Naalumala, Pushpakandam, are beautiful mountain ranges located in Idukki district. From here, you can enjoy stunning views of both Tamil Nadu and Kerala, along with the cool breeze brushing through the hills. To reach this place, there are two main routes. One can either walk approximately 2 km uphill to reach Naalumala or take on the challenge of an off-road drive using a 4×4 vehicle. We chose the latter because my friends and I share an immense passion for off-roading.

For off-road enthusiasts, Naalumala is like a sentiment. Just like Christians have Rome and Muslims have Mecca, Naalumala is a revered spot for those who love off-roading. It’s one of the toughest off-road tracks in Kerala.

Our trip to Naalumala wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. We had planned it well in advance. We began our journey in four vehicles. My family and I were in our trusty Jimny Kuttan, Shijo and his family in their Jimny, Vivek in his Mahindra Thar, and Ansal with his friends in their Mahindra 550. All were sturdy SUVs built for this adventure.

We reached Naalumala’s entrance around 10:30 am. Although I knew everyone, it was important to introduce everyone to one another so that we could quickly become friends and make the journey enjoyable. After the introductions, we started our climb.

I forgot to mention an important character – the Grasshopper of Naalumala. He truly lived up to his name! We had heard about him before. Just like in the saying, “the grasshopper jumps in front of us,” he appeared out of nowhere.

The Grasshopper’s real name is Bibin. He lives in the valley of Naalumala. For him, Naalumala is like a playground where he runs around, plays, and discovers life. Bibin knew every nook and cranny of Naalumala and was aware of all the hidden dangers. So, we decided to bring him along for guidance. The Grasshopper (Bibin) happily joined us, riding with Ansal in his vehicle.

Naalumala’s roads are extremely tough right from the start. We had to activate 4×4 immediately. For off-road enthusiasts, this is a dream come true. We began climbing the trails one by one.

Reducing tire pressure can make off-roading a bit easier. I lowered mine from 30 PSI to 22 PSI. My son Aryan was with me during one of the more dangerous climbs. One side of the Jimny’s tire lifted significantly off the ground, and Aryan got really scared. I also realized that such trials might not be suitable for kids. But, hey, every experience counts, right? There’s a thrill in enjoying the challenge and overcoming obstacles. I was amazed by the Jimny’s performance. The BLSD (Brake Limited Slip Differential) worked perfectly, and we were able to speed through it easily. Each trail presented new challenges, and off-roading is all about teamwork – helping and guiding each other through the toughest paths. It’s beautiful how strangers work together in such harmony. Isn’t this the connection we all seek?

The weather was quite hot, and the dust kicked up by the spinning tires obstructed visibility. It’s important to carry plenty of drinking water on such trips and wear the right gear, like 100% cotton T-shirts or shirts, 100% cotton cargo pants with multiple pockets, and a cap to make the journey more comfortable.

Naalumala, as the name suggests, consists of four mountains. We must conquer each one, and at the top of every mountain, we are rewarded with breathtaking views. We reached the first mountain and took in the stunning scenery. We spent some time there, sharing our off-road experiences. Shijo was especially excited as it was his first off-road adventure. Grasshopper Bibin was a great help and turned out to be a humble, kind soul.

Now, we were heading to the second mountain.