Understand
[edit]
Munnar is a beautiful hill station, and was a summer resort for the British during the British Raj.
The town is divided into two parts: Old Munnar, where the tourist information office is, and Munnar, where the bus station and most guest houses are located.
The region in and around Munnar varies in height from 1,500 m (4,900 ft) to 2,695 m (8,842 ft) above mean sea level. It is pronounced "Moon-aar" short for "moonu aar" meaning 3 rivers. Three rivers - Madupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru — flow through this town, but join some distance away from Munnar.
Munnar is famous for its tea plantations, many of them started by the British. The "Kannan Devan" brand of tea from the Tata is cultivated and processed here.
The strobilanthus ("neelakurinji" in Malayalam, the local language), a blue flower which blooms only every 12 years, is found in this region. It last bloomed from August to October 2018. The Eravikulam National Park is the main Neelakurinji flowering area and the number of tourists allowed in the park during the blooming period was limited to 2,750 a day. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, at 2,695 m.
Eravikulam National Park is one of the main tourist attractions, where you can find the endangered species of Nilgiri Tahr (mountain goat called "varayadu" in Malayalam). A trek to Rajamala ("King of hills" in Malayalam), in the morning is sure to spot a few friendly mountain goats. You can also find gaur, langur, lion-tailed macaque, and elephants depending on the season and time of travel. The altitude is 1,600 m- 2,000 m above sea level.
Climate
[edit]The season between October and March (post-monsoon) is considered the best to visit Munnar. Take some warm clothes and rain coats along with you. The temperature ranges from 14 to 25 degrees during summer, and 7 to 17degrees in winter. The atmosphere remains cool and pleasant throughout the year.
Talk
[edit]Malayalam and Tamil are the main languages spoken here. Visitors often feel uncomfortable while talking with local people as they only talk in regional language. However, you can manage with English as people are highly educated here and they often communicate in English.
Get in
[edit]By plane
[edit]Cochin International Airport (COK IATA), also known as Nedumbassery Airport. It is approximately 125 km away from the Munnar by road. Taxi services are easily available from airport to Munnar that cost around ₹3000. Cochin International airport is nicely connected to metropolitan cities of India and some other cities abroad.
Madurai Airport (IXM IATA) is more than 175 km from Munnar (by National Highway 49) and second largest terminal in Tamil Nadu after Chennai airport. The airport has direct connectivity with major Indian cities like Hyderabad, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai.
By train
[edit]The nearest railway station is Aluva, 110 km. Ernakulam is 130 km and Madurai is 135 km. Angamali Railway Station is another nearest rail-head to reach Munnar.
From all these railway stations, you can get direct regular buses to Munnar. First Bus starts at early morning 6AM and after that those are available at regular intervals. Apart from buses, you can easily get private taxis or cabs from all the railway stations. They charge around ₹150 per person if you opt for shared taxis.
By car
[edit]- From tvm: Munnar is 130 km (3.5 hr) from Kochi. The road is blind in some places and there are a lot of trucks and buses that seem to drive as if they own the road. Although the road is smooth (NH 49), it is narrow, twisty and curvy. Kothamangalam is on the way and is 80 km away from Munnar. Between Kothamangalam and next town "Adimali", you can experience a beautiful cool drive through a natural forest. Alongside, you can see many refreshing waterfalls. Once you reach Adimali, Munnar is just 30 kilometres away - but it will take almost an hour to reach. This is the last place where you can spot a decent restaurant before Munnar. Around 22 km from Adimali, you can start seeing the tea plantations on both sides of the road and a panoramic view of the western ghats. The view is extremely beautiful during the early mornings.
- From Aluva: Aluva is nearly 110 km from Munnar. Just outside Aluva railway station you can hire a taxi for Munnar for ₹2000. There is a bus stand nearby as well which operates frequent buses to Munnar; ticket prices start from ₹70 per person.
- From Madurai: Munnar is about 135 km from Madurai and 80 km from Theni. Madurai - Theni - Bodi - BodiMettu-Devikulam - Munnar route is the most scenic route by National Highway 49(Via Madurai-Cochin HighWay).
