Munnar

Munnar - breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility - the idyllic tourist destination in God's own country. It has the perfect blend of nature with sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns & winding lanes. Munnar was the favored summer destination of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora & fauna including the famous endangered mountain goat -Nilgiri Tahr. Munnar has all these and much more. It's the place you would never like to leave...

Places of interest:

Anaimudi Peak: The Anaimudi Peak, which is considered to be the highest peak in southern India. One can set up tents for camping and trekking at an altitude of about 2700 meters and enjoy the tranquil mountain atmosphere. It is a feast for nature lovers and enthusiasts. This peak provides the ultimate high and holiday experience.

CSI Christ Church: The CSI Christ Church was built by the British in 1910 AD. The church is known for its stained glass windows. There are many brass plaques in the church in the memory of the tea planters.

Echo Point: Echo point is situated at 15km from Munnar and is an admirable adventure destination for the tourists. The place gets its name from the natural occurrence of echo here. It is a popular place in Munnar and many people come here to listen to their echoes. It is said that if you can hear your echo calling back at you three times, it is a sign of good luck. Some of the popular activities in this picturesque destination among the explicit views of the lush green hills are trekking and nature walks.

Kundala Lake: The charming town of Kundala is located at a distance of about 20 kilometers from Munnar. This town is famous for the Golf Course, which is owned by the famous Tata Tea Ltd. Company. You can also visit and the Kundala artificial dam, which is a popular picnic spot.

Top Station: The place is 41 km from Munnar, and is appropriately named. This is the main abode to the highest tea plantations of India. It is located on the borders of both the states, Kerala as well as Tamilnadu and dictates an absolute panoramic view. Tourists keep visiting top station as it is in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu and Idukki district of Kerala.

Marayoor: This place is a distinct place with enchanting beauty and culture. Sandal wood, paddy, rocky hills, rivers, cave temples, waterfalls, and many more make Marayoor an alluring place. It is located 40 km from Munnar. Marayoor is opulent with natural beauty as well as wildlife. This place proclaims to be of the Stone Age civilization. Its caves, engravings, rich heritage are evidences of its past wealth. Traveling Marayoor is like passing the history with nature and adventure. It is yet a pristine place than Munnar as this is not frequently visited by the tourists.

Chinnar Wild Life Sanctuary: This Wildlife Sanctuary is at a distance of 60 km from Munnar towards Udumalpet and is very close to Marayoor. The remarkable sanctuary sprawls over an area of 90.44 sq. km with dense green foliage making it look much bigger than it really is. The area is crisscrossed with many wild rivers making it an ideal habitat for a wide variety of birds. The park is also home to a large number of animals including leopards, endangered giant grizzled squirrel, tigers, elephants, reptiles, peacocks, monkeys, exotic butterflies et cetera. The forest cover here extends all the way to Tamil Nadu. Don’t be surprised if you encounter herds of elephants on the way to the sanctuary. Prior permission is required to enter the sanctuary for trekking from the forest office in Munnar.

Mattupetty Lake and Dam: Mattupetty Dam was built in the late 1940’s. The Lake and Dam is 13 km from Munnar, enroute Top Station, at an altitude of 1700 mt, are popular picnic spot with visitors. The lake and dam surrounded by wooden hills and tea plantations, makes a great view. Small streams and waterfalls cut through the tract here and there, which again adds more attraction to the place. The Shola forests around Mattupetty are ideal for trekking and bird watching, with the variety of birds found there. Boating is also allowed on Mattupetty Lake and combined with picnic and trekking, makes for a great outing from Munnar.

Cheeyappara Waterfalls: The Cheeyappara Waterfalls is certainly a unique spectacle! The awesome scene of white waters cascading down from the top of a peak will remain forever in your heart as one of your most precious memories. The surroundings of the beautiful Cheeyappara Waterfalls are a great place where you can pursue a range of activities, foremost among these being trekking. The Waterfall is one of Kerala's most magnificent waterfalls.

Valara Waterfalls: Valara Waterfalls which is not very far from the Cheeyappara Waterfalls. Valara Waterfalls is about 10 km away from Adimali along the Cochin-Madurai highway. Valara features an astounding chain of waterfalls and provide a particularly magnificent treat for the eye. These waterfalls are surrounded by lush, dense forests that are home to a wide variety of small animals and birds.

