Munnar Fact File
Area: 26.2 sq km
Altitude: 1520 meters
Religion: Hinduism, Islam, Christianity
Languages: Malayalam, Tamil, English
Annual: Mean Rainfall 2750 mm
Maximum:Temperature 20°C
Minimum: Temperature 5°C
STD: Code 0486
Munnar – Introduction
The hill resort of Munnar is one of the most popular tourist destinations in India. Munnar lies in the God’s Own Country of Kerala. Besides being a hill resort Munnar is known a center for tea trade too. There are over thirty teagardens in and around Munnar. Get going on a bicycle at your own pace and unwind. Let the magic of Munnar bewitch you! The hill resort of Munnar derives its name from the fact that it lays at the confluence of three mountain streams. Literally in Tamil Munnar means “three rivers”.Situated at the confluence of three mountain streams – Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, and perched about 1600 m above sea level, the hill station of Munnar once used to be the summer resort of the erstwhile British administration in south India.
Munnar has now been rated as the second best tourist destination in the whole Asia. Almost all the major tour operators are tryinghard for finding suitable land in Munnar for their resorts as more than 90% of the land in Munnar is either Govt land or forest land. Club Mahindra, Sterling, KTDC Teacounty and Abad Copper Castleare some of the resorts that are already existing.There is a helipad in Munnar.
Munnar – Location
The marvelous hill resort of Munnar lays at the confluence of three mountain streams namely Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala, Since the British rule Munnar has been thronged by tourists. The lovely landscape, the teagardens and the pleasant weather make it a picture perfect destination. The hill resort is situated at an altitude of 1520 meters, in the eastern part of Kerala. The Western Ghats of Kerala stand close to Munnar. The highest peak of Anaimudi is quiet close to the hill resort. The hills neighboring Munnar present a spectacular sight only once in every twelve years. The Neelakurunji plant grows on the hills and bloom to cover the entire mountain range.
Make your holidays an invigorating one by trekking through the cardamom ,coffee and tea estates and going sight – seeing to the following places of interest.
Rajmalai:15 kms from Munnar – The natural habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr.
Eravikulam Nationmal Park:15 km from Munnar .Anamudi peak the highest mountain peak in South India is situated in the Southern region of the park.
Devikulam: 7 km from Munnar. It is a hill-station lake town and is a major tourist attraction.
Marayoor:36 km from Munnar. It is the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood trees. The place has left glimpses of the ancient caves( muniyaras). Thoovanam waterfall is situated near Marayoor.
Mattupetty Dam: 13 km from Munnar. It has an Indo-Swiss Livestock project and has rose gardens. It has boating facilities too. The famous echo point is very near and offers beautiful picnic spots.
Kundalay Dam: 20 km from Munnar. Is on the way to Top station. The Golf course of Tata Tea is located here.
Chinnar wildlife sanctuary: 60 km from Munnar. Has elephants, guars, deer, sambars, langurs and the endangered grizzled giant squirrel.
Munnar – Past
The hill resort has been the place for summer retreat and tea plantations since long. Digging the past of Munnar reveals the list of tea planters that visited Munnar. With the passage of time the forested and home of wildlife- Munnar has become perfect for tea plantations. Sites to Visit In the hill resort of Munnar you get to bask in the beauty of nature. There are the gorgeous greens that rejuvenate all the senses. Amongst the must visits in Munnar are the lavish and splendid tea gardens.
The tea producing Munnar is the right place to know the tea processing best. Right from picking of the tealeaves in the estates and the gardens to the packing in the factories, you may see it all. There are guided tours to the factories at the hill resort of Munnar. You may even pick up freshly packed tealeaves as souvenirs from the factory itself.
Munnar – What to Buy
There are no special local handicrafts items of souvenirs that you may look forward to buying from Munnar. The hill resort is renowned for its tea gardens. Thus, you may pick up tealeaves from Munnar. The hill resorts has several shops, factories and outlets from where you may buy the tealeaves. The single item is known to please many with its flavor and taste. A must buy for the tea connoisseurs.
Munnar – Adventure Sports
For the adventure seekers the hill resort of Munnar is fun. You may try fishing in the Devikulam Lake or indulge in sports like paragliding too.
One of the best options to explore the beauty of the Munnar is a bicycle ride. You can easily hire bicycles in the hill resort. In fact there are several bicycle riding routes that are popular with the tourists. At you’re your pace you get to enjoy the lovely landscape of Munnar. Ride the bicycle and feast your eyes on the gorgeous greens that pass by. There are the wondrous valleys, ravishing rivers, tea estates and cardamom and sandalwood plantations that offer spectacular sights.
The Christ Church of Munnar is another landmark of the hill resort. The church has been since the pre-independence days. Now the Sunday services are held here. The Christ church is the place to be at in case you are celebrating Christmas in Munnar.
Close to the marvelous hill resort of Munnar is the Devikulam Lake. The cool environs attract tourists to this lake. You may even try angling in the waters of the Lake. It is an ideal spot to unwind and relax. You may even be at the picturesque island in the lake with prior permission from the authorities.
Munnar – Best Time to Visit
The hill resort of Munnar, experiences cool weather all through the year. In the summer months you will need to carry some light woolens for protection against the chill. Whereas in winters, you should be, completely covered in woolens. The temperature drops down to as low as five degree Celsius. Thus you may visit Munnar anytime of the year besides the monsoons that last from June to September.
Munnar – Where to Stay
Sahya Tour Pvt Ltd has a sister concern in Munnar named WINTERGREEN RESORTS. Winter Green Resorts offers an idyllic experience to nature lovers and vacationers . Spectacular mountain views from every room pooled with Satellite TV ,Modern bathroom running hot and cold water .Direct dial telephone and the rest .Well appointed kitchen and dining facility will delight you at all.
These are plenty of things to do for those who want to make the stay in Wintergreen memorable and fulfilled – a trekking , sightseeing ,mountain rides watching sunrise and more and more.