- From Coimbatore: Munnar is about 160 km from Coimbatore and 120 km from Pollachi. Coimbatore - Pollachi - Udumalpet - Chinnar - Marayoor - Munnar route is the most scenic route and though it will take bit longer, it is generally considered worth the extra time spent.
- From Kodaikanal: Kodaikanal is nearly 170 km from Munnar. Kodaikanal - Perumal Malai - Mayiladum Parai - Mooliyaru - Oothu - Falls View - Ganguvarpetty - Ghat Road - Periya Kulam - Theni - Bodi - Bodimettu - Devikulam - Munnar. This route is also scenic.
Distances from Munnar to various cities:
- Cochin - 130 km
- Madurai - 135 km
- Aluva - 110 km
- Alleppey - 180 km
- Kumarakom - 140 km
- Thekkady - 106 km
- Pollachi - 120 km
- Coimbatore - 160 km
- Thrissur -154.5 km
The road to Munnar is narrow with lots of bends and curves. Hire a taxi or a driver with local experience if you are not familiar with similar conditions
By bus
[edit]Munnar bus station is on the main street, Main Bazaar.
- Kochi - Takes around 4 hours (departure from Ernakulam KSRTC bus stand at CP Ummer Road, ₹160). Buses leave several times a day.
- Aluva - Nearest bus station to the Cochin International Airport. About 4 hrs uphill to Munnar, and 3-3.5 hrs downhill. Ticket price is around ₹70 one-way for a government-operated bus, up to ₹150 for a privately operated bus.
Note that most buses have boards in Malayalam and not English. At Aluva, there are no signs, schedules or dedicated bus bays for Munnar-bound buses; many of them briefly stop at Aluva en route from Kochi/ Ernakulam to Munnar. Check with a few locals every 15 minutes, or ask and hang around the bus info office, so they can point you to the right bus when it arrives.
There are also buses from Coimbatore and Pollachi.
Get around
[edit]
Map of Munnar
Renting an auto-rickshaw to roam around the city costs ₹50 per hour. You can also rent a manual or automatic motorbike on a daily basis for ₹350/day.
- Gokulam Bike rental, Near High Altitude Sports Stadium, Old Munnar, ☏ +91 9447237165, [email protected]. Valid motorcycle license required. ₹500 per day (Oct 2017).
See
[edit]Some of these sites are more popular for Indian tourists than Western tourists.
Near Munnar Town
[edit]- 1 Kathakali and Kalarippayattu performances, Thirumeni Cultural Centre in Temple Road (close to EastEnd Hotel), ☏ +918548516719, +919447827696. 16:00-22:00. In this cultural centre you can see the local art of Kathakali, which is a drama showcasing thick face make up and face gestures. Also, there are Kalarippayattu performances, which is an ancient Martial Art that was used to train soldiers already before the Common Era started. ~₹300 per performance.
- 2 Atukkad Waterfalls (You can find a road leading to Atukkad Waterfalls on Kochi road, just about 5 km from Munnar). This road is very narrow and needs a lot of experience to drive on). A scenic waterfall amidst hills and jungles.
- 3 Blossom Park (Also known as Hydel Park) (1 km from Munnar).
- 4 Chithirapuram (located at a distance of around 10 km from Munnar). Chithirapuram has old playgrounds and courts, bungalows and sleepy little cottages which all give this place an old world charm. This town is also famous for its tea plantations.
- 5 Pothamedu View Point. A small village 1 km away from headworks dam. Coffee and Cardamom plantation are sights to behold.
Mattuppetty Direction
[edit]- 6 Floriculture Centre. 8:00-18:00. Run by the Kerala Forest Development Corporation. A well-kept garden with a large variety of flowers and some herbal/ foliage plants, all against the backdrop of the tea plantations. Nice for taking pictures with pretty flowers. ₹50 adults, ₹25 children.
