Known for its scenic natural beauty, Munnar is an idyllic hill town in Kerala that has gained immense popularity among tourists from all over the country. It is home to numerous tea estates, which is another reason this place enthrals thousands of visitors every year. Munnar is a place that will never disappoint you, regardless of your age and preferences. From nature lovers to thrill seekers and wildlife enthusiasts, everyone finds this place equally fascinating. Some of the major tourist attractions in Munnar include Eravikulam National Park, Kundala Lake, Top Station, Echo Point, etc.

Nestled in the scenic Western Ghats, Munnar is a quaint and beautiful hill station in the Idukki district of Kerala. Being home to vast stretches of tea plantations, this town makes a significant contribution to the overall tea production in India. Renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, Munnar is fondly called the Kashmir of South India. Offering an unmatched serenity, it serves as the perfect escape from the fast-paced life of metropolitan cities. People from different parts of the country come here to spend some time amidst nature and rejuvenate themselves. In addition to this, Munnar is also quite popular among adventure lovers, as it offers good opportunities for hiking, trekking and various other activities.

Best Time to Visit

Boasting a pleasant climate, Munnar is a year-round destination that can be visited at any time. In each season, you get to experience different things here. For example, if you’re planning for a relaxing vacation, you can go there at any time between July and September. During the monsoons, you get to witness the rain-washed beauty of Munnar with lush greenery all around. Similarly, winter months (October to February) are considered best to explore this hill town and indulge in outdoor activities. With sunny afternoons and chilly evenings, you can easily step out at any time of the day. And, if you want to avoid heavy tourist crowds, summer (March to June) is the perfect time for planning a trip. At this time, you can easily find accommodation at budget-friendly rates, and tourist spots will be less crowded as well.

How to Reach

Being a popular tourist destination, Munnar, Kerala, is easily accessible from all other parts of the country. Here’s how you can get there:

• By Air:
  

  Located at a distance of 110 km, Cochin International Airport is the nearest to Munnar. This airport is well-connected to major Indian cities, such as Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, etc., with regular flights operated by various airlines. After reaching there, you can either hire a private taxi or take a bus to get to Munnar.

• By Train:
  

  With an approximate distance of 100 km, Aluva is the nearest railway station to Munnar. You can find several trains running from various Indian cities to this railway station. Once you reach Aluva, you can cover the remaining distance via road.

• By Road:
  

  Munnar is well-connected to all the major cities of Kerala as well as other neighbouring states. The roads are well-maintained, and the journey also offers scenic natural vistas. If you’re coming from a nearby city, you can take a bus, book a taxi or drive yourself to Munnar.

Best Places to See in Munnar

While planning a trip to this town, you may find yourself lost in the sea of options in terms of places to visit and activities to do. No matter what your interests are, you’ll always find plenty of things to see in Munnar, Kerala.

Here’s a list of all the important sightseeing places in Munnar:

• Eravikulam National Park
• Kundala Lake
• Top Station
• Echo Point
• Kolukkumalai Tea Estate

Eravikulam National Park

For nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, this is one of the best places to see in Munnar. Spread over an area of approximately 97 square kilometres, this national park is renowned for its rich biodiversity. It is primarily known for being home to the Nilgiri Tahr, a critically endangered mountain goat species, which is found only in this region. You can also find a variety of other animals here, such as Nilgiri langurs, elephants, tigers, leopards, Indian muntjac (barking deer), Sambar deer, and wild dogs. The park also has rare bird species like the white-bellied shortwing and insects such as the Atlas moth, known to be one of the world’s largest.

Apart from the diverse range of fauna, this place is famous for its abundance of natural beauty. One major attraction is Anamudi Peak, which is the highest point in South India at a staggering height of 2,695 metres. The best way to explore the Earvikulum National Park is to book a wildlife safari that will give you a chance to spot various animals and birds. Or, you can also indulge in activities like trekking to experience an adrenaline rush.

