Munnar is a quaint town and an idyllic hill station located in the Western Ghats of Kerala. Set at an altitude of 6000 ft in the district of Idukki, Munnar used to be the summer resort of the British rulers during colonial times. It is known for its green belt of lush forests and unending expanse of tea estates and is also home to some of the endangered species of animals like Neelakurinji and Nilgiri Tahr. It is known to be one of the most sought after tourist destinations in South India due to its pristine valleys, mountains, and exotic varieties of flora and fauna.
Munnar is a spectacular spot in Kerala, and its beauty attracts thousands of visitors every year towards it. What makes Munnar even more popular is the presence of three rivers that flow through this area, namely Mattupetti, Periavaru, and Nallathanni. Various viewpoints are segregated throughout this area, from where you can have a look at the stunning valleys, hills, and rivers. It’s pleasant hills, pristine lakes, and rocky terrains have further made it a popular trekking and camping site.
Some of the local attractions like Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary and elusive Nilgiri Tahr attract tourists from all across the world over here. Nestled between the beautiful hills of Munnar is a pristine waterfall named Atukkad Waterfall, where you can come for a romantic escapade. Photopoint is another stunning destination in Munnar filled with sparkling stream and calm woods and is an ideal spot for taking photographs.
Trekking and camping are the most popular activities that you must try during your visit to Munnar. Apart from this, you can stay in a treehouse or visit the tea plantations for a surreal experience. Safari tour of Eravikulam National Park and Shikara ride in Kundala lake should also be the top things to do in Munnar.
The weather in Munnar remains quite pleasant throughout the year, but in summer, people especially come to this place to escape from the scorching heat in other parts of the country. During monsoon season Munnar experiences heavy rainfall that might hamper your travel plan as most of the activities are restricted during this time of the year. The best time to visit Munnar is between March to September when the weather stays very pleasant.
Entry is open from all domestic states for all kinds of travel.
Cochin airport is the nearest airport to Munnar. Flights are functional to Cochin airport from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore and 10+ other destinations.
Buses and taxis are functional in Munnar
Thrillophilia recommends you follow all guidelines issued by the Kerala government and tourism board and practice good personal hygiene to stay extra safe.Register on the Jagratha portal before leaving for Munnar.
Kerala has restricted entry to religious institutions, hotels, dine-in restaurants and shopping malls that stayed shut for more than two months due to the lockdown in India.
The Kerala government is planning to reopen tourism in the entire state by October. This includes the reopeneing of hotels, resorts, home stays and all wellness centers across Kerala.
Entry to Munnar and other cities & towns of Kerala no more requires an e-pass. Although, travellers will need to register on the Jagratha app or register at the checkpoint when entering the state borders.
As per the Unlock 4.0 guidelines, most travel restrictions and all curfews have been lifted from Munnar.
Trek, walk, stroll or indulge in boating because Echo point in Munnar is a place where you see the creamy clouds floating and rolling down the hilltops, the lush vegetation creates a sight which is often captured in cameras to boost the beauty of Munnar. At 600 ft. above the sea level, people scream with utter enthusiasm to hear it resound and then laugh out of pure amazement. Listening to your voice reverberate in the valley is thrilling which makes it one of the best places to visit in Munnar. The Echo point mostly displays the confluence of three mountains - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala and a picturesque lake which makes the view highly captivating.Location: Munnar, Top Station Highway, Idukki District, Kannan Devan Hills, Kerala 685616Timings: 6 AM - 7:30 PMEntry fee: None.
