Lost in the Clouds: An Unforgettable Trek to Meesapulimala

Since childhood, I had always dreamed of standing atop a mountain covered in endless meadows and grasslands, with no trees to block the horizon, just open sky and rolling green hills. Meesapulimala made that dream real. Standing at an altitude of 8,600 feet, the second highest peak in South India, I was absolutely thrilled.

Grassland in Meesapulimala

Lost in the monotony of my sedentary life as a content writer, I was desperately looking for an escape. While scrolling through Instagram one evening, a post by Prem, a travel influencer, caught my eye, a group trek to Meesapuli Mala. I had never heard of the place before, and the off-beat ring to it made it even more appealing.

I reached out to him through his WhatsApp group right away and asked about the pricing and trip details. The package was priced at Rs. 8,500 per person, which felt a little steep for a two-day trip. But curiosity got the better of me, and I started researching.

I didn't even know where Meesapulimala was. A quick Google search told me it was near Munnar in Kerala. The landscape that appeared on my screen was stunning, beyond words. This trek is well known for its breathtaking cloud bed views from the top. One look at the images, and my heart was set.

After digging deeper, here's what I found for anyone considering going independently:

1. First, you need to reach Munnar all by yourself. From there to take the trek, you can choose to stay at two places i.e., Silent Valley Base Camp or Rhodo Mansion which is located at an altitude of 8000 feet. 

2. Silent Valley Base Camp is a budget-friendly option as it would cost around 800 to 1200 per person depending on the season. 

3. Staying at Rhodo Mansion would cost you around 3000 per person for a single night stay. 

4. And most importantly, to reach both the places, you will need to take an off-road jeep ride that costs around 1500 to 3500 depending on where you stay. The jeep can accommodate a maximum of 8 persons and the cost can be split. 

Considering the logistics, coordination, and overall expense, I decided it would be easier to join the organized group trek run by the DMD Trekking Club, managed by Prem. With some excitement and nervousness, I paid an advance of ₹5,000 and confirmed my spot.

The Journey Begins

I reached Madurai from Chennai at around 5:00 AM and wandered through the waking streets of the city as it stirred to life. At 7:00 AM, a travel van picked us up from Madurai Railway Station. It was my first time travelling with a group of complete strangers, and surprisingly, it felt good, getting to know new faces, hearing their stories, sharing a little of your own.

We stopped at Aandipatti at 9:00 AM for a light breakfast, arrived at Munnar for lunch, and by 2:00 PM, we were on a jeep heading towards Rhodo Mansion.

That's when the real journey began. The vehicle wound its way through lush green tea estates, and I found myself simply soaking it all in the rolling green carpet across the valley, the sharp ups and downs of the terrain, the friendly locals, the unpolluted air. Everything felt magical.

Tea Estate in Munnar

The first 10 km from the forest office were smooth and easy. We halted at Silent Valley for a cup of tea, and stepping out of the vehicle, I stood in quiet awe. A magnificent mountain touched the sky above, and a waterfall caught the sunlight and dropped like a silver line down the hillside. And right in front of all of it, a group of men were playing cricket on a large open ground. What a sight. I felt a genuine rush of happy hormones.

Silent Valley in Munnar

After a short break, we hopped back on the jeep for the off-road stretch. The vehicle climbed rocky paths, tilting us up, down, and sideways with no apology. What started as entertaining quickly became something we just wanted to survive.

We first stopped at the Silent Valley Base Camp to sign in our names before proceeding to Rhodo Mansion. The camp had around 30 tents accommodating roughly 60 people, with basic toilet facilities simple but functional.

Silent Valley Base Camp in Meesapulimala

About 30 minutes later, we finally pulled into Rhodo Mansion at 5:30 PM. My first impression: neat, cozy, and stunning in its setting.

Rhodo Mansion at an Altitude of 8000 feet

Sunset, Bonfire, and a Night to Remember

Watching the sunset from the peak is a popular activity here, and we climbed a little higher above the mansion for the view. The cold hit hard and fast I was shivering despite my layers. But watching the sun slowly sink into the horizon, sending a streak of warm light across the mountain, made every shiver worth it.

