Trip from Munnar to Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, world's highest elevated tea garden and Meesapulimala viewpoint in Kerala. Meesapulimala peak is South India's second highest peak. It is a well known destination amongst the highly adventurous souls for licensed treks to the summit.
Complete video shot on #iphone7 and #motorolaoneplus!
Before we began researching on little known places in Kerala to visit, we had little idea about where Meesapulimala or Kolukkumalai was.
Munnar to Kolukkumalai: We set out on our personal car, not knowing that it would not be allowed to enter beyond the Kolukkumalai Estate gate. From there, one has to take a Jeep. (which easily fits four)
We recommend booking Kolukkumalai Tea Estate tours, day experiences and camping packages (available online- on their own website and through other travel agencies) ahead of time to secure your spot. It takes about an hour and a half of off-roading through (almost) bone breaking roads to reach the mountain top. However, the view from there more than makes up for all the effort.
Get ready to rejuvenate yourself with a panoramic view of the western ghats and the rugged mountains. And oh! Do not miss the visit to the tea factory on the way back!
The trek is certainly not for faint hearted ones. We both decided to come back fitter and trek upto the summit, perhaps when Neelkurinji flowers are in full bloom.
Little known facts about Kolukkumalai and Meesapulimala:
1. Situated at 8000 ft above sea level, it is the world's highest elevated tea estate!
2. They still follow vintage orthodox manufacturing process( tea rolling by hand) for high quality- One of the very few factories in the world that still does this!
3. The mist shrouded mountains here give the tea a distinct flavor
4. Meesapulimala is the second highest peak in South India. A trek to the Peak offers a spectacular view of misty blue black hills and the rhodo valley (named hence due the huge presence of Rhododendron flowers in the valley)
For more details on these places, visit :
1. https://www.keralatourism.org/ecotourism/trekking-programs/trekking-munnar/36
2. https://kolukkumalai.com/
3. https://munnar.kfdcecotourism.com/
4. https://indiahikes.com/documented-trek/meesapulimala-peak-trek/#short-itinerary