Over the ghats
From Theni, the road heads west through Cumbum to the foot of the Kumily ghat, climbs to Kumily and Thekkady on the Kerala border, then winds through cardamom and tea country via Kuttikkanam and down the Mundakayam ghat to Kanjirappally and Kottayam. At about 169 km, almost all of it on hill roads, the drive takes most of the day. Agree in writing when unloading will start.
Leaving Theni
Load early so both ghats are crossed in daylight. Homes near the market may need a short carry.
Crossing into Kerala
The truck crosses from Tamil Nadu into Kerala at Kumily. Keep the packing list, the mover's invoice and your ID handy at the check post, and update your records after the move.
Rain and landslides
The Kerala side gets very heavy monsoon rain from about June to September, with landslide risk on the ghats. If a warning is issued, wait. Ask for waterproof wrapping.
February to April is usually the easiest window.
Sabarimala season
From about mid-November to mid-January, Sabarimala pilgrims crowd the Kumily ghat and the roads towards Erumeli, and traffic is very slow. Avoid the season.
Where in Kottayam
Kottayam's centre around the Collectorate is busy; colonies spread towards Kanjikuzhy, Kumaranalloor and the Medical College, many up lanes off the main roads. Tell the mover the exact address.
Cardamom families
Many families on this route have links to the cardamom estates around Kumily and Vandanmedu. Keep produce and estate equipment off the household list.
Jobs, colleges and hospitals
Kottayam's colleges, Medical College and rubber trade draw families from Theni. If an employer is paying, ask what documents they need; every mover we work with provides a GST invoice.
Packing for two ghats
Hours of hairpin bends shift a load. Ask for heavy items low and tied, glass in small padded boxes, and electronics sealed against Kerala's damp.
Overnight stops
If the truck can't clear the second ghat before dark, it should stop at Kumily or Kuttikkanam rather than descend at night. Ask where it will be parked.
Two languages
Tamil is spoken in Theni and Malayalam in Kottayam. If children are changing schools, check the new school's medium of instruction and admission dates early.
Thekkady and the Periyar reserve
Thekkady, at the top of the Kumily ghat, is the gateway to the Periyar tiger reserve and draws tourists year-round. The town's roads are busy in the evenings.
Mundakayam and the rubber country
Below the second ghat, Mundakayam and Kanjirappally are rubber towns with busy markets. Traffic slows through them.
Keeping a home on both sides
Many families on this route have relatives on both sides of the ghats and move between Tamil Nadu and Kerala for marriages, jobs and schools. If someone else will receive the goods in Kottayam, agree in writing who signs the packing list, and share their phone number with the crew.
Settling in
Ask about the well, water connection and power backup, and book internet as soon as you have the address.