Located in the Idukki district of Kerala, the Meesapulimala Peak is at an enviable altitude of 8661 feet. The Meesapulimala trek is an 8 kilometre-trek through eight hills. A trek to Meesapulimala will make you experience the various habitats of nature, viz; meadows, grasslands, shola and pine forests.
Rankings & Ratings #10 in 21 Things to Do in Munnar
#1 in 3 Trekking/Jungle Camping in Munnar
The Meesapulimala Trek is certainly going to inspire awe in you. For those who like to challenge their bodies, the experience is like a dream come true. You get to see so many diverse things in such a short time. The view from the top is so fantastic that you would want to stay there forever.
Meesapulimala peak, at an altitude of 8661 feet above sea level, is the second highest peak in Kerala. Apparently, ‘Meesapulimala’ gets its name because the peak resembles a tiger’s face. ‘Meesa’, translates to moustache, ‘puli’, to tiger and ‘mala’, to hill in the local language, ‘Malayalam’.
Meesapulimala, about 40 kms from Munnar, is a destination for the highly adventurous souls as this trek is physically demanding. But Meesapulimala is a feast to the eyes and definitely an opportunity to explore nature at its best. The trek takes you through rivulets, shola and pine forests, expansive mountain ranges and a rugged terrain. This is indeed a mesmerising trek where clouds give you company as you reach the peak.
Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) organizes several trekking programs to Meesapulimala. The officials here are very friendly and helpful. They have day as well as overnight trekking packages. KFDC provides three types of accommodations for those who prefer an overnight stay; Base camp (Tent), Sky cottage and Rhodo valley accommodation. The bookings can be done online well in advance. In addition, there are also private operators like Kalypso Adventures and Munnar holidays who provide day treks.
There are two popular trails to reach Meesapulimala. The shorter 8 kilometre-trek is through Rhodo valley and a longer 15 km trek is from Kurangani through the Kolukkumalai tea estate. You can reach the base camp of Meesapulimala and a KFDC expert guide will take you through the trek. The trek starts through a jeep track and then takes a steep route to the peak of the first hill. Your trail through the next seven hills is laid with waterfalls, ice cold streams, pine trees, grasslands, shola forests, kurinji flowers (that bloom once in 12 years) and the Anayaironkal Lake.
From the peak you get a panoramic view of the vast plains of Tamilnadu, Kolukkumalai hills, Yellapetty, Top Station and Kurangini. You can also see the Kurinji waterfalls, Mattupetty & Anayirangal reservoirs and the spectacular Anamudi hills, the highest peak on the Western Ghats. At this pinnacle, the clouds are drifting past you as if having a conversation. If you are lucky, you may spot elephants, sambar, sloth bear and the Nilgiri tahr in their natural habitat.
The descent is relatively easy, where you can either take the same path or a different one, based on the advice of your guide. A trek to Meesapulimala will definitely stay etched in your memory forever.
Pricing details:
Day trek rates by KFDC
Not available
Overnight stay treks rates by KFDC
INR 7000 for 2 people at Sky cottage and Rhodo valley accommodation*
INR 3500 for 2 people at Base camp (Tent)*
Cost includes Stay, Trekking, Guide Service, Full board (Breakfast, Lunch, Tea & Dinner), Pick and Drop form Tourist facilitation centre in Munnar.
Day treks by Private operators
INR 5880 per person based on minimum two people travelling by Kalypso Adventures.
INR 2500 per person by Munnar Holidays.
