Munnar

At a distance of 120 km from Kochi, 284 km from Trivandrum, 142 km from Coimbatore, 134 km from Kottayam, 153 km from Thrissur, 100 km from Athirapally Falls and 150 km from Madurai, Munnar is a fascinating hill resort located in Idukki district of Kerala. It is one of the best Tourist places in kerala and among the most popular hill stations in India. This is also one of the famous weekend getaways from Kochi, Coimbatore & Madurai cities.

Munnar town is situated at an altitude ranging from 5000 to 8000 feet on the Kannan Devan Hills in Devikulam taluk and is the largest town in the Idukki district covering an area of nearly 557 sq. km. It is also called as the Swiss of South India. It was once the summer resort of the British Governors of South India. Munnar is at the confluence of three rivers - Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. In Tamil, Munnar mean 'Three Rivers'. Munnar is home for some of the world's best tea estates. Majority of the plantations are owned by Tata Group's Kannan Devan Tea Estate.

Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi, which towers over 2695 meters. Trekking facilities are available to reach Anamudi on foot. The tea plants covering Munnar hills make the feeling of seeing a wide green carpet. Munnar's mesmerizing greenery, mountains, calmness, lakes and waterfalls attract honeymooners and tourists throughout the year. Mattupetty Dam, Echo point, Kundala Lake, Top Station, Anamudi peak, Devikulam, Nyayamkad falls, Thoovanam falls, Eravikulam National Park and Attukal Waterfalls are the popular Munnar tourist places.

Munnar is also known for Neelakurinji flowers, which blooms once in 12 years. The kurinji season in Munnar is a magnificent sight as the hills and valleys are blanketed by Neelakurinji blooms.

Munnar is a trekker's paradise too, which offers both soft and mountain trekking. Visit the wildlife sanctuaries around Munnar. One can watch the splendor of wildlife at the Eravikulam, Thattekad or Chinnar wildlife sanctuaries. Visit the Tea Museum to learn about the history and the process involved in brewing tea leaves. It is also known for being the spice center of Kerala. Over twelve varieties of spices including ginger, garlic, cardamom, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, coffee, tea, clove and nutmeg are cultivated in Munnar and its neighboring villages.

The nearest airport to reach Munnar is at Kochi, about 125 km away. The Kochi International Airport is not only well connected to the rest of the country but also to different parts of the world. The nearest railway stations are Ernakulam (126 km) and Aluva (110 km). Munnar, Kerala is also well connected by road. Bus services are available from Kochi, Alleppey, Madurai, Idukki and Aluva.

Munnar offers different experience throughout the year, while March to May is the peak season. It usually takes at least two full days to explore the Munnar sightseeing places. At a distance of 10 Kms from Munnar Bus Station, Mattupetty Dam is one of the most scenic places in Munnar situated on Top Station Road. This is one of the best places to visit in munnar and also a great place to experience the beauty of Munnar along with boating. It is one of the places most commonly represented for Munnar Tourism.

Constructed in 1953, the lake and dam surrounded by wooden hills and tea plantations, makes a great view. Boating in the Mattupetty Lake is a memorable experience. If possible, hire an exclusive speed boat. Often, elephants from surrounded forest take bath in the waters of the lake and watching them (while boating) is a pleasant experience. This place is also famous for Eucalyptus Oil, which is sold near the dam. The tea plantations enroute the Dam might be crowded with visitors rushing to take snaps.

Mattupetty Boating Timings: 9 AM to 5:30 PM, Boating Fee: Speed boat - Rs.600 for 15 min (max. 5 persons)

Mattupetty is also famous for its highly specialized dairy farm, an Indo-swiss project. It is open for visitors between 9 AM to 11 AM and 2 PM to 3:30 PM. At a distance of 4 km from Munnar Bus Station, Photo Point is a beautiful spot on Mattupetty road lined up with tea gardens on both sides. As the name suggests, this place is a famous photography point in Munnar due to its breathtaking background of mountains surrounded by lush green tea gardens. Photo Point is one of the best tourist places to visit in munnar.

The tea gardens are owned by Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Limited owned by Tata Group and it is a private property. Visitors can take photographs at the entrance of garden without disturbing the plantations.

This place is situated on the main road with running traffic and tourists are advised to be careful while taking pictures standing close to the road. At a distance of 3.5 km from Munnar Bus Station, Tea Museum is a wonderful place to visit in Munnar town. The museum is owned by Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Limited owned by Tata Group. Visit to Tea Museum is one of the top things to do in Munnar.

The museum exhibits different equipment used in tea manufacturing from early 20th century to late 20th century. Some of the items exhibited in the museum include the tea leave cutting machines, power making equipment, etc. The process of tea manufacturing is also explained in the museum.

The museum is situated in a scenic location on Pooyankuty Road on the outskirts of Munnar town.

Timings: 10 AM to 4 PM. Monday Holiday.

Entry Fee: Rs. 75 for Adults, Rs. 35 for Children below 12 years, Rs. 20 for Camera At a distance of 10 Kms from Munnar, Nyayamakad Waterfalls is one of the highest cascading falls in Kerala. It is located on Munnar - Udamalpet road close to the entrance of Eravikulam National Park. It is one of the best waterfalls around Kerala.

The water here drops from a height of more than 1500 meters cascading through rocks over several steps. The water is collected into a big pool at the bottom which is great place to spend some time. This waterfall Is close to the Rajamalai entrance and can be visited along with Rajamalai / Eravikulam Park. It needs about 10 minutes walk from the main road.

Trekking is a popular activity here. One can enjoy the marvelous views of surrounding valleys of Western Ghats including Anamudi and other peaks. Trekking to some of the upper levels of the falls is possible through rock climbing though it's little risky in Monsoons.

Best time to visit Nyayamakad Waterfalls is post monsoon season between October and December. At a distance of 25 Kms from Idukki, 48 Kms from Munnar & 20 Kms from Thodupuzha, Thommankuthu Waterfalls is a marvelous seven step cascading waterfall dropping from a height of over 300 feet with pool at each level.

It is a best place to spend a day watching the nature and drown in the waters of the falls. Trekking into the surrounding picturesque hills is another popular activity at this place.

This place is connected by bus from Munnar and Thodupuzha. There are no accommodation facilities available near the falls. At a distance of 75 Kms from Munnar, 68 kms from kottayam & 60 Kms from Idukki, Nadukani is a small hill station in Ernakulam district. It is 35 Kms from Thodupuzha, close to NH49 near Kothamangalam.

At an altitude of 3000 feet, Nadukani is an ideal destination for trekking and mountaineering. On the sunny day Nadukani offers a clear view of the areas extending to Thodupuzha. The excellent view of the Muvattupuzha River that forms Malankara Lake on Malankara Dam is feast to the eyes. At a distance of 30 Kms from Idukki, 63 Kms from Munnar and 20 Kms from Thodupuzha, Keezharkuthu Waterfalls (also known as Rainbow Waterfalls) is a popular tourist sport near Idukki.

It is a cascading waterfalls falling through several steps from a height of over 1500 meters. It is also an ideal place for rock climbing & mountaineering. This place is good to visit throughout the year.

The falls are located in deep forest and can be reached by trekking through the forests for over 2 Kms.

Nearest town to the falls is Udambannoor, which is connected by Bus with Idukku, Munnar and Thodupuzha. From Udambannoor, the falls are about 6 Kms and there is approach road for about 4 Kms which can be reached by Jeep / Auto. The remaining 2 Kms is trek path.