A travel Guide to Munnar

Munnar Tourism

Munnar, often referred to as the resort town of Kerala, is a wonderful destination for tourists. This beautiful town is located in the mighty Western Ghats and offers mesmerising views of sprawling tea plantations, enchanting hill stations, lush greenery and some rich spice gardens. Located at an altitude of 6000ft., this South Indian town has misty hills, deep forests and rocky terrains. Famous as the summer resort during colonial times, Munnar is still one of the most visited hill stations in India.

Be it an outing with friends, a family vacation, or a honeymoon, Munnar can serve as the perfect holiday destination. Being abundant in cascading waterfalls, national parks, pristine lakes and mountains, Munnar tourism not only offers breathtaking beauty but also makes way for some adventure sports such as trekking, forest camping, jeep safari etc. Moreover, travellers can also visit some notable Munnar tourist places such as Eravikulam National Park, Echo Point, Kundala Lake, and Marayur to have an enjoyable vacation.

People who want to spend some time enjoying the beauty of nature will hardly find any place better than Munnar. A perfect mix of magnificent scenery and warm hospitality of the local people is what makes Munnar a heaven in the god’s own country.

Places to visit in Munnar

1. Echo Point

Located at a distance of around 15 kms from Munnar, Echo Point is one of the most sought after tourist places for its natural beauty. This Munnar tourist place is situated along the banks of the beautiful Kundala Lake and is surrounded by wide belts of forestry and misty hills, which makes it a perfect location to enjoy a romantic trial. Moreover, the mix of water bodies and hill stopes also makes it a paradise for adventure junkies.

2. Tata Tea Museum

A Munnar travel guide is incomplete without talking about a peaceful stroll in the tea gardens. The TATA Tea Museum is a place where the tourists get to gain insights into tea plantations of our country. Besides, visitors can also get to taste an array of Munnar tea flavours at a nominal charge of Rs. 100 per head.

3. Eravikulam National Park

Situated in the Western Ghats, Eravikulam National Park is one of the most sought after Munnar travel destinations owing to its rich blend of wildlife. A treat for avid bird watchers, this national park will let you enjoy the sights of birds like Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, Kerala Laughing Thrush, Black and Orange Flycatcher, Lion-tailed Macaque and many more. Among the wildlife, one can also spot the Nilgiri Tahr, which has been tagged as an endangered mountain goat species.

4. Attukad Waterfalls

Visiting the Attukad Waterfalls will help you to have an idea of the ethereal beauty of Munnar. Located in the hilly Idukki district of Kerala, the Attukad waterfalls cascading down the hills will surely make any visitor halt and enjoy its immense beauty. Be it about enjoying the greenery or opting for adrenaline-packed trekking in the woods, you can get the best of Munnar at the Attukad Waterfalls.

5. Chokramudi Peak

Situated at a height of about 7,200 ft. above sea level, Chokramudi Peak is one of the best places to visit in Munnar. This isolated piece of the hill is a part of the Eravikulam National Park and is covered by lush greenery all around the year. Moreover, this scenic spot is also famous among tourists for trekking. Chokramudi Peak helps people enjoy short and easy day treks and the convenient walkways make it a feasible sport for people of all age groups.

6. Meesapulimala

To be a witness to a place you have seen only in the pictures, Meesapulimala has to be incorporated in the itinerary. Enjoying an elevation of 2640 meters above sea level, this mountain range is a part of the scenic Western Ghats. Owing to its rich wildlife, beautiful views of the grasslands and surrounding forestry, Meesapulimala has been given the tag of a world heritage site by UNESCO. Moreover, some famous tourist attractions such as Tripadamal and Tea Station are located close to this peak.

Things to do in Munnar

When it comes to Munnar, there are a plethora of things one can indulge in. Some of the most interesting things to do in Munnar include:

A treehouse stay

A trip to Munnar will hardly be complete without a stay in a treehouse. Located amid lush greenery, enjoying some time in the tree houses will help you to experience a perfect blend of peace and modern amenities.

A Shikara ride in the picaresque Kundala Lake

A shikara ride in the beautiful Kundala Lake will let the visitors taste the true serenity and beauty of Munnar tourism. The visitors can either select shikara or paddle boats, depending upon their preference.

Mountain Biking in the Western Ghats

While on a trip to Munnar, not exploring the grandeur of the Western Ghats will make your vacation incomplete. The best way to explore the town of Munnar, as well as the Western Ghats, is to opt for mountain biking. Be it an amateur or an expert, everybody can go for mountain biking to discover new sights along the hills and forests.

Camping at Top Station

Go camping at Top Station to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the majestic Western Ghats. Not only will this satisfy the adrenaline junkie within you but will also let you understand why Munnar tourism is often referred to as the Kashmir of South India.

Sightseeing in a Jeep

There is no end to the ways in which this beautiful town of South India can surprise tourists. Other than hiking and trekking in the scenic mountain peaks, Munnar provides the option of jeep sightseeing along the beautiful trails of the Western Ghats. Be it a drive to the picturesque villages or your preferred location, one can enjoy the option of pickup from their stay and indulge in this adventure.

Enjoy an ayurvedic spa

Munnar is a hotspot of ayurvedic spas. These spas offer various kinds of treatments which can cater to the needs of people dealing with different medical conditions. Moreover, one looking for some relaxation may also book an ayurvedic spa session. Nothing can heal you better than the fresh, soothing breeze of Munnar combined with a rejuvenating ayurvedic spa session.

Best time to visit Munnar

Be it any season of the year, it is always the best time to visit Munnar. However, to make sure the visitors get to enjoy both the mountains and the forestry alike, the best season to visit Munnar would be during the months of January to May and October to November. As the monsoon in Munnar tends to stay till the end of September, it is advisable to book your tickets around the autumn months to enjoy the greenery in full bloom.

Moreover, as winter tends to bid adieu by February end, the temperature slowly rises by March. Therefore, visitors who want to escape the chilly months can consider visiting Munnar tourist places during the beginning of spring.

How to reach Munnar?

Munnar is well connected with many major cities. Be it via roadway, railway or airway, one need not be confused about how to reach Munnar.

By Roadways: If you want to reach Munnar via a bus, you can get direct buses from the major cities of South India such as Bengaluru, Chennai, etc. The ones travelling from the other parts of the country can also reach Munnar via breaking at some major cities.

By Railways: Although Munnar is not connected via railway, visitors can reach the town by boarding a train to the nearby railway stations of Ernakulam which is 130kms away or Madurai which is 135kms away. One can also book a train to Aluva, which is located at a distance of 110kms from Munnar.

By Airways: The travellers can easily make it to Munnar by boarding a flight to Cochin International Airport, which is about 110kms away from Munnar. Moreover, one can also visit Munnar by reaching Madurai International Airport, which is 140kms away.