Trek Kerala
Trek over 60km through stunning Kerala, taking in the sights and sounds of the beautiful Western Ghats!
Home to evergreen forests, sprawling tea and spice plantations and rich flora and fauna, Kerala is one of India’s most stunning states! Over our five-day adventure we’ll be taking in the sights and sounds of this incredible destination – climbing one of the Western Ghats’ highest peaks, exploring dense cloud forest inhabited by an array of wildlife, and trekking through cardamom plantations and spice-growing hamlets.
Our challenge comes to an end with a night on a houseboat, where we can relax following our trek. Join us and tick magical Kerala off your must-see list – you’ll leave with memories to last a lifetime!
66km
Approx. distance
Tough (2)
Challenge Grading
9 days
Challenge Duration
India
Challenge Location
Challenge Highlights
Visit Munnar, set amidst dramatic mountain scenery
Climb Meesapulimala, the Western Ghats’ second highest peak
Hike through the Mathikettan Shola National Park, known for its unique flora and fauna
Spend a night on a houseboat in Alleppey!
Challenge Itinerary
Day 1 - Depart UK
We depart the UK on our overnight flight to India.
Day 2 - Munnar
Upon arrival, we transfer to the outskirts of Kochi for breakfast and our first taste of the culinary delights of Kerala! We then transfer to our starting point, climbing high into the Western Ghats – the highest mountain range south of the Himalayas.
We arrive at the vibrant hill town of Munnar – set amidst dramatic mountain scenery, craggy peaks, tall redwood trees, high-altitude rain forests and some of the world’s highest tea plantations. After checking in, we’ll have a short visit to a tea factory and an opportunity to explore the local bazaar.
Day 3 - Meesapulimala
It’s an early start today, as we transfer to Silent Valley ready for our trek to Meesapulimala! Our route today is partly high-altitude shola rainforest, and partly grasslands. With an elevation of 2,640 metres, Meesapulimala is the second highest peak in the Western Ghats. We may be lucky enough to spot some of the area’s large variety of wildlife on our way to the summit!
From the summit we can feast our eyes on the surrounding deep green forests, and even see Kolukkumalai tea estate – the highest in the world! Following our descent, we transfer to Suryanelli camp.
Trekking distance – approx. 14km / 6 hours
Day 4 - Butterfly Forest
It’s another early start today, as we wake to the sounds of the Malabar Whistling Thrush singing in the cloud forest. Today we’ll climb to Phantom’s Head, where we’ll take in views over the Papathy Shola (the Butterfly Forest)!
Our trek will take us through Pachapulkudi, home to a tribe whose habit of carrying their children on their backs has earned them the name of Muduvans or ‘back people’. The village is located near the placid and beautiful Anaerangal Lake, meaning “The Lake Where the Elephants Come Down”, as herds of elephants come from the surrounding forests to drink. We continue our walk & transfer to a nearby resort for the night.
Trekking distance – approx. 11km / 5 hours
Day 5 - Matthiketan Shola
Today we’ll hike through the Mathikettan Shola National Park. This high-altitude, evergreen cloud forest was saved from development and preserved through a campaign by environmental activists in Kerala, and is known for its rich biodiversity and unique flora and fauna. Elephants routinely pass through this forest area during their migration between forested areas across the Western Ghats!
Our trail today offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The area can often get quite misty, adding to the beauty of the forest! Our destination is Santhanpara, set amidst the famous Cardamom Hills – the capital of the spice growing areas that have made Kerala famous through millennia.
Trekking distance – approx. 14km / 6 – 8 hours
Day 6 - Chaturangapara
Following breakfast we set off on our day’s trek, initially following Jeep trails through the cardamom and pepper plantations. We continue trekking through thick cardamom forest and isolated spice growing villages until we reach our campsite at Chaturangapara. Along the way we’ll stop at the highest point of the Chaturangapara Peak to get a glimpse of the vast Tamilnadu plains stretching below!
Trekking distance – approx. 13km / 5 – 6 hours
Day 7 - Pushpakandam
After breakfast we will start our trek from Chaturangapara. Our route today is interspersed with tiny spice growing hamlets, where most of Kerala’s spices are grown. Our trek continues through small villages and farmlands until we reach Pushpakandam, and transfer to our hotel set amidst the cardamom plantations.
Trekking distance – approx. 14km / 6 hours
Day 8 - Alleppey
Following breakfast we’ll transfer to the small villages set against the Keralan backwaters. On arrival in Alleppey we’ll climb on to our houseboat, where we’ll enjoy some rest as we drift along quiet canals, past paddy fields, floating markets, and temples and churches. What better way to relax and reflect on our week of adventure! Tonight we’ll enjoy a celebratory meal.
Day 9 - Return to UK
This morning we’ll leave our houseboat and transfer to Kochi, where we’ll have some time to discover the city. This afternoon we’ll transfer to the airport for our flight back to the UK.
Day 10 - Arrive UK
After arriving back in the UK, we say our final goodbyes as a group and make our onward journey home.
Challenge Inclusions
What's Included
- Return flights from a London airport to India
- All accommodation
- All transfers
- Meals starting with dinner on Day 2 and finishing with breakfast on Day 9
- English-speaking local guides and support driver
- Global Adventure Challenges Leader from the UK
- Tents and other camping equipment
- Challenge Medal
What's Not Included
- Airport Tax and Fuel Surcharge Contribution – Please refer to Dates and Costs tab. These are approximately £250 and payable 12 weeks prior to departure
- Visa for India
- Personal trekking kit (trekking boots, poles, etc)
- Personal travel insurance
- Alcoholic drinks
- Tips and gratuities
Please note that for bespoke challenges, inclusions and exclusions may differ
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m interested... What do I do now?
