Quick Getaways: Top Places to Visit in Munnar in One Day

Munnar, set in Kerala's Western Ghats, is a picturesque hill resort renowned for its rolling tea plantations, dense cover of mist and fog, and salubrious weather. Situated at an altitude of around 1,600 meters above mean sea level, Munnar used to be the summer capital of the British colonies earlier and continues to entice tourists with its vintage beauty and nature's grandeur. The geographic name 'Munnar' is also believed to be derived from "three rivers," i.e., where the Mudhirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundaly rivers confluence, again enhancing the area's serene beauty. With its beauty, scenic climate, and scenery, Munnar offers a complete getaway for nature lovers, honeymooners, and adventure sports enthusiasts. Among the usual Munnar sightseeing spots is its large tea plantations. The rows of well-arranged tea bushes, which rise and fall like hills, form a green blanket, a definite visual delight. The century-old plantations provide escorted tours in which the tourists can observe the process of tea-making from the plucking stage to the packing stage. The Tata Tea Museum is one such tourist spot that gives information about the history and development of the tea industry in the area.

Munnar is also a biodiversity paradise. Eravikulam National Park housing the Nilgiri Tahr falling under the endangered species list is also a nature lover's and trekker's heaven. The park also becomes a favourite because the Neelakurinji flowers once every 12 years into an enchanting blue carpet that covers the slope of the hill. Some of the other natural attractions include the Mattupetty Dam, the Anamudi Peak South India's highest point of elevation, Kundala Lake, and the Attukal Waterfalls with boating, trekking, and nature walks as outdoor and landscape watching activities. To complement its beauty is also the laid-back environment of Munnar combined with hospitable homely homestays, great resorts, as well as local restaurants serving native Kerala cuisine. The combination of peaceful landscapes and cultural richness makes it an open resort for relaxation and discovery. Whether it is the delight of freshly brewed tea amidst the plantations, unforgettable scenery from a hill station, or immersing oneself in the local flora and fauna, Munnar guarantees a peaceful and unforgettable experience. Best to visit at any time of the year especially from September to May Best to experience is indeed a jewel of South India that invites all the visitors to surrender to its tranquility and eternal grace.

1. Eravikulam National Park

Eravikulam National Park is situated in the beautiful Western Ghats of Munnar in Kerala state. The scenic sanctuary is indeed renowned for its residence of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a mountain goat indigenous and endemic to such hills. The landscape here boasts an unmatched combination of rolling meadow and shola forest so that such a vantage point that fascinates nature enthusiasts. The second of the most scenic sights of the park is the blooming of the Neelakurinji plant at an interval of 12 years and the blue carpet of hills blue ocean. Anamudi Peak, South India's highest peak and thus heaven on earth for trekkers and photographers, is also included in the park. With its abundance of biodiversity, picturesque beauty, and peaceful trekking paths, Eravikulam is a destination that no Kerala nature sightseeing enthusiast can ever think of bypassing.

Places to see nearby Eravikulam National Park

• 13 km from Munnar Town - Tea estates and good weather-famous hill station.

• Tea Museum - Education on tea history and production.

• Mattupetty Dam - Boat, peaceful landscape, and greens.

• Kundala Lake – Peaceful lake with pedal boat and cherry blossom trees.

• Top Station – Western Ghats view.

Best Time to Visit Eravikulam National Park

• Sep to Mar – Pleasant climate and clear weather.

• Don't take the Monsoon trip (June–Aug) – The trip is blemished with heavy rain.

• Neelakurinji Flower Period (Next time in 2030) – 12 years-once-beauty when blue hills appear.

How to Reach Eravikulam National Park

• By Airport: Cochin International Airport is the closest airport (approximately 120 km).

• By Train: The closest railway station is Aluva (about 120 km).

• By Road: Conveniently road-linked to Munnar. Bus and taxi services from Kochi, Aluva, and surrounding towns.

