9-Day Kerala Spices Tour – Private Munnar, Thekkady & Kumarakom

Spice Plantations, Tea Estates & Quiet Backwaters

This private 9-day Kerala Spices Tour follows the trail that made Kerala famous: the spice markets of historic Kochi, the tea-covered slopes of Munnar, and two nights among the cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg plantations of Thekkady, before you unwind beside the backwaters of Kumarakom. Travelling by private chauffeur-driven vehicle at a relaxed pace, with heritage hotels and plantation stays, it suits couples, families, honeymooners and nature lovers. Want a houseboat night too? See our Classic Kerala Tour, or view more Kerala tour packages.

Tour Snapshot – Kerala Spices Tour

• Duration: 9 Days / 8 Nights
• Route: Kochi → Munnar → Thekkady → Kumarakom → Cochin Airport
• Stays: 2 nights Kochi, 2 nights Munnar, 2 nights Thekkady, 2 nights Kumarakom
• Arrival & Departure: Cochin International Airport
• Style: Spice plantations, tea estates, nature, culture & backwater relaxation
• Accommodation: Heritage hotels, plantation retreats & lakeside resorts
• Meals: Daily breakfast at hotels
• Travel: Private chauffeur-driven air-conditioned vehicle
• Best For: Couples, families, honeymooners & slow-travel enthusiasts
• Ideal Season: October to March

Tour Highlights – Kerala Spices Experience

• Explore historic Fort Kochi, the Chinese Fishing Nets, Mattancherry Palace and Kerala’s famous spice markets
• Enjoy scenic drives through the Western Ghats, with waterfalls and mountain landscapes
• Discover Munnar’s tea estates, waterfalls and panoramic viewpoints
• Visit working spice plantations growing cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg
• Spend two nights in Thekkady, Kerala’s spice country, with time for Periyar and an optional boat safari
• Learn about Kerala’s centuries-old spice trade and traditional plantation life
• Relax in Kumarakom beside tranquil Vembanad Lake and the Kerala backwaters
• Taste authentic Kerala cuisine and enjoy cultural performances and optional Ayurveda treatments
• Stay in heritage hotels, plantation resorts and lakeside retreats
• Experience a blend of spices, tea, wildlife, culture and peaceful backwaters

Please note: Mattancherry Palace is generally closed on Fridays, and the Paradesi Synagogue on Saturdays and Jewish holidays. Eravikulam National Park usually closes for several weeks, normally around February–March, for the Nilgiri Tahr calving season. We plan your sightseeing around these closures.

Detailed Kerala Spices Tour Itinerary

• Day 1: Arrival in Kochi – Upon arrival at Cochin International Airport, meet your private representative and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a leisurely walk through Fort Kochi, the historic waterfront, the Chinese Fishing Nets and the vibrant cafés. Overnight stay in Kochi.
• Day 2: Kochi Sightseeing – Discover Kochi’s rich heritage with visits to Fort Kochi, Mattancherry Palace (Dutch Palace), the Paradesi Synagogue, St. Francis Church and the historic spice markets and warehouses that made Kerala famous across the world. In the evening, enjoy an optional Kathakali dance or Kalaripayattu martial arts performance. Overnight stay in Kochi.
• Day 3: Kochi → Munnar (Approx. 125–130 km | 4–5 hrs) – After breakfast, drive into the Western Ghats towards Munnar. Along the way, admire waterfalls, spice gardens, tea estates and beautiful mountain scenery. Stop at Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls before arriving at your plantation resort. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 4: Munnar Exploration – Spend the day exploring Munnar’s rolling tea plantations, the Tea Museum, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point and Kundala Lake. Visit Eravikulam National Park (subject to its opening schedule) and enjoy an optional tea tasting. Overnight stay in Munnar.
• Day 5: Munnar → Thekkady (Approx. 90 km | 3–4 hrs) – Continue to Thekkady, Kerala’s renowned spice-growing region. Visit a working spice plantation to learn how cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg are grown and harvested. Later, enjoy free time to explore local spice markets or attend an optional cultural performance. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
• Day 6: Thekkady & Periyar Experience – Enjoy an optional morning boat safari on Periyar Lake, renowned for its scenic beauty and wildlife. Spend the rest of the day exploring plantation trails and local spice shops, or enjoy an authentic Ayurveda wellness treatment. A Kerala cooking class using fresh local spices can also be arranged on request. Overnight stay in Thekkady.
• Day 7: Thekkady → Kumarakom (Approx. 110–125 km | 3.5–4 hrs) – Drive to Kumarakom, one of Kerala’s most tranquil backwater destinations. Check in to your lakeside resort overlooking Vembanad Lake. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure, with optional canoe rides, birdwatching or sunset views across the backwaters. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
• Day 8: Kumarakom Leisure – Enjoy a relaxed day exploring Kerala’s peaceful backwaters. Visit the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary, stroll through nearby villages, take an optional sunset cruise or simply unwind at your resort with optional Ayurveda therapies. Overnight stay in Kumarakom.
• Day 9: Kumarakom → Cochin Airport (Approx. 85 km | 2–2.5 hrs) – After breakfast, drive to Cochin International Airport for your onward journey. Depart with memories of Kerala’s spice plantations, tea estates, wildlife, backwaters and warm hospitality.

