MUNNAR

The beauty of the Western Ghats reaches its epitome in the misty mountains of Munnar and around. Pretty much the reason why it caught the imagination of the European tea planters and in a very short span, ever green forests where replaced with sprawling lush green tea plantations. The rich tradition of growing some fine tea can be experienced at the Tea Museum while a plethora of shops stock and sell different varieties of tea. However, the best things to do in Munnar revolve around nature and adventure. Munnar is home to Anamudi, Southern India’s highest peak, and a hardy cousin of the sheep known as the Nilgiri Tahr. There are plenty of hiking options on offer around Munnar; the one day hike to Meesapulimala comes highly recommended. For something even more strenuous, you can cycle to the peak of Top Station and catch some stunning views of the Western Ghat range of mountains. The town of Munnar is like any other quaint Indian hill station threatened by rampant commercialization. We recommend you using the town as a base to explore the luxury that nature has to offer in this stunning landscape. And before we forget, watch out for a tree full of fireflies outside your window once the sun goes down!

THINGS TO DO IN MUNNAR

For the nature lovers, the mountains and the tea plantations present plenty of things to do in Munnar.

  • Visit the Tea Museum and learn the history and the process of tea making. Tea was introduced in Munnar by the British, in the 18th century and has now become part of everyday lives around Munnar. There are also large tea factories which process the locally grown tea, and the tea museum gives you a good insight to all this and more.
    • The Tea Museum is open from 09:00 hrs (IST) to 16:00 hrs (IST) and remains closed on Mondays.
  • We recommend you rent a cycle and ride around Munnar town and the surrounding hills. The hills are steep, the roads are narrow and traffic in India is crazy but the pain is totally worth it. We recommend hiring a bike and the place where you can find one is Kerala Bicycle Trips.
  • Trek to Meesapulimala with Kalypso Adventures This trek through the Western Ghats is known for its breathtaking scenic beauty. You will start the trek with a walk through the tea estates, enter the Shola grasslands and get some amazing views at the summit.

USEFUL INFORMATION

  • Munnar is 130 Km away from Kochi and is the most sought after hill station destination of Kerala. The best way to get to Munnar is to rent a taxi, since the bus service is far and few. You should be able to rent a taxi from Kochi quite easily.
  • The right time to visit Munnar is from October to February. Carry some warm clothes with you as the nights get quite chilly.

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