Munnar: Explore the Tea Capital of Kerala
India is a breathtakingly gorgeous nation. From top to bottom, there are lovely areas to explore. If you plan a trip to India, Kerala should be at the top of your itinerary. And, after all, why wouldn’t it be? For those planning a vacation to Kerala, here is the comprehensive Kerala travel guide to assist you in planning your visit to this lovely area.
Known as the “Land of God,” Kerala is a beautiful state with a diverse range of natural characteristics, including the sea, mountains, and everything in between. In order to avoid missing out on any of the locations mentioned below the next time, you visit Kerala, make a point of seeing them all.
One such place to visit in Kerala is Munnar. Munnar, a bizarre hill station in Kerala, is the next place on your itinerary. Munnar is a hill station in Kerala’s Idukki district and is one of the state’s most popular tourist destinations. Munnar, often known as the “Switzerland of South India,” is one of the greatest summer vacation locations in India and one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kerala.
Tea plantations cover the steep mountainsides that rise above the valleys. Simply unwind on the balcony of your hotel and take in the picture-perfect beauty that is unfolding in front of your eyes as you read this. The Rose Garden, Kundala Dam Lake, Echo Point, and Kanan Devan Tea Museums are just a few of the numerous attractions you should see while in Bangalore.
Tea museums provide visitors with an understanding of how tea is produced as well as the numerous procedures involved in its manufacture. Spices, essential oils, teas, and a variety of other souvenirs are available for purchase. A bicycle trip in Munnar is also quite popular among visitors.
How to Reach Munnar
By Air:
The closest international airport is Cochin International Airport, around 125 kilometers away from Munnar. The airport is well-connected to all of India’s main cities by road and air. Taxi services from the airport to Munnar are consistently accessible on a regular basis.
By Train:
The closest railway stations are situated in Kochi and Ernakulam, respectively. It is an important junction for trains arriving from many regions of India, including Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata, Mangalore, other cities, and international destinations. However, at a distance of around 120 kilometers, the Aluva Railway Station is closer to Munnar.
By Road:
As a result, after you arrive in Kochi, Aluva, or Ernakulam, you may rent a taxi or board a bus that will transport you to Munnar. For example, you may order your tickets online via the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) website or pick them up at the counter of the bus terminal, which is situated close to the Aluva train station.
What is the best time to visit Munnar?
The winter months are by far the most delightful time of year to visit Munnar, thanks to the beautiful weather. The lowest temperature drops to 10 degrees Celsius during this time of year, making it the ideal time for a vacation or a honeymoon in paradise.
Best Places to visit in Munnar
While the greatest sites to visit in Munnar cannot be described or written about, they must be experienced. Munnar is Kerala’s most popular tourist destination among those who visit other prominent tourist destinations.
Here is a list of sites to visit around Munnar as well as activities to do in Munnar while you are there:
#1. The TATA Tea Museum
The Tata Tea Museum is situated on the Nallathanni estate. It has artifacts and images that depict the development and evolution of tea plantations in Munnar, from planting the first tea seedling to processing the tea leaves in an automated tea factory.
A fitting homage to the pioneering efforts made by the original planters in creating one of Kerala’s most attractive hill resorts and the epicenter of the state’s tea trade into what it is today: the Museum. The Tata Tea Museum in Munnar has an entrance cost of Rs. 75 per person and visitors may have a complimentary cardamom tea while seeing a presentation on the history of tea in Munnar. TATA Tea Museum should be at the top of any list of Munnar tourist attractions for tea enthusiasts and history fans.
#2. Cheeyappara Waterfalls
Cheeyappara Waterfalls, one of Munnar’s most popular tourist destinations, is renowned as one of the region’s most popular hiking destinations. In the direction of Munnar, after Neriamangalam and before Adimali, Cheeyappara Falls is a seven-step waterfall that runs down in seven stages, providing a spectacular view of the falls from the road around the second step from the bottom. Valara Falls, located near Cheeyappara and surrounded by lush natural vegetation, is another waterfall worth seeing. Indeed, it is a pleasant area to stop and sip a cup of hot tea before continuing to Munnar.
#3. Pothamedu’s View Point
Pothamedu Viewpoint is a great place to take in the grandeur of the Munnar mist that is swallowing the verdant hills in the distance. The trip to the Pothamedu ViewPoint takes you over an ancient bridge and down tiny lanes, with the scenery along the way being particularly beautiful and spectacular. If you like to acquire the most out of the experience of Munnar, you should attempt to drink hot tea from the tea store near the viewpoint. Pothamedu View Point is one of the most beautiful spots to visit in Munnar, and it is a place where you can find nature at its most magnificent.
#4. The Attukad Waterfalls
The Attukal Waterfalls, one of nature’s most fascinating creations, is at the top of the list of Munnar tourist attractions. Attukad Waterfalls is a must-visit tourist attraction in Munnar, where you can see a waterfall surrounded by hills and forests and take in the scenery. The waterfalls are located in a picturesque setting between Munnar and Pallivasal, and the route that leads to them is quite breathtaking. Driving your automobile via a tiny bridge to see the falls is possible, but due to the presence of potholes in the bridge. The falls are accessible via a tiny tea shop/viewpoint near the falls, from where one may get a close look at the falls while sipping a hot cup of cardamom tea.
