Munnar is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. 1600 m above sea level, this hill station was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India.
Sprawling tea plantations, picture-book towns, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort town. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji.
This flower which bathes the hills in blue every twelve years, will bloom next in 2006 AD. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.
General Info. : Altitude: 5000 to 8000 ft. above sea level Rainfall: 275 cm
General Information - Munnar
Location:Idukki District, Kerala. Altitude:1600 m Above Sea Level. Best Time:September To May. Languages:Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi And English. Area:26.2 sq. kms.
Useful Information - Munnar
Tourist Information Centres
Tourist Information Centre: District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) Information Centre, Old Munnar; District Tourism Office, Kumily.
Banks and Money Changers: State Bank Of Travancore, State Bank Of India. Post Office: Main Post Office, Munnar.
Hospitals: Tata General Hospital, Matha Hospital, Arun Hospital.
Ayurvedic Massage Centre: Surya Ayurvedic Health Resorts.
Spices And Fresh Strawberries: DTPC, Munnar.
Clothing in Munnar
Summer:Cotton Winter:Woollen
Prime Attractions of Munnar
Kuthumkal Waterfalls The misty waterfall provides a picturesque view of the water, cascading down from scintillating heights. The sheer beauty of the place allures thousands of visitors every year.
Observatory Hills This is a beautiful hill located at Nedumkandam. It's a perfect location for people who are interested in watching the heavenly bodies, as the sky here is free from pollution.
Accessing Munnar :
Road: Distance from Munnar to different tourist centres
Goa: 930 km Chennai: 600 km Kozhikode: 289 km Kollam: 252 km Malampuzha: 230 km Palakkad: 226 km Alappuzha: 200 km Kodaikanal: 195 km Kumarakom: 160 km Madurai: 160 km Thrissur: 158 km Kottayam: 147 km Ooty: 146 km Palani: 122 km Thekkady: 110 km Vaiga Dam: 105 km Thodupuzha: 91 km Amaravathy Dam: 80 km Theni: 70 km Idukki: 60 km Chinnar: 60 km Marayoor: 40 km Top Station: 34 km Kundala: 28 km Anamudi: 20 km Rajamala: 15 km Mattupetty: 13 km Devikulam: 7 km Pallivasal: 6 km Pothamedu: 3 km
How To Get There - Munnar By Air Near by airports are at Kochi (130 kms) and Madurai (142 kms). By Rail Nearest railway stations are at Kochi and Kottayam. By Road Munnar is well connected by a well developed network of road transport. Local Transport Local buses, cycles.
The hill resort of Munnar is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Munnar lies in the God's Own Country of Kerala. Besides being a hill resort Munnar is known a center for tea trade too. There are over thirty teagardens in and around Munnar. Get going on a bicycle at your own pace and unwind. Let the magic of Munnar bewitch you! The hill resort of Munnar derives its name from the fact that it lays at the confluence of three mountain streams. Literally in Tamil Munnar means "three rivers".
Munnar - Location
The marvelous hill resort of Munnar lays at the confluence of three mountain streams namely Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, Since the British rule Munnar has been thronged by tourists. The lovely landscape, the teagardens and the pleasant weather make it a picture perfect destination. The hill resort is situated at an altitude of 1520 meters, in the eastern part of Kerala. The Western Ghats of Kerala stand close to Munnar. The highest peak of Anaimudi is quiet close to the hill resort. The hills neighboring Munnar present a spectacular sight only once in every twelve years. The Neelakurunji plant grows on the hills and bloom to cover the entire mountain range. You may check out the flowered plants in the year 2006.
Munnar - Past
The hill resort has been the place for summer retreat and tea plantations since long. Digging the past of Munnar reveals the list of tea planters that visited Munnar. With the passage of time the forested and home of wildlife- Munnar has become perfect for tea plantations. Sites to Visit
In the hill resort of Munnar you get to bask in the beauty of nature. There are the gorgeous greens that rejuvenate all the senses.
