From Wikitravel

Munnar is a hill station in the Indian state of Kerala.

[edit] Understand

Munnar was a summer resort of British government in South India. It is 1600 m (5400 ft) above sea level. It is pronounced "Moon-aar" meaning "Three rivers" in Tamil and Malayalam. There are in fact three rivers - Madupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru which flow through this town, but join some distance away from Munnar.

The neelakurinji, a blue flower which blooms only every twelve years, is found in this region. It bloomed last in December 2006. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India, Anamudi, at 2695m.

The tea plantations and holiday facilities make this a popular hill station in Kerala [1].

[edit] Get in

Munnar is 140 km (about 4.5 hours) from Kochi. Remember to budget a good 6 hours if you are driving up or down, since the road is blind in some places and there are a lot of trucks and buses that seem to drive as if they own the road. Although, the road is smooth (NH 49), it is narrow, twisty and curvy. Make sure you have a lite meal before you drive to Munnar on these roads, otherwise the next thing you will see on your dash board will be your last meal! Kothamangalam is on the way and is 80 km away from Munnar. Between Kothamangalam and next town "Adimali", you can experience a beautiful cool drive through a natural forest. Alongside, you can see many refreshing waterfalls.

Once you reach Adimali, Munnar is just 30 kilometers away - but, it will take almost an hour to reach. Around 22 kilometers from Adimali, you can start seeing the tea plantations on both sides of the road and a panoramic view of the western ghats. The view is extremely beautiful during the early mornings.

Munnar can also be reached from Kodai Road, Madurai, Udumalpet. The drive to Munnar involves about 3 hours on the ghat section. There are 17 hair pin bends and traversing them can make you feel nauseated. However if you eat light while travelling you can enjoy the scenery during the drive.

Munnar is about 150km from Coimbatore. Coimbatore-Munnar route is a very scenic route and though a bit longer is generally considered worth the extra time spent.

See this : http://wikitravel.org/en/Image:DSCN0563.JPG

[edit][add listing] See

• Eravikulam (Rajamalai) National Park:[2] 45 mins from Munnar. See Nilgiri Thar (Hemitragas hylocres) - an endangered species of mountain goats, rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills, rare flora and fauna, Atlas moth (largest in the world), lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, The Kurichi or Neelakurinji Flowers turn the hills of Rajamalai blue every 12 years. The next bloom will be in 2018. One can actually debate if going to the high peak just to see some goats is worth all the effort or not. However, the walk along the park is very romantic and has some breath taking view.

• Anamudi Peak inside Eravikulam National Park: The highest peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride. The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth, the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaque, leopards, tigers, etc. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi.

• Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary,[3].

• Mattupetti Dam - 10km from Munnar, this popular picnic spot activities like boating and horse riding and is a great place to spend the day especially if visiting with children.

• Mattupetti Indo-Swiss Farm - Better known as Mattupetti (cattle village), Tamil migrant labourers had once upon a time reared cattle here. The cool climate and abundance of fodder made it the ideal location for the Indo-Swiss dairy farm. Established in 1961, the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) manages this highly specialised dairy farm. The dairy farm is a unique one of its kind with more than 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle being reared.

• 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. Young tourists throng to this place to listen to the echoes of their friendship calls.

• Top Station, [4]. 37km from Munnar on the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border, has great views of the Western Ghats. Top station is the "top"-tourist attraction. This place gives a real 'above the clouds' experience. Regular buses go to Top Station (1 hr) from Munnar. A jeep costs Rs 400. The area is known for the Neelakurunji plant, which flowers only once every twelve years. The flower is violet.

• Kundala Lake - This lake is very beautiful amidst lush jungles. Hiring a pedal boat and exploring the lake and its surroundings is an awesome experience. Except at the place you hired the boat, don't expect to find humans around the lake as it is surrounded by scenic jungles and hills.

• Atukkad Waterfalls - A scenic waterfalls amidst hills and jungles. You can find a road leading to Atukkad Waterfalls on Kochi road (just about 5 kms from Munnar). This road is very narrow and needs a lot of experience to drive on.

• Salim Ali (Thattekkad) Bird Sanctuary, [5]. There are woodpeckers, Malabar gray hornbills, Ceylon frogmouths, parakeets, and rose-billed rollers. This sanctuary is located 20km from Kothamangalam on the road between Ernakulam and Munnar. There are basic and mid-range hotels in Kothamangalam and an Inspection Bungalow in Boothathankettu. You can take a boat cruise from Boothathankettu to Thattekkad. Admission Foreigners/Indian Rs 40/10.

