First time i haven been to Meghamalai was during the month of Jan 2008 with my manager Sinna, Roger travel partner in UK and with Anoop my colleague who now works in our London office.We headed off to Megamalai after 2 days of Jungle activities in Periyar Sanctuary.
Before i go into the details, here is a brief info abot that place.....Meghamalai, also known as High Wavys, is a tea cultivating region in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. .A major part of the area has an undisturbed forest cover and a type of vegetation specific to the Western Ghats called the “Shola” Forests. Coffee and tea are the major crops of the area and the estates here were once owned by the giant Unilever corporation.Although mountains by British standards, the hills here reach heights of between 1200m and 1500m (3,960-6100) and almost completely encircle the 6000 acres of tea plantations. The varying terrain here of open grassland, hills, forest and plantations offers excellent walking. From Kumily we drive down the hills to hit the plains in Tamil Nadu state. We will pass through small towns and villages like Cumbum, Uslampetti, Chinnamannur etc.It is Chinnamannur town we have to take a right deviataion to meghamalai. Meghamalai during the colonial days was known in the name HighWavys is about 44 kms from there.The road is very challenging and you will have to use your first and second gear most of the time.Hats off to the hardworking and enthusiatic european planters who took all the pain to go up the hills and started tea cultivation in early 1920's.During those days it took literally a week to reach the end destination.
Meghamalai had Bristish Managers till 1992 when Unilever group finally sold the prperty to BrookBond and now it is with Woodbriar group , company based in Coimbatore.Once you reach Meghamali you will realise that its worth the effort.It is full of tea plantation which is still unexplored by tourists, with a beatiful lake in the middle. The 6000+ acres is surrounded by forest on all sides. The famous periyar wildlife sanctuary is bordered by one side of the plantation.This is an apt place for day walks through dense forest[ core zones]. you will see herds of wild elephants gazing through the tea plantations. Other animals you might sight during your walk includes bisons[ Gaurs], Sambar Deer, Wild Dog, Barking Deer, Tiger[ you have to be very lucky ] etc. The only staying options in Meghamalai are the old colonial bungalows which are very well kept with its old furnitures.Now they offer 3 bungalows for tourists- Directors Bungalow[ 3 B], Upper Manalar [2 B] and IB[ 2 B].
The directors bungalow overlooks the lake and the chef Antony will be there with his tasty master piece dishes like....Orange Souffle, Apple Pie etc. You will also have the option to sit by the camp fire ad have few drinks befor ethe dinner. Your trekks will be guided by Mr. Narayanan[ a rare charatcter] who knows the forest and the estate upside down.He can be described a" Porcher Turned Gamekeeper".
