South India Trekking - The Western Ghats

South India Trekking - The Western Ghats


From £1,795
Altitude 2,640m Grade: T3

Explore the colourful, exotic Kerala with spice and tea gardens then trek the Cardamom Hills.

Just to say ‘Southern India’ may conjure up images of exotic locations and delightfully subtle cuisine in the minds of people who have yet to visit this treasure at the tip of the continent. You can almost smell the coconut and curry leaf flavoured food through the word ‘Kerala’. On this trip you will not be disappointed. Once inland from the busy coastal strip, lush green hills planted with virtually every aromatic plant climb steadily up to the drier, cooler heights of the Western Ghats where immaculately manicured tea estates grace the hill tops.

On arrival we take you directly to Dewalokam, a luxury haven of tranquillity amongst rubber, coffee and spice plantations where they serve simply the best food in India! After settling into our surroundings we begin our nine days of gentle trekking through these tranquil hills. On the final day we ascend Meesapulimala (2640m), the highest (unrestricted) summit in the Western Ghats. Finally, and a ‘must’ for any visit to Kerala, we take you aboard a rice boat which has been converted to a luxury houseboat for an overnight cruise through the ‘backwaters’ of Kerala. Here you can sit back and watch life on the river and canal banks pass by, sipping cool coconut milk, savouring fresh pineapple and probably wishing you could stay longer! We do!

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Dates & Prices

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All prices in Euros are guide rates, not live rates
All prices in US Dollars are guide rates, not live rates

Availability

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14th Dec 2024 - 28th Dec 2024 Spaces15 £1,795£2,595 Book Now

* A deposit of £400 will be required at checkout.

What's Included

  • Estimated International flights from London (flight inclusive package)
  • Accommodation - 8 nights camping, 1 night Luxury Farmstay, 2 nights Hotel / Riceboat
  • Meals - 12 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 11 evening meals, bottled water on trek
  • Park fees
  • All road transfers in country (except airport transfer on arrival if arriving late)
  • Local guide
  • Local trekking staff to assist (cook and porters)
  • All camping equipment (incl sleeping bags and mattresses)
  • Qualified UK group tour leader (subject to min numbers)
  • Adventure Peaks kitbag. A logoed top will be substituted for returning and non-UK clients
  • 24hr back-up and support from our UK staff
  • 15% discount off the RRP on equipment and clothing purchased from Adventure Peaks shop

What's Excluded

  • Personal equipment
  • Travel Insurance
  • Drinks and personal spending
  • Tips for local staff
  • Meals if not indicated in 'inclusions'
  • Visas

Itinerary

Days 1 - 2 Depart UK, arriving early the following morning into the Kochi. We transfer to a remote farm villa located in the spice growing areas at the foothills of the Western Ghats. In the afternoon you are free to explore the spice gardens & the village or take a dip in the pool.

Day 3 We depart early for Kumbummedu in the hills arriving by noon. After lunch, start the trek. We start our trek from Kumbummedu. We will follow the jeep trail to Ramakelmedu, where we have spectacular views of the vast plains of neighbouring Tamilnadu. Massive statues of Kuruvan & Kurathy - two legendary tribal figures - make up the backdrop to the magnificent views below. The route is interspersed with tiny spice growing hamlets where the majority of spices of Kerala are grown. We will continue our walk through these small villages and farmlands until we reach our camp.

Day 4 After breakfast we start our trek through cardamom and pepper plantations. This would make an excellent opportunity as you can see firsthand to learn about how these spices are grown from the local trackers who will be accompanying you.

Day 5 We will start today's challenging trek through sholas and cardamom forests that abound here. This is the capital of the world's spice trade, known for centuries as the Cardamom Hills. We will walk from Chaturangapara through thick cardamom forests and isolated spice growing villages. En route we will also be walking though great swathes of grasslands through the spine of the mountains with spectacular views of the plains of Tamilnadu thousands of feet below.

Day 6 We will continue through the thick forests and grasslands and enter tea country at Munnar. From here we will proceed to BL Ram, a secluded spot on the slopes of the mountain.

Day 7 Anaerangal, meaning "The lake where the Elephants Come Down" - a vast expanse of  water  is amidst a forest 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.  We will arrive at the camp by noon.

Day 8 We will transfer to arrive at the world's highest tea estate - Kolukumalai - and visit the tea factory. After the visit, we will start the trek to Korangini a small hamlet located on the leeside of the Western Ghats. Here we will settle into our tents to await the tough challenge tomorrow.

Day 9 Before the roads came there was the ropeway connecting Munnar to the plains below. Our destination is the abandoned Top Station of this rope way. The walk is arduous  but the spectacular views of the forests, the plains of Tamilnadu, the hill town of Kodaikanal in the distance and the towering Munnar mountains is indeed  breathtaking.

