Meesapulimala is more than a viewpoint. Its slopes are part of the high-altitude shola and grassland country of the southern Western Ghats, one of the richest mountain ecosystems in India. Knowing what you are walking through makes the trek far more rewarding.
Shola forests and grasslands
Look at the hills and you will see a pattern: rolling grassland on the ridges and dense, dark patches of stunted forest tucked into the folds. Those patches are sholas. The grass and forest work together, holding water in the high ground and releasing it slowly into streams below. Many of the streams you cross on the trek begin here.
Nilgiri tahr
The Nilgiri tahr is a mountain goat found only in the Western Ghats and listed as endangered. It is also the state animal of Tamil Nadu. Small herds graze on Meesapulimala’s grassy slopes, and early morning is the best time to spot them. Keep your distance, keep quiet and never feed them.
Gaur, elephants and others
Gaur, the Indian bison, graze along the forest edges, and elephants move through the region. That is why Rhodo Valley’s camp is protected by an elephant trench and why the forest guide decides where groups walk. Smaller mammals and many birds live in the shola patches; listen more than you look.
Rhododendrons of Rhodo Valley
Rhodo Valley takes its name from the wild rhododendrons that grow on its slopes, a southern Indian variety of the tree rhododendron. They usually flower in the cooler months, adding red to the green and gold of the grass.
Neelakurinji
Neelakurinji is a shrub that flowers together, across whole hillsides, roughly once every twelve years. When it does, the hills turn blue-violet. The last mass bloom around Munnar was in 2018, and the next is expected around 2030. In between, small patches sometimes flower locally.
How to be a good guest
- Stay on the trail. Grasslands recover slowly from trampling.
- Carry out every wrapper and bottle.
- No speakers or loud music.
- Watch wildlife from a distance and follow your guide.
For the trail itself, read our route and difficulty guide.