Spice Village

Spice Village is the essence of a mountain tribal village, re-imagined for the modern independent traveler. A tribute to ancient ways of life. And to one man's patience and passion.

Curling around a misty ridge 2,000ft high in the Periyar vastness, we found a ranger's home, with fruit trees, rare herbs and a profusion of flowering plants. And here, we set out to build a resort. A village, produced whole, using mountain spirit and tribal wisdom as the building material. Of course, the comforts of a modern hotel exist, but they never intrude. Modern plumbing, comfortable beds, and hot showers find their place, but in a setting stripped down to its natural essence.

Hewn stone replaces shag carpets. Birdsong takes the place of television. Air-conditioning? Unnecessary anyway in the fine mountain climate and what would it do but mask the heady scents of spice wafting through the air?

Check-ins at Spice Village are not at a boring reception desk, but out on the lawns, with a healthy herbal brew where you can choose the herbs yourself. Get invigorated, absorb the sights and sounds of Nature, and before you know it, your bags have been whisked away to your room and you are ready for a sojourn like no other.

Depending on the season, you could take a day trip and visit a neighboring pepper plantation. Walk amidst the rows of vines creeping upwards on trellises. The correct time to pluck the peppercorns is when they are beginning to redden, just before they are completely ripe. Try your hand at it, but be sure to wash up before touching your eyes or nose! Walk past the rows of mats on which the plucked peppercorns are left to dry. The scent of pepper mingles with the fresh mountain air. This is the starting point of the centuries-old spice trade and that delicious flavor which makes such a difference to foods worldwide.

The timeless wilderness of Periyar Tiger Reserve is just a short distance away from us. Its 925 sq. km sprawl includes forests, marshes and aquatic habitats that together support 62 species of mammals, 320 species of birds, 27 species of amphibians, 45 species of reptiles, 38 species of fish. Innumerable medicinal plants round off this incredibly rich collection of biodiversity. Some 25000 tribals also draw on the reserve’s resources for subsistence. On treks, tours, and safaris with our guides, you can spot sambar deer, bison and elephants in their natural habitat. And if the gods are smiling down on you, you may even catch a glimpse of a leopard- or that elusive ghost, the tiger!

Just a gentle walk about Spice Village's 35 acres is an education in botany. Or you can spend a languid morning with a book from the library. Then, there's the 'dhaba' style Indian roadside chai we serve in the afternoons, complete with a 'cutting' tumbler. Bird watching and fishing enthusiasts will find new experiences to take home. And if you catch something, why, the chef will be happy to fry it up! Finally, Spice Village has a fine ayurvedic facility offering extensive massages and treatments. And fitness? Take your pick: Tennis, badminton, Volleyball or Yoga?

A night’s trek into the reserve will plunge you neck-deep into the mystery and magic that is Periyar. The real romance of the forest comes into play after dark, when a completely different side of it comes alive. As you trek the night trails, you experience a haunting silence, broken only by the cries of nocturnal denizens of the wild. This is when elusive creatures such as the rare fruit bat, Nilgiri-flying squirrels, owls, and nightjars make an appearance. Experienced tribal guides will open a doorway into this magical realm, leaving you with a new insight into the wonders of Mother Nature. This is another universe altogether - one that cries out to be experienced.

Keen on learning some magic from the chef? Spice Village's master chefs share some of their skills with you at the evening cookery classes. Here you will learn the secrets of traditional Kerala and seafood cooking. And of course, you will enter the magical world of Indian spices. What they are, how to use them, combine them, and savor the special magic they bring to even the most commonplace foods. Best of all, your friends at home will be cardamom green with envy once you return with your new found secrets.

All this, in addition to the certified, award-winning Ayurveda Program of al CGH Earth destinations awaits you at Spice Village

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