South India – The Western Ghats

TREK OVERVIEW
Just to say ‘Southern India’ may conjure up images of exotic locations and delightfully subtle cuisine in the minds of people who
have yet to visit this treasure at the tip of the continent. You can almost smell the coconut and curry leaf flavored food through
the word ‘Kerala’. On this trip you will not be disappointed. Once inland from the busy coastal strip, lush green hills planted
with virtually every aromatic plant climb steadily up to the drier, cooler heights of the Western Ghats where immaculately
manicured tea estates grace the hill tops.

On arrival we take you directly to Dewalokam, a luxury haven of tranquility amongst rubber, coffee and spice plantations where
they serve simply the best food in India! After settling into our surroundings we begin our nine days of gentle trekking through
these tranquil hills. On the final day we ascend Meesapulimala (2640m), the highest (unrestricted) summit in the Western Ghats.
Finally, and a ‘must’ for any visit to Kerala, we take you aboard a rice boat which has been converted to a luxury houseboat for
an overnight cruise through the ‘backwaters’ of Kerala. Here you can sit back and watch life on the river and canal banks pass
by, sipping cool coconut milk, savoring fresh pineapple and probably wishing you could stay longer! We do!

Participation Statement
Adventure Peaks recognises that climbing, hill walking and mountaineering are activities with a danger of personal injury or
death. Participants in these activities should be aware of and accept these risks and be responsible for their own actions and
involvement.
Adventure Travel – Accuracy of Itinerary
Although it is our intention to operate this itinerary as printed, it may be necessary to make some changes as a result of flight
schedules, climatic conditions, limitations of infrastructure or other operational factors. As a consequence, the order or location
of overnight stops and the duration of the day may vary from those outlined. You should be aware that some events are beyond
our control and we would ask for your patience.

101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794
www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE/FITNESS Dinner: A hot meal is served every night consisting of
If you are used to regular multi day hill walking you will traditional Keralan cuisine, North and South Indian food
have the right level of fitness to fully enjoy your time on and western food (if requested).
this trek. Previous walking experience is not essential but Bottled water is provided for you on the trek.
will help you get the most out of this trip. Non hill walkers
must come with a reasonable degree of fitness. Most days ACCOMMODATION
involve 5 - 7 hours walking plus plenty of rest stops. Your first night is at the delightful Dewalokam farmstay
resort, in spotlessly clean shared rooms. On trek you will
be in two-person tents. Toilet tents, or ‘long drop’ loos, are
provided at camps. Warm washing water will be supplied.
In Munnar and Kochi you will be in a good tourist class
hotel. On the houseboat you will sleep on the boat in
twin/share rooms which are of a surprisingly high quality.

LANGUAGE AND TIME

Language: Malayalam is the official language of Kerala,
but English is widely spoken.
Time: GMT+5hr30 No daylight saving time at present.

HEALTH
All our UK and Indian leaders hold first aid certificates
and carry a fully equipped first aid kit for medical
emergencies. However you should bring your own
supplies of plasters, blister prevention pads (Compeed),
Paracetamol etc. and any medication you are taking. There
GROUP AND LEADERS are no compulsory vaccinations for Kerala but the
A fully qualified UK leader will accompany all groups of following are recommended: Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Polio,
six or more passengers. He/she will be assisted by an Typhoid and possibly Rabies. Kerala is not a Malarial
experienced local leader. Smaller or private groups will be infected area. Consult your GP or a vaccine specialist for
led by an English speaking Indian guide. This trip is professional advice or you may like to refer to:
exclusive to Adventure Peaks. www.fitfortravel.scot.nhs.uk. Tap or stream water should
never be drunk without first sterilizing with chlorine
WEATHER dioxide tablets or by boiling. Bottled water is provided for
We travel to Kerala in the dry season, avoiding the you on the trek.
monsoon period. The Western Ghats experience a
moderate climate all through the year. Summers during
March to May, are pleasant and the temperature ranges a
maximum of 30°C to minimum of 15°C. Winters during
December to February are normally dry and cool. During
this period, the day temperatures are around 25°C and the
night temperatures 0-10°C. The higher you are the cooler
it will be. Walkers should realize however that weather in
the high mountains is unpredictable and should be
prepared for this.

WHAT TO CARRY
This trek is supported by a vehicle which will transport
your main baggage. You will only need to carry a light
daypack at the very most. A 35l rucksack is a useful size
to comfortably fit in essential items such as water bottle,
camera, wet-weather gear and extra layers etc.

