About:

Munnar is a picturesque chunk of the lofty Western Ghats in the backwater country of Kerala in South India. Munnar is nestled in the undulating mountain ranges of the southern Western Ghats and is unrivalled among the tourist destinations of Kerala.Munnar is located at the confluence of three mountain streams, Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Once, Munnar was the summer resort of the British government in South India. There is much more about Munnar that simply cannot be put in words. Be totally informed about this magnificent hill retreat before embarking on a tour.A heven of peace and tranquillity, Munnar is amazingly beautiful, an idyllic tourist destination in God's own country. At an altitude of 6000 ft, Munnar has been the favoured summer resort since the time of the erstwhile British rulers in the colonial days. Endless belt of tea plantations - pristine valleys and lush mountains - exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests - aroma of spice scented cool air, makes Munnar.Munnar one of the selected few travel destinations to laze around. Munnar is the place you would love to visit and never wish to leave.Its inescapable natural beauty lures scores of tourists each and every year from not only India but also from abroad. The major highlights of Munnar are its remarkable ambiance, lush green tea gardens, mesmerizing lakes, dense forests and a cool salubrious climate.

Munnar is also referred as High Range because of its sky-needling acme. A holiday at Munnar is tantamount to tea/coffee/ spice plantations sprawling as far as eyes can gauge, mist-packed valleys, rolling hill, sparkling waterfalls, picture-postcard hamlets and undulating valleys. Blessed with all makings of idyllic holidays, Munnar is enriched with nature walks, photography, golfing, trekking, boating and paragliding. Perched atop 1600 m above the sea level, Munnar is situated at a confluence of three rivers Muthirapuzha, Nallathani and Kundala. Tea being the main claim to fame in the town, 12000 hectares of land is used for tea plantation, making it a suitable place to walk, cycle and poise against. In a true sense, Munnar is huge ‘holistic’ relief before you to descend to tropican Kerala —Madurai and other Tamil Nadu attractions. An exact spot to breath purest air, Munnar’s scenic locales extend beyond dreams.

In South India, Anamudi is a highest peak present in Munnar, and is situated at an altitude of 2,695 m above the mean sea level. Elephants and Nilgiri langurs are abundantly present at Munnar. This is one of the unspoilt hill stations of the ancient period preserving the traditional tea plantations of the British period. One of the ideal places for trekking at Munnar is Potheamedu, located at a distance of 6 km away from the hill station. It is a cool mountain having excellent scenery of rolling hills. A complete view of the plantations of Munnar is obtained during a walk on this hill. Devikulan is another small hill station located nearer to Munnar. The Devikulan is enriched with velvet lawns, a diverse range of exotic flora and fauna. Tea plantations occupy a large part of the hill station. The popular picnic spot of Munnar is the Sta Devi Lake that is ideal for trout fishing. A hydro electric project is present at Pallivasal.

Location info:

In the south Indian State of Kerala, on the high ranges of the western ghats.

Climate/Weather:

Munnar can be visited all the year round, the best time to visit would be from September to May. The monsoons arrive here from June to September.

History of Munnar City:

Munnar is steeped in colonial history. It was the popular haunt for the officers of the British Raj during the summer season. It is no wonder then that tea, the popular English beverage, makes Munnar famous.

The history of Munnar is quite interesting and takes us into the colonial era when the British used to rule this place. Scottish planters were the first ones to have discovered Munnar and the Duke of Wellington was the first notable personality to visit Munnar. The British developed this land for the purpose of tea plantations and as getaways from the oppressive heat of the cities. There are several prehistoric relics that point towards the existence of a Stone Age civilization in this region. Evidences point to the fact that written history began here only from the 10th century. In the 19th century, several villages of Anchanad, Kannan Thevar belonged to the local Rajah of Poojar.

Afterwards in the year 1895, Messrs Finlay Muir & Company purchased Munro’s land and Tata-Finlay Ltd. purchased it in the year 1976. Munnar in the present days is a perfect holiday destination and is famous for various adventure pursuits such as trekking, paragliding, rope climbing and mountaineering. The enchanting atmosphere and friendly people of this place are simply going to win your heart.

Educational Institutions Munnar City:

Viswadeepthi Public School
P.O. Adamali,Korangatty B.O,Idukki, 685561,Kerala

Vimala Public School
P.O. Thodupuzha East,Thodupuzha East
Idukki,Kerala

Grace Garden Public School
Grace Nagar,Ayyappan Koil,Idukki, 685507,Kerala

M.E.S. Bava Residential School
Kuzhippangad, Tellichery,Cherakara,Idukki, 670104,Kerala

Darul Fatheh English Medium Public School
Kunnam,Thodupuzha,Muthalakodam,Idukki.

AL-AZHAR COLLEGE OF ARTS & SCIENCE
Thodupuzha East, Idukki,Kerala

Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya
Kulamavu,Kariplangadu B.O,Idukki,Kerala

Langauge

The local language spoken here is Malayalam the mother tongue of the people of Kerala known as keralites or Malayalees

Culture:

How to reach Munnar City?

Nearest Railway Station:The nearest railway stations to Munnar are Kochi and Kottayam. A large number of fast and express trains are available from these railway stations.
Nearest Airport:There are two airports to reach Munnar. Kochi is the airport in the state of Kerala and is 130 km from Munnar whereas there is another airport, which is located in the neighboring state Tamil Nadu in Madurai.
Road Transport:Munnar is accessible by road from most of the cities and town in Kerala.You can also reach Munnar form Coimbatore and Madurai by smooth road.

