Tanshikar Spice Farm

27th February 2022 - 6th March 2022,  4th March 2022

Goa is not all about beaches. Goa is very rich in flora and fauna. Goa has quite a few Wildlife Sanctuaries as well. Just near to the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, among the Western Ghats rainforests there is a Spice Farm well preserved and in the lap of mother nature known as Tanshikar Spice Farm. This Spice farm sometimes is also colloquially called as Netravali Spice Farm due to it's proximity to Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. To be precise this spice farm is in Netravali village in the Sanguem Taluka of Goa. This Spice Farm is near to South Goa and hence it also sometimes referred to as South Goa Spice Plantation.

Tanshikar's working Organic Spice Farm is spread across 40 acres of land out of which on 25 acres a variety of spices are grown. Tanshikar Spice Farm received Best Organic Farmer Award by the Prime Minister of India through Shri Shri Agri Institute Trust in 2016.

This Spice farm is managed and run by the Owners Chinmay and Gauri. The duo have been raising and running the Spice Plantation for more than 20 years now. As Chinmay Tanshikar mentioned to us that it is his third generation who is looking after the Spice Plantation. It was started by his grandfather and passed on to the future generations. The farm was open for public in 2005.

Chinmay and Gauri are the one's who take visitors, visiting the Spice Plantation from various countries, on the Spice Plantation tours. We accompanied Chinmay on the Spice Plantation Tour and were amazed with his knowledge on various spices. His commitment and passion for the spice farm is just exemplary.

We had decided to visit a Goa Spice Plantation during our visit to Goa, for our shear love for nature. We chose Tanshikar Spice Farm, as we felt it is one of the best preserved Spice Farms in Goa and secondly we could club it with our visit to Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Tanshikar Spice Farm

Tanshikar Spice Farm Entrance

Tanshikar Spice Farm Reception and Museum:

As you enter via the entrance you would see the reception area. This is the reception cum spice sale counter. This is where we met Chinmay who was our host for our visit to the Spice farm. He was very courteous. We were on our return journey from Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary and it was already mid-day.
We were interested in taking the Spice Plantation tour and enjoying the authentic farm fresh lunch that is complementary with the tour. The Tour plus the Lunch Costs Rs. 600 for each adult. One has to let Chinmay/Gauri know (book the tour) at least a day in advance so that they can prepare fresh food as per expected footfall. Once can contact them via their contact details shared on their website here.

When Chinmay enquired whether we would have farm tour or have the lunch first, we opted for having lunch first as it was already midday. The Restaurant is just besides the Reception area.

As you enter from the entrance and move towards the reception area on your left you would see a small Museum that has articles and items from the bygone era.

One would see preservation of nature and natural resources every where in this complex say for instance just besides the Reception area there are the Toilets, which recycles the hand-wash water discarded during hand-wash in the washbasins to irrigate trees and plants.
Added below is a short video capturing the Reception Area, Museum and water harvesting system.

Tanshikar Spice Farm Restaurant:

Just besides the reception are is the Restaurant area, which serves finger-licking authentic Goan food. The restaurant is made of bamboo and coconut leaves which gives it a perfect traditional look. It has a small fountain in the center which adds to the beauty of the place.
The Restaurant is open from all sides and from the center which aids for good natural lighting and perfect air flow keeping it illuminated and cool.
The food is freshly cooked and is kept in traditional bowls and containers. We were told that even the water that is used for drinking is fresh natural water not bottled mineral water.
We just loved the ambience and enjoyed the finger-linking freshly prepared Goan food. Our favorite for the day was the Pineapple Sabzi (Pineapple curry).
Added below is a short video capturing the Restaurant Area and the finger-licking food.

Spice Farm Tour-Spices and Other Products grown in the Farm:

After finishing our food we were accompanied by Chinmay for the Spice Farm Tour. The Spice Farm is all organic. Chinmay told us that they employ organic methods to raise and grow the spices and other products in the farm.
Chinmay showed us various spices and other products that were grown in the farm. Speaking fluent English, he told us about the history of the spices and how they are cultivated. His knowledge and passion for his work is just exemplary.
To be honest we could not recognize few the spices and other products grown in the farm in their raw form. Had Chinmay not told us about the spices and other products we would have not recognized them.
A short video is added below showcasing Spices and Other Products grown in the Farm.