- 7 Kundala Lake (23 km from Munnar). This lake is very beautiful amidst lush jungles. Hiring a pedal boat and exploring the lake and its surroundings is an awesome experience. Except at the place you hired the boat, don't expect to find humans around the lake as it is surrounded by scenic jungles and hills. Unless you know how to row a boat, prefer a pedal boat, each trip lasts around 30 min and will be closed at 4:30PM
- 8 Mattupetty Dam (10 km from Munnar). This popular picnic spot offers activities like boating and horse riding and is a great place to spend the day, especially if visiting with children. You could take the speed boat ride which is fantastic. It costs ₹300 if you have to hire a boat for you alone. The ride is for 15 min. The maximum capacity is 5 persons and you could save some money if you are a group of 4-5.
- 9 Mattupetty Indo-Swiss Farm (Also known as Mattupetty cattle village). Once upon a time, Tamil migrant labourers reared cattle here. The cool climate and abundance of fodder made it the ideal location for the Indo-Swiss dairy farm. Established in 1961, the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) manages this highly specialised dairy farm. The dairy farm is a unique one of its kind with more than 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle being reared. Tourists are not allowed to enter the farm.
- 10 Munnar Echo Point (15 km from Munnar on the way to top station). a small lake set amidst rolling hills. Every loud call made from a spot on the lake embankment is returned manifold by the echo from the surrounding hills. Young tourists throng to this place to listen to the echoes of their friendship calls.
- Photo Point (2 km from Munnar). It is a small place filled with woods and a small stream. Good location to take photos.
- 11 Top Station (37 km from Munnar on the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border). Great views of the Western Ghats. Top station is the "top"-tourist attraction. This place gives a real 'above the clouds' experience. Regular buses go from Munnar (1h). A jeep costs ₹400. The area is known for the Neelakurunji plant, which flowers only once every 12 years. The flower is violet.
Thekkady Direction
[edit]- Signal Point is a view point from where the Munnar Valley can be seen. It is a nice relaxing place. This is otherwise called Cigarette Point, from the early days when junior managers of the plantation gathered to smoke there. From here one can see Chokarmudy Hill and Anamudy Hill.
- Idly Hill View Point
- Devikulam Sri Ayyappan Temple
- Munnar Heritage Tour, Lockhart Tea Factory
- Lockhart Tea Museum is a tourism destination which is giving a guided factory tour about orthodox tea manufacturing and can be visited their tea museum which briefs about the history of plantation.
- Lockhart Tea Park
- Chokarmudy Trekking
- Thangaiah Cave
- Lockhart Gap View Point
- Periyakanel Water Falls
- Anayirangal Dam / Boating Center
Coimbatore Direction
[edit]- Anamudi Peak (inside Eravikulam National Park). The highest peak (2,695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to 2 km from Anamudi. Going up to the peak is no longer permissible unless you have special permissions from forest department.
- 12 Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Udumalpet Road, ☏ +91 83010 24187. Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is in the Western Ghats of Kerala. This wildlife sanctuary has a large number of plants and animals. This wildlife sanctuary is spread in around 90² km of area. This sanctuary is one of the protected areas in the western ghats because of the significance of its flora, geomorphologic features, ecology and local cultural.
- 13 Eravikulam (Rajamalai) National Park (45 min from Munnar). See Nilgiri Thar (Hemitragas hylocres) - an endangered species of mountain goats, rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97² km in the Rajamalai hills, rare flora and fauna, Atlas moth (largest in the world), lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, The Kurichi or Neelakurinji Flowers turn the hills of Rajamalai blue every 12 years. The next bloom will be in 2018. One can actually debate if going to the high peak just to see some goats is worth all the effort or not. However, the walk along the park is very romantic and has some breath taking view. Please be aware that this park remains closed every year around February–March due to the breeding program of the Nilgiri Thar. Before visiting Munnar please check if the park is open or not. Tickets can be bought from the counter or online. Please be warned that if you do not reach the counter before 8:30AM, the queue can get so long that it may take a couple of hours to get the tickets. The visit to the park is arranged by buses. While coming back after the visit, you'd again have to wait in queue. The entire process of buying tickets, visiting park and coming back may take 4-5 hours. Indian: ₹120, Foreigner: ₹400, Camera: ₹40.
- 14 Lakkam Water Falls. (24 km from Munnar). A small waterfall.
- Marayoor - (Around 40 km from Munnar). It is the only place in Kerala with natural growth of sandalwood trees, natural caves with murals, and relics from late Stone Age civilisation. There is a sandalwood factory of the Forestry department of Kerala and a children's park extending across one hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree, all of which attract tourists in large numbers.
