Meesa · puli · mala
Moustache, tiger, hill: seen from the south-west, the mountain looks like a whiskered big cat.
After the summit · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
A guided Kerala Forest Development Corporation trek from a camp high above Munnar.
2,640m
Meesapulimala
2nd
Highest in the Western Ghats
40
Guests a night at base camp
24km
Munnar to base camp
💪 Hard (Kerala Tourism)🧭 Forest guide included📍 Munnar, Idukki
Day by day
Base camp to the summit
The KFDC programme: drive to base camp, walk up through Rhodo Valley, back the same way.
How high you are on each kilometre
- ArriveMunnar → base campVia Mattupetty and Aruvikkad; check in by noon24 km by road⛺ Base camp, about 6,000 ft
- Summit dayBase camp → Rhodo Valley → summit → backStart early to reach the top by noonAbout 8 km up
Stories and nature
The whiskered tiger
The Pandava cave
Villagers believe the Pandavas stayed in a cave here, between the base camp and Rhodo Valley, during their exile.
Nilgiri tahr
Nilgiri tahr, sambar, gaur, wild dogs, sloth bears and elephants. From the top: Anamudi and the Mattupetty and Anayirangal reservoirs.
When to go
Skip the monsoon
Treks and Trails runs it from September to March and advises avoiding June to August.
Sep–Mar
The trekking season.
Jun–Aug
Avoid: the monsoon months.
KFDC packages
Base camp ₹4,000 for 2; Rhodo Mansion ₹6,000 for 2; Sky Cottage ₹9,000 for 3. Guide and meals included.
Plan your trip
Book with KFDC
The Kerala Forest Development Corporation in Munnar arranges the trek, the camping and an expert guide.
- Munnar🚙 Via Mattupetty and Aruvikkad
- Base camp🥾 Through Rhodo Valley
- Meesapulimala
Other routes
The path from Kolukkumalai is highly restricted.
Start early
Leave early to reach the summit by noon.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Bus to Munnar
From Bangalore, take an express bus to Munnar, about 463 km. A jeep takes you on from Munnar. Trekup India
Collect your permit
Book online or through an operator. Then collect the signed paper permit at the KFDC office in Munnar before you go to base camp. Book 2–4 weeks ahead for weekends. Explurger
KFDC office
KFDC Ecotourism is on Mattupetty Road, Munnar. Phone +91 4865 230332. Kerala Tourism
Jeep costs extra
The jeep from Munnar to base camp is often billed apart, about ₹2,000. Check if your package includes it. Explurger
Last road
From base camp, a 4 km jeep track runs to Rhodo Valley. It is the last point a four-wheeler can reach. Kerala Tourism
Three stays
Base camp tents take at most 40 guests a night. Check in by noon; check out 23 hours later. Rhodo Mansion has an elephant trench around it. Kerala Tourism
Meals included
KFDC packages include breakfast, lunch, evening tea, dinner and a campfire. Kerala Tourism
Leeches
Leeches are very active in the monsoon, and fog often hides the top. Carry salt or Dettol and wear leech socks. Explurger
Always with a guide
Elephants, gaur and sloth bears live here. Every group walks with an assigned forest guide. Explurger
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device.
Clothing
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Trekup India: Meesapulimala Peak trek.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
KFDC runs the trek and the stays itself, and we found only 2 companies reselling it in October 2026. KFDC's rates here come from an older Kerala Tourism page, so confirm them with the Munnar office.
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.