Our Second day in Kerala Trip was planned for Munnar. Initially we thought of booking a hotel at Munnar so that we can enjoy the scenic view of the place in evening as well as during nights. As lot more places are stored in our other day plans we chose to visit Munnar for a day only. We had again hired a cab for the whole day and started from Cochin at 0700 hrs.
After an hour or so we reached at our Friend Parent’s house at Kothamangalam (Town in the foothills of Western Ghat mountain range) where we were warmly welcomed by her family. We were offered the wonderful , delicious mouth-watering Kerala Breakfast Appam (Pancake made of Rice and Coconut) and Stew ( a dish made with potatoes, onions, vegetables & coconut milk).After finishing our breakfast we had again started our onwards journey towards the Tea plantation estate Munnar.
appam and stew
On our way to Munnar
On our way to Munnar
Munnar is a hill station on the Western Ghats, a range of mountains situated in the Idukki district of the Indian state of Kerala. Munnar is a beautiful hill station, and was the summer resort of the British. Tourists come here to see the vast tea plantations of the area.
The name Munnar is believed to mean “three rivers”, referring to the town’s strategic location at the confluence of the Madhurapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers.
Between Kothamangalam and next town “Adimali”, one can experience a beautiful cool drive through a natural forest. Alongside, we can see many refreshing waterfalls. Around 22 km from Adimali, we can start seeing the tea plantations on both sides of the road and a panoramic view of the Western Ghats.
Tourists enjoying waterfalls
Waterfall on our way
On our way to Munnar
In between we stopped at one of the tea shop located on a very picturesque location. We had also purchased a box of handmade chocolates from the shop. In places like Munnar, Kodaikanal, Ooty one can find market full of varieties of handmade chocolates, dry fruits and spices.
Scenic view near tea shop
Munnar view
As soon as we entered Munnar we first headed towards the famous Flower Garden (Floriculture Centre).
Floriculture Centre – The Floriculture centre is located around 2 kms outside Munnar town. The Kerala forest division maintained garden is on the slope of a hill. It is the main attraction for its beautiful and different varieties of flowers, plants and cactus. If you like to click flower photographs then this is the best place to visit.
Entry fee: Rs 10 per person
Still camera: Rs 20
Video camera: Rs 50
This garden is a complete delight to the eye.
At Flower Garden
Flower Garden
Flower Garden
Flower Garden
We then headed to our next point Mattupetty Dam
b) Mattupetty Dam: Situated at the height of 1700 Mtr above sea level, Mattupetty is located at 13 Km away from Munnar on the way to Top Station. One of the main attractions in Mattupetty is the beautiful lake, and the Mattupetty Dam, which are ideal picnic spots. The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC), Idukki provides boating facilities in the Mattupetty Dam. Speed launch, slow speedboat and motorboats are available on hire. However due to lack of time we did not enjoy the boating here. Also one incident happened with us here because of which we all got scared and returned quickly. When we were walking on the dam (Thinking it as a road) a vehicle came and there was very less space left between us and the vehicle, three of us quickly jumped and sat on the parapet wall just to save ourselves from the Truck. When truck crossed that road we just saw down and realised what a horrible mistake we did. One slip and we all were down, thanks to GOD for saving us. All of you can only understand our situation at that time by seeing below picture taken from Dam parapet.
Mattupetty Dam
View around Dam
Mattupetty Lake
The next point we approached was Elephant Lake.
c) Elephant Lake – The Elephant Lake is a picturesque location surrounded by tea plantations, evergreen forests, rolling grasslands and hillocks. Tourists interested in photography can capture the panoramic view of the calm waters of the reservoir with the backdrop of dense Tata tea estates and clouds.
The Elephant Lake or Anayirangal is named so since herds of wild elephants arrive here from the dense forests of Munnar to drink water. It is very common to spot a herd of elephants by the waters of Elephant Lake. Tourists maintain a safe distance from the elephants as it is very dangerous to disturb them.
Elephant Lake
At Elephant Lake
There are many food stalls available here which serves snacks, cold drinks, juice, Chips and water.
After finishing at this point we moved towards Mayaroor.
d) Marayoor – This is the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood trees. It is 40 kms from Munnar. It is a beautiful place to see Sandalwood trees and other attractions available here. But honestly speaking we regretted on our decision to see this place. As it was far off and we did not find anything of our interest. By the time we reached there we all had taken our share of nap and were hungry. There was a market nearby from where we had our Lunch and returned back without seeing any points.
Marayoor
The next and last point of our one day trip was Rajamalai National park. In the morning while coming towards Munnar we were greeted with very pleasant weather, but by evening the weather turned little dangerous and the park got closed before time. So we missed on this must visit place of Munnar.
