Munnar
Munnar is a hill station in Kerala which is popular among the couples who are at their honeymoon. It is located in the Idukki district od Kerela. Lying in the Western Ghats at 1600 metres, it is one of the most visited travel destinations globally. Munnar is mostly famous for its tea estates, greenery and thick layers of mist forming natural-view points.
Munnar is divided into Old Munnar and Munnar. Old Munnar is where the tourist information office belongs, and Munnar consists of where the bus station and most guest houses are located. Munnar is famous for being home to the rare Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once in 12 years. If you use social media frequently the you have surely come across it.
Tourist Places to Visit in Munnar
Often called as one of the best hill stations of the country, Munnar has vast tea plantations, hilly landscapes and mesmerizing wildlife which can make anyone fall in love with this hill station. There are so many things and attractions in Munnar that a week’s holiday will make you happy. The best time to visit Munnar is from June to September for monsoon lovers, Munnar is the best place to go for your monsoon vacation. Munnar has always been the best for Kerala tourism. Here is the list of the best places to visit in Munnar.
Eravikulam National Park
It is one of the main attractions near Munnar. It is famous for endangered species like the Nilgiri Tahr. Eravikulam National Park covers an area of 97 sq. kms and it is also the home to specific species of rare butterflies, animals and birds. It is also a great place for trekking as the park offers an excellent view of nearby tea plantations. This is the place where the infamous Neelakurinji flower grows every 12 years and the slopes get covered by hues of blue.
Anamudi Peak
Inside the Eravikulam National Park Anamudi Peak is located and it us the highest peak in South India elevated at an altitude of 2700 meters. You can go on a trek to this peak but for that you need to take permission from the Forest and Wildlife authorities of Eravikulam.
Mattupetty
Another prime location for tourists to visit is Mattupetty located at a distance of about 13 kms from Munnar town. It is situated at a height of 1700 meters above sea level and it is known for its storage masonry dam. It is also famous among the tourists for its beautiful lake where you can take boat rides. It is also known for the dairy farm run by the Indo-Swiss Livestock Project, where one can find different high yielding breeds of cows.
Pallivasal
Pallivasal, located at about 3 km from Chithirapuram is the venue of the first hydro-electric project in Kerala. It is a place known for its scenic beauty and is often chosen by visitors as a picnic spot.
Chinnakanal & Anayirangal
Chinnakanal is situated near Munnar Town and its waterfalls, popularly known as the Power House Waterfalls, which cascade down a steep rock 2000 m above sea level. The spot is adorned by the scenic view of the Western Ghat ranges. At a distance of 7 kilometers from Chinnakanal, you will find Anayirangal. Anayirangal is a lush green land consisting tea plantations. A trip on the reservoir is an unforgettable experience.
Top Station
Top Station is about 32 km from Munnar and it is at a height of 1700 m above sea level. It is the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road. Tourists to Munnar definitely visit Top Station to enjoy the panoramic view it offers of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.
Tea Museum
Munnar has a legacy when it comes to the origins and evolution of tea plantations. Taking account of this legacy and to preserve and showcase some of the exquisite and interesting aspects of the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala's mountain ranges, a museum exclusively for tea was opened a few years ago by Tata Tea in Munnar. This Tea Museum houses artifacts, photographs and machineries, all of which have a story to tell about the origins and growth of tea plantations in Munnar. The museum is located at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea in Munnar and is a must visit.
Trek to Meesapulimala
Munnar has some of the best hill stations that tourist visiting Munnar for a vacation can consider. Meesappulimala is a destination for the highly adventurous people and it is also the second highest peak in the Western Ghats and a trekking trail via Rhodo Valley.
Atukkad Waterfalls
You can find a road leading to Atukkad Waterfalls on Kochi Road which is just about 5 km from Munnar. This road is very narrow and needs a lot of experience to drive on but a drive to this waterfall is worth it. It has a mesmerizing scenic beauty with the waterfall located amidst hills and jungles.
