Munnar 140 kms from Cochin is the most popular and beautiful tourist spot in Kerala with tea plantations, hills, lakes, forests etc. located at an altitude of 5000 to 8000 Ft above sea level. The name “Munnar” is derived from the confluence of three mountain streams - Muthirapuzha, Nallathani & Kundala. Munnar means “three rivers”.

Once Munnar was the summer resort of the British Government in South India because of the cooler climate and the mesmerizing mountain scenery. . Now a days Munnar is the famous holiday destination in India. It attracts both domestic and international tourists. Munnar is often called as the ‘Switzerland of India’ and “Kashmir of South India”.

The high ranges of Munnar were earlier known as Kannan Devan Hills,named after a certain Kannan Devan, who had been land lord in the Anchanad Valley on the eastern side of the district. The main cultivation crops in Munnar are Tea and Coffee

Munnar is an excellent base for trekking .The neelakurinji, a blue flower which blooms only every twelve years, is found in this region.. The highest peak in South India, Anamudi, at 2695m is also located here.

Climate

Munnar varies in height from 1,600 meters (5,249 ft) to 1,800 meters (5,906 ft) above mean sea level. The weather ranges between 5 °C (41 °F) and 10 °C (50 °F) in winter and 15 °C (59 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F) in summer. The tourist season is from August to May.

Tourist Attractions.

Eravikulam National Park (Rajamalai): 15 kms from Munnar is natural habitat of Nilgiri Thar - an scarce species of mountain goats and rolling grasslands, stretch over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills with rare flora and fauna, Lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, the Neelakurinji, a flower which blossom only ever 12 years are also found here

Anamudi Peak: is the highest peak in South India with a height of 2695m is an ideal place for trekking.. Trekking facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna..

Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

A 50-kilometre away from Munnar on Udumalpetta road. It is the home of giant grizzled squirrel as well other animals like elephants, deers, samba etc.

Mattupetti Dam - 10km from Munnar, Mattupetty Lake and Dam is a beautiful picnic spot with the panoramic view of the tea plantations and the lake. Boating and horse riding facilities are also available here. Mattupetti is an ideal location for trekking.

Mattupetti Indo-Swiss Farm – Mattupetty is famous for its highly specialized dairy farm, the Indo-Swiss Project with hundreds of high yielding varieties of cattle.

Echo Point - 15km from Munnar, on the way to top station from Munnar is a small lake set amidst rolling hills. Every loud call made from a spot on the lake embankment is returned manifold by the echo from the surrounding hills.

Top Station, 37km from Munnar on the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border, has great views of the Western Ghats. Top station is the "top"-tourist attraction

Kundala Lake - is a very beautiful lake in the middle of lush jungles. Hiring a pedal boat and exploring the lake and its surroundings is a splendid experience

Attukal Waterfalls – is a beautiful waterfalls amidst hills and jungles located between Munnar and Pallivasal, is a feast for the eyes. The place is also ideal for long treks.

Marayoor - 40km from Munnar is the only place in Kerala with natural growth of sandalwood trees. Natural caves with murals, Thoovanam ,sandalwood factory of the Forest Department of Kerala and a children's park extending across one hectare of land under the canopy of a single Banyan tree are the other attractions.

Blossom Garden – is a house of different varieties of flowers.

Christ Church: was built in 1910 by the British settlers in Munnar. The stained-glass windows are the most interesting features.

Devikulam

7 kms from Munnar is one of the most picturesque spots in the world. The crystal mineral waters of Sita Devi lake, teeming with freshwater trout, provide the perfect spot for a pleasant picnic.

Neelakurunji flowers

The neelakurinji, a blue flower which blooms only every twelve years, is found in this region.

Pothamedu 6 km from Munnar is a place where a number of the area’s plantations can be viewed from a single point. Coffee, tea and cardamom plantations are viewed from here. Trekking and hiking are also popular activities in the area.

Top Station

is an ideal spot for aerial views of the lower valleys and smaller mountain tops. The point can be reached within 40 minutes from Munnar is said that it was once the top point connecting to two other stations, called middle and low, by rope.

Chithirapuram. 10 kms away from Munnar is a charming hill station nestled in a quiet corner of the hills features buildings of its colonial settlers. Located about 10kms from Munnar, it is a charming hideout with breathtaking natural beauty. It is the home of first hydro electric project in Kerala, Pallivasa.

Swim at Nyayamakad. This is the place to go for a refreshing natural water park only 10kms from Munnar. Cascading waterfalls, trickling streams and still lakes are all part of this romantic setting, which can be enjoyed by young and old alike. Swim, trek, picnic or just simply relax to the sound of the waters.

Power House Waterfalls, 18 km from Munnar and on the way to Thekkady, gushes down a steep cliff 2000 m high is an ideal place to take a break on the way to Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary.