Location : Kerala
Tourist Attractions : Eravikulam National Park,
Mattupetty, Nyayamakad
Local Tongue : Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, English
STD Code : (91) - 4865
Best time to Visit : October to April
About
Munnar
If you thought south India was some hot, humid and sticky place, then come
to Munnar. Situated at an altitude of 1520 mts, Munnar is one of the most
picturesque hill towns of south India blessed by all the wonders of mother
nature, picturesque views, sprawling mountains, lush greenery and shimmering
lakes...there is everything here that you would dream of in a perfect
holiday destination. Munnar has been a favored getaway for ages, since the
time of the Britishers, who would come here to escape the high levels of
heat and humidity that this part of the country normally witnesses during
the summers.
Climate & Best time to Visit
The climate in Munnar remains moderate throughout the year with not much
difference in temperature during the summer and winter season. Monsoon
months (May to September) witness heavy rainfall, often causing land slide
and taking away the fun of a vacation, therefore, the time is best avoided
for a visit. Winters can be a bit chilly and heavy woolens are recommended
to keep yourselves warm while summer season can be done away with light
woolens. The best time to visit the place is from October to April.
Tourist
Attractions in Munnar
Mattupetty
Munnar is a place of immense natural beauty. Just outside the main city,
Mattupetty is a tiny heaven situated at an altitude of 1700 mts above sea
level. Though small in terms of geographical area, the place boasts of
numerous tourist attractions including the shimmering Mattupetty Lake, the
lush kundala tea plantations and a dam. A dairy farm situated nearby is the
place where you can enjoy milk products made of fresh milk.
Eravikulam National Park
A wildlife enthusiasts dream destination, the Eravikulam National Park is
situated at a distance of 15 km from Munnar. Besides its amazing variety of
flora and fauna, the place boasts of breathtaking natural beauty making it a
favored destination for both nature gazers and naturalists.
Devikulam
Devikulam is a tiny hill town situated 7 km from Munnar. Adorned with lush
hills, exotic locales and a salubrious climate, Devikulam is a favored haunt
for tourists coming to Kerala. The Sita Devi lake is a major attraction of
the area, which is ideal as a picnic and hangout spot.
Nyayamakad
The waterfall at Nyayamakad, situated at a distance of 10 km is an ideal
getaway for tourists visiting Munnar. The water cascading down from a height
of 1600 mts is a sight to behold.
Lock
Heart Gap
An ideal destination for adventure sports lovers lies 13 km from Munnar.
There are a number of trekking routes available along with facilities for
other adventure sports. Echo point, which is also located nearby, gets its
name from the natural echo phenomenon that occurs here.
Things to Do
Shopping
A must buy in Munnar is the fresh tea straight from the tea gardens. The
fragrance and flavour of the Munnar tea is different and more pleasant from
any of that you may have experienced before. The tea can be bought from the
tea gardens or from any of the authorised factory outlets. Other popular
buys include hand made clothing and woolen garments.
Eat Out
South Indian food is a must have when on a visit to Kerala. A number of
good quality restaurants serve delicious south Indian, north Indian and food
from other corners of the world. Enjoy fresh and steaming sambar, idli, dosa
and uttapam at one of the breakfast shacks lined up along the streets.
Stay At
Munnar is a tiny heaven situated in the Idduki district of Kerala. The
place is a favoured haunt for tourists looking to enjoy a quite time in the
lap of mother nature. Some of the best hotels in Munnar are The Siena
Village (3 star, situated at Chinnakanal just 130 km from airport & 135
km from railway station), B Six Holiday Resorts (3 star, situated on
Mankulam Road just 135 km from airport), West Wood (3 star, situated near
the city centre just 160 km from airport & 150 km from railway station),
Best Western Fort (3 star, situated in Chinnikanal just 150 km from airport
& 158 km from railway station), Edassery Eastend (3 star, situated on
Temple Road just 130 km from airport, 130 km from railway station & 1 km
from bus stand) and Club Mahindra Lakeview (5 star equivalent, situated just
150 km from airport, 135 km from railway station & 20 km from bus
stand).
Getting There
By Air : The nearest airport is located at Kochi, which
is well connected to other Indian cities and a few international
destinations. Other nearby airports are located at Madurai and Coimbatore.
All of these destinations are connected to most of the major Indian cities.
Get a prior check done on the airlines schedule and plan your travel
accordingly, considering which place you are flying in from. Buses and taxis
are easily available from all these destinations to reach Munnar.
By Rail : Munnar being a hill city does not have a
railway station, therefore, if travelling by train you will have to travel
to any of the nearby railheads such as Kochi, Madurai or Kottayam and board
a bus or hire a taxi from there to reach Munnar. For information on train
timings and schedules, refer to the official website of Indian Railways at
http://www.indianrail.gov.in/
By Road : Though a bit winding owing to the hilly area,
the roads in this part of the country are well built. State transport buses
ply regularly between Munnar and other neighbouring cities.
Distance
from Major Cities
- Alleppey : 198 Km
- Kollam : 285 Km
- Madurai : 162 Km
- Trivandrum : 357 Km
- Kochi : 130 Km
- Coimbatore : 248 Km
- Kottayam : 201 Km
