Munnar Tourist Places: Planning to spend some quality time with nature and looking for a destination, then plan your travel to one of the most popular places in South India, Munnar located in Kerala. It is also popularly known as the “Kashmir of South India” and it’s a true treasure trove for the visitors with most breathtaking and captivating hill stations covered with greenery all over the rolling hills, winding trails, classic tea estates, misty waterfalls, calming lakes, lush forests and much more. In this article, we are going to explain in detail about Munnar Tourist Places and things to do over there.
Munnar is also popularly called the tea capital of Kerala located in Idukki district above the sea level of over 5,200 feet and it’s an incredible holiday destination be it a family vacation, honeymoon, getaway, solo trip or any other trails. You can enjoy pleasant weather throughout the year in Munnar which once used to be the summer capital of the British when they were ruling India.
How to Reach Munnar
Munnar being the most iconic tourist destination in Kerala, it’s well-connected with some of the major cities so that you can opt your travel via flight, by road, by train or by bus.
By Air:
Cochin International Airport (COK) is the closest airplane terminal to Munnar as it doesn’t have an airplane terminal of its own. Kochi is around 110 km away so, once you reach the airport take a bus or hire a taxi to Munnar, it is around 3-4 hours’ drive. Else Fly to Tamil Nadu, Madurai International Airport which is 140 Km away but considered as one among the closest airports.
By Train:
There is no direct access to the railway tracks to Munnar, you need to board one among the three stations to reach your destination. Bodinayakkanur railway station in Tamil Nadu is the nearest, which is around 68 kms to Munnar. In Kerala there are two nearest railway stations, Aluva Railway Station which is about 110 kms away followed by Ernakulam Railway Station in Kochi which is 122 kms away. It’s suggested to take Aluva Railway Station, as there is a bus stand in walking distance, and you get to board the bus to Munnar every hour.
By Road or By Bus:
Munnar has a great public transportation as the city is well connected with numerous state and national highways to prime cities in southern India. It is always suggested taking an overnight bus to Munnar, where you can take a nap and wake up to the stunning green scenery in the morning and make use of the rest of the day.
One of the best ways to enjoy the beauty of Munnar tourist places is to travel by hiring or self-driving a car where you get to explore and discover the enchanting beauty of nature and stunning hilly retreats all over. Don’t forget to stop by and capture pictures from different viewpoints. If you are driving from Kochi, on the way you find a couple of waterfalls but don’t miss to take a stop at Valara and Cheeyappara falls which are the two famous waterfalls here.
| City | Distance (km) |
|---|---|
| Kochi (Cochin) to Munnar | 130 |
| Madurai to Munnar | 153 |
| Coimbatore to Munnar | 155 |
| Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram) to Munnar | 280 |
| Bangalore to Munnar | 476 |
| Chennai to Munnar | 585 |
| Mysore to Munnar | 391 |
Best Time to Visit Munnar
No matter what season it is, being a hill station, you can enjoy adequate weather throughout the year in Munnar. It’s one of those destinations which looks eye appealing in every season as nature keeps changing its essence and colors through the year. Summer starts from March to May, Monsoon from June to September and Winter from October to February.
Munnar Tourist Places – Places to Visit in Munnar
Mattupetty Dam: This dam is surrounded by lush forest all around which makes you fall in love with stunning natural views and the water is used to generate hydroelectricity in the area. Mattupetty Dam is a place where you can spot Asiatic Elephants and there are a lot of other water activities and beautiful trekking paths available to make your day worth visiting.
Kundala Lake: It is located 1,700ft above sea level and one of the most promising places to see in Munnar. Don’t miss out visiting the artificial Kundala dam which is nearby. Kudala lake is surrounded by cherry gardens and can see cherry blossoms which bloom only twice a year. You can also find famous Neelakurinji flowers near the lake which bloom once every twelve years.
Top Station: Best time to visit this spot is during early morning hours as it is located 1880 mts above the sea level. You can enjoy a mesmerizing view and a popular place to spot Neelakurinji flowers.
Lakkom Waterfall: This waterfall is very close to Eravikulam National Park and it’s a popular spot for trekking.
Echo Point: It’s a well-known spot for its natural phenomenon of echoing and has spectacular panoramic views of mountain ranges and forests. Don’t forget to shout at the shore of the lake as you can hear your own echo, it truly leaves you spellbound.
Tea Plantations and Museum: Your trip will not be complete without visiting tea plantations or factories. In Munnar almost 1500 acres of land is covered with tea fields and most of the tea fields don’t have public access, but you can buy a ticket and visit Lockhart Tea Estates, Chinnakanal Tea Fields and Kolukkumalai Tea Estate.
Eravikulam National Park: Much-loved tourist spot in Munnar where you can see Munnar’s exotic wildlife and find the rarest Nilgiri Tahr and other species in the park.