Sunset in Meesapulimala

We climbed back down for dinner, and at 8:00 PM, gathered around a bonfire as the temperature dropped further. Stories were shared, laughs were had, and it turned into one of the most memorable evenings I've spent in a long time.

Sunrise, Clouds, and the Trek

At 5:30 AM, our guide woke us up for the sunrise. The scene outside was completely transformed from the evening before. Clouds were erupting slowly from the hills, wrapping the valleys in white against a backdrop of lush green peaks. I was speechless.

Trekking in Meesapulimala

The trek began after sunrise, through sweeping grasslands, over valleys and streams, past mounds and peaks. We kept climbing, and peaks kept appearing, we never quite knew which one would be the last or what waited at the top.

Stream Running Between the Valley in Meespulimala

Along the way, we spotted red flowers blooming from woody shrubs at every turn. Our guide told us this was the Rhododendron, a flower that grows only at high altitudes. It is the national flower of Nepal and the state flower of both Nagaland and Himachal Pradesh in India. In December, he said, the entire mountain turns into a sea of red blooms. He also reminded us firmly that plucking any flower is not just disrespectful, it is punishable by law.

Rhododendron in Meesapulimala

After two hours of climbing, our guide finally announced the last peak. Exhausted, I pushed myself to the edge and looked out.

I became speechless.

A vast sea of white clouds swept over the mountain in broad daylight. The view was unlike anything I had ever seen. Like everyone around me, I just stood there, frozen in the moment, not wanting to look away. That memory is safely tucked away in my mind, one I know I'll carry for the rest of my life.

Cloud bed in Meesapulimala

This cloud bed phenomenon, I was told, is visible at Meesapulimala only between January and March. The rest of the year, the mountain is cloaked in mist. Our guide, a passionate trekker himself, mentioned he loves to visit during the monsoon too, not for the clouds, but simply for the joy of standing in the rain on top of the hills.

After nearly 30 minutes soaking in the beauty of the cloud bed, we felt the sun warming up and began our descent back to the mansion.

During the trek, I crossed paths with tourists from the UK, Israel, and the US. It turns out this region has a long history during British rule, Meesapulimala was a favoured retreat for British officers. Today, it has become one of Kerala's most popular trekking destinations.

We reached the mansion around 11:00 AM. Wandering around in the now warm sunshine, we spotted wild cliff goats grazing and resting under the trees near the mansion. These are an endangered species, and seeing them roam freely in the open for the first time left me feeling quietly happy.

Our Guide with the Cliff Goat at Rhodo Mansion

Back Home  and the Questions That Followed

As soon as I got home, I posted a few pictures on Instagram. The response was immediate, friends started asking everything. So here are the most common questions, answered:

Where is Meesapulimala located?

It is located near Munnar, Kerala, at an altitude of 8,666 feet. It is the second highest peak in South India, after Anamudi.

Is it better to visit alone, with an agency, or with friends?

Travelling alone can get expensive. Joining a group trek through a travel agency or going with 6–8 friends is the most practical and cost-effective option.

Silent Valley Base Camp or Rhodo Mansion — which is better?

Silent Valley offers a budget tent stay. Rhodo Mansion sits at 8,000 feet with clean rooms, a scenic setting, easy access to the trek, and spectacular stargazing at night. It costs more, but it's worth every rupee.

When is the best time to visit?

January to March offers the clearest skies, cloud bed views, and the best sunrises and sunsets. Monsoon treks are also possible for a more adventurous, rain-soaked experience.

Can I bring my family? Absolutely. Both accommodation options are family-friendly. The trek itself is manageable for anyone above the age of ten.

Meesapulimala wasn't just a trek. It was the answer to a childhood dream I had almost forgotten. If you ever feel trapped in the routine of everyday life, this mountain has a way of reminding you what it feels like to be truly free.

Watching Moon in the day at Meesapulimala