Munnar - breathtakingly beautiful - a haven of peace and tranquility - the idyllic tourist destination in God's own country. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft from sea level located in Idukki district, Munnar was the favored summer resort of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Unending expanse of tea plantations - The misty mountains and valleys, the whispering wilds and the refreshing drizzles are a tourists' delight at any time of the year. The mountain slopes are a nicely laden green carpet of evergreen tea plantations interspaced by murmuring jungle streams, winding roads and Pathways.
The misty nights and the sound of silence of this high altitude mountains and valleys blessed with mother nature's riches flora and fauna make it a true paradise on earth. The satin smooth grass lands which are the abode of the rare species of wild goats known as Nilgiri Tahrs and herds of wild elephants grazing elegantly across the jungle slopes add to the splendour of this mesmerizing landscape.
Nestling in the very lap of this enchanting terrain is one of our prime properties pristine valleys and mountains- exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air - yes! Munnar has all these and more. It's the place you would love to visit - it's the place you would wish never to leave- so welcome - log on to www.keralatravelclub.com for all information on Munnar anytime, every time. Just four hours drive from the city of
Kochi
is the tea town of
Munnar
.
Anaimudi At a height of around 2,695m it is the highest peak in southern
India
and can be viewed from Munnar.
Chithirapuram This small hill station exudes an old-world charm with its old playgrounds and courts, bungalows, and sleepy little cottages that point to its colonial past. Situated at a distance of around 10km from Munnar Chithirapuram is home to Pallivasal hydel power project.
Devikulam is an out-of-the-world experience among exotic flora and fauna, cool mountain air, and velvet lawns. An idyllic hill station, Devikulam is located at a distance of around 7km from Munnar. The
Sita
Devi
Lake
situated here is an ideal picnic spot with its picturesque surroundings, mineral water, and trout-fishing facilities.
Kundale Tea Plantation offers an opportunity to see the tea plantations, to watch tea being picked, learn how tea is processed and to buy the tea directly from the gardens. It is an area surrounding a picturesque lake that offers stunning views of the region. If you arrive on a Sunday, make sure to drop in at the small Kundale Club in the afternoon, where the local planters gather with their families.
Nyayamakad An excellent picnic and trekking point, Nyayamakad is situated at a distance of 10km from Munnar near Rajamalai,Nyayamakad is a land of scintillating waterfalls with water cascading down from a height of around 1,600 metres.
Pothamedu One of the major plantation hubs of Munnar, Pothamedu is situated at a distance of around 6km from the town. Views of coffee, tee, and cardamom plantations are excellent from here and it’s an ideal spot for trekking and hiking amidst lush mountains, rolling hills and breathtaking scenery.
Cheeyappara Located between Neriamangalam and Adimali on the
Kochi-Madurai Highway
, Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls are a treat to the eyes. The fall cascades down in seven steps making it unique.
Eravikulam
National Park
By driving north from Munnar for 30 minutes and then hiking a few kilometres, you reach this sanctuary which is home to over three thousand free-roaming ibex, elephants, lion-tailed macaque, and the nilgris thar (an endangered mountain goat). Declared as a National Park in 1978 it covers 97km of rolling grass hills forested valleys and is one of the must do activities in the area.
Marayoor Around 40km from Munnar Marayoor has many firsts to its credit. It is the only place in Kerala with natural growth of sandalwood trees, natural caves with murals, and relics from Later Stone Age civilisation. There is a sandalwood factory of the Forest 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. Some nearby destinations such as Thoovanam and
Rajiv
Gandhi
National Park
are also of great interest.
Nadukani Situated at an altitude of 3,000 ft. above sea level, Nadukani offers excellent views of the Moolamattam town, Malankara lake, etc. It is a natural dream heaven covered with green-clad hills, silvery streams, valleys and paddy fields. You will encounter many rare species here like the hornbill, wild rabbits, spotted sambhar, jungle mainah and elephants, to name a few.
Top Station Situated at an altitude of between 1700 and 2,200m, Top Station offers wonderful views of the valley down below and panoramic landscape. The hilltop is situated at a distance of around 41km north from Munnar town on the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border. According to a local belief, the place derived its name from Middle Station and Lower Station, both lying down the valley, which were once connected to this place via a ropeway.
Valara 10kms from Adimali on the Kochi-Madurai highway. Valara has a chain of waterfalls surrounded by thick green forests worth exploring
How to reach Munnar:
By Air: The nearest airport is Kochi, 130 km away from Munnar.
By Rail: Kochi is the nearest railway station, which is connected to all the major cities in India.
By Road: Munnar is accessible by road from most of the cities and town in Kerala.You can also reach Munnar form Coimbatore (-248 kms-6 hrs away) and Madurai (165 kms-5 hrs away) in TamilNadu. And from cochin by 3.5 hrs
Travel in Munnar:
Local transport available in Munnar includes taxis, autorickshaws, bicycles and buses. There are frequent buses run by the State Transport Corporation.Hired cycles are also a fun way to explore Munnar.
Climate:
The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 1,600 meters (5,249 ft) to 1,800 meters (5,906 ft) above mean sea level. Munnar enjoys a salubrious climate. The weather ranges between 5 ℃ (41 ℉) and 10 ℃ (50 ℉) in winter and 15 ℃ (59 ℉) and 25 ℃ (77 ℉) in summer. The tourist season is from August to May. However, even the monsoons are lovely with many streams and rivulets in the area.
Bus timings from Munnar
| Thekkady |
0630, 1200, 1430, 1500 hrs (4 hours) |
| Thiruvananthapuram |
0840 hrs via Alappuzha, 1030 hrs via Kottayam, 1140 hrs via Alappuzha, 1215 hrs via Kottayam, 1530 hrs via Kottayam (8 hours time) |
| Thrissur |
1330 hrs |
| Palakkad |
1500 hrs |
| Theni |
Frequent Buses |
| Palani |
0715, 0930, 1130, 1415 hrs. |
| Top Station |
Daily 8 buses - First trip - 0730, Last trip - 1830 hrs (1 hour) |
| Ernakulam |
Daily 8 buses - First trip - 0530, Last trip - 2150 hrs (4 hours) |
| Madurai |
1430 hrs (6 hours) |
| Marayoor |
Frequent Buses |
| Coimbatore |
0630, 1545 hrs (6 hours) |
| Kodaikanal |
No direct buses. Frequent buses from Theni. |
| Chinnar |
Daily 8 buses (3 hours). First trip : 0630 hrs, Last trip : 1800 hrs |
| Devikulam |
Frequent Buses (30 mts) |
KSRTC Enquiry Tel.: 91-4865-230201 |
Munnar Map:
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