It is one of the four main waterfalls of Munnar and is very popular among adventure seekers, as the dirt mountain path through the forest gives chills on every step towards Attukad Waterfalls. Take your swimwear as the pool at the bottom of the fall has enough water to dip and bath. It is highly recommended that you visit Munnar during Monsoon season if waterfalls top the list of ‘places to visit in Munnar.’ Attukad waterfall is located between Munnar and Pallivasal and can be reached by crossing a wooden bridge. The waterfalls in Munnar witness hordes of tourist every year and Attukad is one of those famous waterfalls which is mystically beautiful.Location: 2nd Floor, Mermaid Complex, Nadaiyar road, Munnar 685612Timings: 9 AM to 7:30 PMPrice: One can pay INR 100 per person to a guide who can lead the trek through the narrow mountain path.Suggested Read: Things to Do in Munnar for a lovely vacation!
Greeting visitors all around the year, Top Station Munnar lies amidst three mountain streams, at the confluence of Mudrapuzha, Kundala, and Nallathanni mountain ranges. Top Station is a part of reckoned Kannan Devan hill station encircled all around by magnificent views. Turn around your eyes and lose yourself in the sophistication of rich green valleys! Here, there are ample of Neelakurinji flowers blooming once after every 12 years. Tourists from far off places visit here for a picture-perfect shot of these rich and luxurious blue flowers. Once a while, this beautiful place was a well-known trans-shipment tea delivery point connecting Munnar with Bodinayakkanur. You can still find some remains of Top Station’s ropeway station there. Never miss on to accompany yourself with your DSLR’s to snap down a panoramic view of the mighty Western Ghats. Standing at the top station, you can have a bird’s eye view of the township that lays all along the downfall. All over the path that leads you towards Top Station Munnar, has a beautiful exhibit of blooming flowers. These belong to the rarest varieties and are endearing enough to leave you amazed with both their beauty and fragrance. Location: Top Station Hwy, Munnar.Timings: 6 AM to 6 PMEntry fee: None.Popular Read: Romantic Honeymoon Resorts in Munnar
Drenched in the mist and greenery, Pothamedu viewpoint is a spot worth trekking to. This viewpoint enables a panoramic vista of the valley and if the day is clear, you can also see Muthirapuzha River and Idukki Arch Dam from quite a height. The view is made of a series of emerald hill slopes where tea, coffee, cardamom, and pepper make a blanket of green all over the hills.While you are enjoying the mesmerizing view of the valley, take a sip of ginger tea from the only tea shop nearby and you would love spending your evening at Pothamedu. Watching the sun slide down the horizon in the vast expanse of the Sahyadri ranges is one perfect way of spending your vacation in this quaint town. Pothamedu is one of the many places to visit in Munnar which have a refreshing environ.Location: Pothamedu, Munnar.Timings: 9 AM to 7:30 PMEntry fee: None.
If you are lucky enough to make it during the show timings, you will learn a lot that day. From the early history of Tea Plantation to how British brought Tea culture and cultivation in the region, the toil and hard work of the people who endured during those days, the machineries and tools, the entire process of cultivating, plucking, drying and final packaging of Tea; almost everything you learn in just a half an hour documentary that is played here. You will also get to see the typewriters, magneto phone, the hand tea roller, and manual calculators and iron oven which have been very useful tools during the earlier days. This is one of the best tourist places in Munnar.Location: Nullatanni, Munnar, Kerala 685612Timings: It remains closed on Monday and opens from 9 AM till 5 PM on all the remaining days of the week.Entry fee: The entry fee for adults is INR 75 per head and for children of a particular age group is INR 35.Check Out: Best Time of the Year to Visit Munnar
Eravikulam National Park is located at a drive of 45 minutes from the City Centre of Munnar and is situated atop a summit of Western Ghats. Spread around a land stretch of 97 kilometers, this is one of the most sought place for Munnar sightseeing. It houses a plethora of flora and fauna and accounts itself amidst the other UNESCO World Heritage Site.Managed initially as a Game Reserve, Eravikulam National Park is also known as the Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. Eravikulam National Park is a massive blend of wildlife. There are around 132 different species of birds, 19 amphibian species, 26 mammalian species, 101 species of butterflies, and 20 different orchid species here. Nilgiri langur, Atlas moth, Nilgiri marten, small-clawed otter, Lion-tailed macaque, and a rare variety of the leopard and lion are some of the chief wildlife to be spotted here.If you are an avid bird watcher, be ready to treat yourself with the sight of Black & Orange Flycatcher, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon, White Bellied ShortWing, Kerala Laughing Thrush, and Nilgiri Verditer Flycatcher.Apart from the vast array of wildlife that thrives here, you can easily spot on the Nilgiri Tahr. It is renowned as the endangered species of a mountain goat from South India. Eravikulam National Park is also accounted for the ravishing beauty of its rolling grasslands and Shola forest cover. If you want to try something new here, participate in its eco-tourism activity. Under this activity, you will be trespassing several attractions and experiences located in and around the national park. Besides, regular educational camps are scheduled here for benefiting youngsters and inculcating a sense of environment conservation in them. Lastly, before you are on your return journey, do not forget to visit the highest peak of Kerala here – the Anamudi Peak.
