Munnar Travel Guide: Tea Estates, Wildlife and the Best Routes In
Kerala's most loved hill station, how to get there from Tamil Nadu, and the sights worth your time among the tea slopes.
Munnar's endless rolling tea estates, planted by the British in the 1880s, are among the most photogenic landscapes in India. At 1,600 metres it's cool year-round, and it pairs beautifully with the wildlife of Thekkady nearby.
Getting there from Tamil Nadu
From Madurai it's a scenic 4-hour climb via Theni and the Bodimettu ghat. From Coimbatore the route runs via Marayoor through the sandalwood forests. Both involve crossing into Kerala — with a Tamil Nadu car, the interstate permit should be included in your quoted fare.
What to see
- Eravikulam National Park — home to the endangered Nilgiri tahr.
- Tea Museum — the story of Munnar's plantations, with tasting.
- Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point for boating and views.
- Top Station — the highest point, overlooking the Tamil Nadu plains.
If you're lucky enough to visit in a Neelakurinji year (the next mass bloom carpets the hills in blue), book far ahead — the whole region fills up.
Planning this trip?
Get a fixed fare with a clean car and a driver who knows the route. Enquire on WhatsApp — no payment needed.
Enquire on WhatsApp