You can register online below – payment of the registration fee is due at time of booking. Once your registration is received we will get in touch with further information on what to expect from this awesome adventure! Your charity will also be in contact to discuss your fundraising.
Is this trip for me?
Absolutely! The trek is suitable for all abilities with the correct training. The minimum age for this trek is 18 years old (if you are aged between 14 – 17 years you must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). The one thing everyone will have in common is a great sense of adventure and the desire to help a charity. Whether you are taking part as an individual or as a team with friends, team spirit will be flying high on the challenge.
How fit do I need to be?
This trek has been graded as Tough (2) on our challenge grading scale, and is designed to be challenging but achievable by anyone, as long as you fitness train beforehand. Remember, you are trekking for 5 consecutive days, covering approximately 66km – the fitter you are, the more you will enjoy this challenge. Training tips can be found on the Global Adventure Challenges website to point you in the right direction and why not join one of our training weekends – it’s a great opportunity for you to meet our team and fellow participants!
Our policy is to encourage and support as many people as possible to take part in our challenges. But they may not be suitable for all people due to restriction posed by limitation in mobility, physical or cognitive disability, pregnancy or other various medical conditions. If you have any doubts regarding your suitability for your challenge please contact our office to speak to one of the team.
What is the challenge grading scheme?
All our challenges are graded on a scale from 1 to 3 to indicate the level of difficulty, 1 being the lowest challenge grade and 3 being the most challenging. (1 = Challenging, 2 = Tough and 3 = Extreme).
Do I need specialist kit?
We will supply you with a kit list of what to take once you register to take part. Apart from some broken in trekking boots, you do not need any specialist kit.
Do I have to carry my own luggage?
No. All participants will only have to carry a day pack (for items such as sunscreen, water, sun hat, camera etc) and whilst on trek your main piece of luggage will be transported by the support vehicle.
Food Matters...
All meals will be provided from breakfast on Day 2 through to breakfast on Day 9. We cater for most dietary requirements as long as we know in advance – just fill in the appropriate section on your registration form.
What support is there on the challenge?
There will be a strong support team with a professional Global Adventure Challenges Leader from the UK. Full comprehensive First Aid kits will be taken and we are never too far away from hospitals if needed. A vehicle will travel with the group providing support if needed.
Can I stay in India after the challenge?
Yes you can, but this is subject to us being able to amend your booking from our flights inclusive package to our ground only package. For further information on how our ground only packages work, please visit our guide to ground only challenges.
If you have already registered and would like to request a change to our ground only package, please contact customer.care@globaladventurechallenges.com.
What happens if I get tired?
There will be regular rest stops for drinks and snacks – there is no problem with you taking more rest stops should you need them. A guide will be bringing up the rear of the group ensuring no-one is left alone. Remember this is not a race!
How do I go about raising the sponsorship?
Once you have signed up you will receive a fundraising pack from your charity in order to make your fundraising as easy as possible. You will also receive a few tips and ideas from Global Adventure Challenges to help you on your way.
Request a Call Back
We understand that booking your challenge is a big step, and you may have some questions before you take the plunge! If you'd like to talk to our Customer Care team before you book your space, just click the button below to request a call.
Request a Call Back
Need more information before you book your space? Just enter your details and our friendly team will give you a call back!
If you have any particular questions or would like to request a specific time for your call, please include this in the message section.
Please note, our office hours are 9am - 5:15pm Monday - Thursday, and 9am - 4:15pm on Fridays.
Request a Call Back
Need more information before you book your space? Just enter your details and our friendly team will give you a call back!
If you have any particular questions or would like to request a specific time for your call, please include this in the message section.
Please note, our office hours are 9am - 5:15pm Monday - Thursday, and 9am - 4:15pm on Fridays.
dates and costs
Payment Option A - Minimum Sponsorship
You pay the non-refundable Registration Fee to Global Adventure Challenges. This is used to administer the challenge, and to secure relevant permits. You then commit to raising the minimum sponsorship and send it to your chosen charity as you raise it - 80% of the minimum sponsorship MUST be received by the charity no later than 12 weeks* before departure. Failure to do so may mean non-participation in the challenge. Your chosen charity will decide when the remaining 20% should be received - this is a normally a couple of weeks after your return to the UK - proof of pledges may be required. The Challenge Costs will be paid for you by your charity out of the sponsorship raised. Do try and raise as much as you can, as every penny you raise over the minimum sponsorship will be retained by your charity too!
*For the challenges listed below, 80% of your minimum sponsorship must be received by your charity no later than 6 weeks before departure:
• Snowdon at Night Trek
• Hadrian’s Wall 25KM Trek
• Peak District Trek 25KM
• Ben Nevis at Night Trek
• Yorkshire 3 Peaks Trek
• Hadrian’s Wall Trek
Payment Option B - Self-Funding
This option enables you to fund the entire challenge yourself, which means you do not have to commit to raising a set sponsorship. You pay the non-refundable Registration Fee to Global Adventure Challenges. You will then be required to pay the challenge balance no later than 12* weeks before the challenge date. Although no fundraising is required, we do strongly encourage you to support a charity of your choice and raise as much as you possibly can.
*For the challenges listed below, the challenge balance invoice is to be paid no later than 6 weeks before departure:
• Snowdon at Night Trek
• Hadrian’s Wall 25KM Trek
• Peak District Trek 25KM
• Ben Nevis at Night Trek
• Yorkshire 3 Peaks Trek
• Hadrian’s Wall Trek
2025
Registration Fee
£349
Option A - Minimum Sponsorship
£3,500
Option B - Self-Funding
£1,750
Airport Tax & Fuel Surcharge
£250
When?
2026
£349
Option A - Minimum Sponsorship
£3,600
Option B - Self-Funding
£1,800
Airport Tax & Fuel Surcharge
£250
When?