2 Days Munnar (Top Places to visit in Munnar in Two Days)

The hill town of Munnar is one of the reasons why Kerala is known as ‘God’s own country’. If you have only a weekend to spare, you will find a plethora of places to visit in Munnar in 2 days.

While Munnar is located away from the coveted coastal area of the state, it has the mountains to boast of. With the undulating hills come other surprises such as waterfalls, tea, coffee and spice plantations, botanical gardens and even national parks!

1. Lakkom Waterfalls

7,300 feet above the sea level, Lakkom Waterfalls are truly a sight to behold. The waters tumble down from Eravikulam Plateau’s cliffs and hide themselves in the wooded areas all around. The waterfalls are accessible from 8 AM to 5 PM on all the days of the week.

You must pay an entry fee of INR 20 per person to enter Lakkom Waterfalls. 50 feet high, this waterfall pools into a puddle. To best enjoy the waterfalls, visit in the monsoon and until the winters (till January). Once summer sets in, the falls tend to dry up.

Rock climbing and even rappelling is possible on the cliffs around the falls. For trekking, you will have to obtain an authorization from the Wildlife Division of Munnar.

2. Eravikulam National Park

Once a game reserve, Eravikulam National Park is alternatively known as Rajamalai National Park. This place is home to 101 species of butterflies, 132 species of avifauna, 26 species of mammals, 20 species of orchids and 19 species of amphibians.

Do not miss the endangered Nilgiri Tahr when you take a safari tour inside the national park. For Indians, the entry fee is INR 125 for adults and INR 95 for children, while foreigners pay INR 420 per person. It is possible to visit Eravikulam National Park between 7:30 AM and 4 PM.

Part of the national park, Anamudi Peak is the highest in the Western Ghats Range of Mountains. The peak is at the conjunction of Anaimalai Hills, Palani Hills and Cardamom Hills and summiting the peak requires a bit of trekking.

3. Cheeyappara Waterfalls

This cascading waterfall rolls down 7 terraced rocks. It is not just the tiered falls that are attractive but also the abundant space around Cheeyappara Waterfalls that allow for day picnics with the family.

You will find a vantage point to look at the waterfalls from a distance. There is no cost involved in visiting this attraction, making it a nifty spot for travellers on a budget. Along the road, you will have the opportunity to snack on slivers of pineapple and mango from the local stalls.

You will have the chance to buy fruit pickles at the roadside stores as well. To quench your thirst, go for fresh coconut water and ask for the tender coconut to be sliced and served after you finish sipping.

4. Sengulam Dam

Also known as the Dew Valley Boating Centre, Sengulam Dam was constructed as part of the Sengulam Hydroelectric Project. Here, you can grab the rare chance to ride in a traditional coracle boat which is circular in shape.

You may also opt for a 5-seater speedboat at the cost of INR 1,000 per boat or a 20-seater boat for INR 1,950 per boat. You will have expansive views of the Chokramudi Peak, Pettumudi Peak and Adimaly Peak from Sengulam Dam. You will also get a glimpse of the Vellathooval Valley and Letchmi Hills.

5. Attukad Waterfalls

Waterfalls are one of the reasons why Munnar is such a preferred holiday destination. Attukad Waterfalls can be easily spotted while you drive from afar. To take photos, you must get to the bridge close to the foot of these cascading falls.

If you wish to catch the view from the top of Attukad Waterfalls, you will find a set of steps formed by the tea plantations nearby. There is a small restaurant around here where you can stop for some snacks and tea.

If you are looking to buy Indian spices, coffees and teas, you do not have to look far. There are sellers right around the corner! Attukad Waterfalls has no entry fee.

6. Pothamedu Viewpoint

Accessible by both four-wheelers and two-wheelers, Pothamedu Viewpoint comes towards the south of Munnar along the road from Attukad Waterfalls. You must cross a narrow bridge before you arrive at this vantage point.

At Pothamedu Viewpoint, you will get sweeping views of the lush tea plantations that this hill town is known for. Bring your camera along to capture wide angle shots of the rolling hills and gentle valleys.

It does not cost anything to enter this point but it is a hidden treasure that not many think of stopping at. Keep your eyes peeled for the magical Kanan Devan Hills that are clearly seen from here.

7. The Blossom Hydel Park

Open until 7 in the evening, The Blossom Hydel Park is one of the few places to spend your time when it is too late to be at any national park, hilltop lookout point or waterfall. This park is child-friendly and ideal to visit in the springtime when the flowers are in full bloom.

There is a mini ziplining facility at The Blossom Hydel Park (which costs INR 300 per person), apart from play areas for the kids, a nature trail and colourful flowers adorning the garden. You may even relax your feet with a fish spa or catch a 12D show at the park.

There are life-size statues of animals such as a lion, an elephant and a zebra, which make nice muses for photo shoots.

