Kochi is the natural gateway to Meesapulimala. Cochin International Airport is about 108 km from Munnar and Aluva railway station about 109 km, so you can be in the hills by afternoon and on the summit the next morning.
Getting from Kochi to Munnar
- Taxi or own car: via Kothamangalam, Neriamangalam and Adimali. Allow 3.5 to 4.5 hours with stops.
- KSRTC bus: regular buses from Ernakulam and Aluva. Slower but cheap and frequent.
- From the airport: pre-book a taxi if you land late. Avoid driving the ghat road after dark when fog sets in.
Plan A: 2 days with camping
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Leave Kochi early morning, reach Munnar by noon, jeep to base camp, evening at camp |
| Day 2 | Summit at first light, descend, jeep to Munnar, drive back to Kochi by night |
This is the most efficient plan. You sleep on the mountain, so there is no 4 AM start from town.
Plan B: 2 days with a day trek
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Drive up, settle in Munnar, short walk, early dinner |
| Day 2 | Pre-dawn jeep, summit, back in Munnar by afternoon, drive down |
Read what the day trek involves before choosing this one. Plan B ends with a long drive after a long trek. If someone else is driving, fine. If it is you, consider staying a second night in Munnar.
Good stops on the way
- Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls on the highway after Neriamangalam.
- Spice and tea viewpoints around Adimali and Pallivasal.
- A proper breakfast in Kothamangalam or Adimali before the climb.
- With a spare day, add some of these places near Meesapulimala.
Full route details for every mode are in how to reach Meesapulimala. For a slower trip, extend to our 3 day itinerary with Kolukkumalai.
