Munnar - Kolukkumalai - Meesapulimala Vaikom - Athirapally - Thumboormuzhi Fort Kochi - Dec 2016

The above trip did materialize only at the last moment when the urge for a break from this mundane urban routine and chaos did matter.

It was just one of those random conversation with a friend when I did come to know of this place - Meesapulimala and then started browsing to know more of this surreal place.

We ( three in number ) booked our package in Triphippie site for Meesapulimala Trek and were listing our complete itinerary for the six days excluding the journey time.

Base : Hyderabad

Travel Dates - 25th Dec 2016 to 30th Dec 2016.

Ernakulam

Day 1: Dec 25th 2016.

We reached Ernakulam around 8:40 am and boarded state run AC bus to Munnar at 9:30 am ( https://www.aanavandi.com/ )

Route via Aluva, Perumbavoor, Kothamangalam, Adimaly

We reached our base camp site which is just 10 mins jeep ride from Suryanelli bus stop and were relieved to dwell in the midst of mountains offering terrific view of the landscape , the hospitality and ambience was excellent and we spent rest of the evening embracing nature and thus preparing ourselves for the early morning trek.

Day 2: Dec 26th 2016.

We started off around 5 am from our base camp, the plan was to view sunrise from Kolukkumalai view point and then proceed to trek Meesapulimala.

The journey to Kolukkumalai was not easy, the jeep ride was bumpy as the roads were of hilly terrain. We were in time to view the glorious sunrise amongst the mountainous terrain and sprawling tea estate.

After spending considerable time thriving in the energy bolstered by the view of glorious sunrise we resumed our journey for the much awaited trek to Meesapulimala peak.

Our first thoughts of the peak was the one below :) little did we know what we had in store , we trekked, struggled and multiple times been through catch one's breath moment before resuming our strides ahead.

We had our fun times and breaks - gulped our breakfast and soft drinks, listened music and sung along the way, and continued our due course of trek.

After few hours we had come to place where we roughly could see people scaling another peak and then came to know from a group that was - "The Meesapulimala Peak " ( the one on the left ). As we approached nearer the target seemed pretty unattainable.

We had a company though - three Indians settled in Australia were blessing to us in disguise experienced in trekking thus undettered we continued our journey towards the peak. We had our moments of bliss viewing the steep curves after the climb and the astonishing view of the valley underneath.

After taking slow strides and watching the steps ahead we were on top of the peak around 11 am. This is it folks we made it - first time trekkers scaling 3rd highest peak in the Western Ghats. Full credits to sheer determination and will power.

The trek to the mountain was tough so is the trek down, steep slopes are obvious and every footsteps are to be taken with guard.Eventually we completed our trek and were off to base camp by evening.

This would be probably one of the best moments that will be cherished in the years to come.

Day 3: Dec 27th 2016.

We set off to Kochi around noon and the travel took considerable time and retired ourselves to hotel in Ernakulam North by late evening.

Our next stop - Vaikom exploring the narrow canals and the splendid backwaters.

Day 4: Dec 28th 2016.

We reached Vaikom by 11 am and set off to a row boat traversing across the narrow canals showcasing the natural waterways, people fishing Karimeen and crabs, sumptuous meals, post noon it did shower while we were nearing the Vembanand lake and it did thrill us.

Day 5: 29th Dec 2016

Journey to Athirapally and surrounding scenic places was on our own and we started off early to Chalakudy railway station and then hired an auto for the local tour.

It was 40 km ride and we covered below places:

Vazhchal Waterfalls - Athirapally Waterfalls - Thumboormuzhy Dam and hanging bridge.

Evening at Fort Kochi:

Thus comes to an end of what could be a start to many more travels in the year 2017.

Day 1

Adimali

The long road journey did take a toll on us and we had our brunch ( Kappa Biryani, Puttu - Kadala curry and Parotta Egg curry ) at Adimaly thus resuming rest of our journey to Munnar criss crossing narrow ghat roads and multiple hairpin turns. The total ride to Munnar was approx. 5 hours and we reached Munnar bus Stop around 2:40 pm. The tour guide who was supposed to pick us up at Munnar dint turn up and asked us to come by auto to Suryanelli - 23 odd kms away otherwise the local commute from Munnar to Suryanelli is via Jeep costs Rs.30/-

The first signs to the long sprawling tea estate appeared during our auto journey to Suryanelli and the view of Anayirankal reservoir from a distance was amazing.