The Kashmir of South India, Munnar is among the breathtaking hill stations in Kerala that is renowned for its abundance of lush greenery and unending expanse of tea estates. It’s a preferable tourist destination to explore in South India due to the stunning mountain scenery, pristine valleys, and astounding landscapes it boasts to deliver a heavenly experience you’ve been craving for a long time.
Perched at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level, Munnar invites honeymooners in large numbers every year to give a kick-start to their newly married life together in an environment that spells romance from all sides. Here you can also plan a getaway with your family and children as this little hamlet exudes family vibes as well with a plethora of sightseeing places that will fill your day with unlimited joy, fun, and happiness.
What sets Munnar apart from the other famous hill stations in the country is, despite being located in Kerala’s hottest region, it has pleasant weather conditions that remain the same throughout 365 days, which simply means that you can pack your bags and head to Munnar any time whenever you wish to break the monotony of 9 to 5 life.
However, to have a great time, one needs to have a complete travel package that can allow them to enjoy their time without worrying about anything, be it booking the flight tickets, deciding on the accommodation, curating an itinerary, shortlisting the things to do in Munnar, or exploring the streets for a fine-dining experience.
Not only does a travel package by a renowned tour and travel company take care of everything at your back but also ensures that you return home with a bucket full of memories. If you’re looking for something similar, you can go through our all-inclusive Munnar tour packages.
We at Munnar Tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, understand that every traveler is different and so are their holiday needs. So, to cater to everyone’s requirements, our team presents several Munnar tour packages that can be altered as per your choice. With us, you can also request an itinerary that helps you cover the top sightseeing places in Munnar in your utmost comfort. Please fill out the Contact Us form to know more about our offerings in detail.
History of Munnar
The history of Munnar is closely related to its plantation era. It is said that this region got introduced to the outside world for the first time when John Daniel Munro visited the area in the year 1870. During his visit, he fell in love with its unfiltered beauty. Since he had a great interest in plantations, he thought this would be a great area to grow crops, especially the Kannan Devan Hills.
However, at that time, the region was under the control of Poonjar Raja. So, without giving it any second thought, John Daniel Munro decided to meet the head of the royal family of the Poonjar dynasty and got the land of his choice on lease for a handsome payment.
In 1878, Munro, with the combined efforts of his friends, formed the North Travancore Land Planting & Agricultural Society and started cultivating a wide range of crops like cardamom, coffee, cinchona, and sisal. After trying several crops, it was found that this land is ideal for the cultivation of the tea crop in the region. Later, all other crops were abandoned to make it a perfect land for tea plantation farming.
Interestingly, the first tea was cultivated here by A.H. Sharp in the year 1880. After a gap of 12 to 13 years, James Finley & Company entered the tea cultivation area and purchased around 33 independent tea estates. In 1897, the Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company was established to look over the tea plantation areas.
Later, in 1964, the Tata group collaborated with James Finley & Company. The collaboration continued until 1983 when all the shares and stakeholding of the Finley Company were acquired by Tata group. Once it was done, the name of the company was changed to Tata Tea Ltd. After that, tourism began to flourish in Munnar and it was greeted by travelers from different parts of the world. From then to now, there has been only an increase in the tourism sector.
Places to Visit in Munnar
When you’re in Munnar, you can never fall short of sightseeing places as this romantic honeymoon destination in India offers a never-ending list of tourist attractions that are worth exploring over time.
You can start your day with Munnar Tea Plantations which are a must-visit for every traveler. Widely renowned for its bewitching beauty and charm, Munnar boasts a total of 5 ravishing tea estates that take you on a journey you’ll remember forever. Among them, the most famous is the Tata Tea Museum. If interested and have time, pay heed to the Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, Sevenmallay Tea Estate, Pallivasal Tea Garden, and a Photo Point behind which a long stretch of tea gardens can be seen in the backdrop.
Head to Cheeyappara Waterfalls to witness the cascading waterfall flowing from a height of 1000 feet. It’s a stunning waterfall where you can soak in the best views of nature in the utmost tranquility. Then, there is Attukad Waterfalls which provides a treat to your eyes in a true sense – all thanks to its excellent location.
To excite nature-buffs the most, Munnar also offers a home to several other waterfalls which will surely let you find solace and solitude under one roof, far away from the chaotic crowd. These include Valara Waterfalls, Thoovanam Waterfalls, Lakkam Waterfalls, Kuthumkal Waterfalls, Chinnakanal Waterfalls, and many more.
Rose Garden is the next point of interest that invites families to have a fun-filled day out with their children. You can also head towards Blossom Park to immerse yourself in the oasis of nature.
While wildlife enthusiasts can take some time out for Eravikulam National Park or Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary to be close to a diverse range of wildlife creatures, bird watchers can turn to Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary to spot exotic and rare species of birds that have been brought from different parts of the world.
For adventure seekers, there is a Wonder Valley Adventure & Amusement Park for people to feel an adrenaline rush in their bodies. You can also try your hand at recreational activities like Rappelling, Rock Climbing, Mountain Biking, Trekking, and Jeep Safari in Munnar to add more fun to your visit.
Don’t forget to stop at Echo Point! After all, it’s a point that brings the hidden child inside us out. Lying on the banks of Kundala Lake, Echo Point is a preferred location for couples looking to rekindle the romance in their life back.
The Pothamedu View Point, on one side, welcomes people to enjoy the mesmerizing sunrise and sunset in Munnar, the Top Station, on the other side, creates a picture-perfect setting for wanderers to lose themselves free for some time amidst the lush greenery.
Your visit to Munnar will remain incomplete if you didn’t leverage the benefits of the spa and massages available here. Popular for its Ayurvedic massages, this hill station has a plethora of therapeutic massage options for individuals to relax, unwind, and de-stress their minds. What else?
Mattupetty Dam, CSI Christ Church, Chokramudi Peak, Mattupetty Dam, Lock Heart Gap, etc., are some of the additional tourist attractions in Munnar that deserve to be included in your itinerary list if you’re planning to be here for a few more days. So, what are you waiting for? Pack your bags right now!
How to Reach Munnar?
As a beautiful hill station in India, Munnar is frequently visited by nationals as well as international tourists from all around the world via all modes of transportation. Depending on your holiday budget, style, and comfort level, you can pick one that suits you the most.
Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport that lies at a distance of nearly 110 km away. Not only is it well-served by major airlines on an everyday basis but is also a great option for all those who wish to experience a hassle-free journey to Munnar. Outside the airport, you’ll find several private and state-owned buses that will help you reach your desired location at pocket-friendly prices.
Another reliable option is via train. While the region doesn’t have a railway station, travelers can always catch a train to Aluva Railway Station to experience a smooth railway journey to this little hamlet. The other two closest railway stations are the Ernakulam and Madurai Railway Stations. From any of these aforementioned junctions, you have the feasibility to book a private cab from the list of top car rental companies in Munnar to roam around the area whenever your mind pleases.
Last but not the least, choose to travel by road for a life-changing experience. The rugged terrains, transforming landscapes, and bountiful nature you get to see via roadways are no less than a treat to watch for nature buffs. However, it has its own perils as well and is recommended to only those people who can sit continuously for 9-10 hours.
