Far from the madding crowd
Munnar, the hill station in Kerala, fascinates tourists with its exquisite natural beauty
As summer steams in, and the mind wanders in search of cooler locations that won’t singe the pocket, consider the case of Munnar, that lovely hill station in Kerala, unparalleled for its evergreen forests, quaint little towns and softly contoured slopes surrounded by plantations of tea, coffee and spices. With a temperature that swings from 15 to 25°C, it is no wonder that the homesick British rulers dubbed it “Little London”.
While Munnar is perhaps the most beautiful destination in Kerala, and plays the perfect host through the year, the soaring of mercury in lesser locations considerably enhances its charm. If you're in the mood to take a break, you have places in and around Munnar that will get you started. Each place has something unique to offer, while evoking a relaxed and languorous pace of life. Picking the right places to visit is the most important aspect of planning a holiday in Munnar.
The best way to start the holiday would be to see the Headwork Dam, Pothamedu View Point and Blossom Park. Next up on the itinerary ought to be Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, and Kundala Dam. The famous Indo-Swiss Project is located at Mattupetty. You can get permission from the authorities to see the dairy farm. Thereafter, enjoy your speed boating at the Mattupetty Dam while the best place for peddle-boats is the Kundala Dam. Echo Point is another lovely location that should not be missed.
Meanwhile, you can spend the evening at the Munnar Garden or the shops in the hill. The enthralling spectacle of the Aanayirankal Dam which is just 4 km from Chinnakanal, is another worthy destination as it also facilitates boating.
Munnar is also home to the Nilgiri Tahr, so pay homage to the rare animal at close quarters with a stop at Rajamala, Eravikulam National Park (which is closed for two months beginning February for the mating season). The meandering Sandalwood forests of Marayoor also beckon as does Anamudi, the highest peak in South India. At 2695 m, this peak is ideal for trekking and then with a stop at the Tata Museum in Munnar, your journey is truly complete.
Munnar has a distinct flavour. There are no palaces, monuments, skyscrapers or towering buildings. Here the mystique is nature. And perhaps, this is the tug that draws tourists by hundreds year after year making it the perfect place to cool your head and heel during the sultry summer.
Getting there
The perfect place to start your drive to Munnar is either from Ernakulam or Kottayam. The nearest airport would be at Ernakulam, 130 km from Munnar.
The winding roads, on the way to Munnar which is situated at an altitude of 5000 to 8000 feet height above sea level, are a feast. The journey would take around four and a half hours from Ernakulam. On the way you can see tea and spice plantations. Usually for a four-day trip from Ernakulam to Munnar and back, the approximate cost of a rented car would be around Rs 6000. If you hire a larger vehicle like a Toyota Qualis or Chevrolet Tavera, the rent would be higher by Rs 1000.
Where to stay
Depending on the kind of holiday you’ve planned, you could either stay at Munnar town or in the quiet verdant environs of Chinnakanal, just 20 km away from Munnar. Thanks to a healthy tourist inflow, a number of resorts and hotels have come up in this area.
To enjoy a quiet holiday close to nature, it is better to stay in comfort surrounded by plantations of tea, coffee and spices like cardamom and pepper. If the holidays are planned with your stay at Chinnakanal, you are best placed to access the fascinating surroundings and contours of nature in Munnar.
Some Tips
1. If you are planning trekking, wear long sleeve shirts and long trousers to avoid injuries from low-lying shrubs and insect bites.
2. Boats plying in the lake do not have toilets’ so make sure to use the ones in the resorts.
3. Those who have a tendency to vomit may need to take enough precautions as the roads are winding and the journey is uphill.
4. Keep some warm clothes with you.
5. Make sure that the accommodation unit provides food for you,
6. It is always better to decide in advance the type of accommodation that you require and book in advance, especially during the peak tourism season.
