Munnar is the most sought-after tourist destination in South India. This is the ultimate guide letting you know when to visit, where to stay, and what not to miss.
In the southern part of India, Munnar is a beautiful hill station which is blessed abundantly by the creator. It was developed way back in the 90s by the British for plantation of tea. It stands as the merging point of three mountain streams- Mudrapuzla, Nallathanni and Kundala.
This hill station can be quoted as one of the best summer resorts at almost 1,600 m above sea level. The scenic beauty of this place and the picturesque towns make this place popular as a vacation spot.
One can find amazing flora in the forests and grasslands and Neelakurinji is a flower that blooms only in this hill station. The forest and the winding lanes make this place look really exciting.
It is popularly known as the Kashmir of Kerala, and as there are so many beauties in one place that it cannot be described in simple words.
Best Time to Visit Munnar
Munnar is one of the ideal destinations to go to when you are planning a trip. It will provide you a great peace of mind. The weather mostly stays pleasant throughout the year, making it easy for anyone to plan the trip accordingly. The monsoon season i.e. from June to September can be a great time to visit Munnar if you are looking for a quiet vacation in the laps of the hills.
- The winter months which start in December and end in February are by far the best time to visit Munnar, especially for adventurous enthusiasts in activities like rock climbing, trekking, and rappelling.
- The time from March to May marks the starting of the summer season. The climate remains pleasant and probably the best time for sightseeing and visiting tea estates. One should carry light clothes and even an umbrella. There can be sudden rain showers during this time of the year.
- The monsoons are avoided by a lot of tourists, but monsoon has a different charm of its own in the lush green hill station. And one can have a peaceful vacation as there will not be much crowd at that point of time in Munnar.
Lifestyle and Culture of Munnar
Munnar is a place that has mixed traditions and culture. It has a curious mix of Muthuvan traditions, British culture and also the traditions of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. The hill station celebrates one of the most important festivals i.e. the Onam, mainly in the month of August or September.
This festival is celebrated in a grandeur manner with all sorts of banter, pomp and fervour. It is a harvest festival that makes everyone come close to each other. People make floral patterns in the last few days of the festival and Kerala cuisine is served all over the place.
The inhabitants of Munnar are the tribal people who have been living here for a long period of time. They are known as Muthuvans, the lifestyle of these people used to be related to hunting but it has changed over the years.
They are now engaged in forestry and are a big part of the forest department. All of these people are not highly educated but lead a decent lifestyle. They have a mixed dressing style, traditional and western wear.
Munnar foods that will blow your taste buds
Munnar is a preferred destination for holidays because of many reasons. Food is definitely one of them. Munnar has a fixed diet which is the fish and rice cooked in coconut oil. This rice and fish is cooked in a totally Kerala style.
Bondas, vadas, bhajis are some snacks that will build your appetite on these hilly areas. There is a lip-smacking street food known as Kairali cuisine that suits every individual.
The Kairali thali is served on a banana leaf and it consists of vegetable salad, elaneer payasum, mezhukkupurattai, rice along with other items. These dishes are made up of coconut oil and are garnished with a lot of crushed coconut.
Fish and beef are widely famous in Munnar, it is heaven for non-vegetarian lovers. You can find some authentic non-vegetarian items in the restaurants in this hill resort.
Things to do in Munnar
The beauty and serenity that is available in the state of Kerala attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world. If an individual wants to take a break from their day to day life, one should spend some valuable days in Munnar. It has rich wildlife, forests and beautiful mountains; one can witness heaven on earth.
People can have great adventurous experiences while camping in an area surrounded by hills. One can also enjoy the camping experience in Munnar. Various activities can be enjoyed such as spotting birds, exploring the nature, and lots more.
Chinar Wildlife jeep safari will also give you great memories to cherish. The journey through that sanctuary is blissful. It is an 8 km ride and one can witness elephants, deer, different birds etc.
One can also enjoy the view of sunrise from Kolukkumalai, it is around 8000 ft. above the sea level. It will give you a picturesque view. Traditional lunch with trail of spices is a must thing to enjoy when you visit Munnar.
Tourist Places in Munnar
Munnar is a place where one can forget all their sorrows and miseries in life; they can enjoy each day to the fullest. All of this is possible because of the scenic beauty and the picturesque landscape that surrounds this hill station.
Some of the important locations that every tourist should visit once are as follows:
- Eravikulam National Park is one of the distinct places to visit in Munnar. It is located over an area of 97 sq. km. One of the most important tourist destinations in Kerala, it is just a 15 km ride from Munnar. It is mostly a hill plateau, so one can see rolling slopes here. Small streams are flowing through the place. The park has three main areas- the core area, the buffer area, and the tourism area. The tourist area is known as Rajmalai, tourists go deep into the forest to witness the hidden beauty of the environment.
- Waterfalls are another natural beauty that is Munnar blessed with. It has a series of stunning waterfalls; all of them are beautiful. Attukad waterfall is located in between the forest; the water is chilling cold and tourists mostly take baths in that water. Another waterfall is Lakkom waterfall; it is much more magnificent than Attukad. There are a range of activities that one can perform near this waterfall.
- Another unique thing to visit in Munnar is the Tea Museum. This place has a history of tea plantations; there are different photographs and machinery placed in the museum. It is the best place for tea lovers because it has room for tea tasting, which has flavors from all over the world.
Munnar Special Activities
There are a lot of interesting things to do in Munnar, one should have all the possible fun that they get there. Initially, one should book at least a day of stay in the tree house called Erumadam.
It is a new concept but a great one. It is also a great place for adventure enthusiasts and fitness freaks; one can go camping and trekking all in one place.
Many people opt for rock climbing as well. Mountain biking can also be stated as a great experience in the lush green laps of the mountains and hills.
Shopping places in Munnar
The beautiful tea plantations are the basic reason why Munnar is known as the most sought out place according to tourists. One can buy different flavors and best-blended tea leaves from the Tata tea company.
It also has a museum in its name and people should buy tea from there. For amazing handmade products, you should visit the Shristi welfare center. It has an amazing collection of jute products and khaki products and all these at a valuable rate.
If you are planning to take back some normal household materials then visit the local market in Munnar.
How to travel to Munnar
Munnar can be reached through various transport options from any part of the country. If you are traveling by air, then the nearest airport will be Kochi.
There are taxi services available that will drive you to Munnar through a distance of 125km. Kochi is also the nearest in terms of railway stations.
Where to stay in Munnar
Munnar has one of the best hotels and most of them are also resort types. Most resorts will give you a great feeling of nature and the peace of mind one enjoys during the stay here is simply wonderful and it makes them come back for more every year.
Hotels here are affordable and the rates vary in the picturesque area it is located and the facilities they offer.
