Tea Heaven – Munnar

The rolling hills around Munnar, South India’s largest tea-growing region, are spattered in green tea gardens, contoured, elliptically cut into and carved like ornamental hedges. Pristine valleys and exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests – aroma of spice scented cool air .Walking up with the finest aromatic tea, of how it is processed and made in to the best labels in the world and partake in the local culture.

Its jaw dropping beautiful no matter which way you look. The winter months are high season in Munnar for people to go on hikes and mesmerizing sunrise from hills, Munnar makes for a great winter vacation or a stay cation.

You my travel junkies, this place is for you. Even each and every time of the day is worthy to explore this nature and beyond that. I’m sure that you will be a Great story teller after visiting such hidden locations and meeting some pure souls.

Getting To Munnar

By Air
Nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery about 125 km away.

By Train
Munnar doesn’t have a rail network nearby. Though if you want to travel by train, the nearest railway station is Aluva 110kms, Ernakulum is 130kms and Madurai is 135kms.

By Road
Munnar has the bus station at the main street (bazaar). Direct regular buses are from Munnar (check online for timings). Buses are the best way to travel to Munnar by road.

Here’s our pick of the places to visit in Munnar

The Winter Vegetable Village – Vattavada

VATTAVADA, it is the last winter vegetable farm village

bordering Kerala & Tamilnadu states in the heights of Munnar It’s a virtually rain shadow village, surrounded by rare flora and fauna, lying in the eastern side of the Western Ghats near to Marayur and north side of Munnar town.

Approximately 40 KM from Munnar town towards Mattupetty dam, Kundala dam & Top Station, Pampadum Shola National Forest. Vattavada is very famous for its Organic Garlic, Green Pea and Strawberry Jams and Strawberry Vine.

The rolling hills around Munnar, South India’s largest tea-growing region, are spattered in green tea gardens, contoured, elliptically cut into and carved like ornamental hedges. Pristine valleys and exotic species of flora and fauna in its wild sanctuaries and forests – aroma of spice scented cool air .Walking up with the finest aromatic tea, of how it is processed and made in to the best labels in the world and partake in the local culture.

Its jaw dropping beautiful no matter which way you look. The winter months are high season in Munnar for people to go on hikes and mesmerizing sunrise from hills, Munnar makes for a great winter vacation or a stay cation.

You my travel junkies, this place is for you. Even each and every time of the day is worthy to explore this nature and beyond that. I’m sure that you will be a Great story teller after visiting such hidden locations and meeting some pure souls.

Getting To Munnar

By Air
Nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery about 125 km away.

By Train
Munnar doesn’t have a rail network nearby. Though if you want to travel by train, the nearest railway station is Aluva 110kms, Ernakulum is 130kms and Madurai is 135kms.

By Road
Munnar has the bus station at the main street (bazaar). Direct regular buses are from Munnar (check online for timings). Buses are the best way to travel to Munnar by road.

Here’s our pick of the places to visit in Munnar

The Winter Vegetable Village – Vattavada
VATTAVADA, it is known as the winter vegetable farm village borders Kerala & Tamilnadu states in the heights of Munnar It’s a virtually rain shadow village, surrounded by rare flora and fauna, lying in the eastern side of the Western Ghats near to Marayur and north side of Munnar town.

Approximately 40 KM from Munnar town .Vattavada is very famous for its Organic Garlic, Green Pea and Strawberry Jams and Strawberry Vine.

Winter season is the very best season to visit Vattavada Farm Village that holds magical valleys, amazing waterfalls, meadows and mountains, forest paths and Green farm sites, where you can touch the soul . And you will witness the clear night sky with countless shining stars, fireflies aimlessly running through the farm sites, high altitudes magic’s of clearest atmosphere.

And you my crazy backpackers, you should visit Vattavada and taste this wonderful flavour of Munnar that is still untouched and less travelled.

Mattupetty

The Mattuppetty dam is one of the most beautiful dam or lake and its located about 13 km from Munnar Town. The small waves of blue water of the lake created by the dam will soothe your eyes and you can find thickly forested Western Ghats hills surrounding the lake. It was peaceful and statue still, a feast for the eyes. You will be lost in the beauty of the place and can click lots of pictures. The  boat rides on the lake along with some drizzle and a good  weather. You can also get to see plenty of shops  selling souvenirs, jewelleries and tea and can enjoy your own happy shopping time. Oh yes! Please do not forget to bring home the home made delicious chocolates and spices which you can get anywhere from the market.

Rajamalai National Park
The tourist area of Eravikulam is more like a natural garden, offering a very pleasant walk among the trees and flowers of the region, beautiful views of the surrounding hills and tea estates, and the opportunity to see the Nilgiri tahr up close which is the primary attraction here (The tahr will obliging pose for photographs for you, but please don’t whistle and make noises at it—it’s a wild goat, not a pet dog, and you’ll only scare it away.) If you visit in the right year (check online), you’ll get to see the rare blossoming of the neelakurinji.

As the temperature and the number of tourists increase, the animal sightings will decrease so its better to visit in the morning(still, don’t expect to see more than the tahr and the occasional monkey).

Depending on the season you visit, you may see a few small water springs with cold, pure, crystal clear water, originating from the mountains. You can’t leave this place without tasting this pure water from the nature. Also, you can see a lot of birds having a good time near those springs. If you are a biologist, you will be amazed to see the wide variety of plants at Rajamalai.

Tourists get to see only a small section of Eravikulam National Park. The enticing photographs of the rich flora and fauna of the Rajamala Hills that you’ll see online and in advertisements are from the core area of the national park, which is inaccessible to tourists.

Parting suggestion: Carry sunglasses and/or umbrella—the weather can go from sunny to rainy in a matter of minutes. Sunscreen is a good idea when the sky is clear.

Chinnakanal & Anayirangal

Chinnakanal is 21kms distance  from Munnar town. The waterfalls here popularly known as Power House Waterfalls.Situated around 2000 m above sea level. The spot is enriched with the scenic view of the Western Ghat greeneries. Travelling about 7 kms from Chinnakanal, you reach Anayirangal. Anayirankal dam is an  picnic spot for travellers and locals. Almost 22kms away from Munnar, the dam is located amidst tea plantations and dense green forests. The word ‘Anayirankal Dam’  denotes the dam where the elephants come down to drink water. If you’re lucky you might just spot herds of elephants from nearby forest coming down to the lake for some water. You can spend time boating inside the park admiring beautiful views.

Kolukkumalai Tea Garden
Kolukkumalai hills of Munnar is about 40kms from munnar town .The beautiful tea gardens with the mist and fog and the panoramic views of the rolling hills from the top. This is a must visit for every nature lover .Kolukkumalai hills are still untouched and less travelled , if you are a true nature lover and you can  view  the glorious beauty of the  tea gardens with majestic mountains in the background.
To try and get the best views my advice would be to leave for sunrise, that way you’ll get amazing views before the clouds roll in for the day!

Top Station
Top Station located around 32 km away from Munnar, at a height of 1700 m above sea level. It is the highest point in munnar. Gives a whole picture of Western Ghats

You my travel junkies, this place is for you. Even each and every time of the day is worthy to explore this nature and beyond that. I’m sure that you will be a Great story teller after visiting such hidden locations and meeting some pure souls.
Also adding that, rather than traveling to lot of places within a short period of time, my advice is to choose one single destination first and stay there and explore in deep. That will make all the difference After all, Cultures are different. But people are still same everywhere

P.S. – The weather is cold in Munnar from November – march so carry one good woollen jacket.

HAPPY TRAVELLING FOLKS! KOLUKKUMALAI TEA GARDEN