Famously known as ‘Kashmir Of South’ with cascading waterfalls, vibrant valleys and enchanting greenery make the places to visit in Munnar mesmerizing. The summer season fascinating with cool, sunny enjoyable pleasant atmosphere, wins millions hearts of romantic couples since ages.
Places To Visit In Munnar
Munnar emerged like an emerald jewels, set against the backdrop of rolling hills, sprawling through 1600 meters in the lap of Western Ghat, is most sought after popular destination among couples globally. Famous for tea plantation and plenty of flora and fauna among natural wildness.
Once the summer resort of British era, the colonial structure of the place are also admirable for tourists. Some of major attraction of the place is Eraviculam National Park, Bird Sanctuaries, adventure sports, Safaris, Camping, paragliding, Jeep safari, Spice gardens and also cascading waterfalls.
Munnar also famous for Kurinji flower which bloom once in 12 years and next season on 2030 and last habitat of Nilgiri Tahr which is endangered species among it’s class. Tourist also prefer to visit Alleppey and Thekkady along with Munnar. Here is some top places you should visit when in Munnar.
1. Eraviculam National Park Is Spectacular Among Best Places To Visit In Munnar
Eravikulam National Park emerged like a natural gem of wonderland and Sprawling across 97 square kilometers of pristine wilderness. This UNESCO World Heritage site stands as a testament to nature’s raw beauty and Kerala’s commitment to conservation.
The sweet fragrance of kurinji flowers, a rare purple-blue bloom that carpets the grasslands once every twelve years and walking along the well maintained trails on one of the last remaining habitats of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr just surprising among best places to visit in Munnar.
Nilgiri Tahr are mountain goats, with their distinctive curved horns and robust build, can often be spotted grazing peacefully on the rocky hill tops. The biodiversity of the park extends grasslands and shola forest’s unique ecosystem that harbors over 100 species of birds.
Listen carefully, and you might hear the distinctive call of the Nilgiri Pipit or catch a glimpse of the elusive Nilgiri Wood Pigeon darting through the canopy. The morning hours are particularly magical, as the mist slowly lifts to reveal countless butterflies dancing among the wild flowers.
What makes Eravikulam truly special is its accessibility combined with conservation. The park authorities have struck an impressive balance between allowing visitors to experience this natural wonder while ensuring minimal impact on the ecosystem among best places to visit in Munnar.
The Rajamalai tourism zone offers well guided tours that let you appreciate the park’s beauty without disturbing its delicate balance. During my visit, I was particularly moved by the dedication of the forest guards who shared fascinating insights, their eyes lighting up with every sighting of a rare species.
The best time to visit is between February and April when the weather is pleasant and the visibility is excellent. However, be prepared for occasional drizzles which is the part of the charm and responsible for maintaining the lush greenery that makes this park so special.
Remember to carry warm clothing as temperatures can dip unexpectedly, and don’t forget your camera for the panoramic views of the Western Ghats, which from the higher reaches of the park are absolutely breathtaking, among best places to visit in Munnar.
2. Mattupetty Dam is Majestic Among Best Places To Visit In Munnar
Built in the 1940s for hydroelectric power and irrigation, Mattupetty Dam has evolved into much more than just a utility structure among best places to visit in Munnar, where technology meets with natural splendor in perfect harmony.
The attraction of vast expanse of calm waters, surrounded by rolling hills and greenery of tea plantations of this ethereal landscape is irresistible and flock of tourist always roaming around the year from all over the world. The tranquility of the place that found in every corner blessed with mindful refreshing bliss of green and fresh air energize young souls with full of life.
The cool water of dam offers various activities without compromising its natural charm. Speed boat rides are most popular, there’s nothing quite like cutting through the mirror like surface of water while cool mountain breeze whips past your face. Paddle boats are also popular for children and couples.
Mattupetty forest is also a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts. The surrounding forests are home to various species of birds and fortunately, you might spot elephants coming to the water for their morning splash or a flock of kingfishers flying free among the places to visit in Munnar.
3. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary Is Mystical Among Best Places To Visit In Munnar
Unlike Munnar’s predominant misty mountains and tea gardens, Chinnar forests presents a dramatically different landscape where dense forests merge with thorny scrubland, creating a unique ecosystem that sheltered some of endangered flora and fauna among best places to visit in Munnar.
The sanctuary’s crown jewel is undoubtedly its population of grizzled giant squirrels, with Chinnar being one of the last refuges for these magnificent creatures in Kerala, with other including spotted deer, elephants, and leopard.
What makes Chinnar truly remarkable is its thorny scrub forest, a rare sight in Kerala’s typically verdant landscape. This distinctive habitat, combined with the sanctuary’s rain shadow location, creates perfect conditions for unique flora and fauna.
The Marayur Sandal Forest is the part of the sanctuary added another layer of ecological significance of unique land where fragrance of sandal fills the air with mystical vibrant stunt. The Pambar River, which flows through the sanctuary, serves as a lifeline for countless species and sound of rushing water mingles with bird chirping, creating nature’s own symphony.
