Munnar is known to be one of the most beautiful and remarkable hill stations in India. Located in Kerala which is known to be Gods own country, I was sure that I had visited heaven with just one trip to Munnar.
With beautiful weather through the year and waterfalls like I have never seen before, there are more than a hundred reasons why I will recommend a visit to Munnar. Munnar is known for its variety of wildlife from migratory birds to different species of animals, its lip-smacking Malabar influenced cuisine and the array of adventure sports such as trekking and mountain climbing and hence an ideal place for a vacation. Book an Innova from Kochi for a comfortable trip and enjoy this lovely scenic, destination to its fullest.
Overview and activities in Munnar:
Munnar had a wide range of activities that I could perform while vacationing there. But before the activities, there are few places that are a must visit. We had heard that when in Munnar, be sure to visit the Kolukkumalai Tea Estate – This magnificent garden of tea is going to satisfy the tea lover in you.
With acres and acres of tea plantations, this is the very essence of Munnar and is not to be missed. Another must is a boat ride in the Kundala Lake. A boat ride in the monsoon is as ethereal as it gets. Be sure to visit the Lakkam Waterfalls too and plan for an afternoon picnic by the water.
If you are looking for adventure sports, Munnar will not disappoint you. For people who love to trek, be sure to trek your way up the Echo Point. The view from this point is spectacular and the serenity cannot be compared to any other place on earth. For that extra adrenaline pump, be sure to try your hand at mountain biking at Suryanelli range too.
There are tons of adventure sports companies that arrange for rappelling and rock climbing and therefore the options are endless. Personally, as I am more of a nature lover, I ended up exploring the nature side of Munnar which includes a tree house stay, a visit to the Eravikulam National Park, the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary to view the different and rare species of birds and animals. Being an elephant lover, a visit to the Carmelagiri Elephant Park is an absolute must and a ride on the elephant is a complete given here.
Last but not least for sure, a visit to Munnar is not completed if you have not gorged on the local cuisine. Be sure to try an authentic Kerala meal to experience the true food culture of Kerala.
How to reach Munnar from Kochi:
While there are tons of local transport options available, I wanted to enjoy the scenic route from Kochi to Munnar and therefore decided to get a car on rent in Kochi with an experienced driver. This turned out to be the best decision as the route to Munnar is scenic and if you have your own car you can make pit stops for tea and snacks.
Distance and time taken:
The distance from Kochi to Munnar is about 130 kilometres and this distance can be covered in roughly four hours. Though this is an uphill journey, the views onwards and back are so beautiful that you would wish the journey would continue forever