• Marayoor - Around 40km from Munnar. It is the only place in Kerala with natural growth of sandalwood trees, natural caves with murals, and relics from Later Stone Age civilisation. There is a 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, all of which attract tourists in large numbers.

• Kolukkumalai Tea Estate - At a height of about 7130 ft, this orthodox tea factory lays claim to being one of the highest in the world. The view of the Western Ghats is absolutely enchanting.

• Blossom Garden - Houses many different varities of flowers. Tourist will definitely take away good memories from this place.

• Water falls[6] - Check out several natural waterfalls on the way to Munnar. These waterfall carry fresh rain water. They provide an excellent place for all tourists to have photo shootout.

[edit][add listing] Do

• Walk in the Clouds - Trek to your hearts content while the clouds slowly descend upon you.

• Rock Climbing and Rappelling - Munnar has a steep rock face about 100ft.

• The Christ Church, in Old Munnar. The exteriors have worn out with time though the charming interiors still have a very nice ambiance. It was consecrated way back in 1910 and still has 14 original rows of pews. The first Catholic Church in the High Ranges was Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church.

• The High Range Club has a charming colonial style. The club house is built of wicker and teak and is the social hub for the tea "Planters" of the region. Members enjoy lounging in the bar over Planter's Punch followed by a good meal, a game of billiards or reading a book in the library.

• Munnar Supply Association (MSA) Set up in 1900, this is another nostalgic landmark worth visiting in Munnar. It is the oldest department store in the area and has been re-inventing itself to stay relevant and popular after almost 102 years. The store was run by "planters" who still manage its affairs. The MSA is a red brick red tiled building with gables, buttresses and a porch and is now a heritage site.

• Boating There are several places to go out for boating in Munnar. One can choose among paddle boats, speed boats to Kashmiri-Shikara. Young couples who travel to Munnar should not miss-out on the beautiful 'Kashmiri-Shikara' boat ride. It is one of the most romantic experiences.

[edit][add listing] Buy

The best things to buy are Tea, coffee and spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and pepper.

• Munnar Fancy, INTUC Building, GH Road, Munnar, Kerala, India - 685612. Ph:91-4865-232554

• Leo Gift House

• D.M.Samuel & Sons

• DMS Jewellery

• Marakkar Shopping Centre

• Rahim Book Stall, Tel : 91-486-2530759

• DTPC stall, Tel: 91-486-2530682. Good for spices.

• Sunny Traders, Tel : 91-486-2530476. A tea shop.

• Shakthi Hills Computers,kanthalloor, Tel : 04865246444. Computer Stationary

[edit] Banks/Currency Exchange

• State Bank of Travancore, Tel : 91-486-2530274.

• State Bank of India, Munnar Tel : 91-486-2530381.

• State Bank of Travancore, Devikulam Tel : 91-486-2564234.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• TreeTop Restaurant, Ph;04865 264273, 264399, [7]. Autumn Trees in Devikulam, A Multi-cusine restaurant having 70 person seating capacity. Vegetarian food & Non-Vegetarian food available.
• Silverspoon restaurant, Munnarinn.
• Food Court, Munnarinn, [8].
• Saravana Bhavan - Right at the heart of town is the most inexpensive places to eat. The service here is quick and the food is absolutely delicious. But one has to be accommodating when eating at Sarvana Bhavan. You might have to share your table with others. This place provides south Indian dishes, served on a Banana leaf.
• Mahavir Jain Restaurant - Provides authentic North-Indian food. Meals at Mahavir Jain restaurant is a total hit. They provide meals ranging from Gujarati-meals to Punjabi-Meals. One cannot stop eating the delicious rotis at this place. However, compared to other restaurant, this place it slightly expensive. Meals start from Rs. 75/-
• Bamboo Hut, G.H. Road. Wide range of food for reasonable prices, although service can be a "bit" slow. On the upside the place usually has good music (from Bob Dylan to electronic chill-out sound), which is normally quite hard to find in India.

Munnar has some amazing street food (try the Gobi noodles), so if you are after a cheap and delicious meal check the area around the bus stand in Munnar (not the KSRTC bus stand in Old Munnar).

