Porivarai Cave Trek, Tamil Nadu
Porivarai Cave Trek highlights
Go on a 6 km trek through moist deciduous terrain to reach Porivarai Cave, a site that blends natural beauty with South India's rich prehistoric legacy.
Marvel at over 500 Mesolithic-era cave paintings, featuring ancient depictions of animals, warriors, and symbolic patterns.
Get a chance to spot rare wildlife in natural habitats, like Indian gaurs, elephants, wild boars, and sloth bears, along with numerous bird species.
Trek under the guidance of an experienced, forest-approved guide who shares insights into the region’s biodiversity, geology, and prehistoric art.
Enjoy a hassle-free adventure with all permits covered, light refreshments, and handy extras like a complimentary cap and a detailed trail information booklet.
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Porivarai Cave Trek cancellation_policy
- If cancellation is made 15 days or more before the date of travel, no cancellation fees will be charged.
- If cancellation is made between 7 days to 15 days before the date of travel, 50.0% of total booking cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- If cancellation is made within 7 days before the date of travel, total booking cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- In the event of unforeseen weather conditions, union issues, government restrictions, or any other circumstances beyond human control, certain trips or activities may be cancelled. In such cases, alternate feasible options will be provided. However, a cash refund will not be available.
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Porivarai Cave Trek overview
About Porivarai Cave, Tamil Nadu:
Around 40 kilometres from Kotagiri lies Porivarai Cave, a site set within the slopes of the Nilgiri region. The surrounding forest is mostly moist deciduous, and the elevation reaches close to 1500 metres above sea level. The cave is known for its rock paintings—over 500 of them—believed to belong to the Mesolithic period. These drawings, which include animals, human forms, and patterns, are spread across the stone surface, making this the largest known rock art site from that age in South India. Apart from its archaeological importance, the area is also tied to older ways of life, such as the honey-gathering methods still practised by local communities along rocky cliffs.
About the Porivarai Cave Trek:
The trek to Porivarai Cave is about six kilometres in total, with the path leading in and out through the same forest route. It takes roughly three hours to complete. The trail moves through uneven ground, with tree cover for most of the way. The forest holds a mix of bird calls and distant movement, and occasionally, signs of larger animals such as elephants, Indian gaurs, and leopards, though they are rarely seen.
At the end of the trail lies Porivarai Cave, a naturally formed rock shelter that contains over 500 Mesolithic-era paintings. These prehistoric artworks include depictions of hunters, animals, geometric patterns, and symbolic forms that have survived for thousands of years, offering a rare window into early human expression in South India.
The trek is led by an expert guide who shares insights into the cave’s archaeological importance, the surrounding biodiversity, and the region’s cultural heritage. With permits, a guide, and some light snacks included, the experience is designed to allow space for walking, observing, and moving quietly through a landscape where much has remained unchanged for centuries.
Trek Duration: 3 hours approximately
Trek Timings: 7:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Trek Distance: 6 km (both ways)
Trek Elevation: 1500 meters above sea level