4. Kolukkumalai Tea Estate Is An Ethnic Grandeur Among Best Places To Visit In Munnar
Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, situated at 7,130ft above from the sea level, which is one of the world’s highest tea plantations, among best places to visit in Munnar. Walking through the factory is like stepping back in time, the wooden floors creak under your feet as the aromatic scent of fresh tea leaves fills the air.
The real magic of Kolukkumalai lies not just in its height but in it’s dedication to traditional tea processing methods since dating back to the 1930s. The factory still operates with colonial era machinery that produces some of the most distinctive orthodox tea flavor.
Guides are available to show the tea factory with history of the last decades. The most interesting thing which is directly responsible for the specific flavor of tea is the unique microclimate. The high altitude, combined with the misty, cool atmospheric conditions, creates tea leaves with a great unique flavor.
5. The Rose Garden Is Natural Symphony Among Best Places To Visit In Munnar
Located at the center of Munnar Rose Garden create a magical riots of color and fragrance that is bound to refresh and rejuvenate with mindful good feelings. This meticulously maintained garden showcases over 100 varieties of roses, each adding it’s unique hue to the colorful tapestry.
The garden’s terraced hillside, creates an enchanting display of each rose variety to it’s own space while contributing to the overall visual symphony. From classic deep reds and pristine whites to exotic black roses and rare blue varieties, the collection here is mind blowing.
Walkways and sitting areas around the garden invite visitors to rest themselves in this peaceful atmosphere with mesmerizing countless butterflies and honey bees frequented the garden.
6. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is Nature’s Story Among The Best Places To Visit In Munnar
Chinnar wildlife Sanctuary is ready to unfold the hidden secret of natural habitat of variety flora and fauna that uniquely combined in the dense forest with thorny scrub land of Munnar. The crown jewel of the sanctuary is giant squirrels, and Chinnar is one of the last refuges for these mammals in Kerala.
The Chinnar’s thorny scrub forest, a rare sight in Kerala’s typically verdant landscape. Combined with the sanctuary’s rain shadow location, creates shelter for unique flora and fauna. The Chinnar wildlife sanctuary, adds another layer of ecological significance with Marayur Sandal forest, its precious sandalwood trees, filling the air with their subtle, sweet fragrance.
The Pambar River, serves as a lifeline for countless species and creates stunning riverside ecological system. The sound of rushing water, bird chirping with stunning forest land scape creating nature’s own rhythm which attracts nature lovers to enjoy it in God’s own country and Kerala truly justified it.
7. Kundala Lake Is Serene Among Best Places To Visit In Munnar
Kundala Lake is an surprising man made 1st arch dam in Asia among surrounding hills and jungle in Munnar’s landscape. The serene water of the lake reflects surrounding mountain like a mirror. The water of the lake is so clear it is impossible some time to find out the line where the reflection started, looks like original not shadow.
Kundala also famous for ‘Shikara ride’ like Kashmir and tourists enjoy this magical experience gladly. Often it compared with Dal lake of Kashmir and called Munnar as ‘Kashmir Of Kerala’. These elegant colorful Shikara glides slowly on the surface of the lake to offer a closely enjoy the spectacular vista.
Surroundings of Kundala lake naturally designed by seasonal wild flowers where also found Blue Kurinji flowers which is the crown jewel of Munnar and bloom once in 12 years. The kundala lake boast amazing birds species and their chirping creates an enchanting sounds to break around the calm serenity of the lake among the best places to visit in Munnar.
8. Cheeyappara Water Fall Is Thunderous Among Best Places To Visit In Munnar
The Cheeyappara water falls, 7 tiered natural wonder of cascading water fall through the rock is truly breath taking among the best places to visit in Munnar. The first glimpse of the falls makes you hang on for the time and you will be speechless. The thunderous sound can be heard from distance and tourists follows this till the reach near it.
Located along the Kochi-Madurai highway, this cascading falls create a stunning place when water tumbles down multiple rocky steps. The area is a paradise for nature enthusiasts, with dense tropical forest and vibrant ecosystem with massive trees draped in mosses and ferns while colorful butterflies and birds dancing around it.
Cheeyappara water fall is easily accessible by road which combined specialty with its untamed beauty. A short walk from highway leads straight away to the base of the falls, where the cool mist provides instant relief from the tropical heat. Small pools form at various levels of the falls, creating perfect mirror that reflecting the surrounding greenery and the sky.
How To Reach
Nearest rail station is Ernaculam and nearest airport is Cochi. From there buses and cabs are available to Munnar. It is well connected with major cities in India.
Conclusion
The major tourist places to visit in Munnar are already described above. Some more places like blossom Park, Tata Tea Museum, Pothamedu view point, Echo point and Top stations are also can be viewed on the way of other view point. Over all Munnar is most promising natural wonderland in Kerala which must not be ignored because it will be an unaffordable missing through out your lifetime.
My hobby is travelling and my blog all about travel and life style of human made world. Exploring places not only travelling in Nature but also people and their habitat and style of their living. I love to explore the whole with places and the fragrance of life around it with their culture, heritage, history , festivals which is also reflected in my blog.
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