Munnar

Munnar is located at the Idukki district of Kerala State in South India. Munnar's mesmerizing greenery, mountain scenery, calmness and cool refreshing air attracts honeymooners and tourists throughout the year. It is a weekend hideout location for domestic tourists during summer season. Foreign travelers likes watching the natural beauty of Kerala while the journey from Thekkady to Munnar.

The Neelakurinji, a blue flower which blooms only every twelve years, is found in this region. It bloomed last in December 2006. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi, 2695m.

The tea plantations and holiday facilities make this a popular hill station. Munnar, located at an altitude of 1,600 m, is one of the most beautiful hill stations of Kerala. Munnar has the highest peak in south India, Anamundi, which rises to a height of 2695 m. Munnar was the most favored summer destination of European settlers for centuries.

Munnar actually means the 'Three Rivers' and derives its name from the three-mountain stream Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. The confluence of these rivers is at the heart of the town and they fulfill all the water requirements of the town.

Munnar is an ideal destination for a peaceful vacation. It offers a variety to the visitors in terms of sight seeing as there are lots of tourist attractions including the lakes, dams, wild life sanctuaries and tea and spice plantations.

Munnar Attractions

• Chinnar: Situated on the Tamil Nadu - Kerala border, the wild life sanctuary is spread across 90.44 sq km. A thorny shrub jungle present no where else but here, makes this sanctuary unique with a wide range of animals and birds including elephants, porcupine, lion-tailed monkeys, jungle fowl, spotted dove, laughing thrush etc. The sanctuary is situated on either side of the Marayoor-Udumalpet road and is hence easily accessible by road.
• Eravikulam (Rajamalai) National Park: Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary is a sanctuary set up for the preservation of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. The main inhabitant of the park is Nilgiri Tahr. Now the park has the largest known population of Tahr's existing in the world. The park also shelters Atlas Moth, Elephants, Sambhar's, Gaurs, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri, Langur, Tigers and Leopards.Spread across an area of 97 sq. kms, the park exhibits the breathtaking natural splendor of rolling grasslands and exotic flowers. Anamudi, the highest peak south of Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The Atlas Moth, largest of its kind in the world, is a unique possession of the park. Anamudi Peak inside Eravikulam National Park: The highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, etc. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi.
• Mattupetti Dam: Situated at a height of 1700 m , Mattupetty is famous for its highly specialized dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss live stock project. Over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here.Visitors are allowed into three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farmMattupetti Indo-Swiss Farm:Better known as Mattupetti (cattle village), Tamil migrant labourers had once upon a time reared cattle here. The cool climate and abundance of fodder made it the ideal location for the Indo-Swiss dairy farm. Established in 1961, the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) manages this highly specialised dairy farm. The dairy farm is a unique one of its kind with more than 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle being reared.
• Echo Point: 15km from Munnar, on the way to top station from Munnar is a small lake set amidst rolling hills. Every loud call made from a spot on the lake embankment is returned manifold by the echo from the surrounding hills. Young tourists throng to this place to listen to the echoes of their friendship calls.
• Top Station: 37km from Munnar on the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border, has great views of the Western Ghats. Regular buses go to Top Station (1 hr) from Munnar. A jeep costs Rs 400. The area is known for the Neelakurunji plant, which flowers only once every twelve years. The flower is violet.
• Salim Ali (Thattekkad) Bird Sanctuary:. There are woodpeckers, Malabar gray hornbills, Ceylon frogmouths, parakeets, and rose-billed rollers. This sanctuary is located 20km from Kothamangalam on the road between Ernakulam and Munnar. There are basic and mid-range hotels in Kothamangalam and an Inspection Bungalow in Boothathankettu. You can take a boat cruise from Boothathankettu to Thattekkad. Admission Foreigners/Indian Rs 40/10.
• Marayoor:- This is the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood trees. The sandalwood factory of the forest department, the caves with murals and relics from the new Stone Age civilization and the children's park spread across a hectare of land under the canopy of a single banyan tree are of great interest to tourists. Thoovanam waterfall and Rajiv Gandhi National Park are also nearby.
• Devikulam: It is 1800 meter above sea level and16 km. from Munnar Devikulam is a small and beautiful hill station. The Devi lake with its mineral water is a natural gift.7 kms from munnar, this hill station with its lawns, flora and fauna and the cool air is a experience. The sita devi lake with its mineral waters and its surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for fishing.
• Pallivasal,:8 km from Munnar, is the venue of the first Hydro Electric Project in Kerala. The place is also famous for its immense scenic beauty.
• Chithirapuram:10 km from Munnar, reflects the colonial charm with the presence of the cottages, bungalows, old playgrounds and courts. One can see the Pallyvasal Hydel Power Project and the tea plantations.
• Attukal: 9 km from Munnar, must be visited for its charming sceneries, waterfalls and rolling hills. Attukal is located between Munnar and Pallivasal and is also for long treks.
• Nyayamakad: 10 km from Munnar, is placed between Munnar and Rajamala. The place is famous for several splendid waterfalls. The waters come down a hill from a height of almost 1600 m. The enchanting surroundings make an excellent picnic spot and trekking point.

Getting There

By Rail : Ernakulam Railway Station ( 04 Hrs from Munnar )

By Air : Cochin International Airport ( 4 hours 30 minutes from Munnar)

By Road : The place is well connected by a well developed network of road transport.

Munnar is 140 km (about 4.5 hours) from Kochi. The road is smooth - NH 49. The place Kothamangalam is on the way and is 80 km down from Munnar. Between Kothamangalam and next town "Adimali", you can experience a cool drive through a natural forest. Alongside, you can see many refreshing waterfalls.
Once you reach Adimali, Munnar is just 30 kilometers away - but, will take almost an hour to reach there. Around 22 kilometers from Adimali, you can start seeing the tea plantations on both side of the road and a panaromic view of the western ghats. The view is extremely beautiful during the early mornings. Munnar can also be reached from Kodai Road, Madurai, Pollachi. The drive to Munnar involves about 2 hours on the ghat section. There are 17 hair pin bends and traversing them can make you feel nauseated. However if you eat light while travelling you can enjoy the scenery during the drive.

Munnar At a Glance

Monsoon: June, July, August
Season: September to May
Location: Idukki district on the high ranges of the Western Ghats
Altitude:5400 feet above sea level
Temperature:0oC - 280 C (Summer- 150C - 280C, Winter- 00C - 150C)