The Best of Munnar
Munnar is a beautiful town in the Western Ghats, Mountain Range in India’s Kerala State. The town is known for its tea estates, hilly terrain and natural beauty. Even though Munnar is not really the party destination, visitors can let their hair down and relax after a tiring day spent hunting Trails.
Munnar town has a number of restaurants, cafes and bars to serves its visitors. Most of them serve traditional Kerala cuisine, Indian and international cuisines. Guests can take a leisurely dinner or drinks with the impressive views over the rolling hills and valleys.
There are also numerous small local shops and street vendors that sell tasty regional treats like appam, dosa and idli throughout Munnar. Guests can eat their way through the local street food scene and savor some tasty snacks.
Besides good eateries there are a number of spas and wellness centres in Munnar where you can pamper yourself with treatments. Many of these centers provide traditional Ayurvedic therapies, massages and yoga classes.
Munnar town is not much of a night life destination but there are places where tourists can enjoy home grown live music till late. Most of the bars and cafes in town have live music on the weekends, so you can sip on a drink or two while watching local musicians play.
So, all in all, though you would not find Munnar town to be the place to party at night life wise, yet it sure helps the tourists in unwinding and chilling on those late evenings after wandering through natures bounty! Whether you are having a sit-down dinner or sipping drinks with panoramic views, sampling local street food or unwinding at a spa and wellness center in Munnar – there is no dearth of opportunities for some rest and relaxation.
ACCOMMODATIONS IN MUNNAR
Munnar – The beautiful hill station in Kerala, India is home to several hotels and resorts that provide excellent accommodation options. For those looking for budget hotels to luxury accommodation, Munnar offers a perfect option.
Budget hotels
If you are a frugal traveler, there will be plenty of options available in Munnar. These chains provide simple grounded guest rooms with essentials like complimentary WiFi and breakfast.
Mid-Range Hotels
There are also a few mid-range hotels in Munnar which strike a good balance between quality and expenditure. These hotels provide rooms in a pleasant environment with features such as free Wi-Fi access, swimming pools and fitness facilites.
Luxury Resorts
If you’re someone who prefers luxury, Munnar has plenty of high-end resorts with the best views of the hill station, top-notch amenities and outstanding service. Both have deluxe rooms and suites, gourmet restaurants, spas and wellness centers.
Few of the famous Munnar resorts and hotels
- Windermere Estate : A lovely little boutique resort among teaplants and coffee estates, with sublime views all round. The hotel has luxurious rooms and suites, a swimming pool, wellness centre and gourmet restaurant.
- The Panoramic Getaway: This resort is perched on a hilltop, overlooking the valleys around it. The hotel is very comfortable with nice rooms, a pool, gym and spa.
- Tea County Munnar : Situated in the centre of Munnar town, this hotel provides cosy accommodation with swimming pool, spa and restaurant.
- Club Mahindra Munnar : This is a luxury resort that stands against the backdrop of emerald forests and tea gardens featuring opulent rooms & suites as well as an indoor pool, spa, and restaurant.
On the whole, there are a range of hotels and resorts in Munnarto suit everyones needs. There is a range of budget to luxury Munnar hotels but you will always find good options for yourself.
Munnar Overview
Munnar hill station is situated in the Idukki district of the south Indian state of Kerala. It is located 1,600 meters above sea level and spans about 557 square kilometers. The city has