Imagine being up above the clouds, watching veils of mist clinging to the mountain peaks while the cool breeze brush softly against your face. Well, that’s the highlight of Munnar. The land of tea – with some of the world’s highest tea-growing estates, enthrals you with the view of rolling hills carpeted in tea plantations. These clipped and sculpted emerald-green tea plantations look like a painting-come-alive.
This tour through the hills guarantees a trip to heaven and back. Unlike most of the hill stations, you don’t have to travel a great distance to get into the midst of nature. Just travel a few kilometres towards Munnar and you’ll be engulfed in a sea of shades of green, with mesmerising landscape.
How to reach: The most convenient way to reach Munnar is to fly to Kochi. Kochi has an international Airport and from the Aiport, it takes about 3 hours to reach Munnar.
If Munnar is not very far from your source city, then a road trip is the best way to enjoy the incredible landscape. You pass through lush green meadows perched on hills, dense forests and umpteen number of waterfalls before reaching the Switzerland-like-town, Munnar. On your way, you can halt near Valara Waterfalls or Cheeyappara Waterfalls. Water cascading down several steps here, amidst dense forests, is a sight to behold.
Where to stay: To get the best of the misty weather of Munnar, ensure that you book a place near the plantations. You can also book a resort in Rajakkad – that offers a splendid view of the Ponmudi Reservoir, surrounded by lush mountains. Our top pick: Ragamaya Resorts & Spa, Rajakkad.
Top sights in Munnar:
A tour through Munnar explains why Kerala is known as God’s Own Country. After 4 – 5 pm, the town gets enveloped with mist, giving it an unworldly feel. Here, you won’t run out of options to visit. Plan at least a 2-night stay to experience the beauty that Munnar is.
Tea Museum
A demo model of a working tea factory, Tea Museum, is located about 1.5 km northwest of town. The museum is a must-visit if you are a history buff – with pictures from colonial era and a 1905-tea-roller; this museum is every bit interesting.
Tata Tea Plantation
The view from the photo point near the Tata Tea Plantations will leave you mesmerised. Take a stroll through the plantation to witness the finely contoured and sculpted plantation that look like ornamental hedges.
Mattupetty Dam
Mattupetty is well-known for the Indo-Swiss Farm. The farm comes under Indo-Swiss Livestock Project, and many of high quality cattle are reared here and new varieties are methodically urbanised. The main attraction of Mattupetty is the lake and dam here. In the midst of hills and lush forests, is this beautiful lake which can transport you to a different world. Adventure lovers have endless options here – like trekking in the Shola forest or boating in the lake.
Echo Point
Featured in many movies, Echo Point is surrounded with eucalyptus trees, and is as picturesque as it gets. Situated a few kilometres away from Mattupetty Dam, the place is a popular tourist destination in Munnar. Don’t be surprised if you see elephants, or other wild animals on your way to the destination. The lake is a haven for many wild animals and birds due to its constant water availability, and of course, as the name suggests, you can hear your voice echo at this place.
Top station
Located approximately 40 kilometres away from Munnar, the top station is about 1,880 meters above sea level. The panoramic view of the Western Ghats and the valley of Theni from Top station is simply breathtaking.
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Happy tripping!