- Naimakkadu Water Falls.
- 15 KDHP Tea Museum (formerly Tata Tea Museum) (Arund 2 km from Munnar on the Nallathany road towards north west). Tu-Sun 9:00-17:00. Tourists can see a collection of odd bits from the colonial era. A very enthusiastic 30-minute film is screened, and visitors are then taken around the factory to understand how tea is processed. If you are not a tea connoisseur you can skip visiting this museum. ₹125 adults, ₹40 children.
Other places to visit
[edit]
- Kalvarimount, Situated at a distance of 5 km from Idukki, it is one of the famous hill stations and one can see the view of the reservoir from Idukki to Ayyappancovil.
- Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, At a height of about 2,175 m (7,130 ft), this orthodox tea factory lays claim to being one of the highest in the world. The view of the Western Ghats is absolutely enchanting.
- 16 Mathikettan national park (Poopara) (34 km from Munnar on Munnar Thekkadi route.).
- 17 Thattekkad Bird Sanctuary (Dr. Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary), ☏ +91 485 258 8302. There are woodpeckers, Malabar gray hornbills, Ceylon frogmouths, parakeets, and rose-billed rollers. This sanctuary is located 20 km from Kothamangalam on the road between Ernakulam and Munnar. There are basic and mid-range hotels in Kothamangalam and an Inspection Bungalow in Boothathankettu. You can take a boat cruise from Boothathankettu to Thattekkad. Admission foreigners: ₹40, Indian ₹10.
- Waterfalls, Check out several natural waterfalls on the way to Munnar. They provide an excellent place for photography.
- 18 Wild elephant spotting, Anakullam (about 40 km southeast of Munnar). Take one of the many tour operators (such as Great Think Adventures) in Munnar and share a jeep with 4-6 other people to go to the Elephant Salt Ponds in Anakkulam. The drive is 1,5 hours, and your waiting time is only limited by your patience. Usually, one or more elephants come to the pool in the stream to drink - because they like the salty flavour of the minerals in the ground. But there's no guarantee you will actually see an elephant. Tourists and elephants are separated by a big meadow and some concrete steps or steel cables, so that the animals can go about their business undisturbed. Little stalls serve chai, snacks and even food. ₹1000 per person.
Do
[edit]- Boating, There are several places to go out for boating in Munnar. One can choose among paddle boats and speed boats to Kashmiri-Shikara. Young couples who travel to Munnar should not miss out on the beautiful 'Kashmiri-Shikara' boat ride. It is one of the most romantic experiences.
- Bicycle. Experience the natural beauty of Munnar by riding a bicycle through beautiful paths of Munnar and pass through a tea state called Madupatty, around 14 km from Munnar.
- The Christ Church, in Old Munnar. The exteriors have worn out with time though the charming interiors still have a very nice ambiance. It was consecrated way back in 1910 and still has 14 original rows of pews. The first Catholic Church in the High Ranges was Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church.
- Elephant Arrival Spot (18 km from Munnar). Here you can board an elephant for a ride. It costs approximately ₹350 per person.
- The High Range Club has a charming colonial style. The club house is built of wicker and teak and is the social hub for the tea planters of the region. Members enjoy lounging in the bar over Planter's Punch followed by a good meal, a game of billiards or reading a book in the library.
- Munnar Carmelagiri Elephant Park (Munnar Elephant Safari), Mattupetty Rd (On the way to Mattupetty Dam), ☏ +91 94 4782 7696, +91 94 4737 9376. The elephant safari takes you through the misty forests, deep valleys and the rugged hill paths of the Munnar forests. One hour package, half day and one day tours. Features are, elephant bath, elephant shower, elephant feeding, timber dragging demonstrations and displays of elephant commands and communication.
- Munnar Supply Association (MSA), Set up in 1900, this is another nostalgic landmark worth visiting in Munnar. It is the oldest department store in the area and has been re-inventing itself to stay relevant and popular. The store was run by tea planters, who still manage its affairs. The MSA is a red brick, red tiled building with gables, buttresses and a porch and is now a heritage site.
