Munnar

Munnar is part of the Western Ghats Mountain range and a popular tourist destination, especially among honeymooners. While not much is known about the earliest history of Munnar, the surrounding forests were once inhabited by the Muthuvan tribes, who settled here around 900 AD from Madurai. Some of the other local tribes include Kuruvas and Pallayers. John Daniel Munro, a resident of the Travancore Kingdom who visited the region in 1870, was so enamored by the place that he joined hands with Kannan Devar, the tribal chieftain of Anchunadu to lease lands to be utilized for tea, coffee, and cardamom plantation.

Today, Munnar is famous for its tea and spice plantations and the beautiful lush greenery in and around the region. At GT Tourism, we offer a wide range of Munnar travel packages that include all famous places.

Some of the popular Munnar tourist destinations include:

The Eravikulam National Park was once a hunting preserve of the British plantation owners but was declared a sanctuary in 1975 to protect the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain goat endemic to the region. Today, the Park houses over 140 species of birds, ten unique to the Western Ghats. The best time to visit Eravikulam is from September to February and April to June. The park is usually closed from June to August when it rains heavily here, and the trails are slippery. While entry for private vehicles is restricted, you can trek through the park.

The Tea Museum was established in 2005 by Tata Tea to chronicle the journey of tea, from plantation to the final product, and preserve the legacy of the people who strived to create the tea industry here. You can also observe some of the machinery used to manufacture tea. There’s also a demonstration room where guests can sample different tea varieties, including a few exotic types.

This is the highest peak in Southern India and a popular trekking tourist spot. It is part of the Eravikulam National Park and is home to many animals, including Asian elephants, Nilgiri tahrs, and gaurs. The area is also famous for its bamboo and teak trees that cover the entire forest. Anamudi peak also attracts photographers, wildlife enthusiasts, and trekkers from across the world.

Mattupetty is unlike any other dam you would visit in India. It is not just a water storage facility but also famous for the unique flora and fauna growing around Mattupetty Lake. The dam can hold up to 55.4 million cubic meters of water, while the lake is famous among locals and tourists for boating. Since this is a perennial lake, it provides water throughout the year. The dam was built under the Pallivasal Hydro-electric project in the 1940s to conserve water and generate electricity for the surrounding areas.

Devikulam is located a short distance from Munnar and is home to a vast range of exotic flora and fauna. Devikulam means pond of the Devi – probably referring to the Sita Devi lake in the village. The hill station is 1800 meters above sea level and is famous for its breathtaking location and nearby waterfalls. People also visit the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, around 2 hours drive from Devikulam and home to endangered species like the grizzled giant squirrel and the star tortoise. Among other animals, you can spot elephants, gaurs, and leopards.

There are plenty of things to do and places to visit in Munnar. From trekking to Anamudi Peak and enjoying an Ayurvedic spa to exploring the Tea Museum, we have created a list of travel itineraries for you to enjoy in Munnar. If you love biking, visit Suryanelli. And if you love boat riding, visit the Mattupetty Dam. Trekking fans mustn’t miss Chokramudi, Marayoor, or the Thoovanam Falls. The Eravikulam National Park also organizes education camps for students.

Visit us if you’re looking for affordable Munnar tour packages. Our tour experts will be happy to customize your vacation for you.