#5. Top Station
The Top Station in Munnar, which overlooks the breathtaking panoramic views of the Western Ghats, is a must-see tourist attraction in the region and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Munnar. You can enjoy the view from the Top Station at the highest elevation in Munnar, and it is situated around 40 kilometers (plus) from the town of Munnar. If you are visiting Munnar, you will need to be really fortunate in order to reach the top Station while the sky is clear – that is, when there is no fog.
It rains heavily at Munnar on a regular basis, and as a consequence, the stunning vistas from Munnar are obscured by fog. Despite the fact that the road to the top Station is somewhat lengthy, the scenery is breathtaking, and there are tea gardens and two dams along the route. If you are going to leave Munnar early in the morning, it is preferable to visit the Top Station first and then stop at the dams and other attractions on the way back.
#6. Eravikulam National Park
The Eravikulam National Park, situated near Munnar, is a sanctuary dedicated to conserving the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. This location is the native home of a critically endangered mountain goat species on the verge of extinction. With its diverse collection of flora and animals, the National Park is one of the most interesting sites to visit in Munnar. The Rajamala section of the Eravikulam National Park is the park’s tourist zone. Get as far away from Rajamala as possible if you want to watch herds of Nilgiri Tahr grazing freely. Due to security concerns, no visitors are permitted to go outside the tourist area.
#7. Church dedicated to the life of Pi (C.S.I Christ Church)
There is a whole sequence in the film Life of Pi that portrays the grandeur of Munnar, and it takes place when the protagonist Pi visits a chapel in Munnar. The film was filmed entirely in Munnar. It is based on tigers that author Yann Martel witnessed at the Trivandrum zoo in Kerala, which inspired the plot in Life of Pi.
#8. Elephant Ride
Take advantage of a wonderful chance to spend time with your loved ones while enjoying a beautiful elephant-riding adventure in Munnar, Kerala. Exploring Munnar’s wild green hills and beautiful mountain peaks on an elephant ride is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will allow you to discover the wild green hills as well as the beautiful mountain peaks of Munnar with a sense of adventure that will really be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Sit on the back of your huge buddy when you book an Elephant Ride in Munnar and get a different perspective on popular viewing activities. Visit the most notable and distinctive locations in Munnar while enjoying excellent comfort and safety precautions that are tailored to your needs and the needs of your loved ones.
#9. Mattupetty Dam
The most appealing about the Mattupetty dam is its calm water, which perfectly mirrors the surrounding tea fields. The District Tourism Promotion Council of Idukki (Munnar) offers speed boating and other water sports as a way for visitors to take advantage of the dam’s scenic surroundings while having fun on the water. Adventurers may also go hiking in the Shola forest, which is nearby.
The Mattupetty dam is only a few kilometers away from a magnificent lake in the hills surrounded by tea plantations, Shola forests, and steep woodlands. You’ll be transported to another dimension of tranquility by the lake’s calm atmosphere. Boating on the lake or relaxing on the beach are two of the many alternatives available to you. Speedboats, pedal boats, power boats, and rowboats are all options for tourists.
Offbeat Places to Visit Near Munnar
#1. Devikulam
Known for its wide lawns, unique flora and wildlife, and refreshing mountain air; Devikulam is one of Munnar’s most popular tourist attractions, and it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most popular hill stations in the world. The most well-known attraction in Devikulam is the Sita Devi Lake, which is particularly well-suited for trout fishing.
It is claimed that the lake at Devikulam is the same location where Lord Rama and Goddess Sita bathed, endowing the waters with therapeutic properties as a result of their visit. The Pallivasal Waterfalls, as well as the blue and reddish gum and rubber trees, are located close to the lake.
#2. Anayirankal dam
On each side of the road, there are tea plantations, with one side a gorgeous valley and the other a hill with tea farms. There is a nice thick forest on both sides of the road that you must travel through. The road is flanked by trees with enormous trunks on both sides. Anayirankal translates as “elephant coming down” from the Sanskrit roots of the name. That translates to “elephants coming down the place”.
Since the surrounding forests are home to elephants, the lake’s name arose as a result of the elephants’ frequent visits. It is situated 28 kilometers from Munnar, one of the biggest earthen dams erected in the 1960s. Take a boat trip on the beautiful reservoir; it’s an experience you won’t soon forget.
What should you purchase in Munnar?
Tea, coffee, spices like pepper, cardamom, clove, and cinnamon, as well as handcrafted chocolates, are some of the must-have items to pick up at the markets in Munnar.
Wrapping up
These thrilling and beautiful sites to explore around Munnar, hidden away in the vastness of nature, provide a true picture of Kerala’s acclaimed natural beauty in its purest form. Consequently, when do you plan on planning your vacation to Kerala?