Munnar (India)

Munnar is a hill station in the Indian state of Kerala.

Munnar is a beautiful hill station, and was the summer resort of the British. Tourists come here to see the vast tea plantations of the area. The town itself is typically Indian with the usual shops, guest houses and is really beautiful and traditional. It is a good place to stay to see the surrounding countryside. It is also a popular place for Indian honeymooners.

The town is divided into two parts, Old Munnar, where the tourist information office is, and Munnar, where the bus station and most guest houses are located.

The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 1,500 m (4,921 ft) to 2,695 m (8,842 ft) above mean sea level. It is pronounced "Moon-aar" short for "moonu aar" meaning 3 rivers. Three rivers - Madupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru which flow through this town, but join some distance away from Munnar.

Munnar is famous for its tea plantations, many of them started by the British. The "Kannan Devan" brand of Tea from the Tata is cultivated and processed here.

The strobilanthus ("neelakurinji" in Malayalam, the local language), a blue flower which blooms only every 12 years, is found in this region. It bloomed last in December 2006. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, at 2,695 m.

Eravikulam national park is one of the main tourist attraction, where you can find the endagered species of Nilgiri Tahr (mountain goat called "varayadu" in Malayalam). A treck to Rajamala ("King of hills" in Malayalam), in the morning is sure to spot a few friendly mountain goats. You can also find Gaur, Langur, Lion-tailed macaque, and Elephants depending on the season and time of travel. The altitude is 1,600-1.800 m above sea level. Temperature ranges from a minimum of 0⁰C to a maximum of 28⁰C. Warm clothes and rain gear is recommended. The tourist season is from Aug-Mar.

You can arrange a cab/taxi from Ernakulam Railway station, they willcharge (round trip) from Rs 2500 to Rs 3000.

Places to Travel

Near Munnar Town

• Atukkad Waterfalls

 A scenic waterfalls amidst hills and jungles. You can find a road leading to Atukkad Waterfalls on Kochi road (just about 5 km from Munnar). This road is very narrow and needs a lot of experience to drive on.

• Chithirapuram

Chithirapuram is located at a distance of around 10 km from Munnar. Chithirapuram has old playgrounds and courts, bungalows and sleepy little cottages which all give this place an old world charm. This town is also famous for its tea plantations in the world.

• Blossom Park

 Also known as Hydel Park. It’s a park set in one of the beautiful locales in the country. A lot of activities are offered here including boating, roller skating, cycling etc. And if you wish a calm visit, admire the trees and a wide variety of beautiful flowers in the park.

The 16 acres of beautiful parkland is surely a worth visit spot in Munnar. The park is situated near the Pallivasal hydro-electric project. It is about 3 km away from Munnar town.

• Pothamedu View Point

Pothamedu is a popular destination of tourists visiting Munnar. Pothamedu is famous among trekkers and nature lovers for its view point.

Pothamedu View Point is situated about 6 km from Munnar on NH 49. Pothamedu View Point provides a panoramic view of Munnar, adjoining valleys and Muthirapuzha River. The lush green vegetation in the place with cardamom and tea plantations gives a rich aura to the place.  

Tourists mostly trek through the tea, cardamom and spice plantations to reach Pothamedu View Point. This place is a must-visit among those tourists who have an eye for photography. 

Towards Mattuppetty

• Floriculture Centr

            Run by the Kerala Forest Development Corporation. An extremely well-kept garden with a large variety of flowers and some herbal/ foliage plants, all against the backdrop of the tea plantations. Definitely worth a visit.

• Photo Point (2 km from Munnar)

It is a small place filled with woods and a small stream. Good location to take photos.

• Mattupetti Dam (10 km from Munnar)

 This popular picnic spot activities like boating and horse riding and is a great place to spend the day e specially if visiting with children. You could take the speed boat ride which is fantastic. It costs Rs 300 if you have to hire a boat for you alone. The ride is for 15 min. The maximum capacity is 5 persons and you could save some money if you are a group of 4-5.

• Mattupetti Indo-Swiss Farm

Better known as Mattupetti (cattle village), Tamil migrant labourers had once upon a time reared cattle here. The cool climate and abundance of fodder made it the ideal location for the Indo-Swiss dairy farm. Established in 1961, the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) manages this highly specialised dairy farm. The dairy farm is a unique one of its kind with more than 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle being reared. Tourists are not allowed to enter the farm.

• Echo Point (15 km from Munnar)

On the way to top station from Munnar is a small lake set amidst rolling hills. Every loud call made from a spot on the lake embankment is returned manifold by the echo from the surrounding hills. Young tourists throng to this place to listen to the echoes of their friendship calls.

• Elephant Arrival Spot (18 km from Munnar)

 Here you can board an elephant for a ride. It costs approximately Rs 350 per person.

• Kundala Lake (23 km from Munnar)

 This lake is very beautiful amidst lush jungles. Hiring a pedal boat and exploring the lake and its surroundings is an awesome experience. Except at the place you hired the boat, don't expect to find humans around the lake as it is surrounded by scenic jungles and hills. Unless you know how to row a boat, prefer a pedal boat, each trip lasts around 30 min and will be closed at 4:30PM

• Top Station (37 km from Munnar on the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border)

 Great views of the Western Ghats. Top station is the "top"-tourist attraction. This place gives a real 'above the clouds' experience. Regular buses go to Top Station (1 hr) from Munnar. A jeep costs Rs 400. The area is known for the Neelakurunji plant, which flowers only once every 12 years. The flower is violet.

