Tourist Places To Visit In Munnar

The whispering pastures of Munnar embellished with crystalline lakes surely justify Kerala being dubbed God’s own country. Once known as the summer resort of the British and resting about 1600 m above the sea level, Munnar is situated at the convergence of three mountains- Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. The town is divided into two parts wherein the ‘old Munar’ features the tourist information center and ‘Munnar’ serves as the main hot-spot that offers bus stations and popular guest houses.

We have cherry-picked some destinations that you should add on to your ‘must visit’ list when you’re in Munnar. Here are the 11 top tourist places to visit in Munnar.

The almost-extinct Nilgiri Tahr dwells sound and secure in the sleepy surroundings of Eravikulam National Park, adorned by the Anaimudi Peak. Home to lion-tailed macaque, leopards, Atlas moth, tigers, one-of-its-kind flora and fauna, Neelakurunji flower, etc., the National Park is spread over an area of approx. 97 kms in the Rajamalai hills. Those who find it uninteresting to climb up to Rajamalai hills just to see the rare animal species, they would be stunned by the picturesque landscape that it has to offer. Moreover, trust us you, a lazy stroll along the park would be totally worth it. However the visitors must be prepared for spending a good 4 to 5 hours in the park because buying tickets, sight-seeing, and other activities take time.

If you happen to be in Kerala during winters, there is nothing like Top Station. The fog covered mountains seem to merge the cloud boundaries and it feels as if you’re sailing on clouds. Located at a distance of 37 km from Munnar on the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border, Top Station offers great views of Western Ghats. Regular buses and jeeps can be hired at decent prices to reach Top Station which is famous for a seasonal flower Neelakurinji (the strobilanthus that grows once every 12 years).

Located at a distance of 15 kms from Munnar, Echo point falls on your way to Top Station. A small lake set in the middle of rolling hills witnesses loud echoes of friendships and love. Each loud call made from any particular spot on the lake embankment bounces back from the hills creating audible echoes.

A niche dairy farm with over 100 species of cattle, Mattupetty is located at a distance of 13 Kms from Munnar. A fun picnic spot for some and an interesting sight-seeing destination for others, Mattupetty gives you an opportunity to make a stop at the Kundala Lake and tea plantations. The dairy farm is usually open from 9.00 am to 11.00 am and 2.00 pm to 3.30 pm but you must check the timings online before paying a visit.

Asian Elephants, Sambhar deer, Gaur and giant Malabar squirrel, among others cosily reside at the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary which is approx. 60 km from Munnar. A fully guided nature walk through the forest could be interesting proposition for the nature lovers which can be easily arranged with prior permission from the Sanctuary care-taker.

Natural views straightaway popped up from the pages of your favourite story book and created the panoramic Devikulam. Your escape into the hustle-bustle free life would not be complete without a stoppage at Devikulam. Relax, rejoice and rejuvenate yourself, that’s what this small-little hill retreat is all about. 7 kms off Munnar, scenic valleys, lush green tea estates, lively lakes, springs and sparkling streams await you. Take leisure walks, click pictures and do take your fishing rod along to try your hands at trout fishing at the Sita Devi lake. Please note that fishing at the lake would require prior permission from the Secretary of High Range Angling Association.

Travellers with a proclivity for the quaint old-world charm must visit the old stone church adorned with stained glass window panes and brass plaques safeguarding the memories of tea planters. Operated under the supervision of the Church Mission Society, the Church was built in the year 1910 and is frequented by all kinds of visitors from around the world for the sheer peace it offers.

An intoxicating brew of culture and class, Marayoor is popular for its naturally flourishing sandalwood plantations. It also boasts a sandalwood factory operated by the Forest Department. Marayoor is equally renowned for its caves embracing relics from the New Stone Age civilization.

A place widely known for its tea plantation does require a masterpiece preserving the legacy. The Tea Museum in Munnar does exactly the same. It preserves and showcases some of the finest and most interesting aspects on the beginnings and progress of tea plantations in Kerala's high ranges. Opened a few years back by Tata Tea, the Museum features photographs, curios, and equipment; all of which narrate stories about the origins and development of tea plantations in Munnar. Located at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea, the Museum is worth a visit while you’re in Munnar.

