Hey adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers, are you ready to push your limits to experience an adrenaline rush. If it’s a yes, the Chembra Peak in Wayanad is the place to go, as it is the most sought after destination for daring trips. This little piece of heaven which comes under the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is not just the highest peak in Wayanad but also the pride of Kerala.
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Where Is Chembra Peak
In a small town called Meppady, which is only 8 km south of Kalpetta is where Chembra is located. The only way to reach the peak is by trekking the Western Ghats mountain range. Chembra Peak height is 2,100 meters (6,900 feet) above sea level and the views from the peak are truly spectacular. The beautiful landscape with cascading waterfalls and misty green hills will make you fall in love with this place instantly.
Best Time To Plan A Visit
Chembra is an all year round tourist destination. However the best time of visit can change from person to person based on their personal choices. So let’s take a look at how the Wayanad weather looks throughout the year.
November to February – The winter months, just after monsoon, is the best time to visit as everything around is fresh and green. It’s the ideal time to plan a trek to the peak.
March to June – These months are comparatively hot at the peak and all the grass turns yellow, taking away a percentage of the beauty of the place. It’s still a good time if you are looking to avoid the rain.
July to October – Trekking is not suggested during this time as trails can get very slippery and tough. However, do note that the beauty of the place is enhanced by the blossoming flora and abundant greenery during the monsoon season.
Things To Do In Chembra
As we all know, trekking is one of the main reasons why tourism is catching up fast here. But did you all know that the enthralling natural beauty, impressive views of the hills and instagrammable places also adds on to this beautiful spot.
Go Up The Peak – Most of the tourists visit Chembra to trek up to the peak. The mesmerizing views as you trek through the rugged trails are truly rejuvenating. The heart-shaped lake midway to the peak makes the visit totally worthwhile.
For Panoramic Views – You can see the whole of Wayanad from the top of the peak. The impressive views of the hills, valleys, forests and tea/coffee estates will show you how beautiful God’s own country is.
Explore With A Jeep Safari – A thrilling ride through the forest is the best way to explore exclusive sites which you would not have tried otherwise. This ride through the wild is sure to be held in your memory for a long time.
Clicking Some Photographs – Best way to take back memories back home is by capturing all the precious moments during the trip. There are ample opportunities in Chembra to savor each and every moment with your camera.
Book Now: Wayanad Wildlife Heaven from Bangalore
Key Points For Your Chembra Peak Visit
- Permit to trek is required from the Forest Office, the same is available from the starting point of the trek.
- The Chembra Peak entry fee is around ₹1700 for a group of 5 (Indians) and ₹3500 for a group of 5 (foreigners).
- Chembra peak timings are from 7:00 in the morning to 5:00 in the evening, however no one gets permission to start a trek after 2:00pm.
- Since 2019, there is not permission to go further from the Heart Shaped Lake.
- Network is available only till the starting point, after this point network is not available.
- Do not drink water from the lakes and ponds while on your trek as they are not fit for drinking.
- A group of at least five people is mandatory to make bookings for the trek.
- Camping is prohibited by the Forest Department on Chembra Peak Wayanad trek.
How To Trek To Chembra Peak
To understand thing better, let’s divide the Chembra Peak trekking into four sections:
Section I: Forest Office to Watchtower (Starting Point)
Distance of Trek: 2.2 km
Duration: by car 15 minutes, by walk 40 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
The starting point of the trek is from a Watchtower, however you can start the trek from the Forest Office also. Vehicles are allowed only until the watchtower, beyond this point vehicles are not allowed.
What To Expect: muddy roads, tea estates, rolling gardens, villages on the way.
Section II: Starting Point to Heart Lake
Distance of Trek: 2 km
Duration: 2 hours
Difficulty Level: Moderate
This is where you will see the signboard indicating the starting point of the trek. Park your car in the parking lot and start your trek.
What To Expect: rolling tea garden, hills, forest and overgrown grassland.
Section III: Heart Lake to Chembra Peak
Distance of Trek: 1.5 km
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Difficulty Level: Difficult During Monsoon
Spend some time at the Chembra Peak Heart Lake (Hridaya Thadakam) by taking pics and enjoying the beauty of the surrounding. It’s a treat to the eyes.
What To Expect: heart-shaped lake, overgrown blades of grass, cliff
Section IV: Back To Base
Distance of Trek: 1.5 km
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes
Difficulty Level: Simple And Straightforward
Please Note: Trekking to the Peak from Heart Lake is not allowed since 2019. Prohibition for trekking was brought into force to protect the wildlife activity on the trail. However one can trek further to the west, until you see a cliff. After enjoying the panoramic views, start to descend towards the base camp.
What To Expect: Steep and slippery path on your way down.
A trek to Chembra Peak is something that one should experience at least once in their life. With our guide, exploring Chembra will be completely satisfactory. So book now and share your adventure with us in the comments below.
FAQs
Wayanad is a place filled with adventure activities to experience with friends, however Munnar is a place perfect for couples to spend quality time amidst nature.
A small town called Meppady which is about 17 km from Kalpetta is the nearest place to Chembra.
Make sure you refill your water-bottles at Meppad as there is no place to buy food or water during the entire course of the trek.
