Anamudi Peak Trek

Overview of the Anamudi Peak Trek

The Anamudi Peak Trek runs 3 days and 2 nights from Kochi, graded Moderate, from Rs 6,800 per person. Route: Kochi – Munnar – Rajamala – Eravikulam – Anamudi base – Munnar – Kochi.

What the Anamudi Peak Trek is like

Anamudi is the highest point in India south of the Himalaya, at 2,695 metres, and it stands in the Eravikulam National Park above Munnar in the Idukki district of Kerala. The name means ‘elephant’s forehead’ in Malayalam, and from the Munnar side the massif does have that shape: a broad grassy dome with a long ridge running off it to the south.

The mountain is the centre of the range that holds most of South India’s remaining shola-grassland mosaic, a habitat that exists only above roughly 1,800 metres in the Western Ghats and nowhere else on earth. The grassland is not natural lawn: it is a climax community maintained by frost, grazing and the occasional fire, and the shola forest fills the folds and valleys where the frost cannot reach. Eravikulam is also the last stronghold of the Nilgiri tahr, a mountain goat that was down to a few hundred animals in the twentieth century and has recovered to a few thousand, mostly inside this park.

The trek itself is short but not trivial. The approach from Rajamala climbs through grassland with almost no shade, and the last section to the summit is steep and often in cloud. Because the summit sits inside a national park and inside the core zone of a tahr reserve, access is controlled: trekking beyond the tourism zone requires a Forest Department permit and a departmental guide, and the park closes the upper area during the tahr calving season, which usually runs from about January to March. Any operator who tells you they can walk you to the summit in that window is not being straight with you.

What you get for the effort is a view that takes in the whole High Ranges: the Munnar tea country below, the Kundala and Mattupetty valleys, and on a clear morning the Palani Hills and the distant blue of the Tamil Nadu plains. It is one of the few places in South India where you can stand above the cloud line.

The route in detail

Day one is the drive from Kochi up to Munnar, roughly four to five hours through Aluva, Muvattupuzha and the tea country around Adimali, with the last hour climbing through plantations. The afternoon is a short acclimatisation walk around the tea estates and a briefing. Day two starts early with a drive to Rajamala, the tourism zone of Eravikulam National Park, and then the climb: a steady three to four hours up through open grassland, past the tahr viewing area, onto the ridge below the summit. The final pull is steep and loose, and on a wet day it is slippery enough to need care. The descent returns the same way to Rajamala and then to Munnar for the night. Day three is a slow morning at the Mattupetty dam and the Kundala tea fields, then the drive back to Kochi.

Who the Anamudi Peak Trek suits

The Anamudi trek suits walkers who want a real summit without a multi-day expedition. The daily walking is three to five hours, the altitude is modest by Himalayan standards, and the terrain is grass, rock and a little scree rather than snow or glacier. It is a good first summit for someone who is reasonably active, and a good short trip for a family with older children. It is not suitable for anyone who cannot manage a sustained climb in direct sun, and the park’s seasonal closure means the summit is not always available.

What the price includes

The price of Rs 6,800 per person covers 2 nights accommodation in munnar on twin sharing, and the rest of what is listed below. GST at 5%, insurance, and anything not listed under inclusions are extra.

Highlights of the Anamudi Peak Trek

• The 2,695 m summit of Anamudi, the highest peak in South India
• Nilgiri tahr on the grassland of Eravikulam National Park
• Shola forest and grassland, a habitat found only in the Western Ghats
• Views over the Munnar tea country and the High Ranges
• A licensed Forest Department guide on the mountain

Anamudi Peak Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Drive from Kochi to Munnar

• Meet the group in Kochi in the morning.
• Drive four to five hours through Adimali and the tea country.
• Arrive in Munnar and check in.
• Short acclimatisation walk through the tea estates.
• Briefing on the summit day, dinner and overnight.

