Munnar is a beautiful hill station covered with unending expanse of tea plantation is 165 km away from cherai. Located at 1600 m above sea level .This was once the summer resort of the British Government in South India. Panoramic views of low-flying clouds and mist filled valleys make it a pretty little heaven with a cool bracing climate. It was opened up out of virgin forests a century ago by pioneering planters. Sprawling tea plantations, it offers the best opportunity you are ever likely to have to see the tea plantations, to watch tea being picked, to learn how tea is processed, to smell the sweet scent of tea wafting through the air and to buy the tea directly from the gardens place. Munnar is the land of neelakurinji ( strobilanthus ) .The flower blooms only once in 12 years.

Picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi , which towers over 2695 m. Anamudi is an ideal spot for trekking.

In the vicinity is the Eravikulam National Park, the home of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr that roams on a stretch of grassland or is seen climbing the pinnacles of the undulating hills. Here we can have a glimpse of a Gaur, Langur, Lion-tailed macaque, and Elephants roaming in herds. Devikulam is a dainty town, sixteen kilometers southwest of Munnar. It consist of irresistibly green slopes touching the sky at a thousand metres and its silent clusters of slender red and blue gum trees. It has a lovely little lake hidden within the rolling hills.

Fact Files:

By Air
The nearest airport is Kochin Inter national Airport (Nedumbassery) 130 km

By Rail
Ernakulam (3 1/2 hours) 135 km
Aluva (3 1/2 hours) 135 Km
Madurai (4 1/2 hrs) 160 km
Kottayam railway station 142 Km

By Road
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

In and around Munnar

Pothamedu (6 km from Munnar):Pothamedu offers an excellent view of the tea, coffee and cardamom plantations in Munnar. The rolling hills, the lush mountain and the breathtaking scenery here is ideal for trekking and long mountain walks.

Devikulam (7 km from Munnar): This idyllic hill station with its velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and the cool mountain air is a rare experience. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.

Pallivasal (8 km from Munnar): This is the venue of the first Hydro Electric Project in Kerala and a place of immense scenic beauty.

Attukal (9 km from Munnar): A panorama of waterfalls and rolling hills, Attukal, located between Munnar and Pallivasal, is a feast for the eyes. The place is also ideal for long treks.

Nyayamakad (10 km from Munnar): Located between Munnar and Rajamala, Nyayamakad is a land of breathtaking waterfalls. The waters cascade down a hill from a height of about 1600 metres. The enchanting surroundings make an excellent picnic spot and trekking point.

Chithirapuram (10 km from Munnar): With its sleepy little cottages, bungalows, old playgrounds and courts, Chithirapuram still exudes an old world charm. Home of the Pallyvasal Hydel Power Project, this hill town is also famous for its picturesque tea plantations.

Mattupetty (13 km from Munnar): Situated at a height of 1700 m, Mattupetty is known for its highly specialised dairy farm - the Indo Swiss Livestock Project. Over a 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. Visitors are allowed into 3 of the 11 cattle sheds at the farm. Visiting time: 0900 - 1100 hrs and 1400 - 1530 hrs. Rate Rs. 5 per head.

The Mattupetty lake and dam, just a short distance from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic spot. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala Lake are other attractions in the vicinity. DTPC Idukki provides boating facilities on the Mattupetty Dam. Speed launch, slow speedboat and motorboats are available on hire.

Lock Heart Gap (13 km from Munnar): This is an ideal place for adventure tourism and trekking. The fresh mountain air, the mist-clad hills and panoramic view make it worthy of a visit.

Rajamala (15 km from Munnar): This is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr. Half the world population of the rare mountain goat (Hemitragas hylocres), which is fast becoming extinct, is now found here. The Nilgiri Tahrs are today reduced to small herds found in the Eravikulam Rajamala region. The total number of Nilgiri Tahrs in Rajamala is estimated at 1317.

Echo Point (15 km from Munnar): This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. Echo Point is on the way to Top Station from Munnar.

Eravikulam National Park (15 km from Munnar): The 97 sq. km. park is situated in the Devikulam taluk and is home to the Nilgiri Tahr. The Anamudi peak (2695 m) is located in the southern region of the park.
Sanctuary visit: The park is divided into three regions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area which is in the Rajamala region. The Nilgiri Tahr can be observed at close quarters here.
Visiting time: 0800 - 1700 hrs. Visitors are not allowed during the monsoon. Entry pass: Rs. 10 for adults Rs. 2 for children below 12 years Rs. 50 for foreigners
Permitting authority: Wildlife Warden, Munnar Ph: 231587
Trekking facilities are available here. Tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi. This is also a place for adventure tourism. Trekking areas: Anamudi, Rajamala

Power House Waterfalls (18 km from Munnar): This waterfall on the way to Thekkady from Munnar cascades down a steep rock 2000 m above sea level. The spot is enriched with the scenic western mountain ranges, and is an ideal place for a break on the way to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady.

Kundala (20 km from Munnar): Kundala is a picturesque town on the way to Top Station. The Golf Course, which belongs to Tata Tea Ltd., is located here. The Kundala artificial dam is another attraction. Aruvikkad Waterfall is also near Kundala.

Anayirankal (22 km from Munnar): It's a lush green carpet of tea plants. A trip on the splendid reservoir is an unforgettable experience. The Anayirankal Dam is surrounded by the Tata Tea Plantation and evergreen forests. It is an ideal picnic spot.

Top Station (32 km from Munnar): 1700 m above sea level; this is the highest point on the Munnar- Kodaikanal road. The rare Neelakurunji (Strobilanthus) belongs to this region. This plant blooms once every twelve years bathing the hillsides in bright blue. Top Station also offers a panoramic view of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.

• - Things to do in Munnnar

• - TREKKING- soft trekking (3 Hours), Hard trekking and Trekking with tent camping
• - BOATING at Mattupetty Dam / Munnar lake