Beekeeping:

Chinmay showed us the various man-made beehives that they use for Beekeeping. He showed us how a Drone and Worker bees looks like. He shared various insights on the nature and life of bees. He illustrated how Honey Bees help in natural cross pollination and increases production, Natural Honey becomes just an added bi-product.
A short video added below showcasing Beekeeping.

Traditional Mud House:

During the Spice Farm Tour, Chinmay showed us the 250 year old Traditional Mud House, which is owned and inhabited by them. He told us how these houses had the perfect thickness of mud walls that kept the house cool in the day time and warm during night. The house had natural lighting and free air flow. 
Chinmay emphasized the importance of human connect, via their feet, with mother earth on mud floors. He also showcased that if a glass item falls on the mud floor it does not break as the impact is transmitted to the earth.
A short video added below showcasing Traditional Mud House.

Accommodation and Activities offered by Tanshikar Spice Farm :

Although we did not stay or engaged in various activities offered by Tanshikar Spice Farm we believe it would be equally good as the Spice Farm Tour & the authentic Goan food offered by Tanshikar Spice Farm. Some images added as under for getting a glimpse of the Accommodation and Activities offered by Tanshikar Spice Farm. One can contact the Owners directly for Tanshikar Farm Stay and various other activities offered by them.

Tanshikar Spice Farm Wooden Homestay and Adventure Park

Tanshikar Spice Farm - Recreation

Tanshikar Spice Farm Culinary Cooking Classes

We were given a complementary spices packet (free of cost) by Chinmay. We bought some more spices as well. Finally we ended our tour thanking Chinmay and Tanshikar Spice Form for the making our visit so memorable. 

Best Time to Visit Tanshikar Spice Farm:

As locals suggested best time to visit Tanshikar Spice Farm is between October to March as then the temperature in Goa is in the moderate range. Goa experiences scorching heat between the summer months of April and Early June, this is the time that people generally avoid visiting Goa. The Monsoon starts in June and ends in September. This is the time when the foliage is lush green and hence the farms look very serene and beautiful. Hence one may opt to visit the farms in the monsoons as well.
Having said that visiting the farms in any season is a delight for the eyes and the soul as it offers a soul nourishing experience.

Lush Green Tanshikar Spice Farm

How to reach Tanshikar Spice Farm:

Tanshikar Spice Farm is towards the southern part of Goa. It is near the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary. It takes less time to reach Tanshikar Spice Farm if you are staying somewhere in South Goa and travelling from there. Having said that it is well connected to any part of Goa. Normally People hire a Taxi/Cab or a Two wheeler for their Trip to Tanshikar Spice Farm/Netravali area. 
In general Goa is well connected to the world via Goa International Airport. It is also connected to various other Indian States and Cities via road and railways. Major Railway Stations being Margao and Vasco-da-Gama.

Tanshikar Spice Farm View

Tanshikar Spice Farm Opening Timings:

We were told that the Spice Farms opens between 10 am to 4pm daily, but it is best to check with the owners beforehand. Also if you are planning to visit, let the Owners know about your visit (book a Trip) at least a day in advance as they prepare food as per expected footfall.

Glimpse of Tanshikar Spice Farm

Other Important Information about Tanshikar Spice Farm :

Clothings for Tanshikar Spice Farm : Cotton clothes during the months of October to March and rain-cover during Monsoons.

Fooding /Lodging/Hotels on Tanshikar Spice Farm route : Meals and Hotels available at South Goa, Central Goa etc. Hotels need to be pre-booked during  peak season. Variety of foods option available on the route and in Tanshikar Spice Farm.

Petrol Pumps on Tanshikar Spice Farm route: South Goa, Central Goa etc.

ATMs on Tanshikar Spice Farm route available at: South Goa, Central Goa etc.

Bike Repair Mechanics on Tanshikar Spice Farm route available at : South Goa, Central Goa etc.

Car Repair Mechanics on Tanshikar Spice Farm route available at: South Goa, Central Goa etc.

Phone Network Connectivity: Phone Network is feeble, sometime Network resumes but sometime the Phone does not have any network.

Medical Care: Hospitals available at South Goa, Central Goa etc.

Any Special Permission Needed by Indian Citizen to Visit Tanshikar Spice Farm: No.

Places to Visit near Tanshikar Spice Farm:  Netravali Wild life Sanctuary, Bud Bud Lake etc.

    + Disclaimer: Information provided above is based on self experience and collected from various other sources.

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Spice Plantation at Tanshikar Spice Farm