Day 2: Rajamala, Eravikulam and the Anamudi summit

• Early breakfast and drive to Rajamala.
• Enter Eravikulam National Park with the permit and guide.
• Climb three to four hours through open grassland.
• Steep final section to the 2,695 m summit.
• Packed lunch on the ridge, weather permitting.
• Descend to Rajamala and drive back to Munnar.
• Dinner and overnight in Munnar.

Day 3: Mattupetty, Kundala and return to Kochi

• Slow breakfast at the hotel.
• Visit the Mattupetty dam and the Kundala tea fields.
• Drive back to Kochi, four to five hours.
• Trip ends in Kochi by evening.

What is included in the Anamudi Peak Trek

• 2 nights accommodation in Munnar on twin sharing
• Breakfast on all three days and dinner on both nights
• All transport from Kochi and back in an air-conditioned vehicle
• Eravikulam National Park entry fees and the Forest Department trekking permit
• A licensed local guide and a trek leader throughout
• Packed lunch on the summit day
• First aid kit and a pulse oximeter with the group

What is not included

• GST at 5%
• Travel, accidental, health and medical insurance
• Lunch on day 1 and day 3
• Personal expenses, tips and porter charges
• Costs arising from park closures, weather or road closures
• Anything not listed under inclusions

What to carry on the Anamudi Peak Trek

• A government photo ID card, original, for the park permit
• Trekking shoes with grip for wet grass and loose rock
• A light rain shell, since Munnar can turn wet at any time of year
• A warm layer for the summit, which is cold and windy even in summer
• Sun hat, sunscreen SPF 50 and sunglasses, as the grassland has no shade
• Two litres of water per person for the climb
• A small daypack and a packed lunch box
• Personal medication and a basic blister kit

Departure details

• Departs Kochi on the starting day and returns to Kochi on the final evening.
• Fixed departures run weekly on Fridays; the exact pickup point is confirmed on booking.
• Group size is capped at 12 trekkers.
• The trip runs on a fixed 3D/2N format and does not extend.
• Best season: September to March. Maximum altitude: 2,695 m.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best season for the Anamudi peak trek?

September to March is the window, with the clearest skies and the most stable weather. The park closes the upper zone during the Nilgiri tahr calving season, which usually falls between January and March, so the summit may not be available in those months even though the weather is good. June to August is the monsoon, when the grassland is green but the trail is wet and the views are usually lost in cloud.

How difficult is the Anamudi trek and how high is the summit?

It is graded Moderate. The summit is 2,695 metres, the highest point in South India, and the climb from Rajamala is about 700 metres of ascent over three to four hours. There is no technical climbing, but the final section is steep and the grassland offers no shade. Most reasonably active walkers manage it; anyone with heart or breathing conditions should check with a doctor first.

Do I need a permit to climb Anamudi?

Yes. The summit lies inside Eravikulam National Park, and walking beyond the tourism zone requires a Forest Department trekking permit and a departmental guide. The permit is included in the price and arranged by the operator. The park can also close the upper area at short notice for tahr calving or for weather, and in that case the itinerary is adjusted to the lower trails.

Is the Anamudi trek suitable for solo travellers?

Yes. Groups are small, capped at 12, and the trip is run on fixed departures so you do not need to bring a partner. The two nights in Munnar are on twin sharing, and solo travellers are paired with another traveller of the same gender unless a single supplement is booked.

What kind of accommodation is provided?

Two nights in a hotel in Munnar on twin sharing, with attached bathrooms and hot water. This is a hotel-based trip rather than a camping one, which is one of the reasons it works as a short break. There is no camping on the mountain.

Will I see Nilgiri tahr and is there mobile network?

Nilgiri tahr are commonly seen on the grassland around Rajamala and the tourism zone, particularly in the early morning, and the park is the species’ main stronghold. Mobile coverage in Munnar town is good on all major networks, but it weakens on the climb and is unreliable on the upper ridge. Download what you need before leaving Munnar.

Plan Your Trip

Explore related pages: All treks in Kerala · Browse all destinations · All activities · Munnar destination guide · Trekking in India.

Related Trips

• Chembra Peak Trek
• Mukurthi Peak Trek
• Kodaikanal Group Trip from Bangalore

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