Our Pazhathottam Log House Stay in Anamudi Shola National Park | YathraKit

 

For several months, my wife and I had been planning a trip that included a stay surrounded by forest. But, like many travel plans, ours kept getting postponed for one reason or another.

Finally, when the Onam vacation arrived in 2026, we decided that this time the trip had to happen.

Our destination was Pazhathottam Log House, in the Anamudi Shola National Park region near Vattavada. We were not looking for another hotel or a typical hill-station trip. The idea of staying close to the Shola forest, surrounded by the unique landscapes of the Western Ghats, was what made this destination special for us.

The Shola forests of the Western Ghats are very different from the forests most of us imagine. Dense evergreen patches sit between rolling mountain grasslands, creating a landscape that changes as you travel through the high ranges. These forests are also an important part of the region's biodiversity and water system, which made the thought of staying there even more exciting.

Because of our work situation, we were staying in Mannarkkad at the time, so that became the starting point of our journey. There were only two travellers—my wife and me—and we decided to do the entire trip by car.

Our route was Mannarkkad → Palakkad → Pollachi → Anamalai Tiger Reserve → Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary → Munnar → Vattavada.

The destination was exciting, but the journey itself was another reason we chose this route. We would travel through plains, forests, wildlife areas and finally into the high ranges near Munnar and Vattavada.

But before we started, there was one question we had to answer.

How much luggage do two people really need for a two-day forest trip?

This Time, We Decided to Carry Less

In the past, we had always been heavy packers.

We carried extra clothes, additional equipment and many things for situations that might happen. In our minds, we were being prepared. In reality, those extra bags often became one of the reasons a relaxing trip slowly turned stressful.

So this time, we tried something different.

We packed only what we expected to use: two tracksuits, lightweight T-shirts, lightweight jackets, a toothbrush, toothpaste, basic personal items and our Bluetooth tripod. Since we were travelling by car, we also carried drinking water and some snacks.

That was all.

One travel bag and one handbag were enough for the two of us.

It was surprisingly freeing. We were not worrying about several bags, unpacking and repacking took less time, and carrying the luggage was much easier. Before we had even reached our destination, we had already started feeling that this was probably the right decision.

Sometimes, being prepared does not mean carrying everything you might need.

It means carrying what you are actually likely to use.

Planning the Stay and Checking the Weather

We booked our stay through the official Kerala Forest Department ecotourism booking system. We selected Shola National Park and booked Pazhathottam Log House.

Our package included the stay, dinner, breakfast and a short trek. A longer trek could be selected separately at an additional cost, depending on the available options.

Before leaving, we also checked the weather carefully.

It was raining heavily around Mannarkkad, and we had heard that Munnar was also experiencing strong rainfall. Naturally, that made us wonder whether travelling to a forest stay was a good idea.

When we checked the Vattavada area separately, the weather looked much better, with less rainfall than Munnar.

That small bit of research gave us confidence to continue.

With a confirmed booking, Google Maps ready for navigation, some snacks and water in the car and—most importantly—very little luggage, we were finally ready.

Leaving Mannarkkad at 4:30 AM

We started from Mannarkkad at around 4:30 in the morning.

It was raining heavily.

For the first part of the journey, the weather itself became an experience. The road was wet, the morning was dark and rainy, and the trip still felt a little uncertain.

But after postponing this plan for months, there was no way we were turning back.

We kept moving towards Palakkad.

The rain continued until we reached that region, but after Palakkad, everything slowly started to change. As we moved further towards Pollachi, the heavy rain disappeared.

The weather became cooler, calmer and perfect for an early morning drive.

Before reaching Pollachi, we added a small amount of fuel. We then filled the tank properly after reaching Pollachi because fuel was cheaper there than in Kerala.

It was a simple decision, but on a long road trip, even small savings can matter.

Windmills, Open Roads and the Forest Ahead

As we travelled from Pollachi towards the Anamalai region, the landscape changed completely.

One of the things that immediately caught our attention was the number of windmills spread across the area. We stopped for a while, took some photographs and enjoyed the open landscape before continuing our journey.

The best part was that it was still early morning.

There were very few vehicles on the road, and the pleasant climate made the drive feel relaxed. We were not in a hurry, and we could stop and enjoy the journey whenever we wanted.

Then came one of our favourite parts of the trip.

We entered the forest roads of the Anamalai Tiger Reserve.

Switching Off the AC Changed the Entire Experience

As soon as we entered the forest, we switched off the car's AC.

Then we switched off the music.

