Sunrise View at Kolukkumalai

 Kolukkumala Sunrise View Trek

Sunrise view at Kolukkumala

It's been almost four years since I last visited this amazing place, where you can view one of the best sunrises in the world. Kolukkumalai is one of the highest mountains in the western ghats where the world’s highest tea plantation is situated at a height of 7900 feet. It shares a border with Kerala and Tamilnadu. 

How we planned the trip?

Me and my two colleagues, Stijin and Kavya were working in an advertising firm and were thinking of going to some place to spend a weekend long away from the madding crowd and bustling noises of everyday life. We saw an Instagram video of Tripuntold about a budget tent stay and trekking to Kolukkumala in Idukki. We unanimously decided to book the slot and go the coming weekend. 

Our Travel Route

KSRTC journey to Munnar

As it was a budget trip we decided to try the local transport available. We started from different places on a Saturday morning. I joined my Stijin as I boarded a train from Kollam to Ernakulam. Kavya was waiting for us at Ernakulam Bus Stand. We had a light breakfast from Ernakulam and all three of us got into a KSRTC bus, we Malayalees call it 'Aanavandi', Our destination was Munnar, the hill capital of Kerala, from there to Kolukkumala. We started the bus ride at 10 am and reached Munnar by around 2 pm. It was a lousy bus journey, and the scorching heat during the April month really made the mood drowsy. But the whole atmosphere changed when we reached Munnar, it was literally cold and the weather was set for the real trip. We got into a rented Jeep for the rest of the journey to Kolukkumala as the roads were hilly and were not well maintained. We got company in our jeep ride, there was a Tamil family who does a local farming business in Pooparai and two ladies (advocates) who were also going for the Kolukkumalai trekking. The jeep ride was really amazing with local sightseeing and the cold weather embracing us. We reached the base camp of Kolukkumalai at around 4 pm.

Tent Stay and trekking to Kolukkumala 

Tent Stay at Kolukkumala Base

We were welcomed with a black coffee, which was essential for us as the weather was getting colder. We were given two tents, we boys accommodated the big one and Kavya got the single tent which was cozy. There were around 20 tents in that hilly area. Our tent had the best view of the 'Aanairangal Dam', and when it was dusk, we could hear elephants rumbling in the distance near the lake. During the night we could see fire blazing over the spot where we heard elephants rumpling. The local guide said that the farmers do this to chase the elephants away. 

Dawn at Kolukkumala

We got up early morning around 4 am to view the sunrise at Kolukkumala. It was very cold and freezing as we didn't have our winter jackets assuming it would be not that cold during summer. We got into a jeep for the adventurous ride towards the topmost view. The terrain was rugged and narrow with big builders all over, but our experienced driver had a way to handle it. We reached the top of Kolukkumala around 6 am and the view was so beautiful and enchanting like another world. That was the moment we wanted, our whole purpose of the trip, to be away from the madding crowd and busy schedules and to be with nature for some time. We went down the hill to explore the flora and fauna and were fascinated by the flowers and views we saw. We sat down near a spot to view the sunrise and enjoy the moment. The clouds were all over us, kissing the mountains and making a veiled, teaser for the main view. 

Relax at Kolukkumala Top

We spent some time there at the top and got down to the base, had a good cup of local tea, and prepared for our journey back. We dispersed our ways after a KSRTC bus ride to Ernakulam. 

At the top of Kolukkumala

Still looking back to those days, I feel the same breeze where we experienced at the Kolukkumala top. I can see the same sunrise view, and I can feel the clouds swiftly moving past me. It was indeed an amazing experience, a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

View the travel video: Kolukkumala Travel Video 

More blogs at: Jijo Nicholas Travel Blogs