Flowing smoothly amidst hilly terrains and jungles, Attukkad waterfalls are located at a distance of 5kms from Munnar. Nature lovers would love to get down there to enjoy a few refreshing showers.

Home to ancient bungalows, cottages, playgrounds, and courts, Chithirapuram is enveloped in an old world charm. Located at a distance of approximately 10 km from Munnar, the town is also popular for its tea plantations.

A beautiful little lake in Munnar, Kundala is like a gemstone in the crown of this hill station. It lies on the way to Munnar, so you can easily visit it while going to or fro from the city. Most visitors enjoy the rolls and rolls of tea plantations and Nilgiri mountains surrounding the lake, imparting a thick tea fragrance to all the space around. There is also an ancient dam on the lake and you can take a shikara (boat) ride. The area is especially lovely during the full bloom season of cherry blossom, and every 12 years the rare Neelakurinji flower blooms here. Photography, sightseeing, picnicking etc are enjoyable here.

The Carmelagiri Elephant Park is the place where you get thrill, adventure as well as gorgeous nature in the same breath. The famous elephant-back safaris give this park its name and you can indulge in this activity by taking a tour of your choice — half a day or half an hour… there are many options. With meadows and mountains, jungles and clear blue skies, this park is beauty defined by the paintbrush of god himself. Keep your cameras handy and sit back as the elephants take you around their home.

Wonder Valley Adventure & Amusement Park is Munnar’s own version of fun. From zip lines to waterfalls, 12D rider rides to dashing cars, the amusement park is worth a visit on a cool afternoon. You can also enjoy the famous Charlie Chaplin Walk here, along with rain dance, wave pools, rainforest trekking and bungee jumping. Treehouses are also open for you to visit or rent for the night.

A peak that is isolated and gives you soft, solitude-like vibes, Chokramudi is a part of the Eravikulam National Park. You need to trek up this peak through the Shola forest. The trek base is an hour away from Munnar. An early morning trek refreshes you, and also gives you great views when you reach the top. Many trekkers prefer to start by pre-dawn so that they can catch the sunrise up here. You can actually see the herds and herds of cattle in Nilgiri Tahr below as they set out to graze. Winter is the best time to take this trek.

Green verdant spaces and mist hanging like a second skin, that’s Pothamedu View Point for you. You get a panoramic view of the whole valley from here, even see the serpent like curves of river Muthirapuzha and the Idukki Dam peppering the slopes down below. The view point is situated smack in the middle of fragrant plantations — of cardamom and coffee, pepper and tea… treating your nostrils. Nature walks and sunsets are quite coveted in this place.

A dairy farm that was started as a joint venture between India and Switzerland, Mattupetti is about 60 years old. The locals like to refer to it as a cattle village, but in reality it is a small little hamlet that is charming and pretty, with cows chomping on fresh green grasslands, looking very much like a scene from Swiss alps. The Mattupetti Dam is close by, only 3 km away, giving you another incentive to sightsee.

Lakkom Waterfall falls on the way to Munnar from Udumalaipettai. It is smack in the middle of Eravikulam National Park, with dense tea plantations surrounding it. The pool where this waterfall collects is just as pretty and glinting, inviting you into its depths. The brown rocks are clearly visible underneath the water as birds chirp and make music in the forest. You can take a nature walk through Eravikulam and find this waterfall, then enjoy some quiet time here, before packing up to go eat some delicious Kerala fare of sambar-rice and fish curries at a small stall nearby.

Well, treehouses are the symbol of Munnar hospitality. How can you not stay in one? 

Summers are the best time to experience a little tryst in a treehouse. The Seven Springs Plantation Resort is one of the best places around to give you the life you dreamed as a child — a small wooden house on the thickest bough of a tree, unlimited food and drinks at your disposal, birds singing as you wake up and the moon beaming into your house as you go to sleep. It’s almost like playing house again! Except, now you also get luxury mattresses, TV, AC, mini bar, ensuite and intercom too at your disposal.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Meesapulimala is home to lush evergreen rainforests, emerald coloured grasslands, lakes and wildlife wandering freely. It is one of the most naturally endowed place near Munnar, inviting you to trek sustainably. A set of eight hills are a part of the standard trek route and takes you around the border of Kerala. You can also go for tea tastings to Kolukkumalai tea estate or Tripadamala for a walk if you are not the adventurous type. 

Meesapulimala is 20 km away from Munnar.