Munnar

This green hill station is surrounded by the country's highest tea gardens. Layers and layers of tea estates, mountain mist, waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries make Munnar almost surrealistically beautiful. The lofty mountain ranges with misty peaks, sprawling tea estates and serene climate provides a quite and peaceful resort. This little sleepy village atop the western ghats is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams namely Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Panoramic views of lowflying clouds and mistfilled valleys make it a pretty little heaven with a cool, bracing climate. Misty mountain peaks blend harmoniously in Munnar to create a blissful atmosphere that is hard to describe.Munnar is also famous for the wild orchids locally called Neelakurinchi which blooms once in 12 years. During this time the entire valley turns violet. It is also home to Nilagiri tahr, a rare breed of mountain goat. Munnar was once the summer resort of the British government in South India; it still wears the old charm of the British plantation days.Munnar has a variety of attractions to feast your eyes like placid lakes, meandering streams, misty mountain peaks, sylvan valleys, rare orchids and wildlife. Plantation visits, treks, tea factory visits, cycling, boating, paragliding, day tours to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary etc. add to the excitement. Here you can also have a glimpse of gaur, langur, liontailed macaque, elephants and Nilgiri tahr that roam the stretch of grasslands or are seen climbing the pinnacles of the undulating hills.

Places In Munnar You Must Visit:

1. Tea Plantations

 No one can resist a tea garden tour when you are in Munnar.  Hillsides covered with tea plantations is a mind blowing site . The  greenery and the cold wind with a mild scent of tea leaves  takes you into a different world.

2. Rajamalai

Rajamala is a part of Eravikulam national park. it is located  15 kms away from Munnar.This region is known for the living place for the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragas hylocres). It was converted to a national park to provide a safe sanctuary  for the already endangered species of Nilgiri Tahr.

3. Mattupetty Dam

 Mattupetty dam and its reservoir  is  located 13 km  from Munnar.  This dam is constructed between the hill ranges and it is used  for the water storage for hydroelectric projects This is one of the places  where the elephants in this region often visit, you will get a great chance to see this awesome view..  

2. Mattupedi Dairy Farm

Mattupetty is also famous for the Indo-Swiss Farm. This is a highly specialized dairy farm  which comes under Indo-Swiss Livestock Project. Hundreds of high quality cattle are reared here and new varieties are scientifically developed.

3. Kundala Lake

Kundala Lake : by Anoop Joy from flickr

Kundala Lake is an artificial reservoir of a minor arch shaped dam huddled between the mountain ranges. It is about a 20 km drive from Munnar. There is boating facility there..and  don’t forget to go for a Shikara boat ride while you are there!

4. Top Station

It is about 40 km from Munnar and it is 1,880 meters above sea level. The panoramic view of the Western Ghats and the valley of Theni from Top station is simply breathtaking. Top station got this name from it’s being the uppermost located railway station on the Kundala Valley Railway.

5. Echo Point

Echo point image: Ruben Joseph

Echo Point  is about 15 km from Munnar. Go there and scream as loud as you can..and wait for a minute. You can hear your echo back! Its quite interesting. If you have kids with you..they will love it. They can experience this natural phenomenon firsthand.

7. Tea Museum

This photo of Kannan Devan Tea Museum is courtesy of TripAdvisor

This tea museum is first of its kind in India. It is located at KDHP’s Nullatanni estate in Munnar. The aim of this museum according to its founders is to showcase the growth of more-than-a-century-old tea plantations in this region. Anyone visiting this museum will get a clear  picture of how laborious this tea processing really is.

8. Marayoor Sandalwood Forests

This is located at around 42 kms north of Munnar through the Udumalppetta route. Marayoor is famous of the natural sandalwood forest. Not only that, this place is said to be part of the ancient stone age civilization dated back to 10,000 B.C. Stone age paintings, rock edicts and dolmens found there vouch for this rich heritage.

9. Attukad Waterfalls

This photo of Attukal Waterfalls is courtesy of TripAdvisor

Now this is a scenic waterfalls located between Munnar and Pallivasal. It is just 9 km away from Munnar. But this waterfalls will be in its full glory only after the monsoon (Rainy season). During other seasons, it is just a trickling mountain stream.

10. Blossom Park

Image by pranav  via flickr

Blossom International Park is about 3 km away from Munnar town and it spreads over 16 acres. It is a peaceful location to enjoy a calm and relaxing nature walk admiring flowers and surrounding green hillside. The park offer many activities for tourists like boating, cycling, roller skating etc.

11. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Image by Kerala Tourism via flickr

 Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is about 60 kms from Munnar. It is situated on SH 17 in the Marayoor and Kanthalloor Panchayats of Idukki district. It is an ideal spot for trekking and enjoying wildlife closely. It is the habitat for endangered Grizzled giant squirrel in India. Almost 34 species of mammals including panthers, spotted deers, elephants, tigers can be found here. It is also a bird watchers paradise. 245 species of birds live here!

13. Lakkom Water Falls

 This waterfalls is about 25 kms from Munnar on the way to Udumalaipettai. Lakkom waterfalls is part of Eravikulam National Park. The cascading waterfalls and the scenic surroundings makes it tourists favorite hideout in Munnar.