A 3-hour drive from Kumily takes you to Meghamalai. Popularly called the ‘High Wavy Mountains’, Meghamalai is a cool and misty mountain range situated in the Western Ghats in Theni district of Tamil Nadu. Perched 1500 meters above the sea level, Meghamalai with its cool and misty climate is dotted with cardamom plantations and tea estates.
For honeymooners, this region provides a perfect escape. This area, now mostly covered with tea plantations, is home to the Cloudlands, Highways, and Manalaar estates.
You can take a tour to these estates and plantations to indulge in the cool locales of Meghamalai. A highly diverse system of flora and fauna exists in an ecosystem of Meghamalai. Various animals that are often sighted in this place include the Wild Gaur, Spotted Deer, Wild Boar, Lion-tailed Macaque, Sloth Bear, Grey Jungle Fowl, Smooth-coated Otter and the Flying Squirrel.
It is also home to over 100 species of birds like the Red-whiskered Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Pied Bush Chat, Blyth’s Reed Warbler, Barn Swallow, Spotted Dove, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, Brahminy Kite and Long-tailed Shrike.
The fresh foggy mountains with its cool breeze and scenic views will definitely bring out the hopeless romantic in you. The entire trip to Meghamalai is straight out of a picture postcard with breathtaking views at every corner. You will definitely love this romantic adventure and will keep coming back for more!
Getting to Meghamalai
The Meghamalai mountain range can be approached in two ways, one from Theni via Chinnamanur and the other from Andipatti via Kandamanayakkanur. Both Theni and Andipatti can be easily accessed by road from Madurai and Dindigul. Theni is 76 km from Madurai.
Forest lodges and panchayath rest houses are available at the hilltop. For this, it is necessary to get prior reservation and permission. If you’re looking for an overnight stay, you can make room reservation from the forest check-post located 3 km from Chinnamanur on the way to Meghamalai. You must reach the check-post at least before 5 pm if you’re planning for a night stay in Meghamalai.
For day trippers, there are a number of moderately priced hotels in Theni, Chinnamanur, and Andipatti.
How to Reach Meghamalai?
By Road: Road condition towards Meghamalai is pathetic. It is always better to travel to Meghamalai by an SUV or a Jeep.
Madurai – Theni – Chinnamanoor – Megamalai/ Distance 130 Kms (Travel time – 4 hours)
Sightseeing / Tourist attractions
- Highwayvs Dam
- Highwayvs Lake
- Manalar Dam
- Deep Cumbum Valley and the villages
- Upper Manalar Estate
- Vattaparrai
- Venniyar Tea Estate
- Iravagalar Dam
- Maharaja Mettu – A bird’s eye view
- Magarajothi hills View of Sri Iyyappan temple.
- Thekkadi Viewpoint
- Elephant Corridor -amazing point
- Pothai pull medu
- Megamalai rain forest
- Manalar Waterfalls
- Thoovanam
- Game set Block no 27 – amazing point
- Vellimalai
Accommodation in Meghamalai
There are a few budget accommodation options are available near Meghamalai. Raja Andhuvan (Megamalai), Cloud Mountain Bungalow (Meghamalai), Sand River Cottage (Manalar Estate) and Manalar Bungalows (Meghamalai) are the famous deluxe hotels of the city. Some of the medium to budget accommodation options include Western Gatz (NRT Main Road), ABM Grande (Theni Kumuly NH Road), New Everest Hotel (New Everest Hotel), Hotel Theni International (Near Bus Stand) and Adhitya Hotel (Near Bus Stand) etc.
Highwavys Town Panchayat Office (for booking accommodation)
The Executive Officer
Highwavys Town Panchayat
Theni District – 625519
Phone: 04546 – 232225 , 232211
Best Time to Visit Meghamalai
The best season to visit Meghamalai is the winter season. The best months to visit are October, November, December, January, February, March, April and May.
Weather in Meghamalai
Meghamalai is generally hot and avoided by tourists in summer. Temperature ranges between 24°C to 39°C during these time. July to September will be the time of Monsoon and characterized by moderate rainfall. Winter season starts in November and the temperature ranged between 21°C to 33°C. Winter is the best time for visiting Meghamalai.