We opened the windows and let the natural air and sounds of the forest take over.

That one small decision completely changed the journey.

Instead of listening to music, we could hear birds and the natural sounds around us. The cool forest air came through the windows, and because there were very few vehicles on the road, it felt like we had the forest almost to ourselves.

It was peaceful.

Both of us felt relaxed and refreshed.

Of course, we were hoping for some exciting wildlife sightings. Unfortunately, that part was a little disappointing.

We did not see many large animals, but we did spot several birds, langurs, monkeys and a male peacock.

We also expected the forest to be greener than it appeared during this part of the journey.

Still, wildlife cannot be scheduled.

You can enter a forest with high expectations and see very little. On another day, someone travelling along the same road might have an incredible sighting.

That uncertainty is part of travelling through nature.

The Landscape Changed Again at Chinnar

After the Anamalai region, we entered the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary area.

The landscape changed again.

We could see more greenery, beautiful scenery and waterfalls along the route. By this point, the trip was already becoming more than simply reaching a destination.

Every few hours, the landscape looked completely different.

From the rainy roads of Mannarkkad to the open areas around Pollachi, from windmills to forest roads and wildlife regions, we felt like the journey itself was taking us through several different worlds.

From there, we continued towards Munnar and eventually reached the Vattavada region.

Our final destination was close.

Or so we thought.

An Unexpected Jeep Ride to the Stay

We reached Koviloor in Vattavada and parked our car.

We had been informed that private cars could not go directly to the stay, so we arranged a jeep to take us the rest of the way.

However, when we finally reached Pazhathottam Log House, we were a little surprised.

The road did not seem as difficult or off-road as we had expected. Based on what we saw, we felt that our own car could probably have come much closer.

Of course, road conditions can change depending on the weather, season and vehicle, so it is always better to confirm the latest situation before travelling.

But one thing we learned was this: before spending extra money on local transport, ask clearly about the road, distance and available options.

A jeep is not always the only choice.

Lunch Near Mattupetty and Finally Reaching the Forest

Before completing the final part of our journey, we stopped near the Mattupetty Dam area for lunch.

Then we continued towards our stay.

The day had started with heavy rain at 4:30 in the morning. We had travelled through Palakkad, Pollachi, windmill landscapes, forest roads, wildlife areas, Munnar and Vattavada.

Finally, at around 2 PM, we reached Pazhathottam Log House.

And honestly, the moment we arrived, we forgot about the long drive.

“Are We Really in Kerala?”

When we reached the stay, the first thought that came to my mind was:

Are we really in Kerala?

It was difficult to explain the beauty around us.

The place was surrounded by greenery and forest. The climate was cool and fresh, with light rain appearing now and then.

For a few moments, it genuinely felt like we had entered another world.

After travelling through so many different landscapes, reaching this place felt almost like arriving in heaven.

The Stay Was Better Than We Expected

The accommodation itself was built with wood, which made it feel perfectly suited to the natural surroundings.

The room was well maintained. The bathroom was clean and the overall facilities were better than we had expected from a stay in such a forest environment.

The staff welcomed us warmly, and the check-in process was simple.

Connectivity was also better than we expected.

We had BSNL signal, the staff told us Jio was also available in the area, and Wi-Fi was provided as well.

The food was okay and simple.

But honestly, we had not travelled all the way to the Shola forest for a huge food spread.

We came for the forest.

And in that department, the place delivered much more than we expected.

We Took Out Our Phones and Got Completely Confused

After checking in, we did what many travellers would probably do.

We immediately took out our phones and started shooting.

The funny part was that we became confused about where to shoot first.

Every direction looked beautiful.

One side had the forest, another had the view, and the weather kept changing with small spells of rain. Instead of searching for a perfect spot, we slowly realised that the entire place was the spot.

One thing we did have to be careful about was leeches.

The staff warned us, so we made sure to stay alert while walking around the property and nearby forest areas.

If you are visiting during the rainy season, this is definitely something to keep in mind.

We Missed the Sambar Deer Again

The staff told us that wildlife such as Indian bison and sambar deer could sometimes be seen around the area.

After seeing very little wildlife during our morning journey, that information immediately made us excited.

Then came the frustrating part.

We learned that a sambar deer had actually been near our stay.

We had just missed it.

After searching for wildlife throughout the day, knowing that the animal had been so close was both exciting and disappointing.

But once again, that is nature.

You do not decide when an animal will appear.

You just need to be lucky enough to be there at the right moment.

The Forest Felt Completely Different at Night

During the day, the view from our room was beautiful.