- Rock Climbing and Rappelling, Munnar has a steep rock face about 30 m (100 ft).
- Walk in the Clouds, Trek to your heart's content while the clouds slowly descend upon you.
- Yoga @Kaivalyam Retreat, Moolakada, Pallivasal (7 km from Munnar towards Cochin). Holistic health retreat in midst of the tea valleys of Munnar. Open year round, they teach a holistic lifestyle with traditional form of yoga and organic dining.
- , ☏ +91 4865 233 323. Organized by Forest Checkpost at Perumala, two kilometers from Kanthalloor town (56 km from Munnar via Marayur). This forest is 7.5 sq. km. in area and protects many tigers, leopards, elephants and bison. Fee ₹.300 for Indians and ₹.650 for foreigners.
Buy
[edit]The best things to buy are tea, coffee, spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and pepper and definitely home made chocolates.
- Abbas & Co. Tea Merchants, 25, Bazaar. Abbas & Co is wholesaler but also sells to visitors. Really good price for tea, green tea, coffee, cashew - nuts, home made chocolates, spices, aloe vera gel. Budget.
- Fresh tea from a factory outlet, Kannimallay Estate (On the way to Eravikulam National Park, 5 km from Munnar town). Several varieties of tea fresh from factory.
- Only Organic, Block Panchatat Building, Devikulam (NH-85, Munnar-Kumily Highway), ☏ +914865264023, [email protected]. 8AM - 7PM. Outlet selling certified organic products. They also offer guided tours across a tea plantation between 8:00 and 18:00 for ₹400. Nil.
Banks/Currency Exchange
[edit]- State Bank of Travancore, ☏ +91 4865 2530274.
- State Bank of India, Munnar, ☏ +91 4865 2530381.
- State Bank of Travancore, Devikulam, ☏ +91 4865 2565441.
Eat
[edit]Kerala is famous for Fish Curry. For snacks, one should try local spicy cashew nut, chilly bhaji with hot tea as they are a traditional snack and makes good combination in cold weather.
- Bamboo Hut, G.H. Road. Wide range of food for reasonable prices, although service can be a bit slow. Also, the place usually has Western music (from Bob Dylan to electronic chill-out sound).
- Food Court. Munnarinn. Closed as of March 2012.
- Non-veg food, Eating non-vegetarian food in Kerala is perceived as a pain due to cooking in coconut oil etc. But this is not the case in Munnar's ""Guru's Restaurant"" which cooks delicious tandoori chicken and all things North Indian. Recommended for all those who miss their north-Indian cuisine and cannot put up with idlyappam and all those items.
- Saravana Bhavan, Right at the heart of town and one of the most inexpensive places to eat. The service here is quick and the food is absolutely delicious. You might have to share your table with others. This place provides South Indian dishes, served on a banana leaf.
- Silverspoon Restaurant, Munnarinn, Main Bazaar (Right beside the bus station). Breakfast until 11AM. This place does a great value buffet breakfast of cornflakes, toast, omelet plus Indian breakfast food for ₹95.
Munnar has some amazing street food (try the Gobi noodles), so if you are after a cheap and delicious meal check the area around the bus stand in Munnar (not the KSRTC bus stand in Old Munnar).
- CampNoel, Pazhathottam (15 km from Top Station), ☏ +91 48 6521 4095. 7AM-10PM. Multi cuisine restaurant at 2075 m (6,800 ft) above sea level and possibly the highest altitude restaurant in Kerala. If coming from Top station, turn right at 19 mile. Road is bad so make sure you have a suitably robust vehicle or inform them and they will pick you up. The journey is worth it. Please inform them early if you are going there for only for food.
- Sri velavan stores, G.H.road, ☏ +91 48 6523 2379. All provisions available at reasonable prices.
- Patel Gujarati Restaurant (Near Post Office). Gujarati and Marwari meals. Under ₹100.
- Purohit Restaurant, Inside Hotel Dhanyasree, Dhanyasree Jn. Chilling Plant Rd (Nr Tea County Resorts), ☏ +91 48 6523 2552, +91 48 6523 2553, +91 99 4623 9251. 6AM-10:30PM. Bombay, Jain, Gujarati, Rajasthani, Punjabi and South Indian food. Good Gujarati, unlimited Thali at ₹85. Budget.