Day 10 Today is the day of the toughest challenge. We start early and walk through some of the more pristine areas of the Western Ghats. This is also one of the highest regions of these mountains. The rugged mountain trails form the backdrop to an exciting trek till we reach our wilderness camp located at 2200m.

Day 11 The final day of the trek takes us to Meesapulimala, at 2640m - the second highest peak in the Western Ghats. The trek passes through sholas and mountain streams which criss-cross the area. The area is also known for its wildlife - notably elephants, sambar, sloth bear and the Nilgiritahr. When we reach the top, we stop for a rest and enjoy the panoramic views. At the end of the day's trek, we will head to Silent Valley where we will board our coaches and depart for Munnar.

Day 12 Depart for the backwaters and embark the 'riceboats' at noon for a memorable cruise down the backwaters near Alleppey. You will spend the night aboard the boat, moored up on the peaceful backwaters.

Day 13 Disembark the boats and transfer to Kochi.

Days 14/15 Transfer to the airport for the flight home, either arriving home the same day or the next day.

Insurance

It is essential for a trip of this type that you are adequately insured. When researching insurance options, please ensure the policy covers you for the following:

  • Cancellation or curtailment
  • Helicopter rescue (most insurance companies will no longer cover for ‘search and rescue’ but providing you stay with the group, they will assist with ‘rescue’)
  • Repatriation
  • The altitude that you are expected to attain
  • The location especially when travelling to Antarctica
  • Grade of trek/climb/expedition
  • Medical cover

Adventure Peaks partners with Global Rescue to offer the world’s leading travel protection services. Medical and security emergencies happen. When they do, we rely on Global Rescue to provide our clients with medical, security, travel risk and crisis response services. Without a membership, an emergency evacuation could cost over $100,000. More than one million members trust Global Rescue to get them home safely when the unexpected happens. We highly recommend our clients enroll with Global Rescue, in particular for peaks over 7000m:
https://partner.globalrescue.com/adventurepeaks/



We are aware the following provide insurance:

For UK based clients:

Expeditions and Treks under 7000m - Campbell Irvine Direct : https://microsite.campbellirvinedirect.com/adventurepeaks/

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK) www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
Rothwell & Towler: www.world-first.co.uk Tel: 0345 908 0161 (under 6400m)
J S Insurance: www.jsinsurance.co.uk Tel: 0844 848 1500
Snowcard: www.snowcard.co.uk Tel: 01295 660836
The B.M.C.: www.thebmc.co.uk Tel: 0161 445 6111 (call and speak to Jim. Please note the BMC cannot cover Mt Damavand)
Dogtag: www.dogtag.co.uk Tel: 0800 036 4824 (Check excess etc)

For non-UK based clients:

HCC Medical Insurance Services: LLC sales@hccmis.com Tel: 1-800-605-2282
Travelex Ins. Services: www.travelexinsurance.com Tel: 1-800 228 9792
True Traveller Ins: www.truetraveller.com Tel: 0333 999 3140 for treks including over 4500m
Austrian Alpine Club (UK): www.aacuk.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)1929 556870
AXA Worldwide Travel Ins: www.axainsurance.com Tel: +44 (0)844 874 0360
Ingle International: www.ingleinternational.com Tel: (USA) 1.800.360.3234
Insure for Less: www.insure4less.com.au (Australian clients)

You do not have to use any of the above, but if you make your own insurance arrangements documentary evidence of your own policy is required.

Please forward the details of your Insurance as soon as you have it: we need the insurance company’s name, their 24 hour emergency telephone number and your insurance policy number – admin@adventurepeaks.com

Reviews

Harriet Gibson · 9 years ago ·

Just to let you know that our trek was great, organisation was excellent and our guide couldn't have been better. He was a young guy of 22 called Anoop who knew loads about the local flora and fauna and was generally very well informed, on top of which had a great sense of humour. We also had a tracker with us all the time.

We walked mostly around 7 hours a day, although a couple of days were shorter. Terrain on the whole fairly easy, narrow paths through cardamom and tea plantations with some steady climbs and descents. The longest 1000m up but steady and one day down 1200m with mostly undulating paths on the last day. Your 3 boot assessment is pretty accurate.

Camping was well organised with reasonable basic facilities and the food excellent. We grew to really like the Indian breakfast and were a bit thrown one day because they produced warm cornflakes - ugh!

Highly recommend the trek and thank you for facilitating the organisation. We've now 'over on through Mysore and are on our way to Pondicherry.

With best wishes for 2015.
All the best, Harriet


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