Chembra Peak

1 dayBest: Oct–MarAdventure#trek#heart lake#views

Trek to the heart-shaped lake

Why this weekend?

Heart-shaped lakeSummit viewsTea estate trek

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The day-by-day plan

Day 1 · The peak trek
- Early base check-in
- Tea climb
- Heart lake
- Summit
- Descend by dusk

Geography & terrain

Chembra Peak rises to 2,100 metres in Wayanad district of Kerala, 15 km from Meppadi and 30 km from Kalpetta — the highest peak of the district, its trek from the forest office's base led through the tea country and the sholas.

History & culture

The peak's trek grew from the district's plantation age — the tea estates below and the forest department's maintained route above; the heart-shaped lake on the way and the summit's long views have since made the Chembra climb the classic trek of Kerala's hill country.

Where to stay

Budget

₹1,000–2,500/night

Mid-range

₹2,500–5,000/night

Comfort

₹5,000+/night

Things to do

Tea slopes
Heart lake
Shola forest
Grass ridges
Summit panoramas

Eat & drink

Karimeen pollichathu
Appam with stew
Malabar porotta
Sadya on banana leaf

Getting there

Fly: Kochi (COK) / Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) / Kozhikode (CCJ)
Train: Kochi, Kollam, Kozhikode junctions
Road from Kochi: varies by district — 50–400 km
Getting around: Autos, KSRTC buses, ferry networks

Budget snapshot

Total: ₹5,000–10,000 (1 days)
Per day · Stay: ₹1,000–5,000/night
Per day · Food: ₹600–1,000
Per day · Transport: ₹1,200–1,600
Per day · Activities: ₹2,000–2,400

Month by month

Jan · Best: 20–31°C · None rain
Feb · Best: 21–33°C · None rain
Mar · Hot: 23–35°C · None rain
Apr · Hot: 25–36°C · Moderate rain
May · Pre-monsoon: 26–35°C · Moderate rain
Jun · Monsoon: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Jul · Monsoon: 23–31°C · Heavy rain
Aug · Monsoon: 23–31°C · Heavy rain
Sep · Monsoon tail: 24–32°C · Heavy rain
Oct · Good: 24–33°C · Moderate rain
Nov · Best: 22–32°C · Light rain
Dec · Best: 20–31°C · None rain

Practical info

Language: Malayalam (English understood in tourist spots)
Best window: Oct–Mar
Connectivity: good 4G in towns
UPI/cards widely accepted; keep small cash for hill and market stops

Practical tips

The trek runs through the forest office's permit — carry an ID and register early
The upper section needs solid shoes and weather sense — the mist closes in
The heart lake is a photo stop, not a camp — the circuit rules say so

Frequently asked questions

What is Chembra?

Wayanad's highest peak — a shola-and-grass trek to a heart-shaped lake and giant views.

How hard is the climb?

A vigorous day trek for walkers; the forest office sets the route and the permits.

When should I go?

The post-monsoon and winter months (Oct–Mar) hold the clearest summit days.