Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, at about 1600 m above sea level, this hill station once used to be the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in south India.
Munnar is considered to be one of the most favored romantic/honeymoon destinations in India. Its cool climate, pristine fresh environment and green waved tea carpeted mountains are the perfect setting for a great kerala honeymoon or romantic holiday.
Munnar Tea plantations
Munnar has a lot of stories to tell about itself. The story of the tea plantation dates back to the British era in India, an experimentation on 20 acres of land lead to a successful growth of the tea plantations in Munnar. Today, most parts of Munnar are carpeted with the breath taking greenery of tea plantations. Before, it was home to tribal communities and many species of wild animals.
Top station Munnar
Things to do in and around Munnar:
Eravikulam National Park
About about 15 km from Munnar, this park is famous for the endangered the Nilgiri Tahr. Covering an area of about 100 sq. km., this park is also home to several species of rare butterflies, animals and birds. A great place for trekking, the park offers magnificent views of tea plantations and the rolling hills caressed by cover of mist. The park becomes a popular destination when the hill slopes here get covered in a carpet of blue, resulting from the flowering of Neelakurinji. It is a plant endemic to this part of the Western Ghats which blooms once in twelve years. The last time it bloomed was in 2006.
Anamudi
In Eravikulam National Park is the Anamudi Peak. This is the highest peak in south India standing at a height of over 2700 m. Treks to the peak are allowed with permission from the Forest and Wildlife authorities at Eravikulam.
Mattupetty
Another place of interest, located about 13 km from Munnar Town, is Mattupetty. Situated at a height of 1700 m above sea level, Mattupetty is known for its storage masonry dam and the beautiful lake, which offers pleasurable boat rides, enabling one to enjoy the surrounding hills and landscape. Mattupetty’s fame is also attributed to the dairy farm run by the Indo-Swiss Livestock Project, where one would come across different high yielding breeds of cows. Mattupetty with its lush green tea plantations, rolling grasslands and the Shola forests is also ideal for trekking and is home to a variety of birds.
Pallivasal
Pallivasal, located at about 3 km from Chithirapuram in Munnar is the venue of the first Hydro-electric project in Kerala. It is a place of immense scenic beauty and is often favoured by visitors as a picnic spot.
Chinnakanal
Near the town of Munnar is Chinnakanal and the waterfalls here, popularly known as Power House Waterfalls, cascade down a steep rock 2000 m above sea level. The spot is enriched with the scenic view of the Western Ghat ranges.
Top Station
Top Station, which is about 32 km from Munnar is at a height of 1700 m above sea level. It is the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road. Travellers to Munnar make it a point to visit Top Station to enjoy the panoramic view it offers of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the spots in Munnar to enjoy the Neelakurinji flowers blooming over a vast area.
Tea Museum
Munnar has a legacy of its own 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 on the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala’s high ranges, a museum exclusively for tea was opened some years ago by Tata Tea in Munnar. This Tea Museum houses curios, photographs and machineries; all of which have a story to tell on the origins and growth of tea plantations in Munnar. The museum is located at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea in Munnar and is worth a visit.
Getting there:
Nearest railway stations: Theni (Tamil Nadu), about 60 km away; Aluva about 110 km away.
Nearest airports: Madurai (Tamil Nadu), about 140 km away; Nedumbassery International Airport, about 125 km away.