Hridaya Thadakam
The heart-shaped lake does not dry out in any summer. Local legend says the goddess Sita bathed in it.
After the lake · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
A short, guided morning walk run by the forest department. The ridge beyond the lake is currently closed.
2,100m
Chembra, highest in Wayanad
1lake
Heart-shaped, never dry
3–3.5km
The open trek, about 45 min
7–3
Entry hours
💪 Easy🧭 Guided, forest department📍 Meppadi, Wayanad
The walk
One morning
From the forest checkpost above Meppadi, by jeep to the start, then on foot to the lake.
How high you are on each kilometre
- StartMeppadi → forest office → trail startVehicles stop at the forest office; jeep onward
- WalkTrail start → heart lake → backGrassland ridge, guided3–3.5 km · about 45 min up
Stories and nature
The heart of Wayanad
Closed in 2018
A forest fire in February 2018 burned the grassland and closed the peak. It reopened with far fewer visitors allowed each day.
Tea and butterflies
Tea and coffee estates cover the lower slopes. The White-bar bushbrown butterfly has been recorded here.
When to go
Go early
None of the sources we used gives a season. The forest department admits visitors from 7 am to 3 pm.
Hours
Entry 7 am to 3 pm; start early.
Fees
Trekking ₹4,000 for up to 5 people, ₹800 for each extra person; students ₹1,000 for 5.
Cameras
₹53 for a camera, ₹301 for a video camera.
Plan your trip
Getting to Meppadi
Meppadi is the nearest town; the peak is about 13 km away by road. Permission comes from the forest department, booked offline.
- Meppadi🚙 About 13 km by road
- Forest office🚙 Jeep
- Trail start
Beyond the lake
The second half of the trek, to the summit, is restricted because of wildlife activity.
No camping
There is no camping at the top.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Bus to Kalpetta
Take a Bangalore–Calicut bus and get off at Kalpetta: 7–8 hours, about ₹800–900. Then a bus or shared jeep to Meppadi, 11.5 km. From Meppadi mosque, an auto to the start is another 8–9 km. Bikat Adventures DIY guide
Stay in Meppadi
There are hotels near the forest office if you want to stay the night before. Bikat Adventures DIY guide
Book at the office
Booking is offline only. The forest office numbers are +91 4936 282001 and 203428. Kerala Tourism
Come early
DTPC gives trekking hours as 7 am to 12, for up to 88 people a day. Bikat says no one is let past the forest office after 2 pm. DTPC Wayanad
No signal on the trail
Signal is patchy up to the start. There is none on the trek. Bikat Adventures DIY guide
Carry food and water
There are no stalls on the trail. Buy food and water in Meppadi. Don't drink from the pond or the heart lake. Bikat Adventures DIY guide
Plastic is tagged
Declare plastic bottles and other single-use plastic at the checkpoint. They are tagged and checked when you come back. I'm Voyager
Cold mornings
Wayanad's valleys are about 20–25 °C. Near the heart lake, mornings from November to February can drop to 8–12 °C. Bring a light jacket. StayVista
Leeches
Leeches are common in the forest, most of all in the rains. Use insect repellent and wear long sleeves, long pants and high socks. The Hosteller
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from The Hosteller: tips for trekking Chembra.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
The forest department runs the walk itself, and we found 3 companies reselling it in October 2026. Their prices look far below the official group fee, and none states dates, so confirm what is included.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.