Treks in Ambasamudram

The Karaiyar-Moolakasam trail runs 4 km along an old jeep track from the Karaiyar reservoir to Moolakasam inside the core zone of Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), below Agasthya Peak (1,868 m). The route was cleared as a patrol road to allow forest officers to police the reserve; it is maintained once a year, which keeps the path broad and well-defined through an otherwise dense tropical wet evergreen forest. The canopy is closed throughout, with intermittent clearings where sambar, spotted deer, and Indian gaur have been observed. Nilgiri langur are heard frequently from the upper canopy. The forest forms part of the Thamirabarani river headwaters, and seasonal streams cross the track during and after the southwest monsoon. The walk is flat to gently undulating and accessible to most fitness levels. All logistics are handled by the forest department: trekkers report to the Mundanthurai Forest Range Office for permits and formalities, are driven to Karaiyar, walk to Moolakasam, and are collected there for the return.