This amusement park in Munnar is one of the few places to visit in Munnar to enjoy myriads of fun activities such as Dashing Cars, 12D Rider, Zip Line, Charlie Chaplin Walk, and Natural Waterfall under one roof. This one and only amusement park are situated at Anachal in Munnar. From rain dancing to Lazy river and Wave pool; the water activities are as thrilling as the adventure activities like rock climbing, rainforest trek trails. From Bungee Jump to Play port to nature walks and Treehouses; this place is painstakingly made for the sheer pleasure of enjoying the adventures.This is one of the tourist places in Munnar that is packed with oodles of fun and joy and has something for everyone.Location: No. 89, Chithirapuram P.O, Anachal, Idukki District, Munnar, Kerala 685565Entry fee: INR 800 per personTimings: 8:30 AM - 5:30 PMHoneymoon Special: Best Honeymoon Packages of Munnar
Embark on a journey to Top Station and find this beautiful mirror-like lake after around 20 KM of a drive. The breath-taking backdrops of green hill slopes, the majestic sunrises, the unparalleled beauty of cherry blossoms and a blue blanket of the famous Neela Kurunji flowers which bloom only once every twelve year makes this place a dreamy location and is one of the main places to see in Munnar.This artificial lake has Asia’s first Arch dam and the water engages the tourists in different kinds of boating experience such as rowboats, Kashmirishikara boats, and pedal boats. A vast golf course that belongs to Tata Tea Ltd and a nearby waterfall known as Aruvikkad Waterfall is also situated in proximity to the lake which can be visited in a single trip.Location: Kundale Lake, Kannan Devan Hills, Kerala 685615Timings: All day.Price: None.
There are a variety of things to do in Munnar. Here’s the list:
1. Tea garden strolls in Munnar: One of the most fun-filled and refreshing activity to do in Munnar is to stroll through the beautiful, scenic estates situated in every nook and corner of Munnar. These locations are paradise in form of rich, green foliage. There is no better way of spending a soothing evening than by just taking a simple stroll.
2. Enjoy the waterfall of the Western Ghats: One of the primary attractions in the long-stretching Western Ghat is Munnar indeed. The beautiful landscape filled with steep, curvy hills and incredible plantations surround most portions of the Western Ghat. What’s more? Enjoy the majestic waterfalls while you’re at it.
3. Visit the Eravikulam National Park: Meet the exotic life protected within the many beautiful shelters of Munnar. For instance, the Eravikulam National Park. You may even get the glimpse of the rare Nilgiri Tahr, these friendly, docile sweet animals. You will surely have a fun time.
4. Visit the Top Station Viewpoint: One of the most popular destinations in Munnar for visitors is the Top Station Viewpoint. Get the panoramic view of the whole of Munnar from one of the highest points in Munnar. Situated on the Munnar-Kodaikanal Road, take special attention of this rare Neelakurunji flower that literally blooms only once every 12 years.
