Kolukkumalai Peak, popularly known as the tea plantation hub is in Idukki district of Kerala near Munnar. It’s a lovely destination where you get to see mesmerizing scenic views as it is located above the sea level of 7,130 feet and a popular place to spot Neelakurinji flowers which bloom only once in 12 years. Kolukkumalai is known as the Kashmir of South India, which is 35km away from Munnar, it is surrounded by world’s highest tea plantation and best spot to enjoy heavenly sunrises.
The only road that travels through is Suryanelli and it’s just a few hours’ drive from Munnar. Jeep safari is the only option to reach the top of Kolukkumalai peak or hilltop village due to rugged terrains and rain-soaked roads covering up to 17 kms. Mattupetty Dam and Munnar Top Station are the two main attractions not to miss visiting. Apart from organically grown tea plantations there is a lot to explore in Kolukkumalai. It’s a place which has incredible views, tough trails, stunning natural water activities, beautiful trekking paths and much more to make it the lifetime experience.
Kolukkumalai Peak / Tiger Rock
Kolukkumalai Peak is 40 Kms aways from Munnar and it is geographically located in Tamil Nadu but to reach the destination you need to travel from Kerala only. The Kolukkumalai Peak is the second highest peak of Western Ghats, found over the sea level of 7,130 feet. It’s advised to hire a local driver familiar with the route as the ride to Kolukkumalai Peak involves navigating through rugged and narrow mountain roads.
The only way you can reach the peak of the mountains is via Jeep safari and being a home to private tea estates where your personal vehicles are not allowed in Kolukkumalai. Never miss out on an opportunity to enjoy the mesmerizing views of sunrise and the jaw-dropping peaks from the Kolukkumalai peak/Tiger Rock and it’s a once in a lifetime experience. In the middle of nowhere it’s a place surrounded by hills, trees and sounds of unseen birds all around.
Suggested Read: Munnar Tourist Places
How to Reach Kolukkumalai Peak
Depending on the trip time you can reach the hilltop village in two ways via the Kolukkumalai Jeep Safari and the Kolukkumalai trekking and camping. If you’re short of time, take a Kolukkumalai Jeep Safari which attracts a lot of tourists and is highly commercialized. It is recommended to go trekking, as Kolukkumalai is the gate to trekkers’ paradise and the best to catch a glimpse of the Kolukkumalai Sunrise. The Kolukkumalai trekking and camping packages provide an awe-stuck and immersive experience in Kolukkumalai when compared to Kolukkumalai Jeep Safari.
When to start
Apart from just visiting various popular spots like Mattupetty Dam, Munnar Top Station, Kolukkumalai sunrise trek, tea estates etc., there are various other adventure activities and rides to explore in Kolukkumalai. There are 2 ways to reach Kolukkumalai
1. Kolukkumalai Jeep safari
You need to travel to Suryanelli and from there take a Jeep safari which is 17 kms away and it takes around 45 mins to 1 hr to reach the sunrise drop-off point at Kolukkumalai. It’s an off- road trip with limited jeep facilities and during the season you need to pre book the Jeep ride to avoid conflict. You can also book the Kolukkumalai Jeep Safari from your respective hotel stays as every hotel in or around Suryanelli have tie-ups with them or else there is a Suryanelli jeep stand where you can enquire for jeep rides.
The jeep safari rides prices might vary depending on the distance, from Munnar it’s around 800-1200 Rs per person and from Suryanelli it’s around 300-400 rs per person. Per ride only 7 people will be accommodated in the jeep, usually the sunrise happens around 6 Am and to enjoy the best sunrise experience on the Kolukkumalai Peak take a ride at 3 Am and will reach by 5 Am. From there if you go ahead, you’ll come across tea plantations and from the drop off point trek around 1.4km to reach Tiger Rock Point that resembles the face of a tiger.
While trekking be careful as the paths are very narrow and crowded with people and it’s a place not recommended for kids and elderly people. Irrespective of time Tiger Rock Point is always filled with fog and clouds. After spending some time at the point return to your jeep and on the same route you will be taken back to the starting point.
2. Kolukkumalai Trekking and Camping
If your trip is at least for a couple of days, then go hiking where you get to explore nature at your own pace and observe things that you missed via jeep safari. Kolukkumalai is a paradise if you love trekking and it’s a place which has incredible tough trails, stunning natural water activities, beautiful trekking paths and much more. Across the place there are various tour operators who provide the best packages for trekking and camping.
These packages also include camping, food and a trek guide who takes you through the paths of Kolukkumalai peak to witness the sunrise. Kolukkumalai Trekking and Camping price starts from 2000 rs per person and apart from just hiking to sunrise view point you get to walk through the tea factory and waterfall which comes on the way.After a long day of hiking a camping site is set up and the tent they provide can accommodate 2 people.
Well maintained restrooms will be available near the tents and during the camping they serve you tea and biscuits in the evening and alongside the bonfire you can enjoy freshly prepared dinner at night watching the stars all around. One adventurous activity every trekker wants to experience in a lifetime is staying on one of the south Indian highest campsites on the Peak of Kolukkumalai Hill in a tent. At the campsite there are other activities like zip lining, slacklining, kayaking available and just enquire about them and try including them in the package for a discounted price.
3. Kolukkumalai Magical Sunrise Experience
Best Time to visit
The best time to visit this place is from September to May, as the climate looks quite pleasant, and skies are usually clear, and it’s advised not to visit during monsoon (June to August) due to heavy rains.
Kolukkumalai Tea Plantations
Conclusion
Munnar is surrounded by tea plantations, but you barely get time to walk through them. Camping and trekking are the best ways where you get to enjoy the actual tea hub, be it drinking fresh tea from the gardens and witnessing the awe-stuck sunrise from the Kolukkumalai peak or enjoying water activities are best experienced in Kolukkumalai.
Hope we have covered everything about Kolukkumalai. If you have any queries, please do comment below in the comment section. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
