Nestled in the Western Ghats of God’s own country, Munnar is an idyllic hill station. With an unending expanse of tea estates and lush green forests, there are a lot of places to visit in Munnar. Known to have been the summer resort of the British rulers during colonial times Munnar has a natural beauty and the right climate throughout the year to give you a breath-taking experience of a hill station that has everything that one can long for. What makes Munnar even more attractive than other hill stations is the presence of three rivers that flow through this area, namely Mattupetti, Periavaru, and Nallathanni.
The region with its pleasant hills, pristine lakes stunning valleys, and rocky terrain offers a variety of activities, trekking, camping, riding, etc. to satisfy the desire of every kind of traveler. Whether you are a thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie, or a family travelling to enjoy a quiet afternoon by a lake this destination is just the most suitable for you. So, take up your backpack and rush to invite Munnar making sure that you do not miss visiting the places of Munnar outlined below to have the best experience of your visit.
Echo point
It is Munnar’s famous tourist place, known for its unique echoing phenomenon. Situated along the banks of the picturesque Kundala Lake, Echo Point is surrounded by misty clouds and verdant forests making a visit here extremely exhilarating. You can enjoy a lot of activities on echo point, like taking a stroll around the hilltops, boating in the lake, and getting a glimpse of the various species of native and migratory birds here. Among the activities, what echo point is famous for is the experience of rare Neelakurinji flowers known to flower once every 12 years making Echo Point one of the best places to visit in Munnar.
Top Station
Located on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road about 32 km from the heart of Munnar city, the Top Station is the highest point of Munnar, with an elevation of 5500 feet above sea level. The place derives its name from being the uppermost railway station in the Kundala Valley built in 1902. Top Station offers you a magnificent viewpoint for a scenic visual of the Western Ghats and the beautiful valley below.
Due to the height of the place you can feel the touch of the clouds flowing against the hilltop. The place is also famous for its sprawling tea gardens and you will not be able to resist the temptation of strolling around enjoying the surrounding. If you are a trekking/camping enthusiast you should try trekking for a day here and spend the night in a tent to enjoy the starlit sky or you may also try horse riding which is a truly adventurous experience.
Attukad Waterfalls
Munnar is blessed by nature with some of the most vivacious waterfalls in the Western Ghats Mountains and one such beautiful place of Munnar that you will not miss is the Attukad waterfalls. It is located on the way from Munnar to Pallivasal secreted behind thick forest foliage. If you are a trekking enthusiast this place is a wonderful trekking destination. It’s an hour’s brisk walk on rocky terrain from a bridge connecting to the road head near the falls. If you are adventurous enough to try rappelling, the rocky stretches around the falls offer a great site for rappelling. But if you only have the mood to settle down by the falls to relax it is an ideal place to spend time with family with a picnic basket.
The cool and deep waters of the pool formed at the base of the place are most tempting for an enjoyable swim. While visiting the Attukad Waterfalls you can also visit the Punarjani Traditional Village located just 5.6 Km from Attukad. It is one of the most important centers of Kerala’s cultural heritage where you can witness daily shows of Kathakali dance of Kerala’s martial arts show of Kalaripayattu. You will certainly have wonderful memories of the tourist places of Munnar to take with you.
Kundala Lake
If you are visiting Munnar during the monsoon months of June to September do not miss a visit to Kundala Lake located at an altitude of 1700 meters from sea level en route to Munnar. With its pristine natural settings and soothing climate, Kundala Lake attracts tourists around the year but it is during the monsoon that the place is at its nature’s best with greenery all around dotted with brilliant flowers across the entire landscape. You can enjoy a Shikara boat ride on the tranquil waters of the lake. If you are a shutterbug keep handy your camera to capture some of the best moods of nature.
Besides the Shikara cruise, you can also rent a pedal or rowboat and go around the lake to experience the breathtaking natural surroundings. One of the major attractions of Kundala Lake is the Historic Dam of the same name which will blow off your wildest imaginations. Horse and elephant rides are also available for those who want to be charmed by the beautiful surroundings, riding on the back of an elephant or horse. If you are a golfer do not miss the chance to try your hand at golfing at the High Range Golf course near Kundala Dam. Your Kundala Lake experience will certainly give you a happy feeling for a long, down memory lane.
Marayoor Dolmens
If you are interested to take a peek into our past heritage Marayoor Dolmens is a must-destination for you to witness the remnants of Dolmenoid cists which date back to the Megalithic age. Located around 55 km from Munnar this place of the visit has 15 different types of prehistoric dolmens belonging to the Neolithic age and some of which belong to the Iron Age. You have to trek through Muniyara to witness these magnificent burial chambers designed with four stones placed by edges together and then covered by granite slabs that belong to different ages. This tourist place in Munnar is also famous for prehistoric paintings, thick sandalwood forests, and prehistoric structures that will keep you pondering the history of mankind.
Wonder Valley Adventure & Amusement Park
This is one of the tourist places in Munnar that has something for everyone with a package of fun and joy. The Amusement park situated at Anchal in Munnar offers a host of fun activities under one roof. From rain dancing to the lazy rivers and Wave pools, the water activities offered are thrilling as are fun activities such as dashing cars, 12D rider, Zipline, and Charlie Chaplin walk to mention a few. You can also enjoy Bungee Jump, nature walks, and tree houses painstakingly set up for the sheer pleasure of every visitor.
Chokramudi Peak
Chokramudi situated at 7200 feet above sea level in the Eravikulam national park is one of the incredible tourist places to visit in Munnar. It is an isolated elevated piece of a hill that offers an excellent tract for short and easy trekking amidst lush green Shola forest. From the trek base at Pthamedu, the trekking covers a distance of 10 Km upward climbs to the top of the peak. Winter is the best time to visit the place.
Munnar Hill Station has a lot to offer to every visitor and one can go on and on exploring the creation of a Heaven on earth here in God’s very own country. Have you been to this beautiful region, tell us about your experience in the comments below. If not this list of places to visit in Munnar will help you quite a lot.
Also Read: An Exciting Travel Guide of Beautiful Places to Visit in Kerala