Tourist Attraction of Munnar City

Pothamedu
One of the major plantation hubs of Munnar, Pothamedu is situated at a distance of 6 km from the town. Gardens of coffee, tee, and cardamom plantations create a mesmerizing view from this place.. It is an ideal place for trekking and hiking amidst lush mountains, rolling hills, and breathtaking landscapes.

Devikulam
Devikulam is once in a lifetime experience among exotic flora and fauna, cool mountain air, and velvet lawns. It is 7 km from Munnar. The Sita Devi Lake situated here is an ideal picnic spot with its picturesque surroundings, mineral water, and trout-fishing facilities.

Pallivasal
Pallivasal is a place of immense scenic beauty, which is 8 km from Munnar. It is the venue of the first Hydro Electric.

Attukal
Attukal is about 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.

Top Station
Some 1,700 m above sea level, this is the highest point on the Munnar Kodiakanal route. It is about 37 km from the town and offers great panoramic views. En route, you can trek up to Echo Point and howl yourself hoarse. Even the smallest sound will reverberate around the hills and come back.

Malankara Reservoir
Located about 6 kms from Thodupuzha on the Thodupuzha - Moolavattom road, this artificial lake is accessible by road. The reservoir is ideal haunt for the tourists looking for boating and fishing

Anayirangal
Some 22 km from Munnar is a reservoir surrounded by a carpet of green. Keep your fingers crossed for a herd of elephants to descend down to the lake for a drink. If you get lucky, it is a treat for the eyes, and of course you can snap away at random. The herds tend to spend a lot of time at the water hole!

Nyayamakad
Located between Munnar and Rajamala, at a distance of 10 kms form Munnar, Nyayamakad is a land of breathtaking waterfalls. The waters cascade down a hill from a height of about 1600 m. The enticing surroundings makes an excellent picnic spot and trekking point.

Rajamalai
Their claims to fame are the blue Kurinji, or Neelakurinji flowers that paint the hills of Rajamalai blue every 12 years. Plan a trip this year (2006) and you can feast your eyes.

Lock Heart Gap
Waterfalls near MunnarThis is an ideal place for adventure tourism and trekking, located about 13 kms from Munnar. The fresh mountain air, the mist-clad hills and panoramic view make it worthy of a visit.

Mattupetty Lake
Mattupetty is about 13 km from Munnar in the state of Kerala. Situated at a height of 1700 m, Mattupetty is known for its highly specialised dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss live stock project. Over 100 varieties of high yielding cattle are reared here. The Mattupetty lake and dam, just a short distance from the farm, is an amazing beautiful picnic spot. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala lake are other attractions in the vicinity. You can also try boating at the Mattupetty Dam, provided by DTPC Idukki.

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
Some 60 km away on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border is this little-visited sanctuary. Dawn and dusk are the only times you can hope to sight any of the big beasts. Visiting time is between 7 am and 6 pm. Get your entry passes from the Assistant Conservator of Forests at the sanctuary entrance.

Rajamala
A precious but little-known place situated at a distance of 15 km from Munnar, Rajamala is home to almost half the population of Nilgiri tahrs (a rare mountain goat).

Chithirapuram
This small hill station situated at a distance of 10 km from Munnar, Chithirapuram is home to Pallivasal hydel power project.Chithirapuram hill station exudes an old-world charm with its playgrounds and courts, bungalows, and sleepy little cottages.

Echo Point
As its name suggests, the place has a natural echo phenomenon. It is situated at a distance of 15 km from Munnar on the way to Top Station.

Eravikulam National Park
Eravikulam National Park is located at a distance of 15 km from Munnar in the state of Kerala. The 97 sq. km. park is situated in the Devikulam Taluk and is home to the Nilgiri Tahr. Originally established to protect the Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiri Ibex), the Eravikulam National Park is situated in the Devikulam Taluk of the Idukki District. It was declared as a sanctuary in 1975. Considering the ecological, faunal, floral, geo-morphological and zoological significance, it was declared as a National park in 1978. The park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world.

Anaimudi Peak
Anaimudi is the highest peak in south India. You can trek to the base of the peak from Eravikulam0 National Park. But you need the permission of the District Forest Officer.

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation in Munnar City:

Wild Elephant Eco-Friendly Resort, Munnar, Kerala
Kallar Mankulam Road, Viripara, Mankulam Village, Munnar, Kerala 682026 - 09447159171

Camp Noel - Nature Resort and Hotel, Munnar, Kerala, India.
Pazhathottam, Munnar, Kerala 685615 - 09447166295

Holiday Heaven Resorts Munnar
SH 17, Munnar, Idukki, Kerala 685618 - 04868 249958

Pearl Green Resorts
Mulakkada, Pallivasal, Munnar, Kerala 685612 - 09447031058

Hill View Hotel
A. M. Road, Munnar, Munnar, Kerala - 04865 230567

T & U Leisure Hotel
SH 17, Munnar, Idukki, Kerala - 04865 233081

Hotel Fort Munnar
Chinnikanal Munnar, Munnar, Kerala 685618 - 04868 249311

Hotel Mount Sinai
Thekkady Junction, Idukki district, PO Box 14, Kumily, Kerala State, Kerala 685509 - 048 69222605

Paradisa Plantation Retreat
Kottayam Kumily Road, Murinjapuzha, Kumily, Kerala 685532 - 0469 2602828

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