But when night came, the experience became something else entirely.

The forest became dark and quiet.

Looking outside from the room, with only the sounds of nature around us, felt completely different from staying in a resort or hotel.

There were no busy roads outside.

No city lights.

No crowds.

Just darkness, forest sounds and a feeling that we were somewhere completely different from our everyday lives.

For us, that night inside the Shola forest became one of the most memorable parts of the trip.

If you genuinely love nature, this is the kind of experience you should not miss.

The Trek and a Beautiful View of Vattavada

The next day, we joined the trek included in our package.

The walk itself was enjoyable, and reaching the higher point gave us another beautiful reward.

From there, we could see a wide view of the Vattavada region and its surrounding landscape.

It was the perfect way to end our stay.

After experiencing the forest at ground level the previous day, standing at a higher point and looking across the landscape gave us a completely different perspective.

Saying Goodbye to the Forest

After the trek, it was time to check out.

The forest staff helped us arrange an auto back to Vattavada, where our car was parked.

For travellers planning a similar trip, this could be a more budget-friendly option than hiring a private jeep, especially for a couple or a small group.

If you are travelling with more than four people, sharing a jeep may make more financial sense.

Our advice is simple: ask about all the available options and charges before deciding.

And if you are negotiating local transport, compare the options politely instead of accepting the first price immediately.

Vattavada Is More Than Just Forest

As we moved through Vattavada, we could also see another side of the region.

The area is known for its farms, and we passed agricultural land and strawberry cultivation.

After spending time surrounded by forest, seeing these farms added another interesting part to the journey.

Vattavada has a very different atmosphere from the busy side of Munnar.

The landscape, farming culture and cooler climate make the region feel special in its own way.

Soon, we were back in our car and heading home.

By night, our Onam trip had finally come to an end.

Our Total Trip Expense and the Biggest Lesson

The trip lasted two days and one night.

Our total car-related expense for the journey came to around ₹8,000.

For the distance we travelled and the route we covered, we felt the expense was reasonable.

Travelling by car gave us the freedom to stop wherever we wanted. We could stop near the windmills, enjoy the forest at our own pace and take photographs without following a fixed schedule.

But one of the most important things we learned was not about the car.

It was about the luggage.

We Used Almost Everything We Carried

Because we packed only what we actually needed, we ended up using almost everything we carried.

There were no large bags full of unnecessary clothes.

No equipment that stayed packed throughout the trip.

No repeated stress of carrying and rearranging heavy luggage.

For a two-day trip, our simple approach worked perfectly.

We carried less.

And because we carried less, we enjoyed more.

The Most Useful Thing We Carried Was a Small Tripod

The most useful item we carried was our Bluetooth tripod.

It helped us capture some of our best moments without depending on another person to take photos or videos.

We were travelling as a couple, and the tripod gave us the freedom to capture both of us together in the beautiful locations we visited.

It was lightweight, compact and genuinely useful throughout the trip.

This was another reminder that the right travel gear does not have to be large or expensive.

Sometimes, one small item can become more useful than an entire bag of “just in case” equipment.

Would We Visit Again?

Absolutely.

Pazhathottam Log House was better than we expected.

The location, climate, room, staff and overall forest experience were excellent for us.

The food was okay, but we were not looking for a luxury resort experience.

We came to experience the forest.

And the forest gave us an experience we will remember for a long time.

We started our journey at 4:30 AM in heavy rain.

Over two days, we travelled through open plains, windmill landscapes, wildlife areas, forest roads, mountains and farms before finally spending a night surrounded by the Shola forest.

We missed some wildlife.

We made a few transport decisions we would handle differently next time.

But that is exactly what made the trip real.

Not every journey goes exactly according to plan.

And honestly, that is what makes some journeys memorable.

Our Final Lesson from the Trip

The biggest lesson was simple:

Carry less, but carry the right things.

In the past, we packed heavily because we wanted to be ready for every possible situation.

But those extra bags often became part of the stress.

This time, we travelled with very little luggage, used almost everything we carried and felt much freer throughout the journey.

Our Bluetooth tripod helped us capture beautiful memories.

The lighter luggage made moving around easier.

And the simple essentials were enough.

We did not need a car full of luggage.

We did not need expensive equipment.

We did not need a luxury resort.

We only needed the right essentials, a beautiful destination and the freedom to enjoy the journey.

And somewhere between the heavy rain in Mannarkkad and the quiet night inside the Shola forest, we learned something important: travelling smart is not about carrying more. It is about carrying what truly matters.