Munnar

Munnar Basic Facts:

Location: 135 Km from Kochi
Altitude: Approximately 1600 meters
Nearest Airport: Cochin
Nearest Railway Station: Aluva
STD Code: 0486
Main Attraction: Exploration of hills around Munnar
Historical Importance: During British reign, Munnar was the summer resort of Government officials

Munnar is located at the Idukki district of Kerala State in South India. Munnar's mesmerising greenery, mountain scenery, calmness and cool refreshing air attracts honeymooners and tourists throughout the year. It is a weekend hideout location for domestic tourists during summer season. Foreign travellers likes watching the natural beauty of Kerala while the journey from Thekkady to Munnar.
Munnar is at the confluence of three rivers. In Tamil, the word 'munnu' means "three" and 'aar' means "river". Hence "Munnar" is a shortened version of 'Munnu Aar'. The 3 mountain streams joining together here are Madurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala.
Munnar is a commercial centre with one of the world's best tea estates. 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. A visit to Munnar can witness the nurturing of tea in plantation to the process of manufacturing and packing.
The tea estates, hills, lakes and forests inside Munnar area exposes it's beauty. The tea plants covered Munnar hills makes the feeling of seeing a wide green carpet.

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

Best Time to Visit Munnar: You can visit Munnar throughout the year except the Kerala monsoon in June/July. The weather is extremely cold during winter (December/January). Take extra woolen garments during heavy winter season.

How to reach Munnar:
Driving up to Munnar can be adventurous, especially if you are driving. As you go up slowly through the narrow winding roads, you will see all the shades of green that God created. From the lush carpets of the tea bushes to the silver green of the oak it is all there on the mountains of Munnar.
If you are determined to reach Munnar in record time and you are traveling in a reasonably good car, it takes about 4 hrs from Kochi which is approximately 136 km away. The Ernakulam - Munnar route extends through Thripunithra, Muvattupuzha, Kothamangalam, Neriamangalam, Adimali and Pallivasal.
Private and government operated (KSRTC - Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) buses are available to various locations of Kerala. Buses are the cheapest form of transport to Munnar. Regular bus services to Tamil Nadu (towns like Theni, Kumbam, Madurai and Coimbatore) are operated by Tamil Nadu and Kerala Governments.
KSRTC has a bus station at the south of the town. Town bus stand is located in the modern new bazar.
Tourist Cars, Jeeps and Auto rikshaws available for getting around. Bicycles and bikes are also available for daily rent.
Munnar has 4 major roads:
Kochi road, Thekkady road, Top Station road, Marayoor road
Distance Chart:
Munnar - Ernakulam (135km) 4 1/2 hours
Munnar - Thekkady (110km) 4 hours
Munnar - Thiruvananthapuram (300km) 9 hours
Munnar - Palani (120km)
Munnar - Coimbatore (150km) 6 hours
Munnar - Madurai ( km) 6 hours

Places to See in and around Munnar:
Breathing in the crisp, clear and unpolluted air, relaxing and eating are the added bonuses of going to Munnar. Getting around the mountains that surround Munnar is an experience one cannot miss, not in a million years.
1. Tata Tea Museum
Located 2 Km from Munnar Centre on the Nallathany Road.
Collection of old bits and pieces from the colonial era can be seen here. Demonstration of tea production. Information on machinaries, tea processing and tea tasting. Photography and Videography prohibited here.
Working Time: 10.00 AM - 4.00 PM.
Monday holiday
Ticket Fee: Rs 50 for adult, Rs 25 for child
2. CSI Church
A church built with stone in 1910. It has fine stained glass and brass plaques. Above all, a calm place to pray and meditate.
3. Devikulam is 7 Km away. Tourists are attracted to this lake town
4. Mattupetty is 14 Km away from Munnar. Mattupetty dam has an agriculture garden on its banks. Speed boat ride through the dam is also available.
5. Rajamalai (Eravikulam National Park) is situated 13 Km away from Munnar on Udumalpet road (SH17). Trekking here can perhaps give you a glimpse of Nilgiri Thar, the rarely seen mountain goat.
Working Time: 7.00AM to 6.00PM (September to May)
Ticket Charge: Rs 10 for adults, Rs 5 for children. Photography / Videography permitted for fee.
6. Top Station is 40 Km away from Munnar. From here you can get a spectacular view of the plains of Tamilnadu. Kundalai Dam is on the Munnar-Top Station road
7. Marayoor is about 40 Km away, where Sandalwood forest, Muniyaras (ancient caves) and water falls (Thoovanam) are located
8. Chinnar Wild Sanctuary is 60 Km away from Munnar on Udumalpet road (SH17). Elephants, deers, samba etc can be seen from the watch tower. The tall tower is about 200 meters distance from the check-post. Entry fee: Rs 15 per person. Visiting time: 07.00AM to 06.00PM
9. Blossom International Park at Munnar has an adventure track, 1000-feet long fountain, roller skates, underground mediation centre and a beautiful garden.
10. Anamudi, the highest peak of South India is close to Munnar and is a great place for adventurous trekking.