Top 10 sightseeing places in Munnar, Kerala, India

If you have not visited Kerala, then, you have not visited India. If you have not been to Munnar, then, you have not been to Kerala. Kerala tourism means:

• Sightseeing in Munnar
• Staying in a boathouse in the backwaters of Allepey
• Enjoying a week of health rejuvenation treatment in any one of the Kerala Natural Ayurvedic Retreat and Spa.

Munnar is one of the top-rated hill-stations in India and the best in Kerala. It is located in the long western ghats.  Munnar is full of lush green, mist-covered mountains, acres and acres of tea plantations, beautiful waterfalls, and gurgling mountain streams.

In addition, there are several observation-points in Munnar which also is the home to Nilgiri Tahr, a mountain goat and several avian species that attract a special segment of bird lovers.

Munnar also is visited by trekking lovers from South India. At any given day of the year, some film shooting will be going on at the best sightseeing places in Munnar, capturing all the beauty of this superb hill station in the high-end cameras.

Let us pick out the most naturally beautiful spots in Munnar and visit them.

• Anamudi peak-8800 feet
• Eravikulam National Park
• Attukal waterfalls

Oh, the list pretty long but my words to describe them will be a futile attempt; it has to be seen to sink in the stunning beauty of the sightseeing places in Munnar.

Sightseeing in Munnar: Blossom Park

What do you deduce from the image? Yes, you are right; it is a place full of attractive flowers that never fail to attract even a color-blind person. It is the center of the annual flower show in Munnar. You need a full day to appreciate the range of flora. There are a lot of fun activities planned for children including walking or rolling on water by getting inside a transparent ball huge enough to take you fully.

The above video was shot in another place in Kerala.

Sightseeing in Munnar: Pothamedu ViewPoint

A visit to any hilly place is not complete if you are not taken to at least a couple of viewpoints or observation towers. Pothamedu is one such observation spot from where the view of the majestic western ghats will be breathtaking. You should be lucky to appreciate the superb view of the valley and the surrounding hills if there is no mist.

Sightseeing in Munnar: Kundala Lake

How is it? Doesn’t it look dreamy and calm? You need to travel 20 km to reach the Kundala Lake. It is located at height of over 5100 feet, on the way to Top Station. To cover a 20 km distance in a mountain, you need to spend an hour or so. Again based on the time of your visit, you can appreciate the lovely cherry blossoms that greet you twice in a year and the famous Neela Kurunji that blooms only once in twelve years.

You can take a relaxed boat ride on the Kundala lake and reach the artificial dam called ‘Arch Dam’. A short distance is another sightseeing spot the ‘Aruvikkad Waterfalls’

Sightseeing in Munnar: Attukal Waterfalls

You can hear the sound of Attukal waterfalls when you go to Pallivasal town which is 20 km away. But the Attukal waterfall is only 9 km from the center of Munnar.

The location of the waterfalls is inside a green jungle. Naturally, this place is a trekkers’ paradise. People always want to know the origin of a waterfall and they trek to go to the top of the hill from where the water begins its drop.

Sightseeing in Munnar: Top Station

As the name suggests, Top Station is a viewpoint located at a higher altitude and hence far away from (40 km) the Munnar’s shopping center. This is another observation point that adamantly stays shrouded with clouds. Nevertheless, do not worry about the possibility of a misty presence; enjoy your scenic drive to the Top Station. You will pass by some of the beautiful views of the valley, tea plantations, and dams. You can even spot a few rare species of birds occasionally.

Sightseeing in Munnar: Mattupetty Dam

Mattupetty dam is a popular tourist spot in Munnar. The dam is built on the Mattupetty lake on which boating is offered. People were able to spot elephants sometimes while pedaling their boat. The surrounding hills that are covered with dense foliage give the sightseeing spot a sense of isolation. It is an ideal tourist spot in Munnar and some adventurous tourists go deep into the forest for bird watching. Even if they are not able to spot the birds, they can always enjoy hearing their sweet calls.

Sightseeing in Munnar: Eravikulam National Park

The Eravikulam National Park Munnar appears in the newspapers often as it is a wildlife sanctuary located in Munnar. It has been entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.

The 97 sq.km protected area is also home to rare flowers and colorful butterflies. The park is 15 km from Munnar, in the Rajamalai region. The national park is closed for close to two months starting from February.

Eravikulam National Park is very rich in birds. There are as many as 93 different species of birds that include:

• Rufous-backed Shrike.
• Nilgiri White-eye.
• Kingfishers
• Owls
• Large White-rumped Swift
• Nilgiri Verditer Flycatcher
• White-breasted Laughing Thrush
• Indian Booted Tree Warbler
• Black-capped Blackbird
• Brown Leaf Warbler
• Indian Cliff Swallow.

Hmmm… that’s quite a range of beautiful birds that have made the Eravikulam National Park as their home.

Sightseeing in Munnar: Marayoor Dolmens

Kollukumulai  is the highest tea plantation area in Marayoor Dolmen. The tea that is sold here is supposed to very rich in flavor.

The entire area of Marayoor Dolmen is full of tea gardens, bamboo and sandalwood trees, small cascades, and rocky hills.

Dolmens in Malayalam mean a place of living. The structures of granite slabs placed to form a shelter remind one of the stone-age.

Sightseeing in Munnar: Anamudi

Anamudi which is located at an altitude of over 8500 feet is the highest peak in this region and the most visited sightseeing place here. The road trip to Anamudi peak is surrounded by thick forests on one side. You must stop by at a secluded place and try to listen to the sounds of the jungles.

Lock hart Gap

Lockhart Gap is situated 13 km from Munnar and is also close to Mattupetty dam. It is a viewpoint from where you can watch the mist-filled gorges.

Some more sightseeing spots in Munnar are:

• Cheeyapara Waterfalls
• Life of Pi Church
• Meesapulimala

Munnar is best reached by road either from Cochin or from Coimbatore.