Meesapulimala Trek
About
Meesapulimala, at around 2,640 m, is the second-highest peak in Kerala and one of the finest high-altitude treks in South India. The route crosses a series of rolling shola-grassland hills, weaving between dense forest pockets and open ridges, with the Munnar tea country spread out below.
Why people rate it so highly:
- Eight hills of rolling grassland, very different in feel from a typical forest trek
- Big, open views over the Western Ghats — often above a sea of cloud at sunrise
- A genuine high-altitude feel without the multi-day commitment of a Himalayan climb
It's usually run as a guided day trek from the Rhodo Valley side, with a rough 4WD transfer to the trailhead.
Getting There
The trek is organised from a forest base reached via Munnar, around 25–30 km from Munnar town on rough hill roads — a 4WD transfer is usually included. The nearest major railhead is Aluva / Ernakulam and the nearest airport is Kochi (Cochin International), both about 110 km away — roughly a 4–4.5 hour drive up into the hills.
The route runs through Forest Department land, so an authorised guide and an advance booking are required. Slots are limited, especially in peak season, so plan ahead rather than turning up on the day.