also an ATM.

Accommodation: Jungle Park Resort (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

We transfer to the coastal city of Alleppey. We board our houseboats and begin our cruise along the backwaters of Kerala. The houseboat cruise is one of the highlights of the trip – these enchanting houseboats, built of anjili wood and bamboo, were the traditional method of transporting goods for centuries. Now they have been decorated and made into comfortable cruise boats. The network of rivers, streams, lagoons and canals occupies the alluvial plain between the Western Ghats and the Indian Ocean. As our boat meanders through areas of lush tropical vegetation, we can spot numerous birds and gain a different perspective on village life. All the houseboats are comfortably equipped and have three or four twin-bedded rooms with private bathrooms.

There is a cook, boat driver and assistants for each boat and the food served is traditional Keralan fare using local produce. No trip to Kerala is complete without the wonderful experience of the backwaters aboard these traditional Keralite vessels.

Accommodation: Houseboat

Meals included:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After a relaxing breakfast on the houseboats, we disembark and drive along the scenic Malabar Coast to the fishing village of Marari. Tonight, we stay in a community-run homestay near a beautiful stretch of beach with plenty of time to relax and explore.

Accommodation: Marari Beach Villa (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

We head back to Kochi and, during the afternoon, there is a guided tour, which includes: Mattancherry Palace, which was built by the Portuguese as a gift for the Raja of Kochi; the Jewish synagogue dating from 1568; and St Francis Church. We also explore the town of Kochi, its bazaars and old harbour area. Fort Kochi is believed to be the earliest European settlement in India, founded by the Portuguese in 1503. Warehouses filled with the smell of tea and spices are lime-washed bright green, yellow and blue; rickety old bikes and hand-painted trucks, piled high with goods fill the narrow streets and food stalls stand on every corner.

Further along the road, you come to Mattancherry and the Dutch Palace. Next to the Palace is the synagogue, built in 1568 for the Jewish members of Kochi’s trading communities (please note, the synagogue is closed on Saturdays). Most people choose to stay in Fort Kochi and wander around its fascinating streets. In the evening, there is the chance for an optional visit to see a Kathakali performance, a classical dance unique to Kerala.

Accommodation: Grand Hotel (or similar)

Meals included:Breakfast

The adventure ends in Kochi and we begin our return journeys home. If you’d like to stay longer in Kerala please speak to your sales representative about extending your stay.

Meals included:Breakfast

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Call us on 1 844 462 4317

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Accommodation

Hotels, camping, homestay and houseboat

We aim to secure locally owned accommodation that is well located, offers good value for money, and plenty of comfort. To help you find your ideal adventure, each trip is given a Comfort Level rating, which indicates the overall standard of accommodation. For more on our ratings, see our Comfort Level guidelines.

On this trip we spend eight nights in hotels, four nights in full-service camps, one night in a homestay and one night on a houseboat.

Camping: The group will be provided with two-person tents which are waterproof and have space for luggage. All tents come with a mat and a two-inch thick foam mattress per person. At the campsite in the Silent Valley (Day 4 and 5), we stay at a campsite managed by the National Park. There are basic facilities such as fixed toilets and open dining buildings with meals are prepared for you. For Day 6 and 7 we will be wild camping. Our crew will get the site set up with a dining tent, tables, chairs, a kitchen tent including all equipment and a toilet tent including toilet roll and handwash.

Homestay: In the fishing village of Marari, we stay in community-run accommodation with rooms allocated in either Marari Beach Villa or across the homestays of different fishing families. All the rooms are within walking distance of each other and meals are eaten as a group at the main homestay.

Houseboats: These are comfortable and all cabins have toilet facilities. The houseboat also benefits from a deck and dining area. The number of rooms per boat will vary depending on group size and availability.

Worth knowing

Tailor your trip: Extend your adventure by securing extra hotel nights before or after the main itinerary. Speak to your sales representative to book
Private rooms: Like most tour operators, we room solo passengers together. If you’d prefer to have a private room, it’s normally possible to do this for a supplement. The single supplement is available at the hotels and full-service camping, but may be limited at the homestay. Speak to your sales representative to book.
Hotels do not usually have heating as there are really only a couple of months in the year when the weather can be cooler. You can request more blankets or ask the hotel for a standing heater if required. Please talk to your tour leader if you need any help.

Essential Information

This trip is rated Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.

Although this is not a demanding walking tour, it is a busy and active itinerary with lots to see. Driving is kept to a minimum and the roads are generally pretty good, though traffic and/or road damage can sometimes lengthen journey times. This trek is suitable for regular walkers who are used to hill-walking or prepared to put in some physical preparation.

Most days are not overly taxing although there are some more challenging day treks, particularly the ascent on day 5. Most of the trails are on well-made paths with some steep or rough sections, appropriate walking boots are essential, it can become slippery in places when wet. After rain, especially in spring, leeches may be present on short parts of the trek, you may wish to bring leech socks/gaiters or wear long socks to prevent bites.

Temperatures can be very hot in the middle of the day and the sun is very strong. Nights will be cooler and three nights of the trek can be very cold, particularly during December and January, with temperatures just below freezing. Walking hours stated are given as approximates only. Timings stated include lunch and photo stops and vary depending on the group’s pace.

