Munnar is often called the Kashmir of South India. The hill, the mist, the valleys, the streams, the waterfalls, tea plantations, rare flora and fauna everything is just beautiful about this place. It is a high altitude hill station and features a number of green tea gardens making it a popular destination for people from across the world and even those who live throughout India.
I visited Munnar during the month of October. It is one of the best time to visit. The temperatures ranges from around 2-3 degrees to Maximum 20 degree Celsius. There are quite a few good hotels in Munnar but no big 5 star properties. We stayed in a beautiful resort which was on a hill facing towards the mountains. As soon as we reached it started to rain and there were clouds all around. the weather was so beautiful and pleasant. it was just the perfect getaway from the scorching Delhi summers.
The next day we moved out and about to explore the place. The lush green tea plantation provides a stunning view. If u want you can do the tea plantation factory tour where they show how tea is made the tea leaves. we skipped it and decided to just wander around the tea plantation. U can get all touristy and rent a tea plantation dress and basket and get yourself clicked. i got the same done and it was such a fun experience.
Tips to visit Munnar
- Book your hotel in advance as it can really crowded during peak season that is October to May . But it is beautiful to visit in the monsoon season as well from June to August
- Carry woolens with you as temperature can get as low as 2-3 degree Celsius.
Places to visit in Munnar
Tea Gardens
Munnar is renowned for its sprawling tea plantations, which carpet the hillsides in vibrant shades of green. And this is the sole reason why Munnar is a must-visit place. Here, visitors can take leisurely walks through the tea gardens, learn about the tea-making process at tea factories, and enjoy panoramic views of the picturesque landscape.
You cannot return home without visiting the Tata Tea Museum on your Munnar tour. The refreshing tea plantations make this hill station look no less than a paradise on earth and are so gorgeous that one would want to stay back here itself admiring its unrivaled beauty.
The mind-blowing fragrance of the different varieties of tea leaves will make you feel proud of being a hardcore Tea Lover, whereas the jaw-dropping views of the adjoining areas encourage you to visit this place time and time again. Here you can also laze around during the day, take leisure walks, or simply choose to head for a special show screening that is organized in the museum twice a day daily. Do not forget to stop by an outlet that sells a variety of tea powders at highly reasonable prices. There is a flavor to satisfy all types of taste buds.
- Entry Fee: INR 75 per person for adults, INR 35 per person for children aged between 6 to 12 years of age
- Timings: Open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all days except Monday
- Best Time to Visit: From September to November and then from December to March
Eravikulam National Park
Nestled at a drive of 45-minutes away from Munnar, the Eravikulam National Park boasts a massive blend of wildlife that catches the attention of tourists from far and wide every year. it is considered as one of the most sought-after tourist places to visit in Munnar for sightseeing and is definitely a perfect weekend getaway option for all those who are looking for a full-day excursion with their family.
It includes 101 butterfly species, 26 mammalian species, 20 orchid species, and 19 different species of amphibians.Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri Marten, Atlas Moth, Small-Clawed Otter, and Leopards are a few of the main animals that can be spotted here. Combine it with an array of 132 bird species such as Nilgiri Verditer Flycatcher, Black & Orange Flycatcher, Kerala Laughing Thrush, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, and White-Bellied ShortWing to make your visit to this national park memorable for you and your dear ones. Alongside them, you can also find the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a native mammal of the southern Western Ghats, at this reserve.
- Entry Fee: INR 125 per person for Indian adults, INR 95 per person for Indian children, and INR 420 per person for foreigners
- Timings: Open from 7:30 AM to 4:00 PM on all days
- Best Time to Visit: From September to November and then from April to June
- Ideal Exploration Time: 4-5 hours
Attukal Waterfall
Tucked away amidst dense forests and lush greenery, Attukal Waterfalls is a hidden gem in Munnar. Visitors can trek through the scenic surroundings to reach the waterfall, which cascades down from a height of approximately 20 metres, creating a mesmerising spectacle of nature.
Tips
- You can visit between 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m.
- The road leading to the waterfalls is very narrow and requires careful and skilled driving.
- You can also hire a guide to show you around.
Echo Point
Nestled on the banks of the Kundala Lake and at an altitude of about 600 feet above sea level, the Echo Point, surrounded by verdant meadows, mesmerizing hills, and dense valleys, invites people to overlook the picturesque landscapes of the hill station in Kerala from a sheer height that is sure to leave you speechless every time you come here to relax and rejuvenate after a hectic sightseeing tour.
Definitely a must-visit place in Munnar, Echo Point is located at the confluence of three mountain ranges and a shimmering lake, lending it a beauty like no other.
Here you can enjoy a peaceful stroll around the lush forests to soothe your mind and soul. Try your hand at trekking to the hilltop to bring out the best of adventure in you. Go boating to spend some quality time with your loved ones in tranquility. Or indulge yourself in bird watching as the place serves as home to a diverse range of native and migratory birds.
Tips
- You can visit between 06:00 a.m. and 07:30 p.m.
- Bird-lovers can enjoy spotting a few local and rare bird species here
Mattupetty Dam
Lying beautifully in the lap of the hills in the Idukki District of Kerala state, the Mattupetty Dam, built in the late 1940s, serves as a fantastic location for tourists to soak in the stunning scenery along with experiencing the calmness of nature. What makes this place look even more charming is the green valleys and pleasant weather that remains soothing throughout the year.
Whenever at Mattupetty Dam, you can spend your time by indulging yourself in a variety of activities such as boating, bird watching, recreational water sports, etc. Most of these activities are arranged by the District Tourism Promotion Council, so you don’t have to worry about your safety. Boating including rowboats, pedal boats, speed boats, and motorboats are quite a hit among adventure lovers from all around the world. You can also choose to go on trekking trails in the shola forests that encompass the dam.
Rose Garden
It is a beautiful and well maintained garden with a large variety of bright and colourful plants . Here you will experience the natural beauty of various beautiful plants overlooking the large tea plantations in the background. Perfect for sightseeing lovers and photographers, the Rose Garden allows people of all age groups to have a fun-filled day out with their families under one roof. Situated on the National Highway 49 in Kerala, the garden exhibits a fine blend of majestic charm with unparalleled greenery so that you can step out of your home on weekends and soak in the good vibes here, far away from the chaos of urban life. It’s an excellent destination to discover a rare species of crops and is no less than a mini paradise for tourists to spend pleasant evenings on their Munnar tour.
If interested, you can also purchase the seeds of flowering plants on your way to home and grow them at your place to keep memories of this garden alive for a lifetime.
- Entry Fee: INR 20 per person
- Timings: Open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on all days
- Best Time to Visit: November to February
- Ideal Exploration Time: 1-2 hours
- Distance: 110 km from Cochin International Airport, 2.7 km from the City Centre