CATERING ARRANGEMENTS INSURANCE

Our cooks pride themselves on their cooking, and ensure Insurance which covers mountain rescue, evacuation and
all food on the trek is freshly prepared using local medical expenses is essential. We will require a copy of
ingredients and there is plenty for everyone. Food in your insurance prior to departure. Your standard travel
Kerala simply the best in India, and you should indulge in insurance should be sufficient for this trip as there is no
the local cuisine to get the most out of this trip. However if technical climbing and we do not go above 4000m. You
you are not a fan of Indian food don’t worry, there will be should note there are no official mountain rescue services
less spicy food offered as well. A typical menu on this trip in Kerala and that any evacuation in the event of a serious
would be: medical emergency to the nearest hospital will be by land
Breakfast: A hot breakfast offering a choice of Indian or and not by helicopter.
western dishes, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and hot milk.
Lunch: On trek a pack lunch will be prepared for you and ALTITUDE
given to you to carry with you in your back pack. This is not a high altitude trip. However if you are new to
altitude you may have concerns about the effects. Don’t

101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794
www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]
worry because our itineraries allow sufficient time to CURRENCY
acclimatise, and altitude rarely causes anyone any The currency in India is the rupee (INR). ATMs and
problems on this trip. The best way to avoid such change bureaux are available in the arrivals hall at the
symptoms is to walk at a gentle steady pace and drink airport and in the main cities. However as we collect you
plenty of fluid. from the airport and head out directly into the country it is
best to change all the money you need on arrival. If in
USEFUL TIPS doubt please ask our local guide about money changing
Just in case your main luggage goes missing en route, it is facilities en-route. Rupees can also be obtained in advance
a good idea to wear your boots on the plane. Most other in the UK. Please ensure you have a good supply of small
things can be replaced but comfortable, well worn-in boots denomination notes.
cannot. Pack important items in strong plastic bags.
TIPPING
EQUIPMENT Tipping is very much an accepted part of life in India, and
A detailed equipment list is provided on booking but can become a bit tedious! We generally tip our local
normal summer walking equipment is all that is required. trekking staff as a whole and would recommend around
Sleeping bags and mattresses are provided on this tour, but £50 per person. Tipping at meals and in hotels is also
you may like to bring you own sheet liner with you. For normal practice.
equipment purchases Adventure Peaks offers a 15%
discount off the RRP from their shop in Ambleside or ADVENTURE PEAKS KITBAG
All Adventure Peaks clients who reside in the UK will
receive a FREE kitbag for any treks outside the UK. The
bag will be posted to you approx. 3 weeks prior to your
departure. If you have travelled with us before and already
have an Adventure Peaks kitbag, or reside outside the UK,
we will send an alternative gift.

FLIGHTS AND JOINING ARRANGEMENTS

Flights are NOT included as part of this holiday.
Adventure Peaks would be delighted to arrange your
flights for you. The earlier you book, the better price we
can obtain for flights. The cost of flights will be quoted to
you separately and will vary with departure and booking
date. There are a number of routes from the UK to Kochi
to choose from. Our group transfer to Dewalokam will
leave Kochi airport at around 7am (exact time will be
online. advised when flights have been confirmed) on Day 2. If
you arrive on a later flight a private transfer will be
BAGGAGE arranged for you an extra cost of £45 per car. Whatever
For your own comfort travel light. Normally airlines flight you take, you will be met at the airport and
restrict baggage to 20kg. On trek baggage will be transferred to Dewalokam.
transferred from camp to camp by vehicle.
The rendezvous for this trip is the ARRIVALS HALL
VISAS AND PERMITS AT KOCHI AIRPORT early morning on Day 2.
Visas for entry into India are required by most
nationalities. Applications must be made online either via Return flights can be booked for anytime on Day 14. Some
the official consular site http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk or there flights return in the day, others are overnight. The group
are other sites offering a visa service for which an transfer will be timed to suit the majority.
administration fee is charged.
PLEASE ENSURE YOU DO NOT PURCHASE
LOCAL COSTS YOUR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL (FLIGHTS OR
All accommodation and most meals are included; please OTHER) UNTIL WE HAVE GUARANTEED YOUR
see the itinerary page for full details. Additional costs TRIP IS RUNNING.
would include any drinks or snacks outside of mealtimes,
tips for local staff and private transfers from and to Kochi
airport if required.

101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794
www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]
SOUTH INDIA - THE WESTERN GHATS ITINERARY

No Day Today we... We stay at... Accommodation... Meals...