Chithirapuram Located at a distance of 10 kilometers from Munnar Tow Chithirapuram has old playground courts, bungalows and little cottages which altogether has given this place an old school charm. This town is also famous for its tea plantations.
Kundala Lake Located at a distance of 23 km from Munnar Kundala Lake is very beautiful amidst lush green forests. Hiring a pedal boat and exploring the lake and its surroundings is a great experience that tourists enjoy. There is one thing you need to keep in mind is that as it is usually an isolated place you might not find someone to sail your boat so unless you know how to row a boat do not go for it. Rather prefer a pedal boat for the experience. Each trip lasts around 30 minutes and the lake is closed at 4:30 PM every day. Mattupetti Dam
Mattupetti Dam is a popular picnic spot located at a distance of 10 kilometers from Munnar is a great place to spend with your family and friends. Activities like boating and horse riding is very famous among tourists visiting at the Mattupetti Dam. You can also go for the speed boat ride which is fantastic and they let you ride for 15 minutes. The maximum capacity is 5 persons and you could save some money if you are a group of 4 or 5 people.
Mattupetti The Indo-Swiss Farm, also known as Mattupetti is a cattle village where Tamil migrant labourers had once upon a time reared their cattle. The cool climate and abundance of fodder made it the ideal location for the Indo-Swiss dairy farm which was 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 there.
How to Reach Munnar?
By plane Cochin International Airport (COK IATA), also known as Nedumbassery Airport is approximately 125 km away from the Munnar by road. Taxi services are available from airport to Munnar at all times. Cochin International airport is nicely connected to metropolitan cities of India and some other cities abroad. Madurai Airport (IXM IATA) is more than 175 km from Munnar connected by NH 49 and is the second largest terminal in Tamil Nadu after Chennai airport. The airport has direct connectivity with major Indian cities like Hyderabad, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore.
By train The nearest railway station is Aluva, 110 km away from Munnar. Ernakulam is 130 km and Madurai is 135 km from Munnar. You can choose any of the stations to reach Munnar by train from major metropolitan cities. Angamali Railway Station is another option as it is the nearest rail-head to reach Munnar.
By car From Kochi: Munnar is 130 km from Kochi that takes around three and a half hours to reach and it is usually a busy road. When you take the NH 49 you will pass through Kothamangalam and between Kothamangalam and next town Adimali you can experience a beautiful drive through a natural forest. Also, you can witness many refreshing waterfalls. Once you reach Adimali, Munnar is just 30 kilometres away but it will take almost an hour to reach. This is the last place where you can spot a decent restaurant before Munnar. At a distance of 22 km from Adimali you will start seeing the tea plantations on both sides of the road and a panoramic view of the Western Ghats.
From Aluva: Aluva is nearly 110 km from Munnar. Just outside Aluva railway station you can hire a taxi for Munnar or there is a bus stand nearby as well which operates frequent buses to Munnar.
From Madurai: Munnar is about 135 km from Madurai and 80 km from Theni. Madurai - Theni - Bodi - BodiMettu-Devikulam - Munnar route is the most popular route for its scenic beauty along the National Highway 49.
From Coimbatore: Munnar is 160 km from Coimbatore and 120 km from Pollachi. Coimbatore - Pollachi - Udumalpet - Chinnar - Marayoor - Munnar route will take bit longer than usual but it offers a great view of the surround greenery along the road. The extra time spent is worth it.
From Kodaikanal: Kodaikanal is nearly 170 km from Munnar and the route is Kodaikanal - Perumal Malai - Mayiladum Parai - Mooliyaru - Oothu - Falls View - Ganguvarpetty - Ghat Road - Periya Kulam - Theni - Bodi - Bodimettu - Devikulam - Munnar.
Distances from Munnar to various cities:
♦ Cochin - 130 km ♦ Madurai - 135 km ♦ Aluva - 110 km ♦ Alleppey - 180 km ♦ Kumarakom - 140 km ♦ Thekkady - 106 km ♦ Pollachi - 120 km ♦ Coimbatore - 160 km ♦ Thrissur - 154.5 Km
