Munnar
From World travel guide
Munnar is a hill station in the Indian state of Kerala near Kochi.
Contents |
Understand
Munnar was a summer resort of British Government in South India. It is 1600 m (5400 ft) above sea level. It is pronounced "Moon-aar" meaning "Three rivers" in Tamil and Malayalam. There are in fact three rivers - Madupetti, Nallathanni and Periavaru which flow through this town, but join some distance away from Munnar.
The Neelakurinji, a blue flower which blooms only every twelve years, is found in this region It is due to bloom next in 2006. Munnar also has the highest peak in South India - Anamudi, 269 5m.
The tea plantations and holiday facilities make this a popular hill station.
Get in
Munnar is 130 km (about 4.5 hours) from Kochi. Kothamangalam lies 80 km down. It can also be reached from Kodai Road, Madurai, Pollachi. The drive to Munnar involves about 2 hours on the ghat section. There are 17 hair pin bends and traversing them can make you feel nauseated. However if you eat light while travelling you can enjoy the scenery during the drive.
See
- Eravikulam National Park at Rajamalai
- Anamudi Peak
- Chinnar wildlife Sanctuary
- Mattupetti Dam
- Mattupetti Indo-Swiss Farm
- Echo Point
- Top Station
- Marayoor Sandal wood forest
- The Kurichi or Neelakurinji Flowers turn the hills of Rajamalai blue every 12 years. The next bloom will be in 2006.
- Nilgiri Tahrs - Spot these tailless animals at Rajamalai
- Tea estates all over the place.
Buy
The best things to buy are tea and spices like cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and pepper.
Do
- Walk in the Clouds - Trek to your hearts content while the clouds slowly descend upon you.
- Rock Climbing and Rappelling - Munnar has a steep rock face about 100ft.
- Track Finder Room #3, Private Bus Stand Complex, Munnar, +91 4868 232608(fax - +91 4868 231687) Adventure Tourism Promoters.
Sleep
Budget
- Munnar Tourist Home
- West Wood Munnar
- Elysium Gardens
Mid-range
- Best Western Fort
- Sterling Day's Inn
- Tall Trees
- Edassery Eastend
- The Siena Village
- Chancellor
- Abad Copper Castle
Splurge
- Club Mahindra Lakeview Resort
Contact
BSNL is the only provider of terrestrial telephone lines in Munnar. You'll be able to make a long distance call from one of the several booths that display STD / ISD i.e. Subscriber Trunk Dialling (National Long Distance) and International Subscriber Dialling (International Long Distance). Only BSNL cellular lines work in Munnar! The dialling prefix for Munnar is 04868
Get out
The Devikulam, Eravikulam National Park is nearby.
Stay safe
Apply sunblock lotion while you leave Munnar because as you descend the hills the weather gets warmer and causes sun burn.
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