The India Explorer has curated the perfect list of things to do in Munnar for your next journey to God’s country!
Munnar: A Trip to God’s Own Country
Munnar is spread out like a vivid tapestry of the most exquisite hues found in nature, nestled between the undulating hills of the Western Ghats. The first rays of sunshine softly brush the emerald hills covered in seemingly endless rows of tea gardens as morning emerges. Munnar, a jewel in Kerala’s crown, beckons you to a place where time stands still, and the peace of the mist-filled valleys permeates every minute.
Trekking across the rolling tea plantation vistas is one of the most captivating things to do in Munnar. The scent of new tea leaves fills the air, and as you make your way along the winding paths, the captivating beauty of the farms becomes apparent. Explore the rich history of Munnar’s tea heritage at the Tata Tea Museum, where age-old tales of skilful cultivation and production resound.
Go deep into the Western Ghats to the Eravikulam National Park, a magnificent example of nature’s majesty. The park serves as a refuge for the critically endangered Nilgiri Tahr, and as you go up the paths, you’ll be treated to a symphony of plants and animals. See the spectacular grandeur of the Neelakurinji flowers, which bloom once every twelve years, cover the hills in an incredible shade of blue, and capture the essence of the wild if the timing is on your side.
Munnar invites you to visit the Mattupetty Dam, where the placid waters mirror the lush hills surrounding it. Whether floating on the lake or just taking in the quiet, this beautiful location encourages calm reflection. The trip to South India’s highest peak, Anamudi Peak, provides a stunning view and an exciting ascent for those looking for an adrenaline rush.
Take advantage of the sunset colours at Pothamedu Viewpoint as the day ends. Allow the peace of Kundala Lake and the charm of Rose Gardens to tell their tales. With its extensive cultural legacy, Munnar welcomes you to experience the grace of classical Kathakali or the martial art mastery of Kalaripayattu in captivating cultural performances.
Every moment in Munnar is an invitation to experience the splendour of nature and the warm hospitality of Kerala. Thus, gather your curiosity, go on the adventure, and let Munnar reveal its many delights.
Top 25 Things to Do in Munnar, Kerala
1. Camp and Trek at the Echo Point
Munnar is a paradise for adventure sports fans, particularly hikers, and Kerala provides exhilarating adventure sports. Trekking to high altitudes like Echo Point and Top Station is one of the most popular things to do in Munnar. Echo Point, located 15 kilometres from Munnar, enthrals with its organic vocal reverberation. Munnar’s highest point, Top Station, offers spectacular views. The demanding 32 km walk benefits with a week of workouts but also requires stamina. Remember to pack hiking boots and other necessary equipment for this exciting journey.
2. Engage in Shikara Rides at Kundala Dam
Tucked up in lush woods, Kundala Dam & Lake is a peaceful getaway 23 miles from Munnar. The arch dam is well known for its relaxing pedal boat excursions and enthralling Kashmiri-Shikara boat trips. The delicate beauty of cherry blossoms brings the surroundings to life twice a year, and the appeal is further enhanced by the rare Neela Kurunji, which blooms once every twelve years. Kundala Dam & Lake is a popular site that welcomes guests to relax and find solace in the surrounding peace, all while embracing the bizarre beauty of the natural world.
3. Have Tea at the Tata Tea Museum
Situated barely 2 kilometres from Munnar, in the heart of Tata Tea’s Nallathanni Estate, the KDHP Museum provides an engrossing historical tour of the area. Highlighted by a burial urn from Periakanal Estate dating back to the second century AD, the museum displays a variety of antiquities, one of which is the fascinating “Rotorvane” tea roller. While looking through the artefacts is fascinating, the museum’s attraction is enhanced when guests choose and taste different tea leaves, which is a perennially popular activity among the best things to do in Munnar.
