MUNNAR (KERALA): 1600 m above sea level, Munnar is a nature lover's paradise and was the summer resort of the British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular hill station. Among the exotic flora and fauna in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji. This flower which bathes the hills in blue once every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD.

Munnar also has the highest peak in South India-Anamudi- which towers over 2695m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.

There are about 30 tea plantations in and around Munnar. Among these, majority of the plantations are owned by Tata Group's Kannan Devan Tea Estate.

The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar range exposes it's beauty. The Munnar hills are covered by tea plants which makes the feeling of seeing a wide green carpet.

The local people here speaks Malayalam (the official language of Kerala) and Tamil (the official language of Tamilnadu). English is taught in schools from the primary level and even common people can read and speak English.

The easiest route to reach Munnar is from Ernakulam which is about 135km and takes about 4 hours. The Aluva-Munnar road extends through Perumbavoor, Kothamangalam and Adimali.

Bus services are available to Ernakulam (135km), Thekkady (100km), Thiruvananthapuram (300km), Palani (120km) and Coimbatore (150km) from Munnar. Frequent bus service is available daily to Theni from where you can go to Madurai or Kodaikanal.

City Info

Area: N/A
Climate: Temperature (deg C): Max: 25.8, Min: 15.2 Winter: Max: 10, Min: 0
Rainfall:N/A
Clothing: Summer- Light cotton dress, Winter- Light woollens
Best Season: June to August-Monsoon, September to May Cool and Pleasant.
Languages Spoken: Malayalam, Tamil, English.
Population: N/A

Places of Interest

Mattupetti (13 km)
Pothamedu(6 km)
Pallivasal(8 km)
Attukal(9 km)
Nyayamakad(10 km)
Chithirapuram(10 km)
Lock Heart Gap (13 km)
Rajamala (15 km)
Echo Point(15 km)
Eravikulam National Park (15 km)
Anayirangal(22 kms from Munnar)
Devikulam(7 kms from Munnar)
Valara(10 kms from Adimali on the Kochi-Madurai highway)
Marayoor(40 kms from Munnar).

Excursion

THE ERAVIKULAM NATIONAL PARK, MUNNAR: 17 km from Munnar, this is home to an assortment of wildlife such as the Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur, Sambar, Gaur and the Lion-tailed Macaque. In fact, more than half the world population of the Nilgiri Tahr is found here.

RAJMALAI: 15 kms from Munnar. The natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr.

MARAYOOR: 36 kms from Munnar, is the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood trees. Thoovanam Waterfalls is situated near Marayoor.

LOCK HEART GAP: 13 kms from Munnar, this is an ideal place for adventure tourism and trekking. The fresh mountain air, the mist clad hills and panoramic view make it worthy of a visit.

DEVIKULAM: 7 kms from Munnar. It is a hill-station lake town and is a major tourist attraction.








MATTUPETTY DAM: 13 kms from Munnar. It has an Indo-Swiss Livestock project and has rose gardens. It has boating facilities. The famous Echo point is very near and offers beautiful picnic spots.





ECHO POINT: 15 kms 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.





OPTIONAL TOURS: TEA FACTORY VISITS: Permission to visit any of the 26 factories of Tata Tea Limited can be had from the Regional Office at Munnar. Tea plantations in South India are located on the Western Ghats, the eastern part of Central Kerala and adjoining parts of Tamil Nadu.

How to get there By Air

The nearest airport is at Kochi, 130 km away.

By Rail

The nearest railway station is at Kochi. The next best option is Madurai, 162 km away.

By Road

It is also linked by road to Kochi, Kottayam, Kumily, Thiruvananthapuram, Coimbatore and Madurai.