India GO
Sahakari Spice Farm, Ponda
Sahakari Spice Farm in Curti, Ponda, charges about ₹500 for entry, and that covers a guided walk through the plantation and an all-you-can-eat Goan thali served on a banana leaf afterwards. The guide stops at every plant, hands you leaves to taste, and shows how feni is distilled. It sits in Goa's temple country, so it pairs naturally with Shri Mangeshi or Shri Shantadurga.
A 50-acre spice farm in Ponda that hosts guided walks through cardamom, vanilla, black pepper, nutmeg, and betel-nut plantations. Guides explain every plant, let you taste leaves, and demonstrate feni distillation. Entry ~₹500 includes the tour and an all-you-can-eat traditional Goan thali on banana-leaf served after. Easy to combine with Shri Mangeshi or Shri Shanta Durga temple nearby.
Entry fee and what it includes
The ticket is about ₹500 per person, and it is less an entrance fee than a package: the guided walk, a tasting along the way and lunch at the farm's restaurant are all in it. Lunch is the part people remember. It is a traditional Goan thali on a banana leaf, with refills, eaten in an open, rustic dining area among the trees.
The farm does not publish its opening hours or current price online, so treat ₹500 as a guide and call ahead if your day depends on it (the farm's phone numbers are on its official site). Since the tour ends with lunch, a late-morning arrival works best.
What you see on the spice walk
The walk goes through plantations of cardamom, vanilla, black pepper, nutmeg and betel nut, under tree cover dense enough to keep the midday sun off. The air smells of whatever the guide has just crushed between two fingers. Expect to be handed leaves to taste as you go.
The guides explain how each plant is grown and used, both in everyday cooking and in home remedies for common ailments; the farm describes this as its purpose, teaching visitors about spices and their medicinal uses. The tour also includes a demonstration of feni distillation, Goa's local spirit.
In 1979–80 the farm consisted of 4.5 hectares of cultivated land and 55 hectares of barren land. Since then about 46 hectares have been planted with fruit trees, spices and medicinal herbs, with cashew covering the slopes, and the farm combines sprinkler irrigation with old water-harvesting methods. It also hosts farmers and students for experiments and research free of charge.
Where it is and how to combine it
The farm is at Curti, on the Ponda–Belgaum highway in Ponda taluka, inland from the coast. Ponda is known for its temples, and Shri Mangeshi and Shri Shantadurga are both nearby, so the usual plan is a temple in the morning, the spice walk and lunch at the farm, and a second temple after. A taxi or a hired scooter is the practical way to link them.
Best time to go
November to February is Goa's driest and most comfortable window, and the shade on the trail makes even the warmer months of March and April manageable. The farm says it receives 600–800 visitors a day, so it can get busy; an earlier arrival gives you a quieter walk.
❓ FAQ
What is the entry fee for Sahakari Spice Farm?
About ₹500 per person, which includes the guided plantation tour and a Goan thali lunch on a banana leaf.
What are the timings of Sahakari Spice Farm?
The farm does not publish opening hours online. Tours end with lunch, so plan to arrive in the late morning and call ahead to confirm.
Is lunch included in the ticket?
Yes. The ticket covers an all-you-can-eat traditional Goan thali served on a banana leaf after the tour.
What can I visit near the spice farm in Ponda?
Shri Mangeshi and Shri Shantadurga, two of Ponda's best-known temples, are close by and easy to combine with the farm in a day.
Where is Sahakari Spice Farm?
At Curti in Ponda taluka, on the Ponda–Belgaum highway, inland in central Goa.