Munnar travel guide: tea hills, viewpoints and where to stay

Munnar sits high in the Western Ghats in Idukki district, where three mountain streams meet. The town is surrounded by tea estates that cover the slopes in every direction, and it is the most visited hill station in Kerala.

What to see

The tea museum in town explains how the estates began and how tea is made. Eravikulam National Park, just outside Munnar, protects the Nilgiri tahr, a rare mountain goat, on its high grasslands; the park usually closes for a few weeks early in the year during the calving season. Mattupetty Dam and the nearby Echo Point are short drives from town, and Top Station on the Tamil Nadu border has wide views when the cloud lifts. Kolukkumalai, among the highest tea estates in the world, is reached by jeep and is known for its sunrise.

Where to stay

Munnar town is convenient but busy. Many travellers prefer the areas around it: Chinnakanal and the road towards Anayirangal Dam to the east, Pothamedu and Chithirapuram on the slopes above town, and Anachal and Pallivasal on the road in from Kochi. These have resorts and cottages with views over the estates. FindKerala lists more than 70 resorts in and around Munnar, and you can contact each one directly.

How long to stay

Two nights is the minimum to see the main sights without rushing. Three nights lets you add a day of walking or a trip to Kolukkumalai or Top Station.

Getting there

Munnar is about four hours by road from Kochi and its airport, climbing through Neriamangalam and Adimali. Thekkady is a few hours' drive to the south, which makes the two an easy pair.

When to go

September to March is cool and clear, with cold nights in December and January. March to May is pleasant while the plains are hot. The monsoon from June to August brings mist, waterfalls and heavy rain, and hill roads can be affected by landslides.