- Mahaveer Veg Restaurant, Kalinivas Building, Main Rd, ☏ +91 48 6523 1677, +91 99 4629 2907. Provides authentic North-Indian food with style ranging from Gujarati to Punjabi and delicious rotis. Meals start from ₹105/-. Only vegetarian food served. The downside to the place is cleanliness at the tables. Mahaveer has a branch near Purohit restaurant; this one is larger and cleaner.
- Kaivalyam Retreat, Moolakada, Pallivasal Estate P.O. (7.5 km towards Cochin direction), ☏ +91 48 6523 2628, +91 94 9582 1617, +91 95 2647 7838. 24x7. Kaivalyam retreat has a 100% pure vegetarian restaurant which serves organic and healthy yogic food. As it is a yoga retreat more emphasis is given to food quality and hygiene. Serves North Indian, South Indian and a few continental dishes. Their desserts are good. Set in the midst of cardamom and pepper plantation. ₹200.
- Tall trees Restaurant (Order for 'Meen Pollichathu'). famous for their fish fry.
Drink
[edit]Fresh tea, coffee and milk is available at most places. Hard and soft drink are also available at fair number of shops.
Packed grapes and mixed fruit juice is also available at few places.
- Abad Copper Castle, Pothamedu-Munnar, ☏ +91 48 6523 1202, [email protected].
Bars
[edit]- Royal Group of Hotels, Chinnakkanal-Munnar, ☏ +91-04868-249311.
- Dhanyasree, 1848A, Chilling Plant Rd, ☏ +91-04865-232552.
- Nalo Bar And Family Restaurant, Idukki District.
Sleep
[edit]Budget
[edit]- Allens Cottage, [email protected] (10 km from the town, opposite to the KSRTC bus stand), ☏ +91 97 47268095. Upscale and standard cottages away from all the disturbences of the city. Camp fire and inbound trekking can be arranged.
- Eightlands Holidays, Colony Rd, ☏ +91 9495812364 (Mob), +91 9446561652, +91 4865 232986 (Office). A set of cute cottages nestling against the backdrop of mountain ranges cut off from the hubbubs of hospital life. Eight Lands Holidays offers you stands unique and aloof among the other such establishments in and around Munnar.
- Hotel Misha, Misha Jn (close to the main market in old Munnar, opposite Hotel Green Ridge), ☏ +91 48 6523 0376, +91 48 6523 2376, [email protected]. Check-out: noon. Can be negotiated further down to ₹700-800 in peak season and lower in off season. ₹1,200-1,700.
- JJ Cottage (close to the KSRTC bus stand in old Munnar), ☏ +91 48 6523 0104, [email protected]. Nice rooms, very friendly and helpful staff with surprisingly good cheap food. Double rooms may be negotiated down to ₹300 during the low season. Feels more like a bed and breakfast than your average guest-house.
- Theresian Cottages (Homestay), Munnar (near Tea County Resorts), ☏ +91 48 6523 0351, +91 94 4739 7720, +91 94 9587 9748. Check-in: anytime, check-out: noon. Good location with nice views. Nearby to many restaurants. Tea and coffee is available. Kerala Tourism Department approved. Room with 2 beds ₹700-1000.
Mid-range
[edit]- Bella Vista Resort, Chithirapuram Post (20 km away). Very scenic with roof top restaurant. Double honeymoon cottage around ₹1,800.
- Blackberry Hills (3 km away), ☏ +91 94477 06606.
- 1 Blue Berg Resorts, RDO office Road, Devikulma (PO) (By auto, taxi or route buses to theni, Madurai & thekkady goes via Blue Berg Resorts), ☏ +91 9447220025, [email protected]. 23 guest rooms and suites. A special suite is available for families with picturesque vistas of the Blue hills. Each of the 23 intimate rooms is individually designed. The décor is focused on being naturally bright and airy. Luxe touches of aquatic blue contrast the exposed white walls of the new rooms. King-size beds. Each room comes with extra lounge space. The ground level rooms have extended patios and those on the first & second floors have private balconies, giving views of the Hills. ₹2000.
