Meesapulimala is a UNESCO heritage site, is a perfect get-away for people looking for an affordable adventure trek. A visit to Meesapulimala will prove that the place has more to it than the famous dialogue from Charlie
Want to experience a conqueror’s exhilarating sense of victory? Come to Meesapulimala. Situated at an altitude of 8,661 ft in Idukki district, the peak offers a trek through eight hills along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. It is the second highest peak in South India which can be trekked by amateurs. The forest department (KFDC Munnar) offers specially- designed treks and camps in the wilderness. The 21-km trekking session will leave any backpacker astonished by the beauty of rolling grasslands and towering peaks of the Western Ghats. Rich in flora and fauna. Meesapulimala is a UNESCO heritage site as well. Pine forests and the woods with blooming rhododendrons is a visual treat. The place also attracts bird watchers and wildlife photographers. If lucky enough, one can spot mountain goats, wolves or even elephants here.
This adventure trek spot is open since 2003 but the place came to the limelight after the release of Dulquer Salman-starrer Charlie in 2015. Charlie’s question ‘Have you seen the snowfall in Meesapulimala?’ picked the brains of the wanderlust bitten in Kerala. “Before 2015, only a few professional hikers from abroad used to visit this spot. But after the place got mentioned in the movie, the number of visitors increased vastly,” says Shine V. Jacob, tourism manager at the base camp. Now, an average of 400 people belonging to all age groups visit the camp every month. “We wanted to test our endurance at this middle age through Meesapulimala trek and that is exactly what we got here,” says Jibu Samuel and friends from Thiruvananthapuram, who were on a trek.
Online booking through KFDC Munnar website and other KFDC recognised tour operators is the only legal way of climbing this exotic peak. Trespassing and hiking without proper pass is punishable. Passed must be booked online. Twenty passes will be available each day on the Munnar website. The rest KFDC recognised tour operators. The trek starts from the base camp located at 6,000 feet in Silent Valley, Munnar. Stay in the tents and campfire on the night before the trek is a cheerful experience. The trek starts at 8.30 am and ends by 4 pm. Hikers will be provided with food, water, tents and other necessary trekking accessories by the KFDC.
People who have trekked here assure it is an experience of a lifetime. “The inspiration behind Meesapulimala trek is nothing but love for travel and adventure,” says Phillip Cyriac from Kottayam, who has trekked four times. Meesapulimala is a perfect get-away for people looking for an affordable adventure trek. To test the stamina and get bewitched with the beauty of Mother Nature, one should experience the snowfall in Meesapulimala.
Booking through KFDC recognised tour operators is the only legal way to climb.