“Trek through bio-diverse landscape”
5 Day Western Ghats Hiking Tour in India
Shola Crown, Munnar, Kerala, India
India Hiking Tour
The Western Ghats of Southwestern India, locally known as the Sahyadri Hills, is the chain of mountains running parallel to India's Western coast, about 30 to 50 kilometers inland. The wide variation of rainfall patterns in the Western Ghats, coupled with the region's complex geography, produces a great variety of vegetation types. These include scrub forests in the low-lying rain shadow areas and the plains, deciduous and tropical rainforests up to about 1,500 meters, and a unique mosaic of cloud forests and rolling grasslands above 1,500 meters. It is through this bio-diverse landscape that you would be trekking.
Highlights
- Hike through one of the 36 bio-diversity regions on earth
- Pass through tribal villages and spice growing hills
- Endemic birds and wildlife sightings
- Fully supported trek with guides and luggage transfer
- 4 nights accommodation at resorts near the forest areas
- Exciting local cuisine daily
4 days with instruction
Airport transfer included:
Cochin International Airport
Accommodation
You will stay in shared double or twin rooms in various resorts during this tour:
- Shola Crown
- Gazelle Villa
- Forest Canopy
Program
- Destination: Kerala
- Duration: 5 days
- Start: Munnar
- Finish : Periyar
- Activity level: 4/5
- Comfort level: 2/5
At a glance
- Day 1: Transfer to Munnar and short acclimatization trek
- Day 2: Mathikettan Shola trek
- Day 3: Chaturangapara trek
- Day 4: Periyar Tiger Reserve trek
- Day 5 : Transfer to Kochi. Depart.
Itinerary
Day 1 Munnar
Transfer to Munnar from Kochi. Munnar is the heart of the tea-growing region of Kerala, set high on the seaward slopes of the Western Ghats. You will pass through the rubber, coconut and cardamom plantations and, as you enter the freshness of thin air, the countryside is covered by the green furring of tea with patches of the original rain forest clinging to the high and precipitous slopes. The scale of the country, the enormous panoramas, the lush colors, the craggy vertical heights, all contribute to making this area one of the most beautiful regions of the Southern Highlands.
On arrival, check into a resort set against the towering mountains of the Wester Ghats. From here you can go on an exploratory walk through the tea estates for acclimatizing to the new environment and altitude.
- Overnight: Shola Crown
- Meal plan: All meals
- Activity: Short trek for familiarization (6 km / 4 mi)
Day 2 Mathikettan National Park trek
Today you will be trekking through the Mathikettan Shola National Park. This is a high altitude rain forest saved from 'development' and preserved through a campaign by environmental activists here in Kerala. Your destination is Santhanpara, set amidst luxuriant vegetation and cardamom growing hamlets.
En-route you will be passing large cardamom forests where cardamom, pepper and coffee are grown within the canopy of the forests. Elephants are common here.
You will reach Santhanpara and stay at a resort.
- Overnight: Gazelle Villa
- Meal plan: All meals
- Activity: Mathikettan trek (14 km / 9 mi)
Day 3 Chaturangapara trek
Today's trek takes you through sholas and cardamom forests that abound here. The trek through from Shantanpara through thick forests and grasslands through the spine of the mountain range, you get fascinating views of the great plains of Tamilnadu. This area constitutes the world-famed 'Cardamom Hills' - the capital of the spice growing areas that have made Kerala famous through millennia. The highlight today is the climb atop the Chaturangapara peak with spectacular views of the plains of Tamilnadu thousands of feet below.
After coming down the peak, transfer to a resort located near the famed Periyar Tiger Reserve.
- Overnight: Forest Canopy
- Meal plan: All meals
- Activity: Chaturangapara trek (11 km / 7 mi)
Day 4 Periyar Tiger Reserve trek
Today's trek starts early, moving deep into the heart of the rain forests, looking for sights of wildlife activity - the pug marks of the big cats, the claw marks on the trees and the sights and sounds of the deepest forests. This is a full day trek in the company of local tribal trackers and local community guides. Chances of meeting up with wildlife are certain - herds of elephants, Nilgiri Langurs, the majestic Hornbills, gaurs and deer.
- Overnight: Forest Canopy
- Meal plan: All meals
- Activity: Periyar Tiger Reserve trek (14 km / 9 mi)
Day 5
Transfer to Kochi. Depart.
Support
This trip will be fully supported including airport transfer, road transfers, CASEVAC Jeep support, trek leaders, local trackers, and porters. There will be forest guards while trekking through national parks. Refreshments and water will be provided during treks and there will be support vehicles to transfer packed lunches and additional support requirements. All resorts have access to the main road and luggage will be transferred from camp to camp.
Safety
The guides have been adequately trained and qualified in first aid and always carry a comprehensive first-aid kit. In case of any medical emergency, there is a CASEVAC plan in place to transfer you to the nearest hospital immediately.
Location
You will hike the Western Ghats of Southwestern India, from Munnar to Periyar.
Food
You will be provided with all meals as per the itinerary. Refreshments and water will also be provided during treks.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- 4 days of hiking
- Roundtrip airport transfers
- Road transfers
- CASEVAC jeep support
- Trek leaders, local trackers and porters
- Support vehicles
- Luggage transfer from camp to camp
- 4 nights accommodation
- All meals
What's not included
- Airfare
- Personal expenses
- Additional activities
How to get there
Recommended Airports
COK
Cochin International Airport
96 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Cochin International Airport (COK). Transfers from and to the airport are included in the price.
Airport: Cochin International Airport
Airport transfer included: Cochin International Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 14% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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