Local Spice Farms

These terraced heavens called kulagars, not only grow areca nut but also different spice plants, fruit and vegetable bearing trees, such as jackfruit, mangoes, chickoo, drumsticks and bread fruit. They are irrigated by springs from hills or water pumped from rivulets and fertilized using natural organic manure. Being thickly vegetated, the kulagars attract a lot of birds and other fauna. An ancient custom followed by these plantations, is to leave about a tenth of the ripened fruit on the trees to sustain the wildlife.

Enterprising owners of some of these have converted their properties into green havens, now popularly known as the Spice Gardens; promising interesting guided tours through the groves and vines laden with spices like pepper, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, tumeric and exotic herbs.

Pathway leading through the groves

One can sample elaborate Goan cuisine on plantain leaves or sewn leaf plates, locally known as potravodeo. Laden with local delicacies such as Goan style fish or prawn curry, local red rice, chicken xacuti, vegetable preparations, pickle and papad.

Restaurant at a Spice Garden, Collem

Some of the farms setup on the banks of rivers have domesticated elephants. One can enjoy elephant rides and even help bathe the elephants in the nearby rivers. Additional attractions include rafting, kayaking, hiking and treks to the nearby DudhSagar falls.

Domesticated tusker at the plantation

Elephant shower at sunset