4. Ride an Elephant
The Elephant Arrival Spot, a must-see in Munnar, provides exhilarating elephant rides across vast meadows. Travel through the forest on well-mannered elephants that follow long paths. This delightful activity offers an unforgettable experience amidst the area’s natural splendour, making it ideal for adults and children.
5. Ride a motorboat on Mattupetty Dam
At an elevation of 1700 metres, the sturdy Mattupetty Dam, built for water conservation and electricity generation, is a sight to behold in the Munnar highlands, close to Anamudi Peak. The scenery is appealing because of the lush valleys and calm atmosphere. The Idukki District Tourism Promotion Council further enhances the attraction by offering speed boating, motor boats, paddle boats, and rowboats, giving guests a variety of water sports to enjoy in this picturesque setting.
6. Rent a Bicycle for Mountain Biking
Munnar offers bicycle lovers an exciting journey among its tea farms. Suryanelli, Kundala, and Marayoor offer ideal mountain riding terrain; this charming town is a favourite destination for adventure seekers. The most enjoyable thing is to ride a two-wheeler across rolling hills and meadows, around hairpin turns and winding highways. Riding a bike across Munnar’s varied landscapes is one of the most thrilling and rejuvenating activities when visiting this enchanted place.
7. Shop for Tea and Famous Munnar Spices
Munnar wants you to take some of its spirit home and enjoy the perfect flavour of freshly brewed Tea. Savour the pleasure of buying tea leaves of the highest calibre as mementoes. Look around your neighbourhood markets for various finds, such as aromatic oils, dried tea leaves, different types of coffee, essential oils, and various spices. Notably, oils derived from citriodora, eucalyptus, and lemongrass have medicinal properties that help with body and joint aches and are used in food and household items.
8. Trek at the Rajamalai National Park
Eravikulam National Park is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise since it serves as a shelter for the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain goat in South India. Rich biodiversity may be found on the slopes, where uncommon trees and flora, such as beautiful epiphytic orchids and wild balsams, can be found. In addition, the park provides access to the Kurinji path, which leads through the Nilgiri Thar and Kurinji-filled meadows. Eravikulam National Park is a must-see location in Munnar because exploring this natural oasis offers an immersive experience with distinctive flora and animals.
9. Take an Ayurvedic Massage
Entrusting yourself to an Ayurvedic spa or massage in the serene hills of Munnar is the ultimate way to revitalise and de-stress. Munnar, which is well-known for its healing arts, provides a variety of Ayurvedic massages, such as deep tissue, Balinese, and shirodhara. One of the best things to do in Munnar is to indulge in these rejuvenating therapies, which let guests relax in the tranquil surroundings and reap the calming effects of age-old medicinal customs. Enjoy a delightful getaway where the natural beauty of the hill town blends harmoniously with the soothing touch of Ayurveda.
10. Try Sevenmallay Tea Estate’s Tea
Sevenmallay Tea Estate is a veritable paradise on earth, on hundreds of acres. It is owned by the Tata Tea Company and founded in 1900. To add to the estate’s beauty is a quaint home tucked away in the centre. Enjoy a lovely experience amidst the splendour of nature by purchasing Tea produced at the estate outlet and indulging in a taste of the freshly brewed, tasty Tea.
11. Look at the View from Munnar Top Station
Situated around 32 kilometres from the city centre, Top Station is one of Munnar’s most charming locations. Munnar’s highest point provides sweeping views of the imposing Western Ghats and is a must-see. Seeing low-lying clouds with a profusion of vegetation at Top Station is a perfect example of the area’s natural splendour. One of the greatest things to do in Munnar is to visit this picturesque location, offering an amazing view of the Western Ghats’ splendour.
12. Go on a Tea Tour at Kolukkumalai Tea Estate
At Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, one of the highest tea farms in the world, indulge in the energising scent of the golden elixir. At an elevation of 7900 feet, this Munnar tea estate may be reached via a winding road that zigzags through the Kolukkumalai Hills. The scenery is truly stunning. The plantation is a well-known tourist destination worldwide for its flavoured tea leaves. Discover the storied tea factory, which provides information on customary techniques for producing Tea. A trip to Kolukkumalai is a sensory experience through the pinnacles of tea tradition and expertise.