Kundala Lake

Located at a distance of 20 kilometres from the main town, Kundala Lake is one of the major places to see near Munnar. This is an artificial reservoir known for its stunning surroundings and serene ambience. This is one of the major picnic spots in this region that is equally popular among tourists and locals. People come here to spend some time in the nature. If you also want to take a small break from exploring the town, you can visit Kundala Lake and spend a lazy afternoon. This place offers several activities, like pedal boat rides that you can enjoy with family and kids as well.

Top Station

Perched at an altitude of 1,880 metres, Top Station is one of the most prominent vantage points and sightseeing places in Munnar. This point is known for offering breathtaking panoramic views of the town and expansive tea plantations it is home to. While you can visit this place throughout the day, it experiences the highest visitor influx at the time of sunrise and sunset.

Echo Point

This is another addition to the list of must-see places in Munnar. This place is known for its unique natural phenomenon. When someone shouts in the valley, it produces echoes, and the voice bounces back. Apart from this, Echo Point is also famous for its picturesque setting. From here, you’ll get to witness stunning views of the valley and surrounding mountains. This is one of the best things to do in Munnar for the family.

Kolukkumalai Tea Estate

A trip to Munnar always remains incomplete without visiting the Kolukkumalai Tea Estate. Situated at a height of 7,900 feet, this is the world’s highest tea plantation. This place is accessible via jeep, and the journey itself is a unique, thrilling experience. After reaching here, you can take a guided tour of the entire estate, where you’ll get to see the vast tea plantation as well as its colonial-era tea factory.

With so much to offer, Munnar is no less than a treasure trove for tourists. This place can cater to a wide range of interests, and this is what makes it one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in India. This comprehensive list of places to see in and around Munnar will help you create a travel itinerary and enjoy your trip to the fullest. Or, if you don’t want any hassle, choose Veena World as your travel partner. Here, you can choose from a wide selection of all-inclusive Munnar tour packages and cover all the famous places to visit in Munnar on your trip. Whether you’re planning a solo adventure, a fun-filled family vacation or a romantic getaway with your partner, we have plenty of options for everything. Simply browse our collection to make an online booking, and our team will take care of everything.

 

FAQs

Q1. What is the Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, and why is it unique?

Kolukkumalai Tea Estate is one of the highest tea plantations in the world, situated at an elevation of about 2,160 meters (7,086 feet). It offers panoramic views of the Western Ghats and is less crowded compared to other popular spots in Munnar. You can also tour the estate, learn about traditional tea processing, and enjoy freshly brewed tea right from the plantation.

Q2. Is there a hidden village experience in Munnar?

Chilavannur Village is one such hidden gem. This village offers a glimpse into traditional Kerala life, with rustic surroundings, vast cardamom plantations, and the quiet rhythm of rural life. It's perfect for those seeking peace and a cultural immersion away from the tourist crowds.

Q3. Is there an offbeat way to experience the tea plantations?

For something completely different, visit Nimmy's Tea Garden. Located in a small village just outside Munnar, this private plantation offers personalised tea-tasting sessions and hands-on experiences of plucking tea leaves with the locals. It's a far cry from the commercial tea tours, and you get to understand the real essence of Munnar’s tea culture.

Q4. Where can I find lesser-known viewpoints?

Lakshmi Hill Viewpoint:

A quiet spot that gives panoramic views of the valleys and tea plantations. It’s less crowded and perfect for a peaceful sunset.

Kundala Viewpoint:

Not to be confused with the lake, this viewpoint is tucked away from the main tourist circuit and offers breathtaking views of the Western Ghats.

Sunset Point in Top Station:

While Top Station is known, this particular viewpoint offers a quieter experience with fewer crowds compared to the main Top Station viewpoint.

Q5. Is there an alternative to the typical Munnar homestays or resorts?

Treehouse Stays in Munnar:

For a completely unique experience, stay in one of Munnar’s treehouses. "Tree Top Adventure" and "Pine Tree Resort" offer an elevated experience among the tall trees, where you can wake up to the sounds of birds chirping and fresh mountain air.

Eco-Friendly Farm Stays:

Stay with locals in a traditional Kerala farm, where you can live off the land, cook your own meals with organic produce, and experience rural Kerala life.