Please Note: Driving distances and journey times are approximate and may vary depending on road conditions, weather, traffic, sightseeing stops and seasonal factors. Wildlife activities, plantation visits and optional experiences are subject to local operating schedules.

Inclusions – Kerala Spices Tour

• Private air-conditioned chauffeur-driven vehicle throughout the journey, including airport transfers, sightseeing and all intercity transportation as per the itinerary
• 8 nights’ accommodation with daily breakfast: 2 nights in Kochi, 2 nights in Munnar, 2 nights in Thekkady and 2 nights in Kumarakom, in handpicked heritage hotels, plantation resorts and lakeside resorts
• Guided spice plantation visit in Thekkady, featuring cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg and other aromatic spices
• Sightseeing in Kochi, including the historic spice markets, as mentioned in the itinerary
• Tea plantation visits and scenic hill sightseeing in Munnar
• Two nights beside Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom, with time to enjoy the backwaters
• All toll taxes, parking charges, fuel expenses and driver allowances

Optional experiences, such as the Periyar Lake boat safari, multilingual guides, Ayurveda treatments, cultural performances, cooking classes and tea tastings, can be arranged on request.

Not Included – Kerala Spices Tour

• International and domestic flights
• Visa fees and travel insurance
• Meals other than daily breakfast
• Optional activities, such as the Periyar Lake boat safari, Kathakali and Kalaripayattu shows, canoe rides, sunset cruises, Ayurveda treatments, cooking classes and tea tastings
• Monument and national park entrance fees
• Tips for chauffeurs, guides and hotel staff
• Personal expenses such as laundry, camera fees and shopping

Spices You Will Discover on the Tour

• Cardamom: grown in the cool hills around Thekkady and often called the “queen of spices”
• Black pepper: the spice that first drew traders to Kerala’s coast, grown as climbing vines in the plantations
• Cinnamon: seen as bark and quills in Thekkady’s spice gardens
• Cloves: the dried flower buds of an evergreen tree, grown in the hills
• Nutmeg: a tree that gives two spices, nutmeg and mace
• Vanilla: a climbing orchid grown on plantations in the region, where available on your visit

You also see the story behind these spices in the old spice markets and warehouses of Kochi, where traders from around the world once came to buy them. Which spices you see in each plantation depends on the season and the estate.

Personalise Your Kerala Spices Tour

• Upgrade to plantation retreats or heritage hotels, or explore our luxury India tour packages
• Add Ayurveda wellness therapies, yoga sessions and spa experiences
• Add a night on an Alleppey houseboat, as on our Classic Kerala Tour
• Extend your journey with Varkala, Kovalam, Wayanad or additional nights in Munnar
• Private guides available in English, French, German, Spanish and other languages
• Add tea tasting, cooking demonstrations, village walks and cultural performances
• Adjust the pace for honeymooners, families and senior travellers
• Combine Kerala with the Golden Triangle or Rajasthan for a longer India journey

Best Time to Visit – Kerala Spices Tour

• October – March: Ideal weather for hill stations, spice plantations, wildlife and backwater experiences
• April – June: Warmer days with fewer visitors and attractive hotel offers, though lower areas are hotter
• July – September: Monsoon turns Kerala lush and green, ideal for Ayurveda and plantation visits, although sightseeing and boat plans may be adjusted around heavy rain

FAQs – Kerala Spices Tour

• Q: Why is this called a Kerala Spices Tour?
  A: The journey focuses on Kerala’s famous spice-growing regions, historic spice markets, tea estates and plantation experiences, and combines them with the state’s beautiful backwaters.
• Q: Are spice plantation visits included?
  A: Yes. A guided visit to a working spice plantation in Thekkady is included, and it is one of the main highlights of this itinerary.
• Q: Which spices will I see?
  A: Typically cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg, and vanilla where available. What you see depends on the season and the estate.
• Q: Where does the tour start and end?
  A: The tour starts in Kochi, where we meet you at Cochin International Airport, and ends with a private transfer from Kumarakom back to the airport.
• Q: Is the Periyar boat safari included?
  A: The boat safari on Periyar Lake is optional and can be arranged on request, subject to availability and weather. Tickets are not included.
• Q: How does this differ from the Classic Kerala Tour?
  A: Both are 9-day journeys through Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and Kumarakom. This Kerala Spices Tour spends two nights in Thekkady for deeper plantation experiences. Our Classic Kerala Tour adds a night on an Alleppey houseboat instead.
• Q: Is this tour suitable for first-time visitors?
  A: Yes. It is an excellent introduction to Kerala’s culture, tea estates, spice plantations, wildlife and backwaters.
• Q: Can I add beaches or more destinations?
  A: Yes. Kovalam, Varkala, Wayanad and other destinations can easily be added to create a longer itinerary.
• Q: Can the itinerary be customised?
  A: Yes. Every tour is tailor-made to match your interests, travel style and preferred hotel category.

Why Choose Premium India Tours

• Expertly crafted private Kerala journeys showcasing authentic spice plantations and local culture
• Handpicked heritage hotels, plantation resorts and lakeside retreats
• Private chauffeur-driven travel with flexible, tailor-made itineraries
• Transparent pricing, with clear inclusions and exclusions
• Local expertise since 2010, with dedicated support from planning until the end of your journey