5. Explore the adventurous spirit in you in Munnar: There are an array of sporting and adventurous sports that you can indulge in. Choose from a range of thrilling activities such as rock climbing, rappelling, paragliding and even cycling and start your day in a unique way. You will surely receive a unique perspective of Munnar through the numerous activities that are offered at the location.
6. Stroll through the Blossom International Park: The Blossom International Park of Munnar is filled with numerous gardens that consist of blooming flower-beds and amazing surroundings.
1. By Air: Kochi International Airport is the closest airport to Munnar if you are travelling by plane. Cars for hire are available right outside the airport to take you to Munnar.
2. By Train: The nearest railway station is at Angamaly which is 120 km away, while Kochi railway station is 130 km away.
3. By Road: You can also avail regular buses and taxis that ply to and from Munnar from nearby cities.
If you are planning to visit Munnar, make sure you plan your trip between September and March. This is the time when the area experiences pleasant winters and beautiful springs. Summer months last from April to June. It is slightly warm during this time, but also a feasible time to visit. Try to avoid the place between July and August, when there is heavy rainfall, the roads are dangerous and most tourist attractions are closed.
Yes, Munnar is one of the best places to visit in Kerala. It is home to rolling hills and valleys that are full of flowers and greenery. Three main rivers flow through the area and you can witness these beautiful natural elements from several viewpoints. It is also a relatively uncrowded hill station, making it one of the best tourist destinations in the state.
The closest city to Munnar is Cochin or Kochi, located at a distance of 110km from the city. The closest airport to Munnar is also located in Kochi, which is the Cochin International Airport. Other cities that are close to Munnar include Bangalore which is 476km away, Ernakulam which is 126km away, Alleppey, which is 176km away and Chennai, which is 584km away from Munnar.
There are many Munnar adventure activities, which you can try to pace up your adrenaline level.
1. Trekking at Mathikettan Shola Rainforest: Enjoy the picturesque beauty of Munnar as you trek through Mathikettan Shola Rainforest that is known for having a rich biodiversity. You’ll get to witness a wide range of animals while trekking over here such as elephants, sambar, and giant squirrels. This trek takes you through a myriad of plantations until you reach Shantanpara.
Location: Kochi - Dhanushkodi Road, Pooppara, Kerala 685619.
Timing: 9 AM-4 PM.
2. Mountain Biking: Munnar is home to some of the best biking trails meandering its way through cardamom estates, dense woods, and tea gardens. The majestic areas like Marayoor, Suryanool, Vandanmedu, and Kundala can be explored on bikes over here. So grab your biking gear and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime as you rush past the splendid countryside and tackle the mountain trails on your bike.
3. Rock Climbing: The hills of Munnar provide you with an opportunity for rock climbing. You can even take the help of professional rock climbers to guide you while enjoying this Munnar adventure activity. This sport offers you unlimited thrill adventure and strings of new memories in your memory lane.
Location: Gap Road
Timing: All-day
Price: Rs 500.
4. Elephant Safari: Your Munnar adventure is incomplete if you don’t try elephant safari at Carmelagiri Elephant Park. This thirty-minute ride takes you through the winding hill roads and the lush green forests of the elephant park.
Location: Mattupetty Road, Munnar, Kannan Devan Hills, Kerala 685612.
Timing: 9 AM to 5 PM
Prices: Rs 400.
5. Enjoy boating at Mattupetty Dam: Get ready for the best Munnar adventure by enjoying boating at The Mattupetty Dam, which is located around ten kilometers from Munnar. You can choose either speed boats or paddle boats to enjoy a serene boating experience through this dam. You can also witness elephant herds while boating over here.
Location: Munnar - Top Station Hwy, Mattupetty, Kerala 685616.