7. Always confirm the rates and places to visit with your travel agent or the taxi driver in advance.
Important Information Centres
1. District Tourism Promotion Council (Govt of Kerala),Munnar : 04865-231516
2. Free Tourist Information Centre, Munnar. Phone: 04865-230582
3. Munnar Tourist Information Centre, Munnar. Phone 04865-230854
Some Useful Websites
www.periyar.net
www.incrediblekerala.org
Source: New Ind Press
As summer steams in, and the mind wanders in search of cooler locations that won’t singe the pocket, consider the case of Munnar, that lovely hill station in Kerala, unparalleled for its evergreen forests, quaint little towns and softly contoured slopes surrounded by plantations of tea, coffee and spices. With a temperature that swings from 15 to 25°C, it is no wonder that the homesick British rulers dubbed it “Little London”.
While Munnar is perhaps the most beautiful destination in Kerala, and plays the perfect host through the year, the soaring of mercury in lesser locations considerably enhances its charm. If you're in the mood to take a break, you have places in and around Munnar that will get you started. Each place has something unique to offer, while evoking a relaxed and languorous pace of life. Picking the right places to visit is the most important aspect of planning a holiday in Munnar.
The best way to start the holiday would be to see the Headwork Dam, Pothamedu View Point and Blossom Park. Next up on the itinerary ought to be Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, and Kundala Dam. The famous Indo-Swiss Project is located at Mattupetty. You can get permission from the authorities to see the dairy farm. Thereafter, enjoy your speed boating at the Mattupetty Dam while the best place for peddle-boats is the Kundala Dam. Echo Point is another lovely location that should not be missed.
Meanwhile, you can spend the evening at the Munnar Garden or the shops in the hill. The enthralling spectacle of the Aanayirankal Dam which is just 4 km from Chinnakanal, is another worthy destination as it also facilitates boating.
Munnar is also home to the Nilgiri Tahr, so pay homage to the rare animal at close quarters with a stop at Rajamala, Eravikulam National Park (which is closed for two months beginning February for the mating season). The meandering Sandalwood forests of Marayoor also beckon as does Anamudi, the highest peak in South India. At 2695 m, this peak is ideal for trekking and then with a stop at the Tata Museum in Munnar, your journey is truly complete.
Munnar has a distinct flavour. There are no palaces, monuments, skyscrapers or towering buildings. Here the mystique is nature. And perhaps, this is the tug that draws tourists by hundreds year after year making it the perfect place to cool your head and heel during the sultry summer.
Getting there
The perfect place to start your drive to Munnar is either from Ernakulam or Kottayam. The nearest airport would be at Ernakulam, 130 km from Munnar.
The winding roads, on the way to Munnar which is situated at an altitude of 5000 to 8000 feet height above sea level, are a feast. The journey would take around four and a half hours from Ernakulam. On the way you can see tea and spice plantations. Usually for a four-day trip from Ernakulam to Munnar and back, the approximate cost of a rented car would be around Rs 6000. If you hire a larger vehicle like a Toyota Qualis or Chevrolet Tavera, the rent would be higher by Rs 1000.
Where to stay
Depending on the kind of holiday you’ve planned, you could either stay at Munnar town or in the quiet verdant environs of Chinnakanal, just 20 km away from Munnar. Thanks to a healthy tourist inflow, a number of resorts and hotels have come up in this area.
To enjoy a quiet holiday close to nature, it is better to stay in comfort surrounded by plantations of tea, coffee and spices like cardamom and pepper. If the holidays are planned with your stay at Chinnakanal, you are best placed to access the fascinating surroundings and contours of nature in Munnar.
Some Tips
1. If you are planning trekking, wear long sleeve shirts and long trousers to avoid injuries from low-lying shrubs and insect bites.
2. Boats plying in the lake do not have toilets’ so make sure to use the ones in the resorts.
3. Those who have a tendency to vomit may need to take enough precautions as the roads are winding and the journey is uphill.
4. Keep some warm clothes with you.
5. Make sure that the accommodation unit provides food for you,
6. It is always better to decide in advance the type of accommodation that you require and book in advance, especially during the peak tourism season.
7. Always confirm the rates and places to visit with your travel agent or the taxi driver in advance.
Important Information Centres
1. District Tourism Promotion Council (Govt of Kerala),Munnar : 04865-231516
2. Free Tourist Information Centre, Munnar. Phone: 04865-230582
3. Munnar Tourist Information Centre, Munnar. Phone 04865-230854
Some Useful Websites
www.periyar.net
www.incrediblekerala.org
Source: New Ind Press
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