Quiet By The River.

Munnar, Kerala, India

Munnar is breathtakingly beautiful and is a haven of peace and tranquillity. It lies in Idukki district, at the confluence of three mountain rivers. It is pronounced
Moon-aar, meaning three rivers in Malayalam. The rivers; Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala meet in the center of the town. The place is encircled by wooded hills of the Annamalai Ranges, with the towering bulk of Anamudi, which is peninsular India’s highest peak, at 2695 m. Munnar is also famous for its tea plantations. It is a preferred holiday destination in southern India with a cool weather and natural attractions like waterfall and rivulets.The captivating hills of Munnar offer you much more than scenic beauty. Visitors can also enjoy trekking, mountaineering and mountain biking.

Munnar was once a sleepy little hamlet until Scottish planters discovered it. Later the British who ruled India developed it more into one of southern India’s most important centers for the cultivation of tea, coffee, and spices. They made it their summer hideout because of the cooler climate and the mesmerizing mountain scenery. Munnar is sometimes called the Switzerland of India.

The mountain streams, valleys, tea plants and plenty to discover in the surrounding region, this hill station offers a great variety of choices for tourists. It is an excellent base for trekking through the surrounding hills, which are covered by lush green rainforests; for going picnicking beside a crystal-clear mountain stream; for wildlife watching; or for simply getting the kinks out of a tired system!
Popular attractions in Munnar
Pothamedu
Green hills surrounding this beautiful little village refresh you on your visit to Pothamedu. Pothamedu is about 6 kilometers from Munnar and is known for its cardamom, coffee and tea plantations. For nature tours, this is perhaps the best destination to cover
Devikulam
Devikulam is a small hill station about 16 kilometers from Munnar. The hill is about 1800 meters above the sea level. Devi Lake is blessed with natural mineral water. The cool breeze and natural beauty with flora and fauna best describe this place.
Mattupetty
Another interesting location which is about 13 kilometers from the Munnar Town. Lying 1700 meters above the sea level, Mattupetty offers panoramic views of the valley. It is mainly known for its storage masonry dam and the beautiful lake. One can enjoy boat rides on the lake and enjoy the views of the natural beauty surrounding the place. Mattupetty is also famous for Indo-Swiss Livestock Project, which is a world-renowned dairy farm. Shola grasslands, tea plantations, and lush green grasslands characterize this destination typically.
Nyayamakad
About 10 kilometers from Munnar on the way to Rajamala, Nyayamakad is a land of breathtaking waterfalls and an endless stretch of verdant greenery. Behold the spectacle of water tumbling onto a fern-fringed pool from a hill at a height of 1600 meters (5333 feet). Enjoy a peaceful mountain walk, stop along the way to take photographs and simply soak up the scenery.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Chinnar wildlife sanctuary located in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats. It is the second habitat for the endangered grizzled giant squirrel in India. It also represents a large number of plants and animals unique to the thorny vegetation. It is an abode of reptilian fauna and the richest in Kerala in terms of the number of species. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is rich in avian diversity as well.
Nearest Railway Station: Pollachi- 60 Km.
Nearest Airport: Cochin International Airport
Marayoor
Marayoor is located 40km from Munnar. It is famous for its natural sandalwood forests and pre-historic rock paintings. This is the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood trees. The sandalwood factory, the caves with murals and relics from the New Stone Age civilization and the children's park spread across a hectare of land under the shelter of a single Banyan tree are of great interest to tourists. Thoovanam Waterfall and Rajiv Gandhi National Park are also nearby. Marayoor is one of the most sought after hill stations in India.
Nearest railway station: Ernakulam-130 km
Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport-110 km
Anamudi
An ideal spot for trekking, it is the second highest peak after the Himalayas. The slopes of the hills flourish in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind, is a distinctive inhabitant of the park. Rajamala, located 15km from Munnar, is a divine green paradise high up on the hill and is abode to the rare variety of mountain goat on the verge of extinction called the ‘Nilgiri Tahr’. A wildlife safari into Rajamala is a great opportunity to come up close with the Tahrs. The proximity of Eravikulam wildlife sanctuary is also an additional attraction.
Echo Point
Located 13 km from Munnar, Echo Point is a popular adventure tourism destination. Echo Point falls on the way to the Top Station. Echo Point is a phenomenon found in most of the hill stations. Munnar has an Echo Point at a scenic lake bank. It is a perfect place to disembark, yell and scream and enjoy the pleasure of your voice coming back. Trekking and nature strolls are popular activities among tourists at Echo point.
Lock Heart Gap
This is an ideal place for adventure tourism and trekking which is located 13km from Munnar. Lock Heart Gap is best known for its panoramic view. The crisp mountain air and the mist-clad hills will make it a visit worthwhile. Tourists stop by this place for a quiet and serene evening. The extensive Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala Lake are nearby attractions.