It was right after the exams during my monsoon vaccinations that I first travelled to Kerala. Even though the place was so known for its natural beauty and attractions I never had an opportunity to explore the wild in the state myself until this time. Being living in a city like Bangalore for the last 13 years I was really in need of a small break from the city and its pollution what I needed was a place where I could rejuvenate and refresh, Kerala according to me was the best choice when it comes to an escape tour. Finally, after too much of planning and organising, I decided to avail a  3-day Kerala tour package. Even though the state had a number of travel operators offering best seasonal packages I choose to travel with Seasonzindia as they offered me with free cab service with a guide cum driver. As it was my first trip to the land the need of a guide was important and I didn't even know the language well. On the 12th of June, I started my trip to explore the wilderness of Kerala. My one main destination on the trip was way and where I was to spend 3 whole days.

On the 12th of June, I reached the Kochi international airport by around 6 am where I met the travel operators who introduced me to the guide cum travel operator. It was after meeting the guide and talking with him that I was a bit relaxed as he knew Hindi well. I was sure that he could guide me throughout the trip. Travelling to Wayanad from the Kochi international airport was one of the most tiring things. It took me like around 4 to 5 hrs to reach the place. By 11.30 I finally reached Wayanad which my travel destination for this monsoon trip. I was really tired by the long drive to the wilderness and the long flight so I decided to check-in to the hotel before starting with the tour of the day. After refreshing and having the lunch I met the guide who explained me the travel plan for the day. As per the plan the destination I was to explore for the day just included the Neelimala. Being a place located to the south of Wayanad Neelimala was a place that could be referred to as the adventure lover’s paradise. Filled with the fascinating beauty of nature the place was one best destination where I could unwind myself. It was after reaching the place that I was informed that the travel operators have arranged trekking activity for me at the place. It was a sweet shock for me as I was not much into adventure sports but this time I decided to try trekking with my guide. It took us about 45 minutes to 1 hr to reach the peak. The sight offered of the Meenmutty Falls and the wild below was breathtaking. By the time we reached back to the base to the peak it was already getting dark and thus we moved back to the hotel.

The next day morning I woke up early. I was not even able to sleep well as the place was not that familiar for me. By around 9 am I was done with my breakfast and checked out of the hotel by 10.45 am. By around 11 am I met the guide who explained me the destinations that I would be visiting for the day and the timing allotted for me at each place so that we could reach all the places in time. Meenmutty waterfalls, Pakshipathalam and Chembra Peak were the 3 destination that I was to explore for the day. After checking out from the hotel I reached to my first destination of the day the Meenmutty waterfalls by around 12 pm. Located close to Neelimala, the falls were one of the best places for adventure lovers. Trekking was one of the main adventures in the place any traveller including me had to trek for about 2 km to reach the falls which is one of the largest in the area. I after being in the place for a while enjoying a bath moved on to my next travel location the Pakshipathalam. On the way to the birdwatchers Aden, Pakshipathalam we stopped to have the lunch as I was really tired and hungry after the trekking. After the lunch, we reached the place by around 4 pm. Located deep within the wilderness of Brahmagiri Hills Pakshipathalam was one best destination in Wayanad where birdwatchers could tour. The place housed a number of deep caves which were home to different varieties of bird species as well as animals. Even though it was just past noon the ambience in the place was a bit dark as the thick trees blocked the sunlight from entering the woods. We did not dare to spend much time in the place and moved on with the trip

After starting from Pakshipathalam it took us about 30 min to reach the base of the peak. Located at a height of about 2100 meters the peak is one of the tallest in the region that offered the travellers with the best view of nature, the town below and a number of best adventures. By the time we reached the peak, it was already close to sunset. It was after enjoying a sunset that I realised that we had to set up the tent before it gets too dark. Camping was one thing that I insisted to add on to the trip package to Kerala as I have never camped alone. I took help from the guide our tent was all set within 30 min and then we had the dinner after heating it at the bonfire. It was not an easy task to cam at the hills as w had to get special permission from the District Tourism Promotion Council which was located at Kalpetta. Luckily my travel operators had arranged all the settings for the stay and I was really happy.

The next day morning I was woken up by the guide who insisted on me to start the travel as I had to get the flight back home that day. After having the breakfast we moved back to the airport and reached the place by 3.30 or 4 pm. At the airport, I waved bye to my guide who helped and tolerated me throughout the trip. This monsoon camping was one of the best experience that I had in Kerala. And according to me, the state is one of the best for nature lovers and adventure seekers.