Multiple Days Trekking in Kerala -

Duration: 8 Days

Multiple Days Trekking In Kerala

Day 01: Cochin-Suryanelli Munnar

Today, you will be picked up from Cochin to drive to Munnar to check into your hotel located alongside a tea plantation. Relax for a while. Afternoon, you will be guided for a 3 hrs mountain walking tour through a 150 years old plantation area, developed in 1907 by a UK based company called Harrison & Crossfield which takes you to a height of 2050 MSL altitude. It is located in the eastern escarpment of Munnar hills between Meesapulimala and Bodymettu Ghats. The high reaches of the eastern escarpment formed a slow depression to form Anayirangal valley, intermittent with rolling grass hills, plantations and natural forest.

In this short duration hike you will be guided to the Plantation labors colony popularly called Layam. Layam was a Gulag-like structure thatched in a narrow straight line during the colonial period. Though the conditions and facilities of the labor camps changed, these lines are still called Layam. The Layam where we are visiting is the camp of tea garden workers, their recreational centre, worship places, cattle sheds, etc. placed beautifully atop a ridge.

After a short walk you will be guided to the top of a nearby mountain surrounded by plantation and protected forest. This high peak gives a 280-degree view of valleys, mountains and forest. Once can witness the amazing western horizon with the setting sun and low flying clouds.

Returned to hotel before night fall

Day 02: Kolukkumalai Trek

After breakfast, prepare for a long walk of about 22 kms. This circled path is through tea plantations, protected forest edges etc. The first 8 kms is through a hiking trail which leads to an old tea factory at Kolukkumalai. This hike is an uphill walk. Kolukkumalai offers an incredible view of the Korangini creator. It is from this crater the early British planters reached Munnar plateau for planting tea and cinnamon. After enjoying the view, you will be guided to an old tea factory which still uses the orthodox method of tea making.

The next lap of the hike is through a jeep track down hill to Suryanelly village with a stretch of 8 Kms. The last lap is about 6 kms through protected forest and grassland. This is a well-maintained road. (The last lap also could be a drive with our vehicle, if the total stretch is too long)

All together the total hike and programme will take 8 hrs. Packed lunch will be provided enroute.

Day 03: Mathikettanchola Trek

This day is for another long and tough hike to the Mathikettan Chola National Park perched on Bodymettu hills. Chola National Park or Shola National Park is a specially protected high altitude cloud forest of western ghats. Sholas are also called ‘Tropical temperate forest’ due to its temperate climate during winter. The forest consists of high-altitude grass hills, and cloud natural forest. It is a home for many species of animals and plants endemic to western ghats.

You will be transferred to the trekking point of the Shola by car (9kms). There from the hike begins to the base office. After a short break and official formalities continue the hike. The first lap of the hike is through steep hills. It offers a break taking views of high mountains, valleys and an array of western hills. After a break at the transition zone of grass hills to cloud forest, continue the hike to the South side of the forest.

Packed lunch will be provided at a forest camp. The last lap of the hike is through cardamom hills and plantations. On your return, you will be received by our driver from the other end and return to the hotel.

Day 04: Walking Safari And Jungle Camp In Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

After breakfast you will be transfered to Marayur –Chinnar Pleteau (65kms) in the leeward of the Ghats. You will be received by our team in this village with a traditional banana leaf lunch. After lunch you will be transferred to Chinnar wildlife sanctuary for walking safari and jungle camp. Check in to the sanctuary, after official formalities at base camp, prepare for 3 days walking safari through jungle and overnight stay inside forest in exclusive jungle camp. The trek is of medium phase and walking through wildlife zone of the forest. The forest of Chinnar is a rich abode of wild elephants, gaur, deer, monkeys, leopard etc. like 37 species of mammals and 265 species of birds. After 3 hrs of walking, you can check in to the jungle camp overlooking the forest. After a tea break you will be guided to nearby waterhole area for more wildlife watch. Overnight in camp. Freshly cooked food will be served in camp.

You need to take a small bag enough to carry your personal belongings for 2 nights, suitable for warm and dry days and cool nights. Dull coloured clothes, shoes with good grip, long pants, hats, sunglass (if necessary) sunscreen cream etc are preferred things to be carried.

About the camp: The camp is a traditional hut built atop a hill. There is no electricity in the camp, but powered with solar lantern or candles. The toilet is detached from the sleeping area, but quite near to it. Proper mattresses, sheets, blankets etc will be provided. No option for shower, but can provide a bucketful of water for washing.

Day 05: Chinnar Walking Safari

Wake up to the call of birds and animals. After breakfast prepare for a 3 hrs session of morning hike to spot more wildlife. Lunch at camp. You can see animals from the balcony of the campsite.

After tea break one more session of walking safari till evening to spot wildlife and nature. Dinner and overnight in camp.

Day 06: Chinnar-Munnar

After breakfast check out from camp. Trek through forest to spot more wildlife. Return to base camp at Chinnar by 10.30am. Your vehicle can pick you from base camp. Evening enjoy the resort area to walk through the plantation. Overnight at your resort.

Day 07: Meesapulimala Trek

You will be transferred to Meesapulimala base camp in early morning with packed breakfast and lunch. Join the Peak hiking group and continue trek the peak (2650MSL- 8615ft.) The trail passes through pine plantations, grass hills and Rhododendron ridges. These hills are a known habitat of Nilgiri tahr, an endemic mountain goat of western ghats. You will be served lunch in a suitable location. Return the base camp by late afternoon. Transferred to resort for overnight stay.