Munnar is a town in Kerala, India, in the Western Ghats. Huge tea plantations and scenic beauty have made this area famous. The Malayalam word “Moonu Aaru,” which may be translated literally as “three rivers,” is where the name “Munnar” comes from. The confluence of the Kundaly, the Nallathanni, and the Madhurapuzha is where you’ll find the hill station. In addition, you can enjoy the massive wilderness, the lush greenery, the aromas of tea, the hospitality and much more in this southern hamlet.
Brief History
The town got its name because of its advantageous location at the confluence of three rivers (the Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala Rivers). The term “river” derives from the three-syllable word “Moonu.” Situated at 1,500 and 2,695 meters above sea level, the British formerly used this region as their summer capital in South India.
The Munnar area is most famous for its proximity to several tea plantations. It has preserved remnants of the storied past of tea production in Kerala. The Neelakurinji flower—also called Strobilanthus—plays a significant role in attracting visitors to this remarkable area. Tourists come from around the world to see the flower blooming, which occurs once every twelve years.
Weather in Munnar
Munnar has three distinct seasons, although the town is a tourist destination throughout the year. This means you may visit whenever you choose, even though your experience will be vastly different depending on the season. November through February are the busiest for tourists from all over the world, March through May are the most popular for Americans, and August and September attract travellers from every corner of the globe. It’s climate is lovely year-round, although the winters might be harsher than you would imagine
How to reach Munnar?
In order to reach Munnar, you may take a flight or train or hit the road. There aren’t any airports or rail stations in Munnar, but you may get there by flying into or taking the train to one of the larger airports or train stations in the area and then taking a bus or taxi the remainder of the way.
By air
Cochin International Airport is the nearest to Munnar, situated around 125 kilometres away from this breathtaking destination. Taxi service is also available to take visitors from the airport to Munnar. Besides being well-connected to major cities in India, the airport in Cochin offers convenient flights to various international destinations.
By train
Train stations nearest to you may be found in Kochi or Ernakulum. It’s a central transportation hub in the south, with rail connections to major population centres, including New Delhi, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Mangalore, and Bangalore.
By road
The state-operated public transportation system connects Munnar to other cities in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Leaving Cochin, you may take one of several prearranged bus trips to the town. Alternatively, you may take a bus to nearby cities like Kochi (124 km), Thrissur (148 km), Madurai (152 km), and Thiruvananthapuram (152 km) (281 km).
Interesting Facts
Munnar is a popular hill station and a perfect weekend getaway. Here are some super interesting facts about this town I bet you didn’t know:
- The town of Munnar is where the Mudhirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundaly rivers meet, which is said to be the inspiration for the name.
- It is a popular honeymoon destination and is often called the “Kashmir of South India.”
- The plantations significantly reduced the range of native plant and animal species in Munnar, leading to the extinction of many of them.
- When Munnar was the official summer retreat for the British government, its elites would spend their summers there. In modern times, It has become famous as a picturesque mountain retreat.
- The Munnar panchayath was created on January 24th, 1961, and it is divided into 21 wards for ease of administration.
- The wild Neelakurinchi orchids that give Munnar its name bloom once every twelve years, painting the whole valley a vibrant violet colour.
- Munnar is where you want to acquire the freshest, highest-quality tea. You may find a wide selection of teas in here, each with its unique flavour profile. Tata Tea’s retail shop is the best place to stock up on your favourite beverage since it always has a reasonable price and never runs out. There are also a few convenience shops and markets located along the highway.
Things to do in Munnar
If you’re visiting Munnar, you will never really run out of things to do. Here are my top 6:
- Park of Eravikulam
Once used by the British as a hunting preserve, this area is now a national park. To this day, the park continues to provide excellent protection for its native wildlife. Located at an altitude of around 3,000 meters (10,000 feet), this national park is relatively high. The Nilgiri tahr, a rare wild goat, is protected there. Munnar takes great pride in this.
2. Museum of Tea
The Tata Tea Museum gives us insight into the development of the Munnar tea trade. The collection of historic objects, pictures, and memorabilia is fascinating. A neighbouring tea processing centre provides insight into the intricate tea-making process. The scent is lovely
3. Waterfalls at Attukal
This must-see destination is tucked away in a valley 8 kilometres from Munnar. Long treks may be enjoyed in Attukal. The place is breathtaking, with all its rolling hills and crashing waterfalls.
4. Nyayamakad
Nyayamakad Gap, on the Munnar Coimbatore route, offers stunning views of both Talayar Valley and Munnar Valley. Witnessing the spectacular waterfalls here is a treat. Nyayamkad is around ten kilometres from Munnar.
5. Mattupetty
Mattupetty, at an elevation of 1700 meters, is well-known for its dairy farm. The picturesque Mattupetty lake and dam, a popular picnic destination, is close to this fantastic property. The water held back by Mattupetty Dam is massive. The thrill of boating and the chance to see exotic creatures like elephants and Sambar make a trip here worthwhile.
6. Neelakurinji
Neelakurinji is a rare plant which flowers only once in twelve years. Given that, Munnar is famous for Neelakurinji.
goSTOPS Munnar
Finding accommodation in Munnar is fairly tricky. Emphatically there are high-end hotels, bed-and-breakfast stays, 2-star hotels and much more. Being a honeymooner’s destination, the hotel stays can be a little over the budget.
goSTOPS Munnar is a peaceful abode away from the hustle-bustle of the town. It is surrounded by greenery, with fruit trees and cardamom plants shading the pathways giving it a tropical backdrop. It is situated near the beautiful Sengulam Dam.
Maintaining the vibrant colour scheme of every goSTOP hostel, goSTOP Munnar too is a high-spirited, community-oriented space meant for youngsters. We have spacious, airy dormitories with not more than 4 to 6 beds each. There are also private rooms with single beds and double beds. Accommodation starts at as low as INR 399 (US$ 4.80). The best part of the hostel is that it is pet friendly!
Here is a list of amenities available in the hostel:
- Free WiFi
- Free Parking;
- 24 hours running hot water
- Indoor Games in the Common Area
- Lockers in the dormitories
- Luggage Room
- Towel
- Heaters
- Laundry services
To learn more, click here: https://gostops.com/book-rooms-in-munnar-hostel/
Parting Thoughts…
Above all, Munnar is truly a sight for sore eyes. From evergreen tea plantations to roaring waterfalls, Chokramudi Peak to Vizhinjam beach – Munnar truly is a beautiful snippet of why Kerela is God’s own country.
Are you visiting Munnar anytime soon? Which tourist attraction are you most excited to visit?
Let us know in the comments below.
