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Deluxe Villa, Spice Village, Thekkady, India

Spice Village

Kerala, India

Spice Village is a collection of individual cottages set in a landscaped spice garden in Thekkady, close to Periyar Wildlife Reserve.

Why we like Spice Village

A very comfortable place to stay in ‘the wilds’ of Kerala, where you can truly unwind, switch off and absorb the natural environment in all its glory.

Facilities

Spice Village is an eco-resort with a less is more ethos. There is no air-conditioning or television but wide open spaces, comfortable rooms with plenty of natural light and ventilation. The hotel has been designed with a Keralan Village type feel with thatched roof cottages scattered around the grounds. There is, of course, modern plumbing, comfortable beds and hot showers but the setting is stripped down to its natural essence. Staying here really feels like you are in the middle of nature.

Other facilities include a swimming pool, games room and an excellent restaurant. Ayurvedic treatment is also available on site.

Activities

The area is rich with biodiversity and nature walks are a must. Bird watching, hiking and visiting Periyar Wildlife Reserve.

Spice Village, Thekkady, India

Spice Village, Thekkady, India

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Axis Deer, India

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Golden Eagle Madras Mail – South India by Luxury Train

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On the Trail of Snow Leopards

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Rare and elusive snow leopard on mountain top lookout, Ladakh, India

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Tiger Safari in Central India

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Bengal Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park, India

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Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan

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Detail of decorated gateway, Amber fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

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An Introduction to Bhutan

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Sun Temple, Bhutan

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Highlights of Kerala – Cochin, Munnar and Backwaters

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Tea Estates, Munnar, Kerala, India

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Central India’s Cultural Highlights

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Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

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A Family Friendly Holiday to South India

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Sunset on Backwaters, Kerala, India

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We know a thing or two about bespoke holidays – we’ve been creating them since 1989. Take a trip through the India holidays that we love today.

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Wildlife Safari in Kanha, Pench and Satpura

With small private eco-lodges providing a comfortable base, discover the rich biodiversity of India’s most prolific national parks. Pench is famous for its leopard sightings, while the dense forests and the large prey base at Kanha, provide the perfect territory for…

15 days from $7,280pp

Axis Deer, India

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Golden Eagle Madras Mail – South India by Luxury Train

Journey through Southern India, covering everything from India’s most important cities of Mumbai and Hyderabad to spectacular World Heritage Sites and the coastlines of Goa and Kerala.

15 days from $15,910pp

Deccan Odyssey Train, Rajasthan, India

View Holiday Idea

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On the Trail of Snow Leopards

Our snow leopard group tour works with the Snow Leopard Conservancy Trust India in Ladakh and is accompanied by its team of expert trackers. Spend four full days exploring the Ulley Valley searching for ‘The Ghost of the Himalaya’.

Departing 19th February 2023

13 days from $6,714pp

Rare and elusive snow leopard on mountain top lookout, Ladakh, India

View Group Tour

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Tiger Safari in Central India

This holiday suggestion is perfect for anyone keen to see tigers in the wild. Experience 10 game drives over eight days, accompanied by best-in-field naturalists, in three of the top tiger parks in India; Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna.

10 days from $6,714pp

Bengal Tiger, Bandhavgarh National Park, India

View Holiday Idea

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Forts and Palaces of Rajasthan

Picture India in your mind’s eye and there’s a strong chance you will think of Rajasthan. There are few places in the world that pack such a powerful, cultural punch with festivals, architecture, people and food all combining to produce…

14 days from $6,658pp

Detail of decorated gateway, Amber fort, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

View Holiday Idea

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An Introduction to Bhutan

This 13-day classic journey is the perfect holiday for anybody visiting Bhutan for the first time, taking in the main sites of Western and Central Bhutan whilst staying in a mix of traditional Bhutanese guest houses.

13 days from $8,842pp

Sun Temple, Bhutan

View Holiday Idea

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Highlights of Kerala – Cochin, Munnar and Backwaters

For a slower but no less rewarding Indian holiday, head south to the laid-back state of Kerala, home to hillside tea estates, exceptional beaches, wildlife parks and vibrant ports and cities.

12 days from $6,154pp

Tea Estates, Munnar, Kerala, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

Central India’s Cultural Highlights

This holiday idea to Central India has been designed to combine some of the most evocative and memorable experiences from the religious ceremonies in Varanasi to the perfectly preserved temples of Khajuraho.

12 days from $4,318pp

Gwalior Fort, Gwalior, India

View Holiday Idea

Idea

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This holiday idea offers you the most comprehensive, contrasting and experience-led journey through Southern India’s temple state of Tamil Nadu.

9 days from $3,802pp

Meenakshi Temple, Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India

View Holiday Idea

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A Family Friendly Holiday to South India

This family-friendly journey to South India is brimming with activities to satisfy even the most adventurous of children. A beautiful combination of private river cruising, wildlife safaris and child-friendly, insightful experiences amongst working plantations guarantees a holiday packed with variety.…

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Sunset on Backwaters, Kerala, India

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View all holiday ideas View all group tours

Where to stay in India

Our team has handpicked this collection of properties to give you luxury options in styles to suit any journey.

More luxury accommodation

Windermere Estate

£££££

Once the summer resort of the British Government in South India and set at the confluence of three mountain streams, Windermere is a 60-acre Cardamom Plantation known for its excellent hospitality.

Restaurant, Xandari Resort & Spa, San Jose, Costa Rica

Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort

Wellness and Spa
£££££

Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort in Kerala is an award-winning wellness retreat perfect for those looking for a luxury beach setting whilst experiencing the Keralan traditions of Ayurveda. Carnoustie is an all-villa beach resort offering private…

Carnoustie Ayurveda & Wellness Resort, Mararikulam, India

Taj Bekal Resort & Spa

Beach and Island Escapes
£££££

Vivanta by Taj – Bekal is an exceptional beach resort tucked away in Northern Kerala in an area that hasn’t seen an influx of tourism and remains one of India’s best-kept secrets, being surrounded by lush…

Vivanta by Taj Bekal, India

Ayana Fort Kochi

City
£££££

Set in a 200-year-old building, Ayana boutique hotel offers a sanctuary from the kaleidoscope of activity on Fort Kochi’s streets outside. With art-deco design, striking colours and checked tiled floors, the property is one of classic…

Ayana Fort Kochi, Cochin, Kerala, India

Brunton Boatyard

City
£££££

Brunton Boatyard is an elegant colonial-style hotel with distinguished decor, a fantastic outdoor pool and an excellent selection of restaurants. Sophisticated and chic, heritage-style hotel with a superb seafood restaurant.

Swimming Pool, Brunton Boatyard, Cochin, India

Coconut Lagoon

£££££

This traditional-style, eco-friendly hotel promising complete escapism. Individual cottages, called tharawads, are set amongst lawns and gardens amid a network of pools and waterways.

Heritage Bungalow, Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom, India

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A faultless trip so brilliantly expedited and organised by Steppes Travel but with a major backup from those on the ground, in India.

India

A great itinerary for an introduction to India. It has given us lots of ideas and enthusiasm for a return trip.

India

Why Choose Steppes?

Our knowledge and expertise set us apart. So too our curiosity. It is this that drives us to create a journey that is really bespoke to you, all the while ensuring we travel and operate sustainably.

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