Chembra Peak

Chembra peak, one of the major tourist attractions in Wayanad is a good spot for a one day trekking. Situated 290 kms away from Bangalore, the peak is the highest in Wayanad. More than 150 travellers, mainly from Bangalore and Chennai, visits this peak daily.

Stands at an altitude of 6,900 feet above the sea level, it stands tall amidst the green misty hills of Western Ghats. A part of the Meppadi Forest Range, it is situated very close to Meppady town in the southern part of Wayanad.

For photographers, Chembra peak and the surrounding areas offers excellent photo oppurtunities. The peak is a unique habitat for rare species of flora and faunas.

The peak can only be accssed by foot. Eventhough, a difficult trek, the peak draws trekking enthusiasts in hordes. For climbing the peak, one need to take permission from the Vana Samrakshana Samiti (VSS) office at Erumakkolly near Meppadi. It is 2kms inside from the main road. The entry ticket costs Rs.500 for upto 10 people, Rs.1500 for foreigners and the fee includes charges for a forest trekking guide. Fee for Still camera is Rs.25 but Video cameras are not allowed on the trek. Tickets are issued from 7.30 am onwards.

Camping facility with food is also provided at the watch-tower at a cost of Rs.3,500 for a group of three per day but overnight camping on the hills is not allowed for the fear of wild animals. Trekkers can also hire tents, sleeping bags, canvases, huts and other trekking activities from here. There are parking facilities close to this office.

The trek starts at the watch tower which is 5kms away from the forest office. A 20-minutes drive from Meppadi through lush greenery sprawling tea plantations will lead the travellers to the watch tower.

It is a three-storied forest watch tower on the foothill. The way to tower is through a sprawling tea plantation. From the watch tower, it will take a minimum of three hours to reach the summit.

On the way to the top of Chembra peak, there is a heart shaped lake. This is a heart shaped lake and a major tourist attraction on this trek. There is a myth in these areas that this lake has never dried up and usuallly, even if it is scorching summer, the lake is full with water and helps quench your thirst. The distance between heart shaped lake and Chembra peak is about 1.5 kms. The last stretch is extremely rocky (can be slippery on the monsoon) and one has to be more careful to avoid the steep cliff on one side.

It is said that during the British era, British planters came here to play golf and they constructed a stable to keep their horses and a rest house in the area. The relics of the rest house and the vestiges of the road they used to ride their horse-carts can be seen still here. The summit offers spectacular views of the surrounding hills, rocks and valleys of Wayanad. One can also view of Kozhikkode, the lush greenery of Nilambur forest range in Malappuram district and Nilgiri ranges.

Best time to trek this peak is during November to April. Note: Alcohol, Plastics and fire making substances are strictly prohibited.