Towards Marayoor

• Tata Tea Museum

It also known as the KDHP Tea Museum, (Around 2 km on the Nallathany road, from Munnar). A must-see. Tourists can see a collection of odd bits from the colonial era. Photography is allowed on payment of Rs. 20; videography is strictly prohibited here. A very interesting 30-minute film is screened, and visitors are then taken around the factory to understand how tea is processed. This museum remains open from 10AM-4PM every day, closed on Mon. There is a Rs. 75 ticket fee for adults; lower for children.

§  Nyayamakad Fall (10 km from Munnar)

Located between Munnar and Rajamala, Nyayamakad is a land of breathtaking    waterfalls. The waters cascade down a hill from a height of about 1600 meters. The enchanting surroundings makes an excellent picnic spot and trekking point.

• Eravikulam (Rajamalai) National Park (45 min from Munnar)

 See Nilgiri Thar (Hemitragas hylocres) - an endangered species of mountain goats, rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97² km in the Rajamalai hills, rare flora and fauna, Atlas moth (largest in the world), lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, The Kurichi or Neelakurinji Flowers turn the hills of Rajamalai blue every 12 years. The next bloom will be in 2018. One can actually debate if going to the high peak just to see some goats is worth all the effort or not. However, the walk along the park is very romantic and has some breath taking view. Please be aware that this park remains closed every year around February-March due to the breeding program of the Nilgiri Thar. Before visiting Munnar please check if the park is open or not. Tickets can be bought from the counter for INR 55 per adult. Please be warned that if you do not reach the counter before 8:30 AM, the queue can get so long that it may take a couple of hours to get the tickets. The visit to the park is arranged by buses. While coming back after the visit, you'd again have to wait in queue. The entire process of buying tickets, visiting park and coming back may take 4-5 hours.

• Anamudi Peak inside Eravikulam National Park

The highest peak (2,695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to 2 kms from Anamudi. Going up to the peak is no longer permissible unless you have special permissions from forest department.

• Lakkam Water Falls (24 km from Munnar)

 A small waterfall.

• Marayoor (Around 40 km from Munnar)

 It is the only place in Kerala with natural growth of sandalwood trees, natural caves with murals, and relics from late Stone Age civilisation. There is a sandalwood factory of the Forestry department of Kerala and a children's park extending across one hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree, all of which attract tourists in large numbers.

• Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is in the Wester Ghats of Kerela. This wildlife sanctuary has a large number of plants and animals. This wildlife sanctuary is spread in around 90² km of area. This sanctuary is one of the protected areas in the western ghats because of the significance of its flora, geomorphologic features, ecology and local cultural.

Other places to visit:

• Salim Ali (Thattekkad) Bird Sanctuary

There are woodpeckers, Malabar gray hornbills, Ceylon frogmouths, parakeets, and rose-billed rollers. This sanctuary is located 20 km from Kothamangalam on the road between Ernakulam and Munnar. There are basic and mid-range hotels in Kothamangalam and an Inspection Bungalow in Boothathankettu. You can take a boat cruise from Boothathankettu to Thattekkad. Admission foreigners: Rs 40, Indian Rs 10.

Water fall near Rajmala

• Kolukkumalai Tea Estate

 At a height of about 2,175 m (7,130 ft), this orthodox tea factory lays claim to being one of the highest in the world. The view of the Western Ghats is absolutely enchanting.

• Waterfalls

 Check out several natural waterfalls on the way to Munnar. They provide an excellent place for photography.

• Kalvarimount
• Mathikettan national park (POOPARA)

 POOPARA (34 km from Munnar on Munnar Thekkadi route.).  

Munnar view

• Walk in the Clouds, Trek to your heart's content while the clouds slowly descend upon you.

• Rock Climbing and Rappelling, Munnar has a steep rock face about 30 m (100 ft).

• Munnar Carmelagiri Elephant Park (Munnar Elephant Safari), Mattupetty Road, The elephant safari takes you through the misty forests, deep valleys and the rugged hill paths of the Munnar forests. One hour package, half day and one day tours. Features are, elephant bath, elephant shower, elephant feeding, timber dragging demonstrations and displays of elephant commands and communication.  

• Boating, there are several places to go out for boating in Munnar. One can choose among paddle boats and speed boats to Kashmiri-Shikara. Young couples who travel to Munnar should not miss out on the beautiful 'Kashmiri-Shikara' boat ride. It is one of the most romantic experiences.

• Bicycle. Experience the natural beauty of Munnar by riding a bicycle through beautiful paths of Munnar and pass through a tea state called Madupatty, around 14 km from Munnar.  

• Yoga @Kaivalyam Retreat, Moolakada, Pallivasal (7 km from Munnar towards Cochin)."Kaivalyam" a holistic health retreat in midst of natural surroundings of tea valleys of Munnar. Year round destination to indulge in learning experience of holistic lifestyle with traditional form of Yoga and organic way of dining.  

• The Christ Church, in Old Munnar. It is a Protestant CSI church attached to the North Kerala Diocese(Church of South India). The exteriors have worn out with time though the charming interiors still have a very nice ambiance. It was consecrated way back in 1910 and still has 14 original rows of pews. The first Catholic Church in the High Ranges was Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church.

• The High Range Club has a charming colonial style. The club house is built of wicker and teak and is the social hub for the tea "Planters" of the region. Members enjoy lounging in the bar over Planter's Punch followed by a good meal, a game of billiards or reading a book in the library.

• Munnar Supply Association (MSA), Set up in 1900, this is another nostalgic landmark worth visiting in Munnar. It is the oldest department store in the area and has been re-inventing itself to stay relevant and popular after almost 102 years. The store was run by "planters" who still manage its affairs. The MSA is a red brick, red tiled building with gables, buttresses and a porch and is now a heritage site.

Related Search

• http://www.munnar.com/
• http://paradise-kerala.com