Trek to Pakshipatalam

Pakshipatalam means realm. It is located in the Brahmagiri hills of Thirunelli, which is 1740 m above sea level, and 35 km approx from Mananthavady in Wayanad District. It lies on the Kerala Karnataka border spanning Begur range in the Nilgiri biosphere of Wayanad Sanctuary and Srimangala range in Karnataka.

The northern part at Brahmagiri has the rock caves in Karnataka therefore Pakshipatalam is called Munikkal caves.

There are 2 treks when one speaks of Pakshipatalam:

1. Thirunelli to Brahmagiri – 3 km - this trek involves a steep climb for 1-2 hours

2. Brahmagiri to Pakshipatalam – 7 km – this is a gradual incline with the trek taking about 2- 3 hours.

Trek Trail Features:  

The trek is  through the reserve forest area beginning with bamboo and shrub with streams and rivulets all the way to open ground with a view of the Brahmagiri hills and the Thirunelli town in the valley below.       There’s a watch tower with a bird’s eye view of forest & hills.   Then you head back down to cross to grasslands with a surrounding of hills, after which Kerala gives way to Karnataka where stands the granite rock of Pakshipatalam.   Reaching it is a downward trek through forest area and a stream and then a climb to cross the border. Then come the foothills of Pakshipatalam, where you scale the rock formation. You will come across caves and be at the heart of darkness. The most fatiguing part of the trek is jumping boulders!

Some useful tips:

·      Leeches in plenty so carry salt to pour on them.

·      Try and catch sight of the deers and Malabar squirrels while keeping an eye out for the king cobra

·      The pakshi (birds) of Pakshipatalam are spotted only in the early morning hours.

Trekking Permissions:

·      The trek must be taken after permission of the Forest Officer

·      Permissions open except in the monsoon seasons

·      Charges:-

(a) Rs. 800/-for 5 including permit and guide

(b) Rs. 100 for extra person.

(c) Rs.1000/- for foreign group of 5 members
·      It is compulsory to take the forest guard as guide
·      The Forest Office is open early, as treks start at 7:30 am


 Contact Information for the treks:
DFO
North Wayanad
Ph: 04935-240233
Thirunelli Forest Bungalow Contact Ph: 04935-210377


What Else to Do:
·      Watch the Papanasini stream from the Thirunelli temple. Please note Papanisi is a holy site where last rites take place. It is 1 km from Forest Bungalow and the beginning of the trek.
·      Picnic at Kuruva Island- this is an oasis of untouched bliss. There are 950 acres of evergreen forest with plenty of birds and lovely orchids. It is located 17 km east of Mananthavady and  40 km to north west of the town Sulthan Battery.

Tips:
· Best time to go is October
· Cover legs in mustard oil, tobacco to guard against leeches
· Carry a first aid kit
· Pause on seeing mist and wait till it dissipates to continue
· Obey the forest guard
· Carry a torch and don’t depend on mobile torch light
· Reaching there: The nearest airport is Karipur in Kozhikode, an hour ride from city centre. Take a bus from the KSRTC stand in the city centre. Get off at the town called Sulthan Battery 98 km away. Take an auto to Wayanad which is 12 km away Or take a jeep/bus from Kozhikode to Wayanad Or take a bus from Manthanavady to Thirunelli.