While exploring Munnar you see various spots which make you feel like heaven and there are many places to visit like Attukad Waterfalls, Blossom International Park, Pothamedu Viewpoint, Spice Gardens, Watch sunrise at Kolukkumalai Peak and many more.
Munnar Itinerary for 3 & 4 days
It is recommended to plan your trip for at least three or four days to see the best of Munnar. To visit most of the spots you need to dedicate a day to each route as Munnar tourist places is spread out with 4 different routes according to their location as sightseeing are divided.
Munnar has 4 Directions or Routes to visit
Day 1: Kochi Direction (Ernakulam)
Sightseeing which you can cover travelling in this direction are,
Kalari Kshethra is a traditional training center of the oldest form of martial arts.
Spice Plantation Visit is a place where you get to see different types of spice plants and Munnar produces some of the famous spices.
Cheeyappara Waterfalls is one of the best tourist spots not to miss visiting.
Valara Waterfalls is a cascading masterwork which has a spectacle of nature’s artistry falling from a height of 1000 feet approximately (39km)
Pothamedu Viewpoint offers a panoramic view of Munnar and gives a refreshing feel.
Day 2: Coimbatore Direction:
Sightseeing which you can cover travelling in this direction are,
- Nyayamakad Waterfalls which is just 8kms away
- Eravikulam National Park is one of the best places to see the actual beauty of Munnar (13 kms away).
- Anaimudi is a highest peak scenic viewpoint which is a 20km drive located above the sea level of 8853ft
- Lakkam Falls is very close to Eravikulam National Park and it’s a popular spot for trekking (26 kms away).
- Marayoor SandalWood Forest is just 35km away and the drive to this place is so mesmerizing
- Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is a home for many waterfalls and wildlife. Trekking in the forest is the best way to explore the place (63 km).
- Amaravathi Dam followed by Crocodile Dam which is 63 kms away.
Thekkady Direction: Sightseeing which you can cover travelling in this direction are,
- Lock Heart Gap Viewpoint is a place which looks exactly the shape of locked heart and has a breathtaking sunset view (14km)
- Power House waterfalls, Resort Village view followed by Anayirankal Dam (18km)
- Sita Devi Lake is a divine lake and the most beautiful spot in the Western Ghats located 6000 feet above sea level. (22km)
Day 3: Mattupetty Direction:
Sightseeing which you can cover travelling in this direction are,
Photo Point which is just 4 km away is a best place to takes picture enjoying the view of tea gardens
Mattupetty Dam is a place where you spot Asiatic Elephants with lush forest all around and the best place for water activities (11km).
Indo Swiss Project is a cattle development and research center, a home for a variety of cattle which cover around 469 acres of lush green grasslands (13km).
Echo Point renowned place for its natural phenomenon of echoing (17km)
Elephant Arrival spot is a place where you can take an elephant ride (20km)
Kundale Lake is located 1,700ft above sea level and one of the most promising places to see in Munnar and don’t miss taking a boat ride.
Kundale Golf Course just 28 kms away
Top Station is a best spot visit to enjoy the sunrise as it is located 1880 mts above the sea level (32 km)
Day 4: Kolukkumalai Peak Point
During the early hours visit Kolukkumalai Peak Point. It’s considered as the second highest peak in the Western Ghats and the best place to catch a glimpse of beautiful sunrises and shiny night skies.
Accommodation in Munnar
It’s one of the biggest questions most people struggle with while planning a trip to Kerala, Munnar. The place is surrounded by many nice hotels and resorts all around but if you want to have a panoramic view of the beauty of Munnar from your hotel or resort window then that can be scattered anywhere up to 20-25 kms away from the center where you get access to the restaurants. As per your requirement choose one among the three broad areas.
Old Munnar: It’s the best place to stay if you’re looking for budget accommodations and this area is not too far from Munnar town. Buses usually stop at Old Munnar first so it’s easy for public transportation as well.
Munnar Town: It’s a commercial centre area, where you get easy access to ATMs, restaurants, accommodation and other tourist services. As the place is fully crowded you hardly get to enjoy the view from the hotels.
Out of Town Munnar: Best choice to stay if your priority is having a peaceful stay at a hotel and watch the spectacular views that Munnar is mainly famous for. There are numerous guesthouses, hotels, resorts and treehouses all around but it’s a 20 to 30-minute drive from Munnar and offers a wide list of options as per your budget.
Conclusion
Munnar is truly known as the ‘Kashmir of South India’, it might look like a small town at first but there is a lot to explore apart from just waterfalls, lakes, tea estates, national parks etc.
Hope we have covered everything about Munnar Tourist Places. If you have any queries, please do comment below in the comment section. We will get back to you as soon as possible.
