Munnar — overview
Munnar is located in the Western Ghats at an elevation of 1,600 meters. The name derives from the Malayalam words for three rivers — Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala — which converge at the town. Munnar was a summer resort for British colonial officials and the centre of the High Range tea cultivation that began in the 1880s.
Places to visit in Munnar
Eravikulam National Park
A national park established in 1978 and hosts the largest viable population of the Nilgiri Tahr — an endangered mountain ungulate found only in the southern Western Ghats — with approximately half the world’s population resident here. Anamudi Peak at 2,695 meters, the highest point in India south of the Himalayas, lies within the park.
Timing: Open April 2 to January 31, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Entry Fee: ₹500 (online pay or cash at counter), Ordinary Camera – ₹50, Video Camera – ₹350
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Tea Estates and Plantations
The tea estates of Munnar cover the surrounding hills in an unbroken carpet of cultivated green. Tea cultivation in the High Range began in the 1880s under British planters. The most scenic tea-covered roads are along the Rajamala route toward Eravikulam and the Kolukkumalai road.
Timing: Estates visible from public roads at all times
Entry Fee: No entry fee for road-side viewing. Some estates charge for guided walks
Tea Museum
The first tea museum in India, documenting the history of tea cultivation in the High Range from the 1880s. The museum contains antique machinery. Live demonstrations of the tea-processing stages — withering, rolling, fermenting, firing, and sorting — are conducted. Tea-tasting sessions cover different grades.
Timing: Open daily, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: ₹150 (cash at counter)
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Mattupetty Dam
A concrete storage dam at 1,700 meters, surrounded by shola forests and tea-covered hills. The lake formed by the dam is used for boating. Elephants occasionally come to the water’s edge from the adjacent forest.
Timing: Open daily, Boating timing varies by season
Entry Fee: Boating fee varies by operator
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Kundala Lake
A lake approximately 20 km from Munnar formed by the Kundala Dam — the first arch dam built in Asia, on the Muthirapuzha river. The lake is surrounded by hills covered in tea plantations. Kashmiri-style Shikara boat rides and pedal boats are available on the lake.
Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee to the lake. Boating fee varies by operator
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Kolukkumalai Tea Estate
The world’s highest tea plantation, located at approximately 2,100 meters. The estate was established in 1930 and still uses original wood-fired machinery for tea processing. Access is by 4WD jeep on a rough terrain road from Suryanelli.
Timing: Estate open daily
Entry Fee: Jeep hire charges varies by operator
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Top Station
The highest motorable point in the Munnar area, at approximately 1,700 meters. The viewpoint overlooks the Theni Valley of Tamil Nadu far below. During Neelakurinji season (every 12 years, next 2030), Top Station is one of the principal viewing areas.
Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Echo Point
A natural valley confluence approximately 15 km from Munnar where sound echoes back from the surrounding hills. Located on the road from Mattupetty to Top Station. A scenic stopover rather than a destination in itself.
Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Pothamedu Viewpoint
A viewpoint approximately 10 km from Munnar town offering a panoramic view over tea, coffee, and cardamom estates spread across the surrounding valleys. One of the more accessible viewpoints from the town center.
Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Marayoor
A town approximately 40 km from Munnar, located in a rain shadow valley on the eastern side of the Western Ghats. Marayoor is the only place in Kerala with natural sandalwood forests. The area also contains Muniyara — Stone Age megalithic dolmens and ancient rock paintings dating from approximately 10,000 BCE.
Attukal Waterfalls
A waterfall approximately 9 km from Munnar town on the Munnar-Palakkad road. Most active during and immediately after the monsoon season. The area around the falls is used for picnics and nature walks.
Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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How to get around Munnar
Metro in Munnar
Not available.
Local buses in Munnar
Not practical. City buses connect Munnar to surrounding areas but routes are difficult to navigate without local knowledge.
Ride-hailing apps in Munnar
Not practical. Ride hailing apps like Ola and Uber availability is limited in Munnar.
Shared Jeeps in Munnar
Practical. The primary transport for all sightseeing in Munnar. Shared taxis are available at the bus stand. Agree on the fare before you get in.
Street-hailing auto rickshaw in Munnar
Practical. For short distances (5-10 km) or when apps are unavailable. Tell or show the auto driver your destination — they can refuse, in which case move to the next one. Agree on the fare (approx. ₹30—₹40 per km) before you get in. Know the distance to your destination via maps before negotiating.
Fairs and Festivals in Munnar
Munnar Flower Show
An annual flower show organised by Kannan Devan Hills Plantations showcasing ornamental plants and flowers grown in the Munnar estates. More intimate in scale than the Ooty Summer Festival.
2026 Dates:
Onam in Munnar
Kerala's harvest festival observed in Munnar with pookalam flower carpets at hotels and homestays, Onam Sadya banana leaf feasts, and the tea estate communities holding their own celebrations.
2026 Dates:
What food is Munnar known for
Munnar's food is Kerala hill station — puttu, appam, kappa (tapioca), and fresh fish curry. The tea estate history has embedded a strong tea-drinking culture; fresh-brewed Munnar tea is the defining drink.
Local food to eat in Munnar
Puttu and kadala curry · Appam with stew · Kappa and meen curry · Idiyappam · Kerala chicken fry · Banana fritters (pazham pori) · Fresh Munnar tea
Food streets in Munnar
• Munnar main market — local Kerala food, tea stalls, morning snacks
• Post Office Road — small restaurants, tiffin, evening food
• Old Munnar (KSRTC stand area) — dhabas, local meals
How to reach Munnar
Munnar is a hill station with no direct rail or air access. The nearest airport and railway station are both 110 km away in the plains. Whether arriving or departing, use the station codes, airport, and bus terminal information below.
Munnar — Stations, Airport & Bus Stands
Railway Station: Aluva Junction (AWY)
Airport: Cochin International Airport (COK)
Bus Terminal: Munnar Bus Stand
By Train
Search “Aluva” as your origin (if departing) or destination (if arriving). Aluva Junction (AWY) is the nearest major railhead. From Aluva, hire a taxi or take a bus to Munnar. Choose a train based on journey duration, departure time, and class availability.
By Flight
Search by city name across IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air. Fly into Cochin International Airport (COK) — hire a taxi or take a bus to Munnar.
By Bus
Buses (AC or non-AC) operate from the bus terminal — head to the counter and ask for your destination. Or, use app-based platforms such as redBus to search and book buses on your route. Both state-run (KSRTC) and private operators are listed — prefer buses with ratings of 4★ or higher.
All fees and charges listed on this page are applicable to foreign nationals only.
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