Chembra Peak or Chembra Mala is a mountain in Kerala, India. Chembra Peak is located near the town of Meppadi in Wayanad district of Kerala. The highest peak in the Wayanad hills and one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghats, with elevation of 2,100 metres; the mountain is close to Nilgiri Hills and Vellarimala. Surrounded by greenery, the mountain is an ideal trekking spot for tourists with trekking to the mountain peak organized by “Chembra Peak VSS” under South Wayanad Forest Development Agency under eco-tourism project.
Located inside the Chembra estate Chembra Peak is only 7 kms from Meppady town and is accessible on foot. The District Tourism Promotion Council also provides guides and trekking equipment to tourists for a fee. The mountain is open to trekking from 7 am to 5 pm and trekkers are required to reach the top before 2 pm so that everyone can descent before 5 pm in the evening, as night camping at the peak is not allowed. The trek uphill begins modestly along tea plantations, but then it gathers momentum and rugged terrain puts a strain on calf muscles, so it is important that trekkers need to be physically fit and healthy.
It is important to take a break after sometime, to catch breath while watching the panoramic view of the valley below. The biggest attraction of the trekking is the trip to the heart-shaped lake. This naturally formed lake is known as Hridaya Thadakam in the local Malyalam language. Sometimes, the lake gets hidden between the overgrown blades of grass. The heart-shaped pond located at a height which is nearly after an hour or around 3 kms into the trek, is surrounded by greenery. The spectacular sight of heart-shaped pond which is said to have never dried up, is a well worth it. A legend goes that Sita, wife of Lord Ram is believed to have rested near the Chembra Lake. The mountain is open for trekking all throughout the year especially winters except for the month of June and July, when it rains heavily and the mountain slopes become too slippery and soil loose to go on safe trekking.
Chembra peak is perfect for travel enthusiasts who love to experience greenery and adventure together. Ideal for a weekend getaway, Chembra peak is located 350kms from Bangalore making it an ideal trekking destination for Bangaloreans especially those who are busy in their hectic lives. Easy to reach by road from Bangalore as well as Mysore the route is from Gundlupet on National Highway 766, then to Kolagapaara, then to Sulthan Bathery, then to Kalpetta, then to Meppady and finally to Chembra.
Kozhikode is the nearest railway station and airport. The Chembra Peak trekking trail that passes through light forest and overgrown grassland, is a 14km trek with moderate difficulty. Overall, it takes around 6-7 hours to complete the trek. Before going on trekking, it is important to get district forest officers permissions to take the trek, which is usually given on the spot. Near the forest office, there are experienced trekking guides who can guide group of trekkers up to the peak. Trekking even without guides, is possible if someone is a very well experienced trekker.
For trekking essentials, trekkers need to wear suitable trekking shoes and carry sticks if needed, and are advised to carry snacks, energy bars and enough water per person in bags besides first aid kit for the entire trip. This is important especially during summers as weather gets quite dry and hike up the hill gets very hot. Besides the heart shaped le there is another lake which is normal yet clear and beautiful on the way to the mountain top. Trekkers can see the towns of Kalpetta and Vythiri from the mountain top. However, due to presence of wildlife near the mountain top, since March 2019 trekking to the top of the Chembra peak is not allowed anymore and trekkers is permitted to go only uptill the lake.
Since night camping isn’t allowed, visitors can opt for stay options available in the Chembra estate itself, or in hotels in Meppady and Kalpetta that provide mid-range and budget accommodation. Apart from the trek, tourist can also visit Soochipara waterfalls, Banasura sagar dam, Karalad Lake, Kalpetta Spice Market, Pazhassi Raja Temple, Lakkidi View Point, Edakkal caves and Neelimala View Point in the vicinity of the mountain. A visit to Chembra Peak, is a nice way to unwind.
