Munnar - All you need to know

Munnar- Most of you must have already heard about this lush green picturesque hill town located in the southernmost Indian state of Kerala. This beautiful place was in my bucket list for the last few years because of its fascinating pictures and Tea gardens.

That’s the most beautiful hill destination of Southern India and also known as Kashmir of South India. The weather, panoramic view of tea gardens, and the valley make this destination unique and different from the others.

Munnar is among one of the world’s best tea-growing areas, with many tea estates. There are over 30 tea-growing estates in Munnar, including Tata tea and Ripple tea.


I started my road trip to Munnar from Thiruvananthapuram city at 7 am in the morning. The journey comprises 250 km of distance, which I managed to cover in 8 hours.

                                                                                                                        

Peaceful or Crowded?

One of the major determining parameters of any tourist destination is whether the place is crowded with tourists or less crowded and peaceful.

You will find a lot of tourists in and around Munnar, especially during weekends and holidays, though finding a peaceful place is not impossible. You may need to look around for such a place, normally located a few miles outside of the main town.

Tip- Either travel by your own transport or rent a bike if you are looking for some secluded quiet place in Munnar.  Peaceful places are located in the outskirts (i.e. 8-12 km away from the main town).

Places to Explore

Sightseeing to explore major spots of Munnar requires a day. There are 9 minor and major spots in total, while the most popular ones include Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Kundale Dam, and Top Station.



It’s easy to tour these sites because, unlike other hill stations, you don’t have to go left and right to explore destinations.  All of the sites are located on one path.

Out of all these places, I found our random visit to the tea estates the most captivating. The lush greenery of these estates was beautiful, especially to this North Indian.  


How to Explore

Apart from traveling with your vehicle, other options to explore Munnar include renting a tuk-tuk for a day or renting a motorbike for self-drive.

 

How To Reach Munnar By Public Transport

The nearest Airport and Train station is located in Cochin which is 150 km away from Munnar, frequent buses are available to Munnar from Cochin city.

You may also hire a taxi from Cochin if you are traveling in a group with family/friends.

 

Accommodation in Munnar

The best part of Munnar is that that there is space for everyone, whether you are on a budget trip or a luxury honeymoon vacation.  You will find a variety of accommodations from backpacker’s hostel to high-end resorts.

I stayed in Share Hostel, located 8 odd km from the town in a quiet location. A bunk bed in a mixed dorm cost INR 250/- with access to a common kitchen.

 

Time To Visit Munnar

Considering the tropical weather, Kerala is usually hot throughout the year. Winter months of December till February would be highly recommended if you love to beat the heat.

 

Hunger Time

There’s not much to add in this last section, since we mostly cooked or ate street food. I had the best Shawarma of my life at the "Arabian grills" located on the main square of Munnar market.
 

Live life the way you want to live, not the way society compels you to live.

 

Happily available to assist travelers at 9910326647 or prateeksapra.p@gmail.com.













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