Come summer and all travel plans route through one destination in Karela- Munnar. Sitauted in Idukki District of Kerala, Munnar is one of the attraction that contribute to kerala’s popularity as a travel destination among domestic and foreign travelers. Perched about 1600 m above sea level, this hill station was once used to be the summer resort of the British administrations in south India. Marked by vast expanses of tea plantations, canonical bungalows, rivulets, waterfalls and cool weather, it is also an ideal destination for trekking and mountain biking.
One of the Main attractions near Munnar is the Eravikulam National Park. Located about 15km from Munnar, this park is famous for its endangered inhabitant- the Nilgiri Tahr. Spread over an area of 97 sq. km., this park is also home to several species of rare butterflies, animal’s birds.
A great place for trekking, the park offers a magnificent view of the tea plantations and also the rolling hills caressed by blanket of mists. Located inside the park is the Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in south India standing at a height of over 2700m. treks to the peak are allowed with the permission of the forest and wildlife authorities at Eravikulam.
Another place of interest, located about 13km from Munnar town, is Mattupetty. Known for its storage masonry dam and the beautiful lake, which offers pleasurable boat rides, Mattupattey’s fame is also attributes to the dairy farm run by the Indo Swiss livestock project, where one would come across different high yielding breads of cows.
Pallivasal, located at about three Kms 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 favored by Visitor as a picnic spot, Near the town of Munnar chinnakanal and the waterfalls here, popularly known as Power House Waterfalls, cascade down a steep rock 2000 m above sea level. When you have traveled about seven kilometer from Chinnakanal, you reach Anayirangal, a lush green carpet of tea plants. A trip on the splendid reservoir is an unforgettable experience. The Anayirangal dam is surrounded by the tea plantation and evergreen forest.
Top stations, which is about 32km from Munnar, is at a height of 1700 m above sea level. It is the highest point on the Munnar Kodaikanal road. Travelers to Munnar make it a point to visit top station to enjoy the panoramic view it offers of the neighboring state of tamil Nadu. It is one of the spots in Munnar to enjoy the Neelakurinji flowers blooming over a vast area.
Munnar has a legacy of its own when it comes to the origins and evolutions of the 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 Karela’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 origin and growth of tea plantation in Munnar. The museum is located at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata tea in Munnar and worth a visit.
By Air: Nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport (CIAL) at Nedumbassery about 125 km away. It handles both domestic and international flights. One can fly to Singapore, Middle East and Malaysia and to most major Indian cities. Jet Airways, Indian Airlines and Kingfisher operate daily flights. Pre-paid taxi service Cochin Airport Taxi Society (CATS) can be hired to reach Munnar from Kochi. Both AC and non AC cabs are available. Taxis charge an additional premium of 15-25 per cent as night charges (7 PM-6 AM).
By Train: Though Theni in Tamil Nadu is the nearest railhead (60 km away), Aluva at about 110 km away, is preferred as it is a major train station and transport services to reach Munnar are more. Aluva lies on the Trichur-Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram line. Aluva is connected to major Indian cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Mangalore, Delhi andMumbai.
By Bus: Munnar is connected to other cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu by government and private run buses. Many tour providers arrange packaged bus tours to Munnar from Kochi. Though direct buses to Munnar may be difficult to find, direct bus services to Kochi and Kottayam are plenty. Private deluxe AC buses ply regularly between Kottayam and Kochi and several south Indian cities, including Chennai, Mangalore, Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram. One can catch a connecting bus from any of the cities.
One of the Main attractions near Munnar is the Eravikulam National Park. Located about 15km from Munnar, this park is famous for its endangered inhabitant- the Nilgiri Tahr. Spread over an area of 97 sq. km., this park is also home to several species of rare butterflies, animal’s birds.
A great place for trekking, the park offers a magnificent view of the tea plantations and also the rolling hills caressed by blanket of mists. Located inside the park is the Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in south India standing at a height of over 2700m. treks to the peak are allowed with the permission of the forest and wildlife authorities at Eravikulam.
Another place of interest, located about 13km from Munnar town, is Mattupetty. Known for its storage masonry dam and the beautiful lake, which offers pleasurable boat rides, Mattupattey’s fame is also attributes to the dairy farm run by the Indo Swiss livestock project, where one would come across different high yielding breads of cows. Pallivasal, located at about three Kms 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 favored by Visitor as a picnic spot, Near the town of Munnar chinnakanal and the waterfalls here, popularly known as Power House Waterfalls, cascade down a steep rock 2000 m above sea level. When you have traveled about seven kilometer from Chinnakanal, you reach Anayirangal, a lush green carpet of tea plants. A trip on the splendid reservoir is an unforgettable experience. The Anayirangal dam is surrounded by the tea plantation and evergreen forest.
Top stations, which is about 32km from Munnar, is at a height of 1700 m above sea level. It is the highest point on the Munnar Kodaikanal road. Travelers to Munnar make it a point to visit top station to enjoy the panoramic view it offers of the neighboring state of tamil Nadu. It is one of the spots in Munnar to enjoy the Neelakurinji flowers blooming over a vast area.
Munnar has a legacy of its own when it comes to the origins and evolutions of the 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 Karela’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 origin and growth of tea plantation in Munnar. The museum is located at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata tea in Munnar and worth a visit. By Train: Though Theni in Tamil Nadu is the nearest railhead (60 km away), Aluva at about 110 km away, is preferred as it is a major train station and transport services to reach Munnar are more. Aluva lies on the Trichur-Ernakulam-Thiruvananthapuram line. Aluva is connected to major Indian cities like Chennai, Bengaluru, Mangalore, Delhi andMumbai.
By Bus: Munnar is connected to other cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu by government and private run buses. Many tour providers arrange packaged bus tours to Munnar from Kochi. Though direct buses to Munnar may be difficult to find, direct bus services to Kochi and Kottayam are plenty. Private deluxe AC buses ply regularly between Kottayam and Kochi and several south Indian cities, including Chennai, Mangalore, Bengaluru and Thiruvananthapuram. One can catch a connecting bus from any of the cities.
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