The beautiful town of Munnar, set in the hills of the Western Ghats at a height above 5000 ft., escapes the tropical climate of the rest of the state. The hill sides are draped with tea gardens, lush green hills, a great lot of mist and quite a few lakes. Tourism in Munnar is the epitome of Kerala’s natural beauty. With this short travel guide of Munnar, find the best things to do at the most preferred time in Munnar.

Munnar is a hill station in Idukki district, connected to the rest of the state by the winding route that leads up to the hill station. You can take a train or fly into one of the neighbouring cities and follow the road to the town.

By Air:

The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport which is about 110 kms away. Else, you can travel to Madurai International airport just 140 kms away. From there you can avail both cabs and buses that will take you to Munnar. 

By Rail:

Aluva, Madurai and Ernakulum are the closest options to get to Munnar if you choose railway services. They are all about 110 to 140 kilometres away from the town. 

By Road:

The most common way to get to Munnar is via state or private bus. The journey to the town is beautiful, as it passes through forests and streams; as you go higher you will slowly feel the cool mountain air of Munnar taking over the heat of the plains. 

Munnar has spectacular weather throughout the year, and is open to tourism all year long. Unlike other hill stations that are this high, Munnar does not get very cold during the winters because it lies close to the equator. And during summers the altitude keeps things pleasant and breezy. Monsoons witness heavy downpour but the hills acquire a beautiful freshness during this time.

Trekking:

The Western Ghats have been a coveted region for trekking enthusiasts; not only are there many different terrains but the entire hill is covered in greenery and is home to a variety of exotic birds and animals that are indigenous to the Ghats.

Anamudi: 

This peak lies at an altitude of over 8800 feet! Needless to say the view from the peak is spectacular and one you must experience.

Eravikulam National Park:

The first National Park in Kerala, Eravikulam is situated along the slopes of the gorgeous Western Ghats and encompasses an area of about 24,000 acres of land! The park is known for its wild varieties of animals, plants, birds and butterflies making it paradise for nature enthusiasts.

Munnar Tea Museum:

Set amid the vast tea estates, the museum showcases different machinery and innovations from the past, which helped the tea industry grow to what it is today. 

You will find a number of restaurants serving typical Malayali cuisines and some offering North Indian and Continental cuisines. But you must taste some of the local cuisines before you go. Breakfast starts off with a delicious cup of cardamom tea, or other varieties of masala tea. Other dishes you can taste are iddiappam, iddli, dosa, appam, kappa and more.

If you are in Munnar you cannot miss tea shopping. Besides tea, every nook and cranny is lined with shops that sell homemade chocolates - this is a hit with the tourists. Of course, Munnar spices too are as good as it gets! Other things you can look out for are herbal oils and traditional Malayali attires.