6. Enjoy thrilling rides at Dreamland Fun & Adventure Park: A hoard of Munnar adventure activities such as cable cars, zip lines, and mountain biking awaits at Dreamland Fun & Adventure Park. This open-air park offers thrilling rides such as zip bike, skywalk, and tyre walk for a fun-filled adventure with your family. Bungee trampoline, ladder climbing, multi vine, and human washing machine are a few more thrilling activities that you must try over here.
Location: PO, Anachal, Chithirapuram, Kerala 685565.
Timing: 9 AM- 7 PM.
7. Hike to the trails of Anamudi Peak: Get the real taste of Munnar adventure by hiking up the bewildering trails of Anamudi Peak. Located at the height of 2700 m, this place is a paradise of nature brimming with a wide variety of plants and flowers. The best thing is that it is considered to be an easy hike and is the best for beginners. You can even get some training from a professional guide before you take up this activity.
Location: Ernakulam district, Kerala India.
Timings: Anytime.
There are several picturesque waterfalls in Munnar. Some of the more notable ones are:
1. Lakkam Waterfalls
2. Attukal Waterfall
3. Valara Waterfalls
4. Thoovanam Waterfalls
5. Kuthumkal Waterfalls
6. Chinnakanal Waterfall
7. Pallivasal Falls
Yes, there are beaches in and around Munnar as well. Here are some of the most popular beaches:
1. Varkala Beach
2. Kumarakom Beach
3. Lighthouse Beach
4. Fort Kochi Beach
5. Cherai Beach
Here is the list of the best camping sites in Munnar-
1. Suryanelli: Dotted with immense greenery and lush forests, Suryanelli offers the best camping experience to the visitors. Located against the beautiful backdrop of Munnar hills, you can have a view of spell-binding tea-plantations while camping over here.
2. Top Station: Located at 1880 m above the sea level Top Station offers a splendid view of the Western Ghats and Theni Valley. The campsites over here offer many indoor games and food to make your camping experience unforgettable.
3. Meesapulimala: Meesapulimala is an ideal camping destination that offers a splendid view of the waterfalls and lush green valleys. There are many tent cottages located here where you can enjoy local food and a bonfire. Stargazing is a popular activity that you can enjoy over here.
4. Cloud Farm: Considered to be the highest camping site in Munnar Cloud Farm is an absolute haven for camping enthusiasts. The camp has Shola forest and grasslands around it, making it a treat for nature lovers. Along with awe-inspiring natural beauty, you can also enjoy bird watching and wildlife photography over here.
Munnar is home to some of the most awe-inspiring trekking trails, as mentioned below.-
1. Anamudi Peak: One of the Best Trekking Trails in Munnar is Anamudi Peak, which is located in Eravikulam National Park. It takes around two hours to reach the summit of the peak, depending upon your pace. During the trekking expedition, you’ll be greeted with some of the best flora and fauna that will leave you totally mesmerized.
2. Idukki Trek: This trek is perfect for nature lovers as the trail will give you a beautiful view of the Cinnamon hills and rare medicinal plants. It will take 4 to 5 hours to reach this trek from Munnar.
3. Kannan Devan Hills: This is the most challenging trail in Munnar, and it takes around 5 hours to reach this trek. While trekking through this route, you’ll be greeted with some of the most amazing varieties of flora and fauna.
4. Chumar Trail: This trail is meant for beginners, and one can enjoy the view of grasslands and meadows over here. One can also feel the fragrance of tea leaves while trekking through this route.
The best time to try adventure activities in Munnar is from March to May as the weather is delightful during this time.
One should not travel during the rainy season at Munnar because rainfall might disrupt the plan for many adventurous activities.
Here is the list of the popular destinations for paragliding in Munnar.
1. Vagamon:
It is an emerging paragliding destination in the South of India. This area has a cold climate most of the year and offers some panoramic views.
2. Varkala:
It is a beachside Paragliding destination where you can enjoy the beautiful view above the refreshing green valleys of Munnar while paragliding!
Some good places to witness wildlife safari in and around Munnar are:
1. Eravikulam National Park:
