A foggy highway at Kulamavu, Idukki

A view of Siruvani Hills, Palakkad

Kanthanpara Water Falls at Kalpetta, Wayanad

Meenuliyan Para

I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.

Meenuliyan Para

Meenuliyan Para or Meenulinjan Para is a scenic, high-altitude trekking spot spread about 2 acres in the hill tops of panoramic Idukki District. It is home to a huge rock that stands tall at 1220 MSL (4000 ft) surrounded by an approximate 2 acres of ever green forest. The rock itself spreads about 500 acres. This ever-green location is live with small streams during monsoon and wild trees and offers a misty and airy fresh recharging atmosphere to the traveller. On the way to the mountain peak, one can experience the beauty of three waterfalls combining to form a big waterfall.

It’s an ideal spot for a day’s adventurous trip with trekking and climbing the mountain as the main activity. If you looking for camping too this is an ideal spot. You can reach Meenuliyan Para by a pedestrian path for about 3 km from Pattayakkudy, in Vannappuram.. As the path to the mountain peak is less travelled and non-inhibited, a trekker can enjoy exploring the undiscovered trails. It is easy to climb the mountain under any climate. Monsoon is the best season to visit the place, as it will be lush with greenery which adds fun to your adventure trip. More over only during this period you can enjoy the soul soothing sight of small streams flowing downstream from different locations in the hillock region to join a river below.

It is believed that 27 types of rare evergreen trees grow here and 8 of them are unique to this area only which are under threat of extinction. Meenuliyan Para is also considered as a sacred place as very rare medicinal plants are traced to this place. The remains of a 'Muniyara' or  Hermit’s Cave also can be seen here which adds to the mystery. It is said that untill 1960’ s it was home to tigers, leopards, Elephants and Neelagiri Tahr.

The top of the hillock is crowned with a small forest with tall trees and branches and offers a 3600 view. Trekking through the forest will offer you surreal sights such as reflections of sunlight from the wild streams that reaches your eyes sliding through the woods of the forest. You may encounter small wild creatures like snakes, hares, mongoose, monitor lizards etc en-route your trek in this area. There is this flat piece of rock that stands vertically in the middle of the forest which will blow you out with an image of a five-headed snake carved by nature in this piece of rock, and aptly for this reason the forest is also called as ‘Abode of Snakes’.

Scaling to the mountain top is very risky affair and but you will be rewarded with the views of suicide point and streams flowing between the mountains once you are up there. Also view of clouds moving through the valleys brushing the mountain tops is another breath-taking view one can take this risk for.

The tall peaks of the Meenuliyan Para will be wrapped in mist on a rainy day but on other days one can get a view of Lower Periyar Area, Bhoothathankettu, Cochin Port and parts of Kochi & Thrissur district from these heights.

Pre Planning:

  • Monsoon is the best time to visit (between June to September) as it will be lush with greenery and trekking path is relatively easy to cover during all climates.
  • Light refreshments are available at the base camp. But carry ample water and food for a day.
  • Take ample precautions (Saline water) to remove leech off your skin (just in case)
  • During monsoons, carry ample rain cover and during summer use sunscreen lotion to protect yourself from excessive sun exposure.
  • If you are planning to camp overnight, carry enough food & water for next day along with your camping gear.

Stay

  • As of now no stays are available nearby. One can stay at Thodupuzha or Moovattupuzha which are the two big, nearby towns which have all budget overnight accomodations.
  • There are also private cottage projects coming up in this area in near future.

How to Reach

  • By Road: From Thodupuzha (32 kms) & from Muvattupuzha(39 kms)and Kochi (80 kms)
  • By Rail : Nearest Railway station is Ernakulam (78kms) and Kottyam is 90 kms
  • By Air: Nearest airport is Kochi International Airport (COK)

Other Info

  • Elevation : 1,220 m (4,000 ft)
  • Weather: Summer 25°C to 30°C & Winter 20°C to 25°C 
  • Coordinates: 10°00′08″N 76°51′34″E 

Trivia

The name of the place is probably derived from the fact that the surface of this huge rock mountain resembles to fish scales.

Blog cover image: View atop Meenuyampara Rocks , Idukki • PC: Idukki_Gram (Instagram)

Things to Do

  • Camp overnight in a Jungle

    Overnight Jungle stay at the hill top forest of Meenuliyam Para and relish the fresh cool breeze.

  • Trek to a mountain

    Trek to the Meenuliyampara rock top. You can reach Meenuliyan Para by a pedestrian path for about 3 km from Pattayakkudy, in Vannappuram Panchayath. As the path to the mountain peak is less travelled and non-inhibited, a trekker can enjoy exploring the undiscovered trails. It is easy to climb the mountain under any climate.

  • Watch the Sunset

    Watch Sunset & sunrise rise while you are camping on the Meenuliyampara rock top.

  • Stay overnight in a tent camp

    Set up you night halt on top of the Meenuliyan Para rock top and get close to green nature.

  • Grab a Crab

    Catch a crab from the small down streams while you are on the move.

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