- Bracknell forest, Pothamedu road (7 km away).
- Camelot (10 km away). If you are travelling in your own vehicle then this may be a good choice. You need to drive 2 km off road to reach the resort, which is fun. However if you are new to driving, leave your car at the entrance and ask the owner to pick you up from there. Pack your food in town as the choice of food at resort is limited.
- 2 Abad Copper Castle, Pothumedu (2 km away), ☏ +91 9447030633, [email protected]. Away from the busy city life. Valley view from Abad Copper Castle is the point of attraction.
- Deshadan Mountain Resort (5 km away). The highest resort in Munnar. Views from the valley view room are breathtaking. Excellent breakfast. Road to Deshadan is very narrow and requires an experienced driver to drive a car to the top.
- Devadaru Holiday Villa, Near Chengulam Dam (15 km away). A single villa in a 2-acre spice garden, you rent it in whole, no hotels or resorts can match this privacy.
- Greenspaces Munnar (10 km from Munnar). Greenspaces is neither a resort nor a hotel; it is a small guest-house/plantation-stay/homestead amid a cardamom plantation, about 10 km away from Munnar. It is one of the Kerala state tourism department approved stays.
- Holiday Heaven, Chinnakkanal (20 km away).
- Hotel Oak Fields, Ottamaram, Pothemedu (5 km from Munnar), ☏ +91 82810 93503.
- Hotel Westwood Riverside, Pothamedu (1 km away).
- Kaivalyam Retreat, Moolakada, Pallivasal (7 km away). Organic living and dining with yoga
- Lakezone Holiday Resort (12 km away).
- Marthoma Retreat (on the way to top station, about 2 km away). Has a restaurant, but food is made to order.
- Deepwoods Resort, Pulimoottil Estate, Mankulam Road (near Letchmi Tea Estate), ☏ +91 91885 19780. Offers independent estate bungalows and rooms. Has a restaurant and conference hall. Enjoy a stroll through a Cardamom Plantation, visit the stream. Offers campfire facilities
- The Siena Village, Chinnakkanal, (20 km from Munnar Town on the way to Thekkady/Periyar).
- Spice Garden Resort (around 8-10 km from Munnar Bus Stop), ☏ +91 48 6526 3698, +91 94 4716 3696, [email protected]. Cheap, clean, courteous staff at a hill slope with a view. Multi cuisine restaurant providing breakfast and dinner however food is only made to order. Hot water 24 hr, TV in all rooms, Trekking and travel assistance, laundry. A doctor is on-call, parking spaces and driver accommodation are provided ₹1,500-2,500 (Indian nationals).
- Whispering Meadows (6 km away). Around ₹2,500.
Splurge
[edit]- The Fog Resort, ☏ +91 8606991710, [email protected].
- Best Western Fort Munnar, Chinnakkanal (22 km away).
- Camp Noel (36 km away).
- Club Mahindra Lakeview Resort, Chinnakkanal. (20 km from Munnar Town on the way to Thekkady/Periyar), [1][dead link].
- 3 Devonshire Greens Leisure Hotel, Attukad Waterfall Road Pallivasal (4.5 km from munnar town towards pallivasal, turn left in front of Pallivasal tea factory, enter Attukad waterfall rd travel 800 m), ☏ +91 85920 01044, [email protected]. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 11AM. Colonial-style four-star hotel, flanked by tea plantations and stunning view of valleys and waterfall. Multi-cuisine restaurant specialized in continental cuisine and the typical Indian cuisines like Gujarati, Malwani, Awadi, Rajastani, Punjabi and Jain cuisines. Coffee shop, health club, conference room with discotheque, board room, curio shop. ₹7200.
- Munnar Tea Country Resort (MTCR by Green Earth Hotels) (Thattathimukku bus stop on Anachal Munnar Road), ☏ +91 4865263060, toll-free: +91 9497717353, [email protected]. Check-in: 1PM, check-out: 10AM. An all villa premium family resort. ₹7600.
- Sterling Munnar, PB Chinnakanal Village, ☏ +91 4868249206, +91 4868249208, [email protected]. The resort is at Chinnakanal, 18 km away. It has 142 rooms and suites.
