So there I was, fed up of city noise, office chairs, and WhatsApp family groups sending 300 “Good Morning” pics before 9am. I needed a break. Not Goa this time, not some hill station full of honeymooners and maggi stalls. Something raw. Something green. Something... wild.

Enter: The Western Ghats.

Plan? What Plan?

Honestly, I didn’t overthink it. I just packed a bag, threw in one raincoat (which I never wore), two

packs of chips, and a bottle of Odomos. Booked a train to Palakkad and figured I’d build the plan as I go.

Spoiler: nature had its own plan. And it did not care about mine.

First Stop – Silent Valley National Park

(aka “Shh! There’s a lion-tailed macaque judging you from a tree”)

It’s called Silent Valley, but trust me, the forest was louder than a Chennai fish market during discount hours.

After getting permits (yes bro, you can’t just walk in like it’s a mall), I hopped into a bumpy forest jeep. Ten minutes in, I was already in love — misty hills, gigantic trees, air so clean my lungs did a double-take. The guard told me, “Sir, this place got snakes, leopards, elephants, and rare frogs also.”

Me: “Great, thanks for the nightmares.”

Saw a lion-tailed macaque swinging like it owned the joint. And leeches? Bro. They were the real MVPs. They don’t knock. They just climb. Wear long socks. Or just give up and accept your blood is their buffet.

The Vibe – Peace with a Pulse

You’d think forests are quiet, right? Nah. This one’s a full-on DJ set. Cicadas going hard, birds doing background vocals, and some random frog somewhere adding bass. If Spotify had a “rainforest beats” playlist, this was it live.

Next Up – Periyar Tiger Reserve

(aka “You might see a tiger, but mostly you'll see deer and feel intense anticipation.”)

Took a KSRTC bus to Thekkady. Sat next to an uncle who kept offering me banana chips and unsolicited opinions about politics. Loved it.

Thekkady’s cooler, more touristy. You can do boat rides, nature walks, even bamboo rafting if your balance game is strong. I picked the “let’s walk through jungle and hope no tiger thinks I look tasty” option.

Did I see a tiger?

No.

Did I see elephant poop?

Yes. Fresh. Big. Intimidating.

Saw a herd of gaur (wild bison), some sambar deer chilling like they're on paid vacation, and again — leeches. One almost got my ankle. Almost.

But the guide, Arjun, was a legend. Told us stories about tribal life, forest gods, and how even today, some plants are used as medicine and shampoo.

Food Break – Banana Leaf & Black Coffee Bliss

Post-forest, we stopped at a local mess. I swear, that Kerala rice, moru curry, and beef fry hit harder than any five-star buffet. Add one cup of strong black kattan chaya (no milk, only vibe), and I was reborn.

Also: banana leaf meals make you feel like a king. You sit, they serve, you eat till your jeans beg for mercy.

That One Misty Morning

One morning in Agasthyamalai, I woke up at 5am. Walked out of my homestay, barefoot, holding a mug of coffee. The mist was thick, like even the sun was shy to show up.

A local aunty smiled and said, “Clouds come to sit here also. Like people.”

That line stuck. Because yeah — the clouds weren’t passing by. They were chilling. Like the hills were their Airbnb.

So... Why You Should Go

You’ll breathe better.

Your phone signal will cry, which is perfect.

You’ll realise how tiny we are in front of 1000-year-old trees.

You’ll feel something. Peace, awe, maybe just itchy (thanks to leeches). But something.

Pro Tips (From a Rookie Now Slightly Wiser)

Don’t wear white shoes. They won’t stay white. Or dry.

Leech socks. Yes, it's a thing. Buy them.

Carry cash. ATMs are like tigers here — rare sightings.

Don’t litter. The forest doesn’t want your Lays wrapper, bro.

Book forest entry early. They allow limited people daily. No jugaad here.

Final Thoughts – The Green Reset

We chase beaches, big cities, and bucket lists. But once in a while, go where there’s no Wi-Fi, no network, and no Zara showroom. Just trees, birds, and you — sweating and smiling like a happy idiot.

The Western Ghats isn’t just a mountain range. It’s a reminder that slow travel is the real flex. That walking through a forest can change your mood, mindset, and maybe even your metabolism (those trails were serious cardio).

So pack light, wear floaters, and trust Nadodigal to take you somewhere raw, real, and ridiculously green.

You coming?