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Accommodation
Recreating the mood of the local tribal community, our architects
have designed individual cottages amongst a landscaped spice
garden. Each dwelling is thatched with elephant grass and
offers simple luxury and privacy.
A number of creature comforts have been added, however, to
make your stay a luxurious one. The rooms are spacious and
furnished with simple sophistication: terracotta tiled floors,
wooden beds and chairs, and whitewashed walls. (To preserve
the environment, the furniture has been crafted using pine
from Cochin's historic docks.) There is also a telephone,
a fan, an en suite bathroom with hot running water, and an
efficient laundry service. A verandah runs round the entire
cottage, and each dwelling is set in its own land.
Recreation
At the centre of the village is a swimming pool, surrounded
by tropical trees and lawns.
Meals
Overlooking it is a buffet restaurant, which serves a wide
range of traditional Indian and international cooking. As
you would expect, spices play their part in a menu which changes
daily.
Ayurveda
Spice Village has an exclusive Ayurvedic clinic, well-equipped
for treatments like Pizhichil, Njavarakizhy, Dhara and other
natural therapies.
Other facilities
- Conference
Hall
- Games
Room (Carrom, Chess)
- Library
- Evening
Entertainment
- Documentaries
- Souvenir
Shop
- Laundry
Service
- Internet
- Resident
Botanist
- Options
for Excursions to Periyar Reserve
Water
Safari
There are several ways to explore the Periyar Tiger Reserve.
The most popular is by boat, which allows visitors to watch
animals drinking at the lakeside. Two hour trips are booked
at Spice Village, and the best chance of sighting animals
is in the early morning or at dusk. It's an eerie sensation
passing by the forest branches which poke out from the water,
stretching through the mist like dead men's fingers. Many
animals come to the water's edge and it is one of the few
places in the world where elephants can be observed at close
quarters from the safety of a boat.
Forest Treks
It can be arranged for you to venture deep into the tropical
forests. Accompanied by a tribal guide, you will be dropped
off by boat at the far end of the lake, from where you proceed
on foot, quickly leaving behind the crowds. It is only safe
to travel at certain times of the day, but your guide will
know more about the jungle than the wild animals which roam
the savannah grasslands and woods.
Cookery Demonstration
For those who want more than just a taste of the delicious
Kerala cuisine, cooking classes are held by the chef every
evening. You get a chance to see for yourself how the dishes
are so carefully made. You could also try your hand with the
earthenware pots and pans and make your own variation of the
Kerala savouries. The Keralafish curry, appam, avial etc.
have a very exotic flavour. The method of preparation is so
different that it makes Kerala cuisine very distinct and liked
by all. Enough reasons to watch, learn and try for yourself.
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