2. Mattupetty Dam

Mattupetty Dam is a hill resort situated around 13 km from Munnar, Kerala, under the cover of the greenery of the Western Ghats. Constructed in the late 1940s as a hydroelectric powerhouse, the dam has now become a peaceful picnic spot renowned for its scenery and peaceful waters. It is bordered by green forests and hilly terrain and is a peaceful place for boat rides and forest walks. It is a paradise for bird watching and is frequented by elephants and other animals now and then to quench their thirst at the water body. The pedal boats and speedboats can also be rented, and the tourist can have a peaceful boat ride and a wide view of foggy hills. Indo-Swiss Livestock Project's Mattupetty Dairy Farm, located near the reservoir, is one that you would not want to miss if you are an animal husbandry and agriculture enthusiast. If experience or adventure is what you are looking for, Mattupetty Dam is a tranquil oasis in your Munnar holiday.

Nearby Places Mattupetty Dam

• Echo Point (6 km) – Travel spot where you can hear your voice echoing from the hills around.

• Kundala Lake (12 km) – Picturesque lake ideal for pedal boating and photography.

• Top Station (32 km) – Munnar's highest point with a Western Ghats view.

• Tea Museum (13 km) – Munnar tea plantation history.

• Rajamalai (Eravikulam National Park) (15 km) – Home of endangered Nilgiri Tahr and picturesque trekking routes.

Best Time to Visit Mattupetty Dam

• September to March: Best time when the weather is pleasant and cool and ideal for boating and sightseeing.

• Monsoon (June to August): The globe is colourful with colour and green everywhere, but with heavy showers outdoor activities are curtailed.

• Summer (April to May): Though hot compared to plains, a heat respite is enough.

How to Reach Mattupetty Dam

• By Air: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport (110 km from Munnar). It is possible to get dropped at Munnar by taxis and buses from there.

• By Train: The nearest major railway station is Aluva (110 km). Ernakulam is the alternative available one. (130 km).

• Road: Kochi, Madurai, and Coimbatore are well connected to Munnar by road. Mattupetty Dam (13 km) can be reached by hired car or local taxi from Munnar town.

3. Echo Point

Approximately 15 kilometres from Munnar is Echo Point, one of the most popular destinations around. Renowned for its natural echo effect, it's a destination where your voice is reflected from the hills around. The stunning views of green tea plantations, misty mountains, and the lake nearby make it perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and adventure seekers. Whether trekking, boat riding, or simply enjoying the view, Echo Point is an experience to remember.

Sights to visit Around Echo Point

• Mattupetty Dam (6 km) – Peaceful dam with boat ride and viewpoint facility.

• Kundala Lake (12 km) – Pedal boat and viewpoints.

• Top Station (32 km) – Hill viewpoint with the view of Munnar hills.

• Tea Museum (13 km) – Study about the tea culture and history of Munnar.

• Eravikulam National Park (15 km) – To spot Nilgiri Tahr and peaceful trekking spots.

Best Time to Visit Echo Point

• September to March: Pleasant and cool weather and ideal for outdoor games and travel.

• Summer (March to May): Not hot and not cold weather, thus a relief in itself from plains heat.

• Monsoon (June to August): Green and greenish environment but heavy rains can make outdoor activity impossible.

How to Reach Echo Point

• By Airport: The closest airport is Cochin International Airport (110 km from Munnar). Taxi or bus facility can be arranged there to reach Munnar, and a local drive of a few kilometres will get you to Echo Point.

• By Rail: The closest rail station to travel is Aluva (110 km) or Ernakulam (130 km). Taxi or bus facilities can be availed there to reach Munnar.

• Road: Munnar is closely connected by road with other towns such as Kochi, Madurai, and Coimbatore also. A local taxi or auto-rickshaw will take you to Echo Point (15 km) from Munnar town.

4. Top Station

Top Station is 32 km from Munnar and is the highest point of the location with breathtaking views of the Western Ghats and below valley. Known for good weather, foggy scenery, and a natural setting, Top Station is ideal for those who wish to be isolated and have nature and solitude. The place is also home to a famous Neelakurinji flower, which appears once every twelve years and carpet the ground with a beautiful blue ocean of blooms. Top Station View is an ideal spot to witness mountain, valley, and tea garden views.

