The wilderness
Trekking guides
& trail wisdom.
At 6,500 ft in the Western Ghats, our trails pass through misty shola forest, open ridgelines, waterfalls, and the world's highest tea gardens. Every route here is rated Moderate to Strenuous — a reasonable base fitness level is required on all of them, and prior trekking experience is strongly recommended for the ridge trail.
Not suitable for beginners. Altitude, uneven terrain, stream crossings, and leeches are present on every trail. Guests with no prior trekking experience should speak to our guide team before booking.
Best season
Oct – Mar
Morning temp
8–14 °C
Afternoon temp
18–24 °C
Max elevation
7,900 ft
Our trails
- –Tea estate edges with mountain backdrop
- –Bird-watching corridor — over 40 species sighted
- –Stream crossing at the bamboo grove
- –Wildflower meadows and mossy boulder fields
- ✓Full-length trousers and long-sleeved shirt — leeches are present year-round on this trail
- ✓Closed trekking shoes (no sandals or open footwear)
- ✓Hand sanitizer — highly effective at detaching leeches without irritation
- ✓Light jacket — mornings can be 12–15°C
- ✓Water bottle (1 L minimum)
- ✓Sunscreen — UV is strong at altitude despite the mist
- –Panoramic ridge views over the Western Ghats and the Tamil Nadu plains
- –Shola-forest and eucalyptus stretches along the climb
- –Rocky viewpoint outcrop at the top
- –Clear-day visibility to distant ranges
- ✓Sturdy trekking boots with ankle support
- ✓Full-length trousers — leeches inhabit the lower shola sections
- ✓Hand sanitizer — carry in an accessible pocket for quick leech removal
- ✓Warm layering: moisture-wicking base, fleece, windproof shell
- ✓Trekking poles (recommended for the descent)
- ✓2 L water + high-energy snacks — no resupply on route
- –Tiered waterfall (15 m drop) at peak flow
- –Dense shola forest microclimate — noticeably cooler
- –Lichen-covered boulders and mossy stream beds
- –Return via elevated forest ridge with valley views
- ✓Waterproof trekking shoes with grip — multiple water crossings
- ✓Full-length quick-dry trousers — leeches are abundant in the shola forest section
- ✓Long-sleeved shirt or light base layer
- ✓Hand sanitizer — the single most effective and gentle way to remove leeches; apply directly to the leech
- ✓Insect repellent (DEET-based) on exposed skin as an additional deterrent
- ✓1.5 L water
Safety rules — no exceptions
Leech advisory — all trails, all seasons
Leeches are a normal part of the Western Ghats shola ecosystem and are present on every trail here, year-round — not just during monsoon. They are harmless but persistent. Follow these three steps:
- 1.Wear full-length trousers and a long-sleeved shirt — leeches attach to exposed skin and climb through gaps in open footwear.
- 2.Carry a small bottle of hand sanitizer in an accessible pocket — apply a drop directly to the leech and it releases within seconds. This is the gentlest, most reliable method.
- 3.Do not pull a leech off forcibly — it can leave the mouthpart embedded and cause infection. Let the sanitizer do the work.
- •Always trek with a guide — mandatory on ridge trails
- •Register your route at camp before departure
- •Full-length trousers + closed shoes on every trek — no exceptions
- •Stay on marked paths — shola forest is ecologically fragile
- •Carry a fully charged phone with offline maps (Maps.me)
- •Return before 17:30 — fog can reduce visibility to 5 m
- •No open fires on trail — use the camp bonfire only
- •Guests with heart or breathing conditions must inform guides before departure