Rainforest Trek at Munnar

Tour Overview

The Mathikettan Shola Rainforest Trek at Munnar is an exciting and challenging trekking route that begins in Suryanelli, Munnar. It traces a path through the Cardamom forests of Santhanpara and Chaturangapara, where you get to stay within the forest.You also get to visit a tribal village. You will get to see farmers at work and various tea and spice plantations that are the backbone of the economy here. If you want to be surrounded by the beauty of nature and venture on a challenging trek, this is just what you are looking for.

Day1: Lakeside Trek

Pick up from Suryanelli town. Trek from Chinnakanal to Suryanelli Camp - 9 kms walk. Today you will take a short trek from Chinnakanal, which is an ideal way to acclimatize to trekking and assess the team fitness. Today you will have a chance to visit the tribal village of the Muduvans – a tribe who have for centuries colonized the upper reaches of the Western Ghats. Their peculiar habit of carrying their children on their backs has earned them their name as Muduvans or the ‘back people’. The tribal village located near the Anaerangal lake (“The lake Where the Elephants Come Down”) where elephants have come down for millennium for grazing and water. We will be staying overnight at Kalypso Base Camp on a hilltop overlooking the Anaerangal Lake.

Day2: Butterfly Forest Trek

You will awaken to the melodious strains of the Malabar Whistling Thrush singing in the cloud forest next to your camp early in the morning. If you are adventurous enough, an early morning climb to the Phantom’s Head will be an ever remembered walk atop the tallest feature nearby from where you can take in the spectacular sunrise over the Papathy Shola (Butterfly Forest – so named for the mass migration of butterflies in October & November). The hills come alive to the morning sun. Today you also have a chance to visit the tribal village of the muduvans – a tribe who have for centuries colonized the upper reaches of the Western Ghats. Their peculiar habit of carrying their children on their backs have earned them their name as muduvans or the ‘back people’. The tribal village located near the Anaerangal lake (“The lake Where the Elephants Come Down”) where elephants have come down for millennium for grazing and water. Snaking across a large area, this lake is placid and beautiful and a source of water for farmers downstream. Many tribal colonies have sprung up around it to farm for spices and cardamom which grow abundantly in the salubrious climate here. 

Day3: Mathikettan Shola Trek

Today's trek is through the Mathikettan Shola National Park. A treasure trove of biodiversity, this national park is home to endemic flora and fauna and to wildlife like the Asiatic Elephants and Nilgiri Langurs. Your destination is Santhanpara, set amidst luxuriant vegetation and cardamom spice plantations that give the surrounding area the name 'Cardamom Hills'. This is the capital of the spice cultivating areas that have made Kerala famous through the ages and attracted multitudes of traders from all parts of the world. 

Day4: Chaturangapara Peak Trek

You will be trekking from Santhanpara to Chaturangapara, the final part of your Rainforest Trek at Munnar. This route is a challenging one and goes through the ridge of the Western Ghats. There is a tough climb involved to the view-point from where the plains of the neighboring state of Tamil Nadu are visible. Your camp will be set up within the confines of the forest, allowing you to spend the night amidst the wilderness and experience a sense of peace that comes with the sounds of the wild. 

Day5: Depart

This day marks the end of the Mathikettan Shola Rainforest Trek. You will depart after breakfast, taking with you the memories of the challenge and the sheer natural beauty of your rainforest trek at Munnar. 

Inclusions

• 4 full day's trekking
• Guides & cook
• Accommodation in dome tents / cottage tents
• All Meals
• Refreshments & bottled water
• Forest entry fees
• Jeep support for luggage transfer
• Taxes

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