Munnar

The nature-lover’s paradise, Munnar is a hillock retreat 1800 mts above sea level. Munnar, literally means three rivers, which is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. The town is situated among endless expanses of tea plantations. The panoramic views of low-flying clouds and mist filled valleys make it a pretty little heaven with a cool bracing climate. It is one of the most beautiful locations in India, and offers a more tranquil view of the country.

                This paradise is dotted with lakes, reservoirs, lush forests and several tea estates. Climbing with the road to the hills are   the tea, pepper, and cardamom plantations. The plantations lend a distinct aroma to the cool and bracing climate of the hill resort. 

                And it offers the best opportunity for you are ever likely to have to see the tea plantations, to watch tea being picked, to learn how tea is processed, to smell the sweet scent of tea wafting through the air and to buy the tea directly from the gardens.

               The rich tropical forest host Nilgiri Thar, Langur. Sambar, Gaur and Lion taled Macaques. Rajamalai, part of the Eravikulam National park, has a very strong population of  Ibex. The mystic elixir, “Neelakurinji” (Srobitlanthus) Flower blooms once in 12 years in and around the vast wilderness, will bloom next in 2006 AD.

The highest peak in South India – Anamudi is 17kms. away from Munnar, stands a towering 2695 meters high, and is an ideal spot for campers who like to do some trekking.

Location - Idukki District on the high ranges of the Western Ghats
Altitude – 1800 mts above sea level.
Temperature - 0°C - 30° C, (Summer: 15.2°C - 25.8°C Winter: 0°C - 10° C)
Rainfall - 275 cm
Best time to visit - September to May
Clothing - Woolen and cotton
Languages spoken - Malayalam, Tamil and English.

Getting there

Munnar can be reached in an easy 3-hour journey from Cochin and 4- hours from journey Kottayam .The entire area surrounding Munnar is one of fascinating beauty and you will want to explore as much as possible.

Around Munnar

• MATTUPETTY [15 km from Munnar]
  1700 mts above sea level, Mattuppetty is a place nobody missed to visit while on a trip to Munnar. The Indo- Swiss project, devoted to the improvement of the cattle breed functions here. Over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm.
  Visit Time: 0900 - 1100 hrs and 1400 - 1530 hrs.
  Rate: Rs. 5/- per head. Tel. : 91-486-530389.
  
  13 km long Mattuppetty Lake and dam, just a short distance from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic spot. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala lake are other attractions in the vicinity. DTPC Idukki provides boating facilities on the Mattupetty Dam. Speed Launch and slow speed motorboats are available on hire.

• Top Station: Located on the Kerala's border of Tamil Nadu, it affords a spectacular view over the Western Ghats.

• Echo Point [13 km from Munnar]
  This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo point is on the way to Top Station from Munnar.

• Eravikulam National Park [ 15 km from Munnar ]

              Eravikulam National Park, the second prominent National Park in Kerala, is situated in Devikulam Taluk of Idukki district. The sanctuary came into being in 1975 to protect the Nilgiri Tahr, the Eravikulam Sanctuary was declared a National Park in 1978. Now the park has the largest known population of Tahrs existing in the world.   The park which covers an area of 97 sq.km of rolling grass land and rocky peaks, is breathtakingly beautiful and akin to the alps. Anamudi [2694 mts], the highest peak in the south India lies in the Eravikulam National Park.

• Sanctuary Visit:
          The Park is devided into 3 regions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area, which is in the Rajamala region. The Nilgiri Tahr can be observed at close quarters here.

  Trekking facilities are available here. Tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi. This is also a place for adventure tourism.

• Chinnar Wild life Santuary

         60 kms north of Devikulam, sprawls the Chinnar wildlife sanctuary. With its distinct flora and fauna this virgin rain forest presents you the best of the tropics. An exquisite Sandalwood forest near by is an added attraction. Chinnar is the habitat for the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel of India.

  [Last world wide count-less than 200] and the Star Tortoise; in addition to a large population of Guar. It is the ideal place to see ‘march past’ of Bison herd.

• Best Time to visit
   One can visit the sanctuary almost throughout the year except during the months of October and November.

  Visiting time: 0700 -1800 hrs.

• Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary [15 km from Munnar]

         Rajamala is the natural habitat of Nilgiri Tahr. Situated on 2695 m above sea level. Half the world population of the rare mountain goat is concentrated in this region.

