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In 1989, Walter Mendez, the creative director of an Indian advertising agency, coined the tagline 'God's Own Country' for Kerala's eternal beauty. Upon visiting Wayanad, you'll understand why it's called 'Devbhoomi' (Land of the Gods) in English. Clear skies, refreshing showers, lush greenery, mountains, rivers, waterfalls – here you'll find everything you could imagine for a paradise.
The Chembra Trek offers an immersive experience to soak in these magical valleys from a height. Every season has its charm here – rain, summer, and winter – although the temperature doesn't vary much.
A Trek through Wayanad's Crown Jewel
Located in the Wayanad Hills region of the Western Ghats mountain range, this trek is one of the most popular and beautiful treks in Kerala and Karnataka. Just 15 km fro...
Alternative Starting Point and Scenic Approach
You can also start this trek from the Forest Office, which is 2 km from the starting point. The trail from the Forest Office to the starting point is a gentle winding trail that offers stunning views of the surrounding valley and human settlements.
Limited Permits: Plan Your Visit Accordingly
The biggest challenge in doing the Chembra Peak Trek is that no more than 200 people are allowed to trek. This is why you'll encounter a crowd of people who rush to get permits early in the morning. Tokens are distributed on a first-come-first-served basis, so travellers start lining up here as early as 2 am. This means you have to go through a lot of hassle the night before the trek.
But the Beauty is Worth the Effort
However, the trek is so beautiful that you...
By Air: Calicut International Airport (CCJ) in Kozhikode is the nearest airport to Wayanad. You can take a flight directly to Kozhikode airport and hire a taxi or take a bus to Kalpetta, a town that connects to Meppadi, the nearest town to the Chembra Peak trek starting point.
By Train: The nearest major railway station is Kozhikode Railway Station (CLT), also around 90 kilometres from Meppadi. Apart from major cities in the South region, there are plenty of trains available to Kozhikode from Delhi and Mumbai too. Check direct or connecting trains on IRCTC to reach Kozhikode by train.
By Road: There are regular government and private luxury sleeper buses connecting major cities in Kerala like Bangalore, Mysore, Hyderabad, and Chennai to Wayanad. Moreover, there are also plenty of buses from Kozhikode to Kalpetta, from which you can get a bus, shared taxi, or auto rickshaw to reach Meppadi.
Meppadi to Chembra Peak Trek Starting Point:
Once you reach Meppadi, you can either use a forest department ferry jeep, an auto rickshaw, or a private taxi to reach the starting point of the Chembra Peak trek.
Trek: You can either start trekking from the Forest Department Office or from Starting Point. The trek length is around 8 km (round trip) from FDO and 4 km from the starting point.
Note: You need to find a place to stay near the forest department check post so that you can get a permit early in the morning with ease.
Chembra Peak Trek: Perched in Wayanad, Chembra Peak stands one of the loftiest summits of this mountain range. It is not only one of the most scenic treks in Kerala but also in the entire Western Ghats. Western Ghats treks share many geographical features, such as tall grass, humidity, and slipperiness. Clouds can descend upon this region at any moment. It's an excellent spot to witness the passing clouds up close. When the skies are clear, the panoramic views stretching far into the distance are simply mesmerising.
Soochipara Waterfalls: This is a majestic three-tiered waterfall that falls from a gigantic height of approximately 200 metres. Located nearly 13 kilometres from Meppadi, this place is excellent for spending time with your loved ones. You have to trek down for 2 kilometres from the main entrance to reach the waterfall and pool area. It's generally a crowded area, but still, it is a must-visit location on your Wayanad trip.
Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary: This is the second largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala, covering a large area over 344 sq km. The sanctuary of different forests including moist deciduous and evergreen forests is home to a vast variety of wildlife such as tigers, leopards, elephants, and deer. It is paradise for birdwatchers due to having over 300 species of birds including beautiful crimson-backed woodpeckers. Jeep safaris are the most popular way to explore the sanctuary in winter.
Lakkidi View Point: Called "Gateway to Wayanad," this is the view point you cross while moving towards Wayanad from Kozhikode. Standing at an elevation of about 700 meters above sea level, this roadside viewpoint is a perfect spot to click stunning pictures. The natural beauty of the western ghats visible from this point provides an unimaginable backdrop where you can create a lot of memories.
Pookode Lake: Spread over an area of 8.5 hectares, this stunning lake is one of the most enchanting places in Wayanad. Visitors can do various recreational activities such as boating, jogging on the track, and wandering in the park, located near the lake. Moreover, you can also rent a paddleboat to enjoy a leisurely ride. Overall, it's a serene place to relax and enjoy the tranquillity of nature.
Soak the Pure Vibes of Nature:
Not only Chembra Peak, but the entire region of Wayanad and its surroundings seem to be in full bloom with nature's bounty. Due to the abundant rainfall in this area, you will find very little dryness and dust. The pollution levels in Wayanad are also extremely low, and the number of trekkers on the Chembra Peak trek is limited to preserve the natural beauty of the region. Overall, you will be surrounded by breathtaking views of nature throughout your trip.
Explore Wayanad:
Wayanad is considered one of the most beautiful places in South India, especially in Kerala. Here, the main tourist attractions are natural wonders, so you will spend your time admiring waterfalls, lakes, and valleys. There are also some religious places that you can visit, such as the Thirunelli Maha Vishnu Temple, Thrissilery Shiva Temple, Assumption Forane Church, etc.
Experience Spice Plantations:
Seeing the spices that you use to tantalise your taste buds growing in the gardens can be a fantastic experience. At Stellin Spice Garden and Banasura Ayurvedic Spice Garden in Wayanad, you can learn the science of spice cultivation. Multilayer farming of spices like cloves, cardamom, black pepper, etc., can be seen on a large scale here. You can gather a lot of information and tips from here on how to grow spices in your area or in the garden.
Learn About Local Tribal Communities:
There is a tribal museum in Wayanad where you can learn about the different tribal castes and communities. You can also visit some tribal villages where you can learn about the lifestyle, food, clothing, language, customs, and traditions of some specific tribes. The main villages include Eppadi, Pattanakkad, and Kolleri. When visiting tribal areas, be sure to ask permission to enter the village and take photos, and behave responsibly.
Enjoy Adventure Activities:
Apart from trekking, there are many other adventure activities that you can enjoy in Wayanad. Jeep safaris are one of the main attractions here, as you can get into the thick of the forest and have the chance to see wildlife up close. You can also experience zip lining and rock climbing here in Wayanad. Many local companies also offer the opportunity to go river rafting and bamboo rafting. Keep in mind that you will need extra time and money to enjoy adventure activities on your trip.
Create Memories in Enchanting Stays:
Wayanad also offers some great places to stay amidst nature. Staying in camps, wooden cottages, resorts, and treehouses is undoubtedly a wonderful experience. Use the internet to search for properties nearby and book accommodation according to your budget.
Tips to consider when planning trip to Chembra Peak Trek, Wayanad, Kerala:
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