[edit][add listing] Drink

you can have tea and coffee from street side shops

[edit][add listing] Sleep

[edit] Budget

• Autumn Tree Resorts, [[[Devikulam, Munnar(Tarrif Rs.950 -2500)PHONE +91-4865-264273 ,[9].

• Kashmeeram Resort, [10].

• Kaippallil Resort Homestay, [11].

• Royal Retreat, Munnar, [12].

• Hotel Hillview, [13], 1km from Munnar.

• Munnar Inn, [14].

• Edassery Eastend, [15].

• Issac's Residency, +91-4865-230501/502/503, [16].

• Highrange Inn, [17].

• Elysium Gardens, [18]

• JJ Cottage, Phone: 04865-230104, Mobile: 94461 30593 / 94472 28599, jjcottagemunnar@sancharnet.in. Close to the KSRTC bus stand in old Munnar, JJ Cottage offers nice rooms, very friendly and helpful staff and surprisingly good and cheap food (which was a real blessing during the 2 day strike that paralized the city during our stay). Double rooms could be negotiated down to Rs300 during the low season, which is excellent value for money for a place that feels more like a Bed and Breakfast than your average guest-house.

[edit] Mid-range

• Hotel Westwood Riverside, [19], 1km from Munnar Town.

• Blackberry Hills, [20], 3 km from Munnar.

• Deshadan Mountain Resort, [21], 5km from Munnar.

• Copper Castle, Pothamedu Road, 2km from Munnar, [22].

• Autumn Trees Resorts, Devikulam, Munnar(Tarrif Rs.800-1900)PHONE +91-4865-264273 / +91-4865-264399, E-mail:info@autumntreesmunnar.com, [23].

• Hotel Anai Mudi, [24], Munnar - Marayoor Route.

• Chancellor Resort, [25]. Chinnakkanal (22 kms. from Munnar Town on the way to Thekkady/Periyar).

• The Siena Village, [26]. Chinnakkanal (20 kms. from Munnar Town on the way to Thekkady/Periyar)

• Hotel Oak Fields, [27], Pothamedu (5km from Munnar).

• Camp Noel, [28], Pazhathottam, Munnar

• Camelot, 10 km from Munnar, - if you are traveling in your own vehicle then Camalot is a good choice. you need to drive 2 KM off road to reach the resort, which is fun. however if you are new to driving, leave your car at the entrance and ask the owner to pick you up from there. pack your food in town as the choice of food at resort is limited [29].

• Bracknell forest, [30], Pothamedu (7km from Munnar).

[edit] Splurge

• Ayur County, [31].a luxury Resort for Honeymoon couples, Families and Corporates.
• Tall Trees, [32]. Pothamedu, 4km from Munnar.
• Best Western Fort Munnar, [33]. Chinnakkanal (22 kms from Munnar Town).
• Club Mahindra Lakeview Resort, [34]. Chinnakkanal (20 kms. from Munnar Town on the way to Thekkady/Periyar).
• Tea County, [35]. Munnar.
• Windermere, Bison Valley Road, outskirts Munnar, [36].

[edit] Contact

• Main Post Office, Tel : 91-486-2530280.

[edit] Emergency numbers

• Police control room: 100
• Fire station: 101
• Ambulance: 101

[edit] Cope

[edit] Ayurvedic Treatment / Massage

• Swatic Ayur Care Centre , tel. -91-9447031656, 91-4865-231656,230395.

• Surya Ayurvedic Health Resorts, Chithirapuram, tel. 91-486-2563204.

[edit] Stay safe

Apply sunscreen lotion while you leave Munnar because as you descend the hills the weather gets warmer and causes sun burn.

[edit] Hospitals

• Tata General Hospital, Munnar Tel : 91-486-2530270
• Matha Hospital , Munnar Tel : 91-486-2530744
• Arun Hospital, Munnar Tel : 91-486-2530410

[edit] Get out

The Devikulam, Eravikulam National Park is nearby.

• Kodaikanal
• Madurai
• Thekkady

Mattupetty

There are plenty of busses to Cochin (Ernakulam Bus Stand) every day.

There is a bus to Calicut (Kozhikode) every day at 13:45. It takes about 8 and a half hours to get there if you are lucky. It costs 141 Rs.

[edit] Photographs

• smugmug[37]

• trekearth[38]

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