Places to Visit Around Top Station

• Mattupetty Dam (32 km) – Peaceful dam with boating facility and dazzling view.

• Echo Point (15 km) – One of the most popular places to enjoy the natural echo.

• Kundala Lake (12 km) – Famous for pedal boating and dazzling photography.

• Eravikulam National Park (15 km) – Studded with endangered Nilgiri Tahr and wild forests and wildlife.

• Tea Museum (13 km) – Discover the fascinating tea history and culture of Munnar.

Best Time to Visit Top Station

• September to March: Fine and pleasant weather, ideal for sightseeing and photography.

• Summer (March to May): The mild climate of Munnar is like a gentle relief from the plains' heat.

• Monsoon (June-August): Even though the destination is green and wet during monsoon festivals, it's hazy and rainy, and travel is a bit of a challenge. But if you like the appearance of monsoons, go right ahead.

How to Reach Top Station Top Station

• By Airport: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport (~110 km from Munnar). Taxi or bus from there can continue to Munnar and road travel to Top Station.

• Train: The closest railheads are Aluva (110 km) and Ernakulam (130 km). From either of these places, one can go to Munnar and then to Top Station by taxi or bus.

• Road: Top Station is also well connected by road from other towns like Kochi, Madurai, and Coimbatore. After reaching Munnar, one can go to Top Station by local bus or taxi.

5. Kannan Devan Tea Museum

Since 2005, India's first tea museum, courtesy of Kannan Devan Hills Plantations Company (KDHP), the Kannan Devan Tea Museum, or Tata Tea Museum, has been located in the Nullatanni Estate, just 5 minutes from the town of Munnar. It is an interesting visit to the history of tea cultivation and development here. The museum itself is located in a colonial bungalow and has artefacts, photographs, and machinery that reflect the history of Munnar tea plantations from the second half of the 19th century.

Nearby places of Kannan Devan Tea Museum

• Mattupetty Dam (13 km): Tranquil reservoir with boating facility and viewpoint.

• Echo Point (15 km): Tourist place renowned for natural echo.

• Top Station (32 km): Munnar's highest point with scenery of scenic Western Ghats.

• Eravikulam National Park (15 km): Nilgiri Tahr sanctuary, an endangered mammal, and high biodiversity range.

• Kundala Lake (12 km): Picturesque lake suitable for pedal boating and photography.

Best Time to Visit Kannan Devan Tea Museum

• September to March: Comfortable climate and low temperatures, and therefore the best time for sightseeing and museum visits.

• March to May: Proper outdoor conditions and good weather at Munnar.

• June to August: Heavy rains during these months season disrupt travel schedules along with other outdoor activities.

How to Reach Kannan Devan Tea Museum

• By Airport: Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to Cochin, which is around 75 km from Munnar. Individuals can travel by bus or taxi from the airport and move further to Munnar.

• Train: The nearest railway head is Aluva, 112 km from Munnar. From there, go by bus or taxi to Munnar.

• Road: Munnar is well connected by road to Kochi, Coimbatore, and Madurai. As the museum lies in the centre of the city after arriving at Munnar, it is just a couple of kilometres away by drive.

6. Attukal Waterfalls

Attukal Waterfalls is a scenic fall halfway between Pallivasal and Munnar. The fall is a gentle slope from hill rocks to a peaceful pool, with plants all around and rolling hills in all directions. So enchanting is its beauty that it is heaven for nature lovers, trekkers, and photographers too.

Places of interest around Attukal Waterfalls

• 15 km: Echo Point: Enjoy the lovely echo effect of nature among misty hills.

• Top Station (32 km): Panoramic view of the Western Ghats and valley below.

• Kundala Lake (12 km): This peaceful lake is well-located for pedal boating and photography.

• Tea Museum (13 km): Discover the history and process of tea-making in Munnar.

• Eravikulam National Park (15 km): Abode of endangered Nilgiri Tahr and high bio-diversity.

Best Time to Visit Attukal Waterfalls

• Monsoon Season (June–August): Waterfall is in full flow with enhanced water strength and dense vegetation.

• Post-Monsoon (September–November): The weather is nice, and the waterfall is operational, but peaceful to tour.

