Kerala Kolukkumalai

Kolukkumalai

This trip will take to a heaven if you are really a nature lover , as traveller you will feel you are on thetop of the world. This will trip will take you away from all your present mind status and you will be in another world. Tea factory everything is in top of the plantations, jeep, actually is part of the adventure of the "Kolukkumalai Tea Estate." Indeed, after more than an hour's drive into the rocks (do not be afraid to be stirred well!) You will arrive at the factory, or you can even beautiful old English machines still in operation. The advantage of this plant and teas (except the jeep safari) that this is not a museum, you will be guided by one of the workers, who will show you the machines and will explain the process, all among the other workers who continue their work. As there is no possibility to come except by jeep, it prevents large groups of tourists, which is great too. The road also can wander amidst plantations, which offer beautiful panoramas.The view there can't be described in words. On one side of the hill is Kerala and on the other is Tamil Nadu. Try to witness sunrise or sunset there, we regret not managing our time accordingly and not visiting the factory there which is cheaper then the Harrison factory to which our driver took us.

Location: 40 Kms from Munnar

Tea estate

 Kolukkumalai is arguably the estate with the highest grown tea in the world! Started in the early 1900s the estate produces tea using the orthodox methood in the time tested tea factory. Little has changed here since the colonial planters left leaving behind their legacy of one of the best quality tea you can get in South India.

Though known for it's special orthodox tea Kolukkumalai Estate is now venturing into another of it's unique products....nature, great mountain views and excellent opportunities for walks in the hills. Kolukkumalai gets a fair number of day visitors to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over the Palani hills, it's cool climate and of course visit to the factory where tea is still made using the orthodox method. What most day visitors miss is the opportunity to walk the hills above the estate and maybe a trek up Meeshapulimali, an imposing peak at an elevation of 2640meters (8661 feet) above sea level!

Accommodation facilities are available you can contact us info@myholidayclub.co.in

Activities

Factory Visit

For those hoping to visit an authentic tea estate to see tea processed in the tradition orthodox method there is no better place to go than the Kolukkumalai Tea Factory! The Kolukkumalai factory is an original tea factory built by the British during the 1940's and the equipment and process dates back to those days! Not a lot has changed over the years! It is hard to imagine how the heavy machinery and equipment must have travelled by ship all the way from the factories in the UK brought to the plains and hauled up the steep hills to set up the factory! These enterprising pioneers of the hills must have set up the factory at such a remote slope halfway up the second highest peak in South India for a reason. The tea grown on these slopes are special as the quality of tea improves with altitude and the orthodox process of manufacture helps retain all it's flavor! The tea produced at the factory is much sort after for it's distinctive flavor and aroma.

The factory can only be accessed by jeep up a windy estate road from Suryanelli village,with lovely views of the valley and hills. The only other option is to do it on foot but can take a while! Most hotels in Munnar and Chinnakanal offer the trip to the factory along with a jeep ride which is an experience in itself! 

Overnight stay in Kolukkumalai

Overnight stay at Kolukkumalai can be arranged at either the Kolukkumalai Mountain Hut or at one of our campsites. The guesthouse has 3 large rooms that can accommodate upto 3 people in each room and a smaller single room. All rooms have ensuite facitites and hot/cold water.

The campsites are a short walk from the guesthouse and tents can be pitched depending on individual requirements. We do have a selection of tents that you could choose from.

Meeshapulimalai Trek

The trek up Meeshapulimalai is much sought after by people looking for a long trek in Munnar especially as Anaimudi, the highest peak in South India is closed to general public for any activities. At a height of 2,640 meters the Meeshapulimalai Peak is indeed a spectacular peak and the vistas from the top are breathtaking! Once you get nearer the top you truly feel on top of the world with clouds swirling around the peaks below! There are 2 ways to access the peak. The more popular and easily accessible path is from the Silent Valley Estate. The other is starting your walk from Kolukkumalai Estate. The peak can be accessed from both sides and can be done as a day trip albeit a long day! To truly enjoy the terrain and the sights we do however recommend that you overnight at either the tented camp at Rhodovalley or the Sky Cottage a basic single room accommodation run by KFTD ( the state run social forestry enterprise set up to look after the tourism side) if you are starting your walk from the Silent Valley Estate side or at the Kolukkumalai Mountain Hut, a comfortable guesthouse in the Kolukkumalai Estate if you are starting from Kolukkumalai side. It is also possible to start your walk from Silent Valley Estate, walk up Kolukkumalai , walk down the other side and end your walk at the Kolukkumalai Estate or vice-versa. The walk up Meeshapulimalai and down to Silent Valley Estate is a much longer day than walking up from the Kolukkumalai side, the reason being Kolukkumalai is already at the base of the peak and also has the distinction of being the highest tea estate in the world!

You get to the top you traverse through diverse terrain ranging from carpets of tea bushes to lush evergreen shoals, pine forests managed by KFDC and the undulating grasslands at the top. The walk up the peak requires a reasonable amount of fitness and not recommended in the monsoon months of June-August. The high winds, thick clouds and heavy rains make it a difficult task to complete! The winter months of December to February can be very chilly in the morning and evening but hot once you get to the grasslands at the top of the peak. Do be prepared for the sun...it’s easy to get sunburnt at that altitude! Comfortable walking shoes are recommended and best to have some layers of clothing including some protection against wet weather! The weather at the top is totally unpredictable in the hills especially with the hot air from the Tamil plains working it’s way up meeting the cold mountain air !

We will happy to arrange the walk as a day visit for guests from Kolukkumalai Mountain Hut ( who return back to the hut after the walk) or a longer walk to if you would like to walk across the peak to Silent Valley Estate from where you can be transferred to Munnar.

For your walk you will have the services of a knowlegeable local guide picnic lunch and snacks will be provided for the walk. If you plan to overnight at the Rhodo Valley Camp or the Sky Cottage run by KFDC then you will have the services of our own team of camping staff accompany you as being state run the services at the camp might be lacking! We will also be happy to arrange pick-up and drop from/to your resort in Munnar if required. For more details about the walk or price do get in touch on info@myholidayclub.co.in

My Holiday Club Expert advise

People with a weak back and pregnant women shouldn’t do this tour. The 20 kms journey from our hotel took 1 hour - but the route was incredibly beautiful. Only Jeep can go on this terrain, it is a very touch road.

It's better to get more people in the jeep, to avoid the horrid jumps and bumps.  

It will consume whole of your day but won't leave you disappointed. A jeep ride will make you feel like it's an adventurous journey but it's not much of a tough task. Your body will surely ache during the end of the day but again experiencing it would make you forget all your pains.

Jeep driver charge around  ₹ 1500/- for the ride and the price goes even higher during season time but it is a hard work for them. It will take around 1.5 hours but will leave exhausted for the whole day.

The  driver’s  will forcefully take you to this horrible Harrison tea factory but avoid it at any cost because there entry ticket is way higher and so are their teas. Insist on going to Kolukkumalai factory, there entry ticket is half the price of Harrison.

One more piece of advice, freshen up before taking the journey uphill as there is nothing on top other than coconut water sellers. Also take some snacks with you.