Kuthumkal Waterfalls: An important tourist attraction at Munnar is the Kuthumkal Waterfalls. The scenic waterfalls, falling from spectacular heights and creating a foggy atmosphere is something worth watching out for.

Malankara Reservoir: One of the popular tourist attraction in Munnar is the Malankara Reservoir. It is situated on the Thodupuzha - Moolavattom road, this reservoir gives plenty of opportunities for boating and fishing.

Observatory Hills: The Observatory Hill is located at Nedumkandam and gets its name from the fact that one can spot many planets, constellations and other celestial matter from this point. The place is blessed with a highly clear sky, which makes it a delight for night sky watchers.

Power House Waterfalls: The water falls from a height of 2000 meters and has many steep rocks that give it a spectacular look. The Power House Waterfalls are located near Munnar at a distance of about 18 kilometers. It is an ideal to unwind and feel at one with nature.

Rajamala: This place is the natural habitat of a rare animal known as the Nilgiri Tahr. The place is located around 2700 meters above sea level and makes an ideal spot to relax and rejuvenate oneself.

Eravikulam National Park: This Park is abundantly rich with shola forests and grasses, and is yet fairly new as it was after construction in 1978. The Park was created to preserve the Nilgiri Tahr, a rare species of the wild goats found only in the south of the Himalayas. The Park is sited in the Idukki district. It is located on the borders of Kerala and Tamilnadu. Some of the animals spotted here are Elephant, Nilgiri langur, Nilgiri marten, small-clawed otter and a rare tiger or leopard and the Nilgiri wood pigeon.

Lock Heart Gap: Lock Heart Gap is just 13 km from Munnar. The place is a perfect venue for adventure tourism and trekking expeditions. The fresh mountain air, the mist-clad hills and panoramic view make it worthy of a visit. Located at a distance of 13 km from Munnar, this magnificent vantage point lies close to Mattupetty. This place offers some amazing views of the mist clad endless blue hills covered with lush greenery, winding roads and silver brooks splashing the emerald greenery with white streaks. The salubrious climate and picturesque surroundings make it one of the most preferred locations to visit in Munnar.

Chithirapuram: Chithirapuram is 10 km from Munnar. With its sleepy little cottages, bungalows, old playgrounds and courts, Chithirapuram still exudes an old world charm. Home of the Pallyvasal Hydel Power Project, this hill town is also famous for its picturesque tea plantations.

Anayirangal: Anayirangal is 22 kms from Munnar. A trip on the splendid reservoir is an unforgettable experience. It is a lush green carpet of tea plants. The Anayirangal dam is surrounded by Tata Tea plantations and evergreen forests. It is an ideal picnic spot.

Attukal: This place is 9 km from Munnar. Attukal is also ideal for long treks. A panorama of waterfalls and rolling hills, Attukal, located between Munnar and Pallivasal, is a feast for the eyes.

Sooryanelli (27km): The lake and Tea plantations in this hill resort attract a large number of people. The route to Sooryanelli winding through the hills is really a great delight.

Quick Facts
Location: Munnar is located on the Western Ghat mountain range in Idukki district, central Kerala. Idukki is a landlocked district bordering with the districts of Ernakulam, Kottayam and Thrissur and the Western Ghats mountain range in the east.

Climate: The Hill Station Munnar enjoys a pleasant climate with the temperature hovering around 20 degree Celsius in summer and 5 degree Celsius in winter.

Best Time to Visit: summer season is considered as an ideal time to spot wildlife. Since the climate is temperate throughout the year, one can visit at any time of the year, except for the monsoon season.

How to Reach Munnar?
By Air: The closest airports from Munnar are located at Kochi at a distance of 130 kilometers and Madurai at a distance of 142 kilometers.
By Rail: Kochi and Aluva are the nearest railway stations to Munnar and have a good train service.
By Road: The roads connecting Munnar are pretty well developed and connect this place to all major cities of Kerala. You can hire any local mode of transport like buses, private cabs, etc and reach here.