Made popular by the 2015 movie – Charlie starring Dulquer Salman, Meeshapulimala is a trekker’s delight. It has 8 hills that look like a moustache and hence meeshapulimala. You can easily see elephants, Nilgiri Tahrs in this region, and feel the presence of tigers, leopards as well (rarely) Although there are unofficial treks around this region, I would strongly recommend using the official route. You will have a forest ranger/ guide with you at all times during the trek. Kerala Forest Development Corporation manages a camp with 3 types of accommodation facility as well (for more than 15 years apparently!)
The camps are a mainstay for foreigners who visit Kerala, but off late, Indians are also finding the lure of the place irresistible.
Getting there:
After reaching Munnar town, take the right towards Devikulam after crossing the small bridge and then after around 500 metres take the left towards – SILENT VALLEY ROAD.
You can collect your permits and passes enroute from the KFDC office (around 4-5 km from Munnar town. They will give you detailed information.
Another 18-20 km, you take the immediate left after you see the board that says Silent Valley hospital and after around 3 kms you see the board that says KFDC Ecotourism base camp. 2km down this road, you reach the base camp.
Can normal vehicles take this road?
Yes they can. Roads till the Silent Valley hospital area is good. not very wide, but not very crowded as well. The 3km after this landmark is slightly off-roadish and the last 2 km to the base camp is definitely off-road. But have seen smaller cars like micra and swift parked at the base camp. So if you drive carefully, i dont think there should be a problem.
But if you have booked Rhoda Mansion, you will have to park your car at Base camp and walk the 5kms. But the KFDC personnel will mostly advice you to park the car at their office in Munnar and hire Jeep for which they will charge Rs1500
Accommodation
Book through KFDC website by kfdcecotourism. You have 3 options to book from-
Option 1: Base camp tents at Rs 4000 for 2 people: they provide you with sleeping bags and you sleep in tents.
Option 2: Sky Cottage at Rs 9000: around 500 meters away from base camp – A secluded studio apartment which will blow your mind away.
Option 3: Rhodo mansion at Rs 6000 for 2: another 5 km from base camp with 8-10 cottages.
I stayed at the sky cottage. It was amazing! It has views to the Anamudi peaks, and the sunsets were just divine. The bedroom roof has a glass tile through which I could see the full moon at night
Tents are good enough if your main intention is the trek to meeshapulimala.
Rhoda mansion has more open area around it (secured through trenches) Trek distance from Rhoda is only 3kms one side
Food
Is average. I normally enjoy the food prepared at forest areas, but this time it was just normal chappathi, chicken, rice and veg curry. Chicken was spicy though
Trek
You can do a complete trek of 8km one side if you are staying at the base camp or sky cottage. But you have one steep hill at the beginning of the trek itself. I took a jeep to cover the first 5km and started my trek from around the Rhoda mansion area. After climbing the first 500metres, you reach the view point which is amazing.
Another 3km and 7 hills later, you reach the meeshapulimala peak.
We saw tiger poop, and elephant dung on the way. Took 1 hour up and down. Fairly moderate trek. We also got to see Niligiri Tahr from a distance.
Tips
- The destination offers discounts during monsoons – June/July time
- Visit during Full moon if staying at sky cottage
- Stay in Rhoda Mansion since the trek gets reduced to 3kms one side (from 8 km otherwise)
- Try to go during the sunrise. Otherwise the trek normally starts at 7 or so.
The monk who travels 