Worth knowing:

Altitude maximum: 8,630ft (2,630m); average: 5,250ft (1,600m)
The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for the conservation of many monuments in India and very occasionally this may mean work is taking place at sites visited on this trip. The ASI schedule is never published so it is not possible to forewarn when work is taking place.

Key information

Start hotel: Grand Hotel, Kochi, M.G Road, Ernakulam, Pin-682011, Kerala, India
Phone: +91 0484 2382061
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing around 6pm this evening.
Airport: Cochin International Airport (COK)

Getting to the start hotel

The start hotel is approximately a one-hour drive from the airport. Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.

Catching your return flight

There’s a group departure transfer to the airport for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.

Please note, unless specified otherwise, the transfers will be to the start (or pre-tour) hotel and from the end (or post-tour) hotel and will be on the date on which the tour starts/ends; transfers to other hotels in the same city and/or on different dates may attract an extra charge. Transfers should be booked with your sales representative at least two weeks before the tour starts.

India

To avoid possible problems at immigration, make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of 180 days at the time of entry into India.

Travellers from the UK, US, CA and EU normally need a visa to enter India. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.
Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/asia/india
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/india
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/india/entry-requirements
• USA: www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/India.html

Travellers eligible for an e-visa, which includes those from the UK, US, CA and EU, can apply at www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html.

For more information on applying for your Indian Visa, including details required for your start hotel and local reference contacts, please click on this link: Indian Visa Information.

New Digital Arrival Card

Travellers from the UK, US, EU and Canada must also complete a Digital Arrival Card. This can be filled online up to 72 hours before arrival via the official Indian visa website https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/earrival/. This is separate from the Indian e-visa process and this remains the same. Physical cards will remain at the arrival airport until 1 April 2026, at which point the Digital Arrival Card will be made mandatory.

All breakfasts, six lunches and seven dinners are included. It is full board on trek (five days) and on the houseboat (one day).

Allow at least 1,650 rupees (approximately US$20) per day for lunch and dinners that aren’t included. You can eat out very cheaply in India, but if you mainly eat at the more expensive restaurants, you will spend more than the suggested amount.

In most of the towns we visit, there is a good choice of restaurants with Indian and Western-style options. If you are vegetarian, India is probably one of the best destinations to visit. Tea and soft drinks are very cheap and a (large) bottle of beer is approximately 410 rupees (US$5). Please note, due to Kerala state laws, alcohol licenses are limited to one or two bars in each area and not all hotels are permitted to serve alcohol. The first day of every month and certain holidays in India are dry days, when no alcohol is permitted for sale.

Drinking water: Staying hydrated is important and we recommend to drink plenty of water whilst hiking. Mineral water is available in the bus in large containers. Whilst camping the crew will boil fresh water so that it is safe to drink. You may want to bring an additional reusable bottle and effective form of water treatment as a precaution – Steripens and purification tablets are the easiest options to use on the trek.

Exodus has partnered with Water-to-Go, a filtration system that eliminates more than 99.99 percent of all microbiological contaminants from any non-saltwater source – visit Water-to-Go for more information. Exodus customers can claim 15 percent off their first order and, better still, 15 percent of the purchase value will be donated to the Exodus Travels Foundation.

The most important feature of the Indian climate is the wet season or monsoon. The main monsoon strikes the coast of Kerala in late May and sweeps northward over the next month or so. The ideal time to visit is during the dry season from late November to March. Days are hot and the nights warm, the average maximum daytime temperatures are 21C-30C (70F-86F). However, in the hills and on trek, temperatures can be considerably cooler and, although the days on trek will be hot, expect temperatures to drop to a few degrees above freezing point or just below at night for three nights on trek. Also expect frequent rainstorms on November departures. These are usually quite short but have been known to be persistent as well. Campsites are sometimes affected by these adverse weather conditions.

As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.

We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.

This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.

You’ll also find Thriving Nature, Thriving People moments across our trips. These experiences are often a highlight of your adventure, while also benefiting the natural world or local communities.

On this trip, we:

Visit Vattavada village to meet local residents and learn about traditional lifestyles, customs, art forms, and natural remedies.

Reviews

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Spice Trails of Kerala

Activity Level

Comfort Level

Activity

Overview

Walk through the beautiful hills and tea plantations of South India

Key Information

What's Included

7 days of Walking & Trekking

Highlights

Itinerary

Dates & Prices

Skip the hassle: We’ll handle your trip from start to finish, with competitive flight prices, dates that suit you, 24-hour support, loyalty discounts, and peace of mind for delays or disruption.

Your Group, Your Adventure

Accommodation

Hotels, camping, homestay and houseboat

Essential Information

Key information

Getting to the start hotel

Catching your return flight

India

Reviews

A surprise around every corner!

Most Inspirational Moment

Thoughts on Group Leader

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fabulous adventure.

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Spice Trails of Kerala

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Spice Trails TGK 0402

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Fabulous Trip

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fun and rewarding trip.

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The good and the bad

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Trekking needs an urgent revamp

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Reply from Exodus

Amazing trip

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Fantastic trip

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