  The Tahr is fast becoming extinct. The sanctuary is a part of the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, and visitors are allowed only to the tourism area in  Rajamala region with the permission of the authority concerned.
  
  The Nilgiri Tahrs are now reduced to small herds found in Eravikulam-Rajamala region. The total number of Nilgiri Tahrs in Rajamala is estimated to be over 1300

  Visiting Time: 0700 - 1800 hrs.
  Visitors are not allowed during the monsoon.
  Entry Pass: Rs. 10 for adults, Rs. 5 for children below 12 years, Rs. 50 for foreigners.
  Permitting Authority: Wild Life DFO, Munnar. Tel: 91-486-530487.

• Chithirapuram

  His Highness Maharaja Chithira Thirunal’s gift to the highlands is just 10 km from Munnar. The place still exudes an old wild charm with sleepy little cottages, old playgrounds, counts and regal bungalows. It is also known for picturesque tea plantations.

• Ramakalmedu

              About 16 km from Nedumkandam on Munnar – Thekkady route, this hamlet bordering Tamil Nadu gives a vantage view of legendary Madurai plains.

  Rolling green hills and fresh mountain air make Ramakalmedu an enchanting retreat.  The wind energy station of kerala is to come up here. This is an ideal place for trekking.

• Marayoor [40kms. away from Munnar]

           This remote village on the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats is on the outskirts of munnar. The relics of new stone-age civilization have been unearthed here. This is the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood trees and famous for hand woven 'Pattu Sarees'. ' Marayur Sarkara' [Molasses].

• Valara waterfalls

   10 km off Adimaly on the Kochi- Madurai highway, Valara is a host a chain of thick water falls in the backdrop of thick green forest.

• Cheeyappara waterfall

   Cheeayappara a 110m drop of water greets visitors to this spots on the Kochi- Madurai highway. A misty spray cools all vehicles that cross this spot on the road.

• Devikulam [7 km from Munnar]

  Devikulam [the Pond of goddess] is named so, as it is believed that Sita, the consort of Lord Rama, once bathed here in the lake. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot.

  The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.

• Pallivasal [8 km from munnar]

   This scenic site is the first Hydro Electric Project in Kerala.

• Attukal [9 km from Munnar]

  Attukal is noted for splendid scenic beauty and waterfalls. located between Munnar and Pallivasal. The place is also ideal for long treks.

• Pothamedu [6 km from Munnar]

  This rolling hill offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. . Pothamedu is also ideal for trekking and a long mountain walks.

  Accessing Munnar:

  Distance by road:

  Kochi – Munnar - 133 kms.

  Kochi – Idukki - 115 kms

  Kottayam – Munnar - 148 kms

  Kottayam- Idukki – 119 kms

  Munnar – Marayoor - 40 kms

  Munnar – Chinnar – 42 kms

  Munnar- Rajamala – 14 kms

  Munnar – Mattuppetty – 13 kms

  Munnar – Kodaikanal – 100 kms

  Munnar – Madurai – 125 kms

  Munnar – Udumalpetta – 98 kms

  Nearest railway station: Kottayam railway station, 142 km away.

                                             : Ernakulam Railway station, 133 km away

  Nearest airport: Cochin international airport, 130 km away and in neighboring Tamil Nadu, Madhurai airport, 142 km away.

  Visiting Time

  0700 - 1800 hrs. Entry passes are available at the office of the Assistant Conservator of Forests or the Check Post Information Counter.

  Permitting Authority

  Wildlife Warden, Idukki Wild Division, Painavu/Wildlife DFO, Munnar. Tel. : 91-486-530487.

  Trekking Points in Munnar

  Anamudi, Rajamala, Meesapulimala, Top Station, Kundala, Devikulam

  Sightseeing Tours.

  Sightseeing tours are arranged from the District Tourist Infornation Office, Thekkady Jn., Kumili. Tours cover spice plantations, herbal gardens, tribal settlements, other places in an around Munnar etc. Tel. : 91-486-322620

  Tourist Circuits in Munnar

  Munnar - Mattupetty Dam - Indo Swiss Livestock Project - Echo Point - Kundala Dam - Top Station (34 km).

  Munnar - Pothamedu - Chitirapuram - Pallivasal - Cheyappara - Adimali - Valara (40 km).

  Munnar - Rajamala - Marayoor - Chinnar (70 km).

  Munnar - Devikulam - Lock Heart Gap - Power House Waterfalls - Anayirankal (32 km).