Thayyeni Koomban - 9 Things to Know Before Visiting

There are two hiking trails to Thayyeni Koomban: One which is very narrow and difficult to access which only the locals use and another one through an uneven road. Both trails lead you through the forest which is also an elephant reserve. While the trail through the road is somewhat bearable, the other one is pretty difficult. You will be able to see large forest trees and dense green forests along the way. In both trails it is not advised to go without a local as for sure you will be lost.

Midway through the trail is an abandoned house which is almost destroyed with only the walls standing. You will be able to see many small holes on the wall and they are made by elephants. The steep climb starts after this point. The last stretch of the climb is roughly 2 KM and by the end of it, you will reach the peak. There is a tree on the way which was once covered by vines and now the only thing left of the tree are the wines. It's hollow in the middle where the tree once stood. If you are a bit adventurous you can climb up through the wines, they are extremely large and strong.

Up on top, the peak offers a 360-degree view of the mountains surrounding it. The great western ghat mountains surround it in all directions, covered in thick dense forest.

Butterflies and honey bees fly around the peak and tall grasses dances in the wind. The small Thayyeni village and the church can be seen below. If you are lucky enough to be there till sunset, you can see an incredible view of the mountains in the sun's shade and a long stretch of sea on the faraway horizon with the big red Indian sun.

There is a small church at the bottom of Thayyeni Koomban and from some of the areas near to it, you will be able to see the top portion of the peak, at times covered in mist. On one of the steep sides of the mountain, you see from the church, honey bee combs can be seen filled in between the rocky sides. If you are fortunate, you will be able to see schools of bees coming in and out of their combs.

The best time to visit the peak is from October to May after the monsoon season. Even though it is alright to visit during monsoon rains, the area will have a larger population of leeches.

1. One side of the peak is a 90-degree drop, be careful going near there. There will be strong winds to unbalance you.
2. It is dangerous to stay till sunset as it gets dark within minutes after the sun hides and the journey back through the forest will become a nightmare. There will be sounds of wild animals, and insects flying around, and torch lights will attract unwanted attention from the untamed animals.  
3. It is highly recommended to find a local guide from the small towns nearby. The trail is not always clear.
4. Do not make loud noises while visiting the place. The wildlife must be kept undisturbed.

1. Thayyeni Koomban is named after the small town Thayyeni that lies below it.

It takes half a day to explore Thayyeni Koomban. The hike is a little hard and could take two hours in one direction.

The peak stands majestically in the backdrops of the small border village of Thayyeni in Kasaragod District of Kerala State in Southern India. The Kerala - Karnataka state border cuts straight through the middle of the peak. The nearest major town with a railway station is Payyannur, which is 40 KM away. There are direct bus services from Payyannur to Thayyeni although only at hour intervals. If you are in a hurry, take a bus to Pulingome from Payyannur (every 10 minutes or so) and take a jeep/ rickshaw to Thayyeni. From Thayyeni village, you will have no choice but to rent a jeep or rickshaw to get you to the foot of the peak.

There is no entrance fee for Thayyeni Koomban.

Thayyeni Koomban is technically open for 24 hours but do not visit after 2 PM as you will not have enough time to return before the sun sets. The hike is through dense forests with a lot of wildlife.