Munnar

Munnar is one of the most famous hill stations in South India. Situated in the Western Ghats mountain ranges Munnar. This tranquil hill station was first developed as a summer resort to the British Rulers of India. Vast expanses of tea plantations, picturesque valleys and mountains, the cool breeze with the scent of spices in it take your birth away.

Munnar derives its name from the three rivers which confluence the Munnar Town is situated. House to rare flora and fauna in the protected areas houses several threatened and endemic animal species including the Nilgiri Tahr, Elephants Nilgiri wood pigeon, the grizzled giant Squirrel, Sambar thrive, Nilagiri Langur, Gaur etc. The famous Neelakurinji plan blooms once in every 12 years painting the hillside blue.

ERAVIKULAM NATIONAL PARK

It is the latest wildlife park in Kerala, situated on the top of a plateau formed by clusters of shola grasslands and crisscrossed by perennial streams. Anamudi stands tall at 2695m over this park, as the tallest peak not only n western ghats but in South India. It is home to Nilgiri Tahr. Indian muntjacs, golden jackals, Gaurs, wild dogs, leopards, tigers, sambar deer, jungle cats. Elephants too visit the park once in a while. Indian Porcupines, Nilgiri Langur, Nilgiri martens, ruddy mongoose, stripe-necked mongoose, dusky palm squirrel. Various birds like wood pigeons, white-bellied short wings, flycatchers, laughing thrushes, verditer flycatchers etc. This national park is being considered for selection for 'World heritage site' by UNESCO.

ANAYAIRANKAL DAM

An ideal picnic spot in Munnar, Idukki. Translated as 'where elephants descend' this is a place to visit if you would like to watch elephant in its natural surroundings. Tourists get to watch heard of elephant flocks around and drinking at a large lake that abuts a dam surrounded by lush tea plantations and evergreen forests.

MATTUPETTY DAM, IDUKKI

The reservoir behind the Mattupetty stores cleans water which makes the wild animals and birds flocks there from the nearby forests. The tourists not only enjoy the clean water but also have fun in the same.

MOUNT CARMEL CHURCH MUNNAR

Built in 1898, the first Catholic Church to be built in the high ranges by Father Alfonso, Spanish missionary who has buried here also. The magnificent statues of Jesus and Mother Mary are on display in the church. Beside is a grotto dedicated to 'Our Lady of the Lourdes'. The place is frequented by not only the religious ones but also by history enthusiasts.

TEA MUSEUM MUNNAR

Situated at the edge of Munnar town the Tea Museum and factory is conceived and managed by Tata Tea. Take a tour of the museum and you will get an up-close account of on tea-making process. The tour covers right from the origin techniques of tea-making o the modern day techniques.

The museum houses old and new machinery, office equipment. It includes a tea roller from 1905, a 'Pelton Wheel' which was used to produce power at the power plant, a rail engine wheel from the Kundale Valley Light railway used to transport resources, both human and raw materials from Munnar to Top Station. The history of tea making is depicted by the Sepia toned photographs which shows photos from right from the pioneers.

Move further, you would come across colonial-era bungalow furniture - a magneto phone, a wooden bathtub, iron oven, typewriters, manual calculators and an EPABX from 1909.

Tourists get a chance to sample various blends in the factory demonstration room. There is a 30 min. a video presentation on the history of Munnar, plantations and the social development initiatives for the company workers which repeat every hour.

CHEEYAPPARA AND VALARA WATERFALLS

These are a beautiful pair of waterfalls. Cascading down, Cheeyappaa waterfall goes all the way three steps, to merge into Valara waterfalls. Water cascades from a height of 1000 m in Valara waterfalls. These places are considered to be a great place for trekking. The waterfall is on the Kochi-Madurai Highway, in between Neriamanglam and Adimali. The waterfalls are surrounded by lush green forests.

POTHAMEDU VIEW POINT

A small village about 6 km from Munnar town, Pothenmedu is one of the prominent tea plantations hubs in the area. The mountain offers a panoramic view of the tea, coffee and cardamom estates cocooned in the valleys, the roads zigzagging through lush greenery; peaks and forest draped Idukki Mountains drowned in the mist are some of the sights you can enjoy.