Meesapulimala - around 8700 ft height above sea level

Meesapulimala is South India’s second highest peak in a height of around 8700 feet above sea level. Literally meaning ‘face of the tiger’, one can trek to the top of this mountain after meandering around eight hills in the shared border of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The view of Meesapulimala resembles a tiger about to pounce. As a protected forest reserve, the only way to visit this hill legally is through the trekking packages offered by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. The adventure starts from Munnar town to the base of the hill through jeep.

The road journey offers a glimpse of tea estates and beautiful valleys though it is steeper and grueling, taking towards the lap of the mountain ranges. The trek is strenuous and one has to be as energized as possible. The KTDC office has a beautiful floriculture center which is a treat to any weary eyes. The garden has an array of exotic and wild high altitude flowers. The trek is in groups with two KTDC guides to help the tourists. It takes 3 to 4 hours to reach the peak if the weather is favorable. In every few meters, the mountains offer streams of sparkling fresh water to quench the thirst of the weary mountaineer. As the trek goes by, the mountain varies in its steepness.

Tourists are given time to relax and click pictures. They can reach the top by noon or early noon. The view at the top of the mountain is worth all the trouble feeling of being in heaven and looking down on earth. Descending the hills starts early evening in a different way which was not used to ascend. The other way is more beautiful taking the tourists through a valley of flowers and streams. If you are lucky, you will even get a chance to come across elephants, gaur and Nilgiri tahrs etc. It is an experience that will linger our mind forever.