13. Have a Picnic at Lakkam Waterfalls
Attukal, Lakkam, Chinnakanal, and Thoovanam are just a few of Munnar’s tumbling waterfalls that create quaint plunge pools perfect for leisurely picnics. Nestled between vaga trees on the Munnar-Marayoor highway, Lakkam Waterfalls provides a tranquil haven. In addition to being the ideal location for a picnic, Attukal Waterfalls, on the route to Pallivasal, encourages exploration through short hikes. The waterfall’s attractiveness is enhanced by the natural beauty of Thoovanam Falls, which is close to Chinnar.
14. Visit Suryanelli
Suryanelli is a charming town in Kerala, India’s Idukki district, close to Munnar. It is renowned for its beautiful scenery and peaceful atmosphere and is around 64 km from Munnar. Suryanelli is a tranquil haven for those who enjoy the outdoors, encircled by verdant green tea plantations, mist-covered hills, and meandering lanes. Travellers seeing Kerala’s stunning hill stations frequently find that the Munnar to Suryanelli trip offers excellent Western Ghats vistas.
15. Engage in Rock Climbing
With thrilling sports like rock climbing and rappelling, Munnar’s mountainous topography draws in adventure seekers. To guarantee a fun and secure encounter, expert advice is easily accessible. In Munnar, the National Adventure Foundation is a major player in setting up adventure sports like rappelling and rock climbing. For an exhilarating and adrenaline-filled experience in the breathtaking scenery, add these thrilling activities to your list of things to do in Munnar.
16. Try the Delicious Kerala Cuisine
Savour traditional food in Munnar to embrace the indigenous flavours. Known for its authentic Malabar delicacies, Saravana Bhavan offers a delightful dining experience. Additionally, well-known restaurants in Munnar that provide a variety of gastronomic pleasures are Bamboo Hut, Mezbaan Hotel, and Mayabazar. One of the most lovely things to do in Munnar is to explore these Kerala cuisines paradises; it adds a delightful touch to visiting this picturesque hill resort.
17. Watch Kalaripayattu
Learn the age-old fighting art of Kalaripayattu, which has a strong cultural foundation in Kerala. Munnar’s Kalari Kshethra is one of the best places to see this expert combat method that was originally used by warriors and represents bravery, history, and culture. The performances here provide a rich and immersive experience in Munnar’s cultural legacy, showcasing Kalaripayattu and a peep into numerous traditional dance and art forms.
18. Do a Wildlife Safari at the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Idukki District and tucked away in the Western Ghats, is a naturalist’s paradise. Rich in native plants and animals, this sanctuary is a well-liked travel destination. With a wide variety of therapeutic plants, Chinnar provides a rare chance to immerse oneself fully in the fascinating world of animals. One of the greatest things to do in Munnar for people fascinated by nature’s beauties is to visit the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.
19. Visit Marayoor
Only 40 kilometres from Munnar, Marayoor is a mesmerising location renowned for its unique attractions and breathtaking scenery. This location is distinct in Kerala since it has a rare sandalwood forest and large sugarcane crops. Because Marayoor is the only site in the state where sandalwood grows naturally, it is much more appealing as a must-see location close to Munnar.
20. Stay in a Tree House
Savour the latest fad of vacationing in a treehouse, providing a unique experience amidst Munnar’s verdant tea farms and spice plantations. This lodging option, tucked away amid the treetops, is one of the most distinctive and unforgettable things to do in Munnar. Take in the peace and beauty of the natural surroundings, making your stay in a treehouse an unforgettable experience you will never forget.
Conclusion
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your stuff and head towards God’s country to fulfil and check items off this list of things to do in Munnar!
