Meghamalai, also called High Wavys, is a tea-estate plateau in the Western Ghats above Theni, reached by a single forest road with 18 hairpins. It feels like Munnar would have felt forty years ago: miles of tea, misty reservoirs, and elephants and gaur in the Srivilliputhur–Megamalai Tiger Reserve. There are very few places to stay and almost nothing to 'do'. That is the whole point.
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When to go
September to March is best, with clear mornings and cool nights. The monsoon (June–August) brings dense mist and leeches, which is beautiful in its own way. Heavy rain can close the ghat road.
Meghamalai right now and the next 7 days
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Meghamalai, planned for you
A satellite map for every day with each stop pinned in order, photos of the places, timings, what each part costs, where to sleep and eat, and a checklist. One PDF that works offline: print it, or send it to everyone going.
- Day 1 Arrive in Meghamalai · Walk the estate roads
- TravelTrain + bus: → Theni (from Madurai), then bus₹150
- 11:00Walk the estate roadsFree
- Day 2 Highwavys & Manalar reservoirs
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Meghamalai on the map
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The area
Getting there
Places to see
Meghamalai · Open in Google Maps ↗
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Step 3 of 11Next: Cost↓What your trip costs
Change anything and the numbers update. Every price is what the bus, room or ticket itself costs. We take no commission and sell no packages, so this is what you pay booking each piece yourself.
Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Prices last updated 6 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book. Spot a wrong price? Tell us and we fix it.
On the ground: stay, food, local travel and tickets. Pick a route above to add the journey.
Meghamalai in 2 days: a day-by-day plan
Our suggested plan, in a sensible order with times. Move things between days, remove them or add more. It saves on this device, and you can share it.
- 11:00Walk the estate roadsHalf day · free · Miles of empty tea country. Watch for gaur and elephants.
- Lunch on the way
- 08:00Highwavys & Manalar reservoirs2 h · free · Misty lakes with tea running down to the water.
- 10:30Maharaja Mettu viewpoint2 h · free · The high point of the plateau, with views into Kerala.
- 13:00Lunch break
How to get to Meghamalai
One-way prices per person. The cheapest sensible option is marked. Each button opens live times and fares for the date you picked above.
Bus
₹200A few direct buses a day from Chinnamanur up the ghat. Check the timings in Theni.
Drive
₹2,500The forest check-post at the foot of the ghat has fixed opening hours, usually around 6 am to 6 pm.
Getting around once you're there
On foot
FreeWalking the estate roads is the main activity.
Estate bus
₹15A few buses link the estate villages.
Jeep
₹2,000Covers the reservoirs and viewpoints.
Where to stay in Meghamalai
Price per night for the room. The buttons open live availability for your dates.
Budget
₹1,200/nightVery limited. Call ahead.
Resort
₹3,500/nightA couple of resorts. Book well ahead for weekends.
Govt
₹1,000/nightBooked through the district forest office.
What to eat, and what it costs
Estate canteen meals
₹80Simple meals where the estate workers eat.
Resort meals
₹300Most visitors eat at their resort.
Cumbum grapes
₹60Buy them at the foot of the ghat. The Cumbum valley is Tamil Nadu's grape bowl.
Places to visit and things to do in Meghamalai
Tap “Add to my plan” and it goes into your day-by-day plan above.
Walk the estate roads
FreeMiles of empty tea country. Watch for gaur and elephants.
Highwavys & Manalar reservoirs
FreeMisty lakes with tea running down to the water.
Maharaja Mettu viewpoint
FreeThe high point of the plateau, with views into Kerala.
Suruli Falls
₹30At the foot of the hills near Cumbum.
Cumbum grape farms
FreeVineyards along the valley road.
Day trips and next stops
Kurangani & Top Station
₹100Bus via Theni and Bodi
Bus via Cumbum
Madurai
₹150Bus via Theni
Kodaikanal
₹200Bus via Theni and Periyakulam
Know before you go
Mistakes to avoid
- The forest check-post at the foot of the ghat closes in the evening. Arrive before about 6 pm or you will be turned back.
- There are no ATMs, few shops and weak phone signal. Bring cash and supplies.
- Wild elephants and gaur use the estate roads. Do not walk after dark.
Ways to spend less
- It is the closest you will get to old Munnar without the crowds.
- Buy Cumbum grapes at the bottom of the ghat on the way up.