8. Lockhart Gap

This viewpoint will give you some of the best panoramas of Munnar. You will see a tea plantation and the verdant valleys all around you. Not far from the lookout spot, you will come across the Lockhart Tea Factory.

Do not hesitate to take a tour of this factory to understand how tea leaves are processed and packed before they reach our kitchen shelves. The road to Lockhart Gap is narrow but the fog-filled scenery paints a poetic picture that you would delight in clicking.

Bike rides along the road to Lockhart Gap are even better during sunrise and sunset as you can watch the colours of nature change spontaneously.

9. C.S.I Christ Church

Over a hundred years old, C.S.I Christ Church is a stone edifice that boasts of stained glass artwork on the windows. While this church was commissioned by a British official, its architecture reflects Gothic influences.

You will also notice examples of Roman architecture in the sloped roofs and elaborate chandeliers. Interestingly, all the furniture, the clock, the utensils for the altar, the decorative glass panels and the bell were imported from Scotland.

Even the plants that were grown here were European imports. The church premise has a graveyard as well. Do note that you will not be allowed to take photos or videos inside the building.

10. Carmelagiri Elephant Park

If you have the desire to ride on an elephant, you can have it fulfilled at Carmelagiri Elephant Park. It is a park where the skills and talents of the elephants are put on display for visitors to see.

Here, you will have the opportunity to watch the elephants getting a bath and having a meal. You may even try your hand at feeding one of these giant mammals. Watch a demo of how the elephants listen to their mahout.

At Carmelagiri Elephant Park, you will also see how these animals are used for pulling timber and their transportation. Go for a one-hour elephant ride around the hills of Munnar and watch this hill station from a height.

11. Carmelgiri Botanical Garden

Located in the Kanan Devan Hills, Carmelgiri Botanical Garden is accessible from 9 AM to 6:30 PM on all days of the week. The collection of plants here includes roses, cacti and a number of fruit-bearing trees and ornamental plants.

The entrance fee is INR 50 per person. Within the botanical garden is a chocolate factory and a shop that sells tea, homemade chocolate, rose water, various Indian spices and red sandalwood powder, apart from souvenirs.

If you grow plants back home, you can even buy hybrid seeds of your favourite vegetable from the store.

12. Mattupetty Dam

A concrete gravity dam, the Mattupetty Dam was opened to visitors in 1953. This is a storage dam which is used to hold water for hydroelectricity. With a total capacity of 55.4 million cubic metres, this dam helps generate a lot of power.

While the surface area of Mattupetty Dam is 323.75 hectare, its catchment area is 105 square kilometres. You can either be content walking across the dam or experience it from the water surface by boating in the lake.

Apart from paddle boating, you can even try shooting an air gun here in a supervised manner. Speedboats and water scooters are the alternatives to paddle boats at this dam.

13. Talayar Tea Factory

This tea factory is located in a bungalow on the Talayar Tea Estate. To experience a tour of the Talayar Tea Factory, you must pay an entrance fee of INR 130 per person. You will hear all about the entire process of tea production from a supervisor.

Watch the tea leaves being torn and crushed by machines before they are fermented, dried and sorted – all by equipment that are at least 30 years old to even a hundred years old. Photography is not permitted inside the factory but you may capture the beauty of the valley.

It is possible to visit the Talayar Tea Factory from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 5 PM. Not only will you learn about different types of teas such as white, black and green but also have the chance to buy some packed tea leaves at the small store.

14. Thoovanam Waterfalls

Accessible from 9 AM to 2 PM on all the days of the week, Thoovanam Waterfalls can be reached through a short trek of 3 km. If you cannot find your way, the forest guards will guide you to the falls.

You must pay INR 350 per head as trekking fee to do this 30-minute trek in the forest. Along the way, you will spot many indigenous birds and even some animals. Keep an eye out for bird eye chilly among other plants.

Some adventurers choose to stay at the site of Thoovanam Waterfalls and stay at the guesthouse nearby. For this option, a fee of INR 3,500 is charged for a day. Pambar River is the source of Thoovanam Falls and it is possible to bathe at some areas where the waterfall cultimates.

15. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

To the north of Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary sees two rivers flowing through its territory – the Chinnar River and Pambar River. The rare albino gaur is found at this wildlife sanctuary.

Here, you will find 156 species of butterflies, 28 species of mammals, 15 species of amphibians, 225 species of birds, 14 species of fish and 52 species of reptiles. Observant eyes can get a glimpse of grizzled giant squirrel, mugger crocodile, Indian leopard, rusty-spotted cat, Indian elephant, Nilgiri tahr, spotted deer, gray langur, Bengal tiger, bonnet macaque and sambar deer.

With so many places to visit in Munnar in 2 days, you will not get bored for even a second. It is a good idea to carry a bottle of water with you, especially if you will be doing some of the hikes. If you cannot get enough of nature, you should understand that a longer vacation is required.