Places to Visit in Munnar
Munnar is one of the places gifted with pristine nature in India that will captivate you. However, there are many other places nearby Munnar, which are equally beautiful, and worth visiting.
Eravikullam National Park: Situated very close to Munnar, it lies across the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. There it extends as the Annamalai National Park. The park was established to protect the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a wild goat found only in south India. It is rich in vegetation and home to Atlas Moths, Elephants, Sambhar, Gaurs, Lion-tailed
Macaque, Nilgiri Langoors, Tigers, and Leopards. The Anamudi, which is the highest peak in south India, is also located inside the park.
Devikulam: This serene hill station is located seven kms from Munnar. It has a host of exotic flora and fauna. Situated amidst this hill station is the Sitadevi Lake, which is renowned for its natural mineral water and the breathtaking surroundings.
Pallivasal: Just eight kms from Munnar, it is a picturesque place with Kerala’s the first hydro project.
Nyayamakad: This place is renowned for the breathtaking waterfalls and is situated 10 kms from Munnar. Here, from the Nyayamakad waterfalls, waters falls from a height of 1000 meters, which makes it a breathtaking locale. It is also an excellent spot for trekking.
Attukal: Situated between Munnar and Pallivasal, it is an ideal place for long trekking as it has many steep rocks and hill with numerous waterfalls.
Mattupetty Lake and Dam: Located 13 kms from Munnar, is Mattupetty at an altitude of 1700 mts. It is a place crowded with dense vegetations and tea estates. The nearby forests are the best place to watch the indigenous and exotic birds. The numerous mountain streams and waterfalls make it an excellent trekking point and a picnic spot.
Pothamadul: This place is renowned for plantation and is just seven kms from Munnar. It is a vantage point to enjoy the surrounding tea, coffee, and cardamom plantations.
Chithirapuram: It was one of the favourite places of the erstwhile British. Now a quaint place with cottages, bungalows, old playgrounds, and courts it still exudes the old world charm.
Lock Heart Gap: An ideal place for adventure sports and trekking, it is situated 15 kms away from Munnar. The mist clad hills and the panoramic view make it a must-visit place.
Rajamala: Rajamala, which is just 15 km from Munnar, is a part of the Eravikulam Wildlife Sanctuary and the natural habitat of the endangered mountain goat Nilgiri Tahr. It is estimated that half of the world population, which is around 1300, is found here. The Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary is an attempt to preserve this rare species of the goat family,
which is fast approaching extinction. In Kerala, this sanctuary has one of the richest collections of flora including a large collection of herbs, shrubs, trees, and climbers. There are also many birds, reptiles and other kinds of animals. Simply put Rajamala Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven for nature lovers.
Echo Point: It lies on the way to Top Stations from Munnar. Although very scenic, it is renowned as a place where sound reverberates as echoes, a very unusual phenomenon only found in this place.
Kundala: It is situated 20 kms from Munnar and is on the way to Top Station. It is a place for the golf enthusiasts as there is a magnificent Golf Course, which belongs to Tata Tea Ltd. The other attraction is the artificial reservoir. Another renowned place, the Aruvikkad waterfall is also near to Kundala.
Marayoor: It is very diverse in terms of culture and land. With many quaint hamlets, rocky hills, rivers, streams, cave temples, paddy and sugarcane fields, waterfalls, and bamboo forests you will never fall short of excitement. Apart from that, Maravoor is the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood. The sandalwood factory of the forest department, the caves with the murals and relics belonging to the New Stone Age civilization, the children’s park spread across a hectare under the canopy of a single banyan tree, are some of the other attractions. Thoovanam waterfalls and Rajeev Gandhi National Park also fall in the vicinity.
Cheeyapara and Valara waterfalls: It is located between Neriamangalam and Adimali on the Kochi-Madurai highway. Cheeyapara Falls is a great trekking spot with waterfalls that cascades down in seven steps. Valara surrounded by woods has many waterfalls, which make it a scenic place.
Chinnakkanal Waterfalls: Located amidst the scenic Western Mountains, the Chinnakkal waterfall cascades from a steep rock that is 2000 m above the sea level. Indeed it is a breathtaking view, which you can savour on the way to Periyar wildlife sanctuary from Munnar.
Anayirangal Dam: Surrounded by the Tata Tea plantations and evergreen forests, the Anayirangal Dam is a picturesque place, which is 22 kms away from Munnar. The view of the reservoir is breathtaking and you can enjoy it by taking a boat trip.
Kolukkumalai Tea Estate: The tea estate is on a precipitous ridge, which is 8000 feet above sea level. It is renowned as the highest tea-growing place and produces excellent varieties. Besides tea, it is famous for the panoramic views and rugged mountains also.
