Munnar is a beautiful hill station in Kerala, India. It’s known for its lush green mountains, tea plantations, and stunning waterfalls. The cool climate makes it a great place to relax and enjoy nature. Whether you’re hiking in the hills, visiting tea gardens, or just taking in the scenic beauty, Munnar is a perfect destination for a peaceful getaway.
During the monsoon, Munnar turns into a lush paradise. It’s famous for its misty mountains, tea gardens, and waterfalls that enchant visitors. If you’re looking to escape the busy city life, a trip to monsoon-drenched Munnar guarantees an unforgettable experience.
Traveling by road, whether by self-drive, bus, or taxi, is highly recommended as the best way to reach Munnar from Bangalore. However, you can travel by air or train also but in Munnar there is no airport or Train station.
By Road: The distance is approximately 470 km and takes around 10-11 hours depending on traffic and road conditions.
The recommended route: Take the NH44 route via Salem, Dharmapuri, and Udumalpet. This route is scenic and passes through beautiful landscapes.
By Train: There is no direct train connectivity from Bangalore to Munnar. The nearest railway station to Munnar is Aluva (approximately 110 km away). From Aluva, you can take a taxi or a bus to reach Munnar.
By Air: There is no airport in Munnar. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport (COK), located approximately 110 km from Munnar. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Munnar.
Starting our journey
We planned our 3-day trip for the first week of June and started our drive to Munnar from Bangalore around 5 am. Along the way, we enjoyed breakfast and lunch at roadside good restaurants, eventually arriving at our stay in Munnar around 4:45 pm. The mist obscured the roads, and we felt the chilly breeze—it was a wonderful sensation. Despite a long and tiring day, the climate and the beauty of the resort completely lifted our spirits.”
We checked in to the resort, and then it started raining. It was so enjoyable to watch the rain come down, especially being surrounded by nature with our group of favorite people. We sat back, had tea, and just took in the peaceful moment together. It was exactly what we needed to relax and enjoy the beauty of the moment.
Day 2 in Munnar:
Second Mile View Point:
We woke up early and took a refreshing morning stroll. In a hill station like this, watching the sunrise is a must We walked from our resort to the “Second Mile View Point” to enjoy this beautiful sight. It’s a Gate way of Munnar tea planation , on the way to Munnar town where you can enjoy fine views of the surrounding mist-clad hills and green valleys in the caress of cool winds. The Second mile view point has large plantations of tea. It is about 8 km away from Munnar town. It is the best sunrise & sunset point of Munnar.
Eravikulam National Park
After a good breakfast at the resort, we freshened up and headed to Eravikulam National Park which is a must-visit destination for tourists. Eravikulam National Park is approximately 15 kilometers away from Munnar town. is a 97 km2 national park located along the Western Ghats in the Idukki and Ernakulam districts of Kerala in India. Once a hunting preserve for British planters, Eravikulam National Park now stands as a testament to thriving wildlife conservation. Designated as a sanctuary in 1975, its primary mission is safeguarding the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a native mountain goat species. We had booked tickets in advance.
The Site to book tickets: https://www.eravikulamnationalpark.in/landing/axRegister.php
Visitors will be picked from 5th Mile on safari buses and dropped back. The park has restaurants, eco shops and an amenity centre. From the bus drop point inside the park, visitors can walk up to the hill, which takes around 2 hours to explore the entire national park. Beyond a certain point, visitors are not permitted to proceed further.
Mattupetty dam:
This beautiful dam is around 19 Km from Eravikulam National Park. The dam is situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by tea plantations, forests, and mountains, is located around 13 kilometers from Munnar town, on the way to Top Station. Visitors can enjoy boating on the reservoir, which is a popular activity at Mattupetty Dam. The serene waters and tranquil surroundings make it a relaxing experience. Near the dam, there is a dairy farm run by the Indo-Swiss Livestock Project, where visitors can see various high-yielding cattle breeds. It’s an interesting stop for those interested in agriculture and animal husbandry. We enjoyed the boat ride there.
Tea Gardens:
Munnar is renowned for its expansive tea gardens that blanket the hillsides, creating a mesmerizing green landscape. These tea gardens are a major attraction for tourists visiting the region. Many tea estates in Munnar offer guided tours where visitors can learn about tea cultivation, processing, and the history of tea in the region. These tours provide insights into the intricate process of tea production. Some estates also offer tea tasting sessions where visitors can sample various types of tea produced locally, including black tea, green tea, and specialty teas. On our way back to the resort, we stopped at a few tea gardens to enjoy the view and take some great photos.
Day 3 in Munnar:
Jeep Safari ( Off Roading):
If you love adventure, a Jeep Safari in Munnar is a must-do. You can choose from various packages ranging from Rs 2500 to Rs 5000. One highly recommended off-roading trek is
“Second mile view point” to “Tea nagar Road” to “Ripple water fall” to “Ponmudi Dam” to “Hanging bridge” to “Echo point”
It was a wonderful 3.5-hour Jeep ride where we covered several kilometers of off-roading and visited tourist spots like Ripple Waterfall, Ponmudi Dam, and the Hanging Bridge.
Viripara waterfalls:
One of the best tourist attraction in Munnar.. This is located towards Mankulam.. Around 15 km from Munnar town. You can enjoy the waterfalls views and take bath. This place is one of the must visit place during monsoon time and need to climb up the hill a little to reach this falls
Macoa chocolate factory:
If you’re interested in chocolates, visiting the Macoa Chocolate Factory in Munnar would be a delightful experience.
Saree Village:
Just opposite the Macoa Chocolate Factory in Munnar, you’ll find the Saree Village, where you can explore and appreciate local saree weaving and craftsmanship. We purchased a few Kerala traditional sarees.
Day 4 Return to Bangalore:
And so, our trip to Munnar came to an end, and we began our return journey to Bangalore. These three days in Munnar were truly awesome; the weather was superb, offering a mix of rain, sunshine, mist, and clouds. The food was delicious with plenty of options for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, ranging from local Kerala dishes to South Indian, North Indian, and continental cuisine. The people in Munnar were incredibly helpful and easy to approach. Indeed, it was a wonderful trip to Munnar.