One thing worth to mention about Munnar, whether you will be able to see all points or not, but the place itself is so beautiful that you will almost fall in love with the place. It is a cool green paradise in a sunny Tropical Kerala, away from heat and dust where cloud turns into mist.
Tea Plantation
Beautiful Munnar
Beautiful Munnar
Beautiful Munnar
This finishes our day tour at Munnar and we started at 1800 hrs to return back home. On our way back we again had fantastic Kerala style dinner on Banana leaf at friend’s place. I would really like to thanks to her family members for such a warm welcome and hospitality.
Kerala style food (Courtesy www.tourismofkerala.com)
Thanks, Abhee, for this lovely introduction to Munnar. India has so many beautiful places that one can cover only a very small fraction in a lifetime. Did not know that Munnar meant the confluence of three rivers. The snaps look good too.
I found Marayoor absolutely irresistible; not for the scenery but for the fragrance from the sandalwood forest which must have been heavenly. The sight of food spread on a banana leaf is irresistible too; nothing beats eating off a leaf with one’s own hands. Eating off plates with cutlery can never replicate the pleasure.
Thank you for your comments. I am not very good in replying as well as in commenting. And I am actually learning from you how to reply and encourage so nicely.You said it so correctly,eating on banana leaf with own hands is just irresistible..
And I feel that commenting is far easier, lol; which is why I prefer to comment on others’ stories instead of writing my own.
Thanks Abhee Ji for sharing this lovely travel tale with us. Enticing photos which would surely inspire anybody to visit this natural wonderland…I am very fond of lakes, by showing these lakes you have triggered the feeling of visiting them…hope to see them in the coming year sometime…Wish you & your family a very happy new year!
Wish you and your family very happy and prosperous new year.Thanks for your comments. Munnar is beautiful place,Har ek ne ek baar to zaroor is jagah ko dekhna chahiye.
Lovely and very informative description..beauty of munnar and tea garden is fantastic..kerla food is always palatable..thanks for sharing such a nice journey….
Thanks Rakesh ji. First of all welcome to Ghumakkar from my side and thanks for the lovely comments.
Abhi, tks for sharing Munnar. It looks like a beautiful place. The fotos of water fall and colorful flowers are mind blowing
Thanks SS ji
Dear Abhee,
You have served to increase my restlessness about my still pending tour of Southern part of my country. It is on my wish list since long. In fact, my father used to tell my mother about his Kerala and TN trip when I was not born yet. Hearing that lovable and lively description, I had decided then and there itself that I must visit this place. But I am getting delayed. But enough is enough. I will go there in the coming summer. :)
Sushant Singhal
And yes, a very happy new year to you and your family.
Thanks Sushant ji.
Abhee – A lot has been written on Munnar. I have not been there and I always thought that Munnar is pretty far from Cochin but it seems that one can do a two day return trip (one night at Munnar) comfortably.
Very well written and the happy family pic looks amazing. Wishing you and your loved one a great 2013 ahead.
Hello NJ (This is the best solution I had taken out, for you it means ur name and for me it means Nandan ji) :)
Thanks.Please do plan ur trip to Munnar. It is a beautiful place. As regards to stay there I can’t comment too much. But the Cochin localites suggested to have a one day trip rather than spending money on Hotel at Munnar.
Thanks for liking pics and post. Also thanks for the wishes.
A Scenic and Enjoyable place. But the adjective suiting this place would be heavenly.
Thanks Vishal ji
Nice post and lovely pics. Munnar is indeed a beautiful place.
Is that a wild boar in one of the pics ?
Hi Gita,
Thanks for liking the post.
In one of the pic it is Elephant on the other side of Elephant lake where usually Elephant herd comes for drinking water.
Very good writing, Incredible India. Thanks
Thanks Surinder ji
Hi Abhee,
I have heard so much about Munnar but have not been able to set foot in Kerala yet.
Nice post and photos.
Thanks for liking the post. Put Munnar name in your this year “to do “diary :)
Very well written post. Can u tell me the car rent from Cochin-Munnar-Cochin for whole day ?? The car you have taken from tour agency or elsewhere or ur hotel in Cochin provide u so ?
Also, is is better to self drive to Munnar or take a cab from kochi… I m a non local and do not know the local language.
Is there an option of renting a car for the 3 days that I plan to stay in Munnar “””??? How is the munnar-thekkady road in monsoons. Can I self drive that stretch ??
PS I’ll be with my wife & 18 mo baby.
Abhee your child looks more beautiful than Munnar. Thanks for all the information. I am going in December.
Abhee i just back form Munnar. It is a beautiful place. Plan to go again. Vijay from Malaysia