1 Sat Fly Plane Plane
2 Sun Transfer and relax Dewalokam Luxury farm-stay D
3 Mon Transfer and Trek 1 Purshpakandam Camp BLD
4 Tue Trek day 2 Chaturangpara Camp BLD
5 Wed Trek day 3 Shantanpara Camp BLD
6 Thu Trek day 4 BL Ram Camp BLD
7 Fri Trek day 5 Suryanelli Camp BLD
8 Sat Trek day 6 Korangini Camp BLD
9 Sun Trek day 7 Top Station Camp BLD
10 Mon Trek day 8 Rodo Valley Camp BLD
11 Tue Trek day 9 - final day Munnar Hotel BL
12 Wed Transfer and cruise Backwaters Riceboat BLD
13 Thu Transfer to Kochi Kochi Fort Hotel B
14 Fri Transfer and fly Plane Plane B
15 Sat Arrive home Home Own bed!

Days 1/2 Depart UK, arriving early the following morning up around it to farm for spices and cardamom which grow
into the Kochi. We transfer to a remote farm villa located abundantly in the salubrious climate here. We will arrive
in the spice growing areas at the foothills of the Western at the camp by noon.
Ghats. In the afternoon you are free to explore the spice
gardens & the village or take a dip in the pool. Day 8 We will transfer to arrive at the world's highest tea
estate - Kolukumalai - and visit the tea factory. After the
Day 3 We depart early for Kumbummedu in the hills visit, we will start the trek to Kornagini a small hamlet
arriving by noon. After lunch, start the trek. We start our located on the leeside of the Western Ghats. Here we will
trek from Kumbummedu. We will follow the jeep trail to settle into our tents to await the tough challenge tomorrow.
Ramakelmedu, where we have spectacular views of the
vast plains of neighbouring Tamilnadu. Massive statues of Day 9 Before the roads came there was the ropeway
Kuruvan & Kurathy - two legendary tribal figures - make connecting Munnar to the plains below. Our destination is
up the backdrop to the magnificent views below. The route the abandoned Top Station of this rope way. The walk is
is interspersed with tiny spice growing hamlets where the arduous but the spectacular views of the forests, the plains
majority of spices of Kerala are grown. We will continue of Tamilnadu, the hill town of Kodaikanal in the distance
our walk through these small villages and farmlands until and the towering Munnar mountains is indeed
we reach our camp. breathtaking.

Day 4 After breakfast we start our trek through cardamom Day 10 Today is the day of the toughest challenge. We
and pepper plantations. This would make an excellent start early and walk through some of the more pristine
opportunity as you can see firsthand to learn about how areas of the Western Ghats. This is also one of the highest
these spices are grown from the local trackers who will be regions of these mountains. The rugged mountain trails
accompanying you. form the backdrop to an exciting trek till we reach our
wilderness camp located at 2200m.
Day 5 We will start today's challenging trek through
sholas and cardamom forests that abound here. This is the Day 11 The final day of the trek takes us to
capital of the world's spice trade, known for centuries as Meesapulimala, at 2640m - the second highest peak in the
the Cardamom Hills. We will walk from Chaturangapara Western Ghats. The trek passes through sholas and
through thick cardamom forests and isolated spice growing mountain streams which criss-cross the area. The area is
villages. En route we will also be walking though great also known for its wildlife - notably elephants, sambar,
swathes of grasslands through the spine of the mountains sloth bear and the Nilgiri tahr. When we reach the top, we
with spectacular views of the plains of Tamilnadu stop for a rest and enjoy the panoramic views. At the end
thousands of feet below. of the day's trek, we will head to Silent Valley where we
will board our coaches and depart for Munnar.
Day 6 We will continue through the thick forests and
grasslands and enter tea country at Munnar. From here we Day 12 Depart for the backwaters and embark the
will proceed to BL Ram, a secluded spot on the slopes of 'riceboats' at noon for a memorable cruise down the
the mountain. backwaters near Alleppey. You will spend the night
aboard the boat, moored up on the peaceful backwaters.
Day 7 Anaerangal, meaning "The lake Where the
Elephants Come Down" - a vast expanse of water is Day 13 Disembark the boats and transfer to Kochi
amidst a forest where elephants have come down for
millennium for grazing and water. Snaking across a large Days 14/15 Transfer to the airport for the flight home,
area, this lake is placid and beautiful and a source of water either arriving home the same day or the next day.
for farmers downstream. Many tribal colonies have sprung

101 Lake Road, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 0DB Telephone: 01539 433794
www.adventurepeaks.com [email protected]