• Winter (December–February): There is cold weather that is good for trekking and photography.

• Summer (March-May): Though operational still, the water supply is not good, and it is quite warmer.

How to Reach Attukal Waterfalls

• By Airport: The nearest airport, Cochin International Airport, is 110 km away from Munnar.

• By Rail: The nearest railway heads to Munnar are Aluva and Ernakulam, both situated around 110 km from Munnar.

• By Road: Drive via the town of Munnar on the Aluva-Munnar Road (State Highway 16) to Pallivasal. The falls are approached on a twisted curved road and wooden bridge.

7. Blossom International Park

Around 1.3 km from the town of Munnar, on Aluva-Munnar Highway, is Blossom Hydel Park or Blossom International Park. The serene 16-acre botanic park at the riverbank of Muthirappuzha is a serene paradise set amidst landscape, flower beds with colours, and greeneries. Nigh undeveloped owing to adversity in developing eco-tourism, it is a rubbish-free paradise on earth. The park is situated in the Kanan Devan Hills Tea Estates and is perfect for nature walks, photography, and relaxation.

Nearby Attractions & Activities Blossom International Park

• Flower Gardens: Walk through well-manured gardens that consist of a mix of seasonal and perennial flowers.

• Artificial Waterfalls: Witness the artificial waterfalls in the park that contribute to the peaceful atmosphere.

• Adventure Activities: Zip-lining, roller skating, and cycling are a few adventure activities.

• Boating: Go for a quiet coracle boat ride in the Muthirappuzha River (book in advance from the boating counter near the entrance).

• Nature Walks: Go for nature walks guided or on their own to view the flora and fauna of the area.

• Photography: Click the picturesque, colorful flowers, and animals.

• Children's Play Area: Let the kids play in spotted playgrounds with hammocks and swings.

Best Time to Visit Blossom International Park

November to March.

• Weather: Pleasant and sunny with temperatures ranging from 10°C to 28°C.

• Average Best Activities: Easy walk, photography, and witnessing the nature show of the park.

• Floral Show Annual: March and April, with scented flowers that are tinted in nature.

How to Reach Blossom International Park

• By Airport: The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, 110 km from Munnar. A taxi or bus from the airport will arrive.

• By Train: Aluva and Ernakulam, which are both 110 km from Munnar, are the nearest train stations. A taxi or bus will drop you off at Munnar from these places.

• By Road: Munnar is also well connected with surrounding major cities like Kochi, Madurai, and Coimbatore, and Blossom International Park is easily accessible once you reach Munnar via the Aluva-Munnar Highway.

8. Pothamedu View Point – Munnar, Kerala

Pothamedu View Point is a view of about 3 km distance from Munnar town in Kerala. It falls on the road at Bison Valley and gives a view of tea, coffee, and cardamom plantation areas around the hills. On a clear day, even the Muthirapuzha River and Idukki Arch Dam can be seen here.

Places around Pothamedu View Point

• Attukad Waterfalls: Picturesque waterfall 9 km from Munnar, perfect for a splash of fresh water.

• Blossom Hydel Park: 8 km from Munnar, the park has boating and cycling facilities amidst greenery.

• Eravikulam National Park: 15 km from Munnar, the park is renowned for the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and has trekking facilities.

• Mattupetty Dam: 13 km from Munnar, boating and lake view sightseeing are provided to the tourists.

Best Time to Visit Pothamedu View Point

• Best Months: August to May for pleasant weather and improved photographs.

• Cooler Weather: December to February for pretty cooler weather.

• Best Times of Day: Early morning and late afternoon for optimum views and sun's heat avoidance.

How to Visit Pothamedu View Point

• By road: Pothamedu View Point is 3 km away from Munnar town. One can arrive at the location by hiring an auto-rickshaw or taxi.

• By Flight: The nearest airport is the Cochin International Airport, roughly 110 km from here. A taxi or bus can be picked up from the airport to Munnar.

By Train: The nearest rail station is Aluva, roughly 110 km away from Munnar. There are taxis and buses available from Aluva to Munnar.

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