- Combine it with Thekkady or Kurangani for a Western Ghats week.
Say it in Tamil
A few words go a long way, especially when you ask a price.
English works in towns; Hindi much less.
The pronunciation is a simple guide, not a native recording. Spot a mistake? Tell us.
Before-you-go checklist
Meghamalai in pictures
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Step 11 of 11Next: FAQ↓Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Meghamalai?
On our month-by-month scores, the best months are Jan–Mar, Sep–Oct. September to March is best, with clear mornings and cool nights. The monsoon (June–August) brings dense mist and leeches, which is beautiful in its own way. Heavy rain can close the ghat road.
How do I reach Meghamalai?
Bus: Madurai → Theni → Chinnamanur → Meghamalai, 5 h, about ₹200 one way. Train + bus: → Theni (from Madurai), then bus, 2 h + 2 h 30 m, about ₹150 one way. Drive: Madurai → Meghamalai, 4 h, about ₹2,500 one way. Flight + road: → Madurai (IXM), then 4 h, 1 h + 4 h, about ₹6,000 one way.
How much does a 2-day trip to Meghamalai cost?
On the ground (stay, food, local travel and tickets), one person spends about ₹2,000 on a shoestring, ₹3,600 mid-range or ₹7,000 in comfort over 2 days. Add the journey: the cheapest sensible option is train + bus (→ Theni (from Madurai), then bus) at about ₹150 each way.
How many days do you need in Meghamalai?
2 days is right for most people. That covers Walk the estate roads, Highwavys & Manalar reservoirs, Maharaja Mettu viewpoint without rushing.
Is Meghamalai good for families or solo travellers?
Out of 5 on our scores: solo 4, couples 5, families 4, groups 4. It works well for families. It is easy to do on your own.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Meghamalai?
Fine. Simple veg meals everywhere; resorts cater to vegetarians.
Will my phone and cards work in Meghamalai?
Phone signal: Weak; often none. Cards and UPI: Resorts only. Cash: Essential.
Guides for Meghamalai
Longer reads from our blog that cover this trip.
How to Reach Munnar: Nearest Railway Station, Airport, Buses and the DriveMunnar has no railway station. Aluva is about 109 km away, Ernakulam 125 km, Bodinayakanur 62 km. Kochi airport 104…Read the guide →
Best Places to Visit in January in India: 18 Underrated Picks, with 3-Day Costs18 underrated places at their best in January: beaches, ruins, the White Rann, plus where to find snow. 3-day costs…Read the guide →Similar underrated places
Thekkady & PeriyarA flooded forest reserve you enter on a bamboo raft at dawn, with spice plantations at the gate and…From ₹1,100/day · Sep–Dec
VagamonRolling meadows, pine forest and tea estates at 1,100 m, with none of Munnar's queues and a paragliding…From ₹1,000/day · Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec
Devikulam & EravikulamA sacred lake said to hold water from the Ganges, and the national park next door where you can walk…From ₹1,200/day · Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec
VattavadaTerraced vegetable and strawberry farms in a rain-shadow valley, 45 km past Munnar's tea, where the road…From ₹1,100/day · Jan–Mar, Oct–Dec
KodaikanalA lake you cycle around, shola forest you walk into, and a twelve-year flower bloom that draws people from…From ₹1,000/day · Sep–Dec
Courtallam & TenkasiThe 'spa of the south': nine waterfalls you stand under, a drizzle season called saaral, and the best…From ₹800/day · Jun–AugTreks near Meghamalai
Gavi forest trekModerate · 1 day · Oct–AprFrom ₹1,500 at the base
Kolukkumalai sunriseEasy · Half day (pre-dawn) · Sep–MarFrom ₹2,500 at the base
Kurangani – Top StationModerate · 1–2 days · Oct–JanFrom ₹2,500 at the baseSacred places near Meghamalai
Make the plan yours
Set your dates and group at the top, shape the days, then book each piece directly.
Back to the planner ↑Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we don't sell packages or bookings, we take no commission, and we link to maps and official sites, never to booking sites. Every guide is free; our only paid products are optional downloadable trip plans and itineraries. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 6 October 2026 · Photo: A. J. T. Johnsingh, WWF-India and NCF · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: அ.உமர் பாரூக் · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: அ.உமர் பாரூக் · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Roshan Gracious · CC0 · source · Photo: Jaseem Hamza · CC BY 3.0 · source
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