Amongst the must visits in Munnar are the lavish and splendid tea gardens. The tea producing Munnar is the right place to know the tea processing best. Right from picking of the tealeaves in the estates and the gardens to the packing in the factories, you may see it all. There are guided tours to the factories at the hill resort of Munnar. You may even pick up freshly packed tealeaves as souvenirs from the factory itself. Munnar Tour Packages.
The Christ Church of Munnar is another landmark of the hill resort. The church has been since the pre-independence days. Now the Sunday services are held here. The Christ church is the place to be at in case you are celebrating Christmas in Munnar.
Close to the marvelous hill resort of Munnar is the Devikulam Lake. The cool environs attract tourists to this lake. You may even try angling in the waters of the Lake. It is an ideal spot to unwind and relax. You may even be at the picturesque island in the lake with prior permission from the authorities.
Munnar - Sites Near By
The hill resort of Munnar has several spots of tourist interest. Being in the lap of nature, the pristine and marvelous Munnar is an experience to be enjoyed.
Mattupeety Lake The Mattupeety Lake is one of the major tourists attractions around Munnar. The Lake at a distance of thirteen km from Munnar, was created by a small hydro electricity dam is flanked by steep hills and woods all around. You may also check out the Indo-Swiss cattle-breeding centre cum dairy project here.
The Top Station is a vintage point around Munnar that offers panoramic views of the lovely landscapes and the valley
At a distance of seventeen km from Munnar is the Rajamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. While in the sanctuary you can spot a variety of animals including the tahrs. The sanctuary also offers wondrous vistas of the valley. For adventurous activity seekers trekking is an option in the sanctuary.
The animal lovers at Munnar must visit the Ernakulum National Park. The park is nineteen km away from Munnar. The sanctuary is renowned as home to the mountain goat of the Nilgiri tahr. The two sanctuaries are just two kms from each other.
Munnar - What to Buy
There are no special local handicrafts items of souvenirs that you may look forward to buying from Munnar. The hill resort is renowned for its tea gardens. Thus, you may pick up tealeaves from Munnar. The hill resorts has several shops, factories and outlets from where you may buy the tealeaves. The single item is known to please many with its flavor and taste. A must buy for the tea connoisseurs.
Munnar - Adventure Sports
For the adventure seekers the hill resort of Munnar is fun. You may try fishing in the Devikulam Lake or indulge in sports like paragliding too.
One of the best options to explore the beauty of the Munnar is a bicycle ride. You can easily hire bicycles in the hill resort. In fact there are several bicycle riding routes that are popular with the tourists. At you're your pace you get to enjoy the lovely landscape of Munnar. Ride the bicycle and feast your eyes on the gorgeous greens that pass by. There are the wondrous valleys, ravishing rivers, tea estates and cardamom and sandalwood plantations that offer spectacular sights.
Munnar - How to Reach
Local transportation in and around Munnar is easily available. You may opt for Taxis, auto rickshaws, bicycles or buses for commuting in Munnar. Hired cycles are a popular way of exploring the hill resort. There are several buses run by the state transport corporation that offer a guided tour of places in and around Munnar.
The airport at Cochin/Kochi caters to the air transportation to Munnar. It is the nearest airport at a distance of 130 km from Munnar. The railway station nearest to Munnar also happens to be that of Cochin-Kochi. The excellent road network links the hill resort of Munnar with the other important places of Kerala. It is well connected with places in Tamil Nadu also like Madurai and Coimbatore.
Munnar - Best Time to Visit
The hill resort of Munnar, experiences cool weather all through the year. In the summer months you will need to carry some light woolens for protection against the chill. Whereas in winters, you should be, completely covered in woolens. The temperature drops down to as low as five degree Celsius. Thus you may visit Munnar anytime of the year besides the monsoons that last from June to September. Munnar - Where to Stay
The hill resort of Munnar has several hotels, resorts and lodges that cater to the needs of the tourists. In fact there are options available that suit every budget of the tourists visiting the hill resort of Munnar.
Good food is also easily available in Munnar. There are several eateries and restaurants that offer delicious and hygienic food at reasonable rates. You may take your pick of the cuisines from South Indian, North Indian and the Continental dishes.
