Munnar – The Hill Station of Kerala
Location: Kerala
Tourist Attractions: Eravikulam National Park, Mattupetty, Nyayamakad
Local Tongue: Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, English
STD Code : (91) – 4865
Best time to Visit: October to April
About Munnar
If you thought south India was some hot, humid, and sticky place, then come to Munnar. Situated at an altitude of 1520 mt, Munnar is one of the most picturesque hill towns of south India blessed by all the wonders of mother nature, picturesque views, sprawling mountains, lush greenery, and shimmering lakes…there is everything here that you would dream of in a perfect holiday destination. Munnar has been a favored getaway for ages, since the time of the Britishers, who would come here to escape the high levels of heat and humidity that this part of the country normally witnesses during the summers.
Climate & Best time to Visit
The climate in Munnar remains moderate throughout the year with not much difference in temperature during the summer and winter season. Monsoon months (May to September) witness heavy rainfall, often causing the landslide and taking away the fun of a vacation, therefore, the time is best avoided for a visit. Winters can be a bit chilly and heavy woolens are recommended to keep yourselves warm while the summer season can be done away with light woolens. The best time to visit the place is from October to April.
Tourist Attractions in Munnar
Mattupetty
Munnar is a place of immense natural beauty. Just outside the main city, Mattupetty is tiny heaven situated at an altitude of 1700 mt above sea level. Though small in terms of geographical area, the place boasts of numerous tourist attractions including the shimmering Mattupetty Lake, the lush kundala tea plantations, and a dam. A dairy farm situated nearby is the place where you can enjoy milk products made of fresh milk.
Eravikulam National Park
A wildlife enthusiast dream destination, the Eravikulam National Park is situated at a distance of 15 km from Munnar. Besides its amazing variety of flora and fauna, the place boasts of breathtaking natural beauty making it a favored destination for both nature gazers and naturalists.
Devikulam
Devikulam is a tiny hill town situated 7 km from Munnar. Adorned with lush hills, exotic locales, and a salubrious climate, Devikulam is a favored haunt for tourists coming to Kerala. The Sita Devi Lake is a major attraction of the area, which is ideal as a picnic and hangout spot.
Nyayamakad
The waterfall at Nyayamakad, situated at a distance of 10 km is an ideal getaway for tourists visiting Munnar. The water cascading down from a height of 1600 mt is a sight to behold.
Lock Heart Gap
An ideal destination for adventure sports lovers lies 13 km from Munnar. There are a number of trekking routes available along with facilities for other adventure sports. Echo Point, which is also located nearby, gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon that occurs here.
Things to Do
Shopping
A must buy in Munnar is the fresh tea straight from the tea gardens. The fragrance and flavor of the Munnar tea are different and more pleasant from any of that you may have experienced before. The tea can be bought from the tea gardens or from any of the authorized factory outlets. Other popular buys include handmade clothing and woolen garments.
Eat Out
South Indian food is a must-have when on a visit to Kerala. A number of good quality restaurants serve delicious south Indian, north Indian, and food from other corners of the world. Enjoy fresh and steaming sambar, idli, dosa, and uttapam at one of the breakfast shacks lined up along the streets.
Stay At
Munnar is tiny heaven situated in the Idduki district of Kerala. The place is a favored haunt for tourists looking to enjoy a quiet time in the lap of mother nature. Some of the best hotels in Munnar are The Siena Village (3 stars, situated at Chinnakanal just 130 km from airport & 135 km from railway station), B Six Holiday Resorts (3 stars, situated on Mankulam Road just 135 km from airport), West Wood (3 stars, situated near the city center just 160 km from airport & 150 km from railway station), Best Western Fort (3 stars, situated in Chinnikanal just 150 km from airport & 158 km from railway station), Edassery Eastend (3 stars, situated on Temple Road just 130 km from the airport, 130 km from railway station & 1 km from bus stand) and Club Mahindra Lakeview (5-star equivalent, situated just 150 km from the airport, 135 km from railway station & 20 km from bus stand).
Getting There
By Air: The nearest airport is located at Kochi, which is well connected to other Indian cities and a few international destinations. Other nearby airports are located at Madurai and Coimbatore. All of these destinations are connected to most of the major Indian cities. Get a prior check done on the airline’s schedule and plan your travel accordingly, considering which place you are flying in from. Buses and taxis are easily available from all these destinations to reach Munnar.
By Rail: Munnar being a hill city does not have a railway station, therefore, if traveling by train you will have to travel to any of the nearby railheads such as Kochi, Madurai or Kottayam and board a bus or hire a taxi from there to reach Munnar. For information on train timings and schedules, refer to the official website of Indian Railways at http://www.indianrail.gov.in/
By Road: Though a bit winding owing to the hilly area, the roads in this part of the country are well built. State transport buses ply regularly between Munnar and other neighboring cities.
Distance from Major Cities
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Alleppey: 198 Km
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Kollam: 285 Km
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Madurai: 162 Km
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Trivandrum: 357 Km
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Kochi: 130 Km
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Coimbatore: 248 Km
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Kottayam: 201 Km
Suggested Read: Kerala – Culture and Tradition
