Sightseeing in Munnar

Rolling grasslands and shola forest across Eravikulam shelter around a third of the world’s Nilgiri tahr population, largely undisturbed by human presence, and the park’s Rajamalai section is also the best-known site for the Neelakurinji shrub, whose blue-purple flowers famously bloom en masse only once every twelve years. Eravikulam National Park sits at an elevation of 2298 m and is typically explored in about half day. The most favourable months to visit are April, March, May, and February, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Nearby points of interest include Eravikulam Lake, Neelakurinji Flowering Grounds, and Rajamalai Hills. Other notable highlights include spotting Nilgiri tahr on Rajamala grasslands, neelakurinji blooms once every 12 years, and trek to Anamudi peak, South India’s highest. It falls within Munnar, Idukki district, and Kerala, India.

Run by the Tata-linked Kannan Devan Hills Plantations, the museum displays vintage tea-processing machinery, photographs of early British planters and a working factory floor, with tastings offered at the end of the tour for visitors curious about how the surrounding estates turn leaf into cup. Tea Museum sits at an elevation of 1472 m and is typically explored in about 1-2 hours. The most favourable months to visit are March, February, December, and January, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Nearby points of interest include CTC Tea Processing Demonstration Area, Observation Deck & Tea Garden View, and Vintage Tea Rolling Machine. Other notable highlights include original 1900s tea rolling machines on display, watch live CTC tea processing through glass windows, and vintage photographs of British planters and coolie workers. It falls within Munnar, Idukki district, and Kerala, India.

Originally built as a transfer point for tea being moved down to the Tamil Nadu plains by ropeway, Top Station’s elevated ridge now draws visitors purely for its panoramic views over the Western Ghats, including sightings of Neelakurinji blooms in season along the surrounding slopes. Top Station sits at an elevation of 1645 m and is typically explored in about 2-3 hours. The most favourable months to visit are April, March, February, and January, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Nearby points of interest include Kuthiravetti Viewpoint, Neelakurinji Blooming Grounds, and Echo Point. Other notable highlights include neelakurinji blooms once every 12 years, panoramic view of Theni valley below, and tea plantations rolling into Tamil Nadu. It falls within Munnar, Idukki district, and Kerala, India.

Built to conserve water for hydroelectric use downstream, Mattupetty’s reservoir sits amid some of Munnar’s most photographed tea-garden scenery, and speedboat rides on the lake are typically paired with a stop at the adjoining Indo-Swiss Livestock Project, which has bred improved dairy cattle for the region since the 1960s. Mattupetty Dam sits at an elevation of 1594 m and is typically explored in about 2-3 hours. The most favourable months to visit are April, March, February, and December, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Nearby points of interest include Mattupetty Tea Estate View, Mattupetty Dam Viewpoint, and Mattupetty Lake. Other notable highlights include speed boat ride across calm reservoir waters, walk along dam wall with tea estate views, and spot elephants near forested reservoir edges. It falls within Idukki district and Kerala, India.

Mathikettan Shola National Park is a 12.82 km2 national park in Santhanpara village of Udumbanchola taluk in Idukki district of India's Kerala state. It was notified as a national park on 21 November 2003. Considering the unique nature of the shola forest in Mathikettan and its importance as an elephant strip, the state government has declared it as a National park in 2008. Central government has notified its area varying from zero to one kilometre around the boundary as eco sensitive zone. The park is located between other reserve forests like Eravikulam National Park and Pampadam Shola National Park.

The Mount Carmel Basilica of Munnar is a Catholic basilica and pilgrimage centre in the plantation town of Munnar, in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The church is known for its wood-framed windows and a statue of Christ and the Virgin Mary. The Mount Carmel Basilica of Munnar is a Catholic basilica and pilgrimage centre in the plantation town of Munnar, in the southern Indian state of Kerala. The church is known for its wood-framed windows and a statue of Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Sri Subramanya Temple is a Hindu temple located in Munnar in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. Lord Muruga is the principal deity. Sri Subramanya Temple is a Hindu temple located in Munnar in Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. Lord Muruga is the principal deity.

Tourists can see a collection of odd bits from the colonial era. A very enthusiastic 30-minute film is screened, and visitors are then taken around the factory to understand how tea is processed. If you are not a tea connoisseur you can skip visiting this museum.

There are woodpeckers, Malabar gray hornbills, Ceylon frogmouths, parakeets, and rose-billed rollers. This sanctuary is located 20 km from Kothamangalam on the road between Ernakulam and Munnar. There are basic and mid-range hotels in Kothamangalam and an Inspection Bungalow in Boothathankettu. You can take a boat cruise from Boothathankettu to Thattekkad. Admission foreigners: ₹40, Indian ₹10.

Take one of the many tour operators (such as Great Think Adventures) in Munnar and share a jeep with 4-6 other people to go to the Elephant Salt Ponds in Anakkulam. The drive is 1,5 hours, and your waiting time is only limited by your patience. Usually, one or more elephants come to the pool in the stream to drink - because they like the salty flavour of the minerals in the ground. But there's no guarantee you will actually see an elephant. Tourists and elephants are separated by a big meadow and some concrete steps or steel cables, so that the animals can go about their business undisturbed.

Chinnar wildlife sanctuary is in the Western Ghats of Kerala. This wildlife sanctuary has a large number of plants and animals. This wildlife sanctuary is spread in around 90² km of area. This sanctuary is one of the protected areas in the western ghats because of the significance of its flora, geomorphologic features, ecology and local cultural.

In this cultural centre you can see the local art of Kathakali, which is a drama showcasing thick face make up and face gestures. Also, there are Kalarippayattu performances, which is an ancient Martial Art that was used to train soldiers already before the Common Era started.