- Mountain Club, Chinnakkanal (20 km from Munnar Town on the way to Thekkady/Periyar)
- Siena Village, Chinnakkanal (20 km from Munnar Town on the way to Thekkady/Periyar)
- Tall Trees (Pothamedu, 4 km away)). .
- Tea County.
- Windermere, Bison Valley Rd.
- Ayur County Resort, Kochi-Dhanushkodi Rd, Chinnakanal (18 km away), ☏ +91 9539-5122-22, [email protected]. Ayurvedic centre, cardamom plantation visit, fishing, trekking, camp fire, multi-cuisine restaurant and coffee shop, children's play area & activity room, credit card facility, travel desk, site seeing trip 24 hr hot & cold water, STD direct dialling, cable TV in all rooms, pick up and drop off, conference hall, doctor on call. ₹2,500-12,500.
- Blanket Hotel & Spa (Blanket Munnar), Attukad Waterfalls, Aluva - Munnar Road, ☏ +91 8281806611, [email protected]. Luxury resort with great hospitality near the Attukad waterfalls.
Stay safe
[edit]Hill stations tend to get dark rather early, so be sure to carry a torch or flashlight.
Though Munnar is safe compared to other big cities, it doesn’t mean that mishaps and accidents don’t occur. Visitors should look after their personal belongings, as theft may occur sometimes.
If you are participating in some outdoor activities, injuries or accidents may happen. In order to avoid any hospital expenses, make sure to cover yourself with adequate travel insurance.
The roads in Munnar are bit risky and accidents may occur frequently. Sometimes, even experienced drivers struggle to ride on these roads. So, if you are novice driver, don't drive on these roads. Also, if you are descending Munnar, make sure that you start early. Otherwise, the misty fog will blind your drive. It is safe to start back by 4 o'clock from Top Station.
Hospitals
[edit]- Tata General Hospital, ☏ +91 48 6253 0270.
- Matha Hospital, ☏ +91 48 6253 0744.
- Arun Hospital, ☏ +91 48 6253 0410.
Connect
[edit]- Main Post Office, ☏ +91 48 6253 0280.
- Tourist Information Office (Ask for 'DTPC'), ☏ +91 4865231516.
Emergency numbers
[edit]- Police control room, ☏ 100.
- Fire station, ☏ 101.
- Ambulance, ☏ 103.
Cope
[edit]Go next
[edit]- Coimbatore - Being the industrial city of Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore is often called as a Manchester of Southern India. Headquarters of many reputed and big companies are located here.
- Eravikulam National Park - It is spread over the area of 97 km2 and situated along the crest of Western Ghats in ranges of Idukki district, Kerala. Eravikulam National Park holds the highly dense population of Nilgiri Tahr.
- Kodaikanal Munnar - Devikulam - Bodimettu - Bodi - Theni - Periya Kulam - Ghat Road - Ganguvarpetty - Falls View - Oothu - Mooliyaru - Machoor - Mayiladum Parai - Perumal Malai - Kodaikanal - approx 170 km.
- Kovalam - Hawa beach, Kovalam Bech, Light house beach and Samudra Beach are what make Kovalam an amazing place. It is also popular for Ayurvedic massage and possesses multiple yoga resorts.
- Madurai - Located on the bank of Vaigai River, Madurai is temple town of India. The town has mythological history and cultural heritage to be passed on for coming generations.
- Mattupetty - Mattupetty houses plenty of fascinating places to relish. Apart from rolling grasslands and lush green tea plantations, Shola forest of Mattupetty is habitat of range of birds. It is also an ideal spot for trekking.
- Palani - It hosts the temple of lord Kartikeya which is visited by over 7 million devotees every year. Today, Palani is a major pilgrim centre in South India after Sabarimalai and Tirupathy.
- Pollachi - It is nearest town to the very famous ‘Indira Gandhi National Park’. Coconuts are exported to all over India from this small town and hence it is known as ‘Coconut City’.
- Thekkady - Well known as a tiger reserve, Thekkady is one of the famous tourist attractions in Kerala. Visitors from different corners of India come here to get a rare view of Tiger.