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Nature's magic is an unfathomable wonder that leaves humans speechless. This magic can be witnessed at Munnar, the place that could very well be a land of fairytales! Situated in the enchanting state of Kerala, Munnar is a breathtaking hill station that is famous for its tea estates, trekking trails, beautiful flora and fauna. Munnar used to be popular mainly for its tea estates, but now it has turned into a beloved tourist destination as well.
The hill station has many peaks because of which it is a popular trekking destination. In this article, however, we will focus on the Chokramudi Peak, one of the highest peaks of Munnar. Situated at an altitude of around 7,200 ft, it stands isolated from other hill ranges, a sight hard to miss if you're at Munnar. This peak gives the most spectacular view of the tea plantations, Idukki Dam and the Anamudi Peak.
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The Chokramudi Peak actually lies in the Eravikulam National Park so the Forest Department will have some formalities to be fulfilled before starting the trek. Since it is located in a national park, the hill is filled with lush evergreen Shola forest, and the park is home to one of the largest number of animals such as Nilgiri Tahrs, Gaurs and Asian Elephants.
All About The Trek
Trekking to the Chokramudi Peak is short and relatively an easy trek which only requires a day. So if you're an amateur trekker, this is the perfect place to begin. The distance covered in this trek is about 10 km that will take 3-5 hours to be completed, depending on the level of expertise. It is advised to carry lunch or some snacks to have during the afternoon.
Best Time To Trek
Winter season during the months of December to February is the perfect time to trek anywhere in Munnar. The cold climate brings misty atmosphere and cool breeze along with it, therefore, trekking experience will be pleasant during this time.
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Let's Begin!
A drive for an hour from Munnar will take you to the trek base, Pothamedu. If you're going on a guided trek, this is where you'll be given instructions on the do's and don'ts during the trek, or else the officials from the Forest Department will brief about the same. Start the trek early in the morning so you can finish faster and rest for the evening.
A slightly harder trek which lasts for 7 hours with an extra 100 metres to cover can also be taken up. The final stretch is a pretty hard terrain to trek on, which is what increases the trek's difficulty. However, the normal trek is an enriching experience by itself.
The trek begins through tea plantations on the initial stretch. You will witness the beautiful Anamalai Hills in the background. The muddy path with small rocks gradually gets steeper as you ascend through the well-defined trail. You may also see various species of unique flora on the way at this point.
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The trek gradually turns from tea plantations to ridges of grassland with a rocky terrain. It might get slippery at this point, the reason why sturdy shoes will be a saviour. The misty climate coupled with patches of Shola forest will give you an enchanting experience that you'll never forget!
Watch your step after halfway through the trek since wild animals reside in the Shola forest. They wouldn't disturb the trail but it is best to remain quiet and on a look out, especially since the mist might get slightly blinding. Take a break at the clearing and absorb the fantastic view of tea and spice plantations that colour the entire hill green!
The terrain might attain a bit more altitude and get tougher towards the end, but the destination is completely worth it. At the end of 2-3 hours you will reach the peak where you can take another break and click pictures, relax and enjoy the view for a while. Have your lunch or snacks and continue the journey back. The return trek is comparitively shorter and will take about 1-1.5 hours to be completed.
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With the advise from the Forest Department, you may either camp at the foothills or camp back in Munnar. By evening the trek will be done, after which you may simply relax for the day.
