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 t is a hill resort minus a Mall road, pony-wallahs, concrete hotels on every hilltop, touts selling 7 points sightseeing programs and number of honeymooners that are more than the trees they can run around. Instead,
it is a REAL hill resort having absolute green cover under misty scent of tealeaves all around. The place during the Britsh rule had acquired the name of
High range of Travancore, for it is the highest tea producing
region of the world! The air is crisp and the weather delightfully cool all the year round.
Carefully manicured tea plantations cover virtually every hill-slope around Munnar town. It is a delightful
scene to watch tea leaves being plucked by women while they are happily chatting with each other. Another fun
 is to walk through several serpentine narrow roads spread across tea
gardens and to often stop bewitched by gorgeous ravines and spectacular waterfalls. There are many
breathtaking
waterfalls and one may easily walk down to reach there, spend hours in rejuvenation as there is absolutely nobody to STOP! Walk in any direction outside the Munnar town and the whole world of tranquility and serenity entices you. Yourself and the NATURE, just two companions!
A river known as Munnar flows through the valley and whole life moves on the road by its banks.
Tea factories spread the aroma all around and it is p ossible to visit some of them. Munnar is also famous of its other
natural produces as well such spices (Cloves, Pepper and cardamom), honey and herbal oils. It is also possible to
stay in some tea planters bungalows or plantation clubs. The High Range Club has an institutional feel about it with its rules and etiquettes still laid down on the styles
of Colonial era. With beautiful plantations all around such heritage mansions are ideal venues for long hours of gossips and hot warming teas.
People of Munnar are visibly innocent people mostly engaged in tea plantations. Occasionally, one may see people of
Muduvan tribes who are the original inhabitants of the jungles of this region. Nobody asks your nationality and nobody
persist ently calls you to his showroom. An auto rickshaw is all you may need to move around the town and its driver as your able guide.
Nestled within Tata Tea Plantations is a small sanctuary of endangered Nilgiri Tahr goats, saved much due to the local support. Here, walking on the winding path uphill you may come across several such Tahrs innocently looking at you. The place now known as
Eravikulam National Park is also known for Kurunja flowers that blossom once in twelve years! Anamudi
 Peak (at 2695m it is the highest peak of South India) is very easily visible from this park.
Among other beautiful excursions are the visit to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary that falls on the way to Kochi. Another fine place is Top Station
offering fine views of the
Ghats towards Tamilnadu. The place once had a ropeway to carry tea down hills. Vandenmedu on the way towards Periyar has an attractive resort set in spice plantations.
Munnar might not be a fit place for those who look for booze, babes, birthday bash and blasting music in a hill resort. It is thankfully spared of all this so far. It is still a TRUE hill resort known for its uncountable rapids, streams, waterfalls and greens.
| QUICK FACTS |
| Getting there |
Pleasant 4-5 hours drive each from Kochi, Kottayam and Kumily
(Periyar).
Nearest Airport: Kochi |
| Further connections |
Kumarakom and Periyar wildlife Sanctuary. |
| Best time to visit |
Cool to chilly throughout the year. Very heavy rains during the monsoons (June to November). |
| TOURS TO MUNNAR | |
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