Located in the Idukki district of Kerala at the junction of three mountain streams (Mudrapuzha, Nallaathanni, and Kundala), Munnar is among the most popular hill stations and tourist destinations in South India. Munnar is 1,600m above sea level and has been attracting nature lovers everywhere for years. Famous for the stunning large tea plantations, mesmerising forests and grasslands, beautiful valleys, and exotic wildlife, this captivating hill station will pleasantly surprise you. There are interesting Kerala tour packages available that include many destinations in the area. With a lot of options to choose from, we’ve compiled a list of the best places we think you shouldn’t miss during your stay.
Attukal Waterfalls
Attukal Waterfalls is a destination that you want to go to. It offers the beauty of water falling from the top of a mountain within the green endless hills and jungles. Located conveniently between Munnar and Pallivasal, it can be reached quite easily. It is a favourite location for trekkers as well as an ideal location for a lovely picnic. Try to visit after the monsoon months of June, July, and August when the flow of water is thick and full. The sight is truly something to behold and definitely unforgettable.
Blossom Hydel Park
Blossom Park, which spreads over a wide area of 16 acres, is the perfect place to enjoy a range of fun activities such as boating, cycling, and roller-skating with an entry fee of only Rs.10. You can also just enjoy a quiet picnic there while marvelling at the breath-taking surroundings of various colorful flowers (some of them rare species), beautiful mountains, green landscapes, the amazing blue lake, and lofty trees. Hammocks, tree houses, ropeways, and swings are available as well making it an ideal adventure if you’re travelling with kids. The park is just 3 km away from the picturesque Munnar town.
Pothamedu Viewpoint
Pothamedu offers a spectacular panoramic view of Munnar and adjoining valleys, among cardamom, tea, and coffee plantations. You can enjoy trekking and hiking, which are very popular in this area, to reach this vantage point and with clear atmosphere one can spot the Muthirapuzha River and Idukki Arch Dam, which are about 60km away from Munnar. We recommend you take in the view while indulging hot cardamom tea from the nearby tea shop to get a true feel of Munnar. Driving to the Pothamedu viewpoint is very enjoyable too; the road will take you over an old bridge and through narrow roads, with very pleasing surrounding scenery.
Tea Plantations
One simply cannot resist a tea garden tour while in Munnar. Being right there within the rolling hillsides covered with tea plantations and experiencing the soothing cold wind accompanied by the beautiful smell of tea leaves is amazing.
Tata Tea Museum
India’s first ever tea museum located at the Nallathanni estate is just a 5-minute drive from Munnar. It pays tribute to the astounding tea plantations in Kerala; the museum has curios, photographs, and machinery showing you everything that goes into the process of manufacturing tea and how Kerala came to be the centre of tea trade in India. Entry fee to the museum is Rs. 75 per person.
Mattupetty
Mattupetty is another popular destination among tourists, located just 13km from Munnar. It is about 1700m above sea level and is well-known for its beautiful lake and storage masonry dam, making boat rides while enjoying the surrounding scenery a lot of fun. A dairy farm as well is located in Mattupetty, where one can come across different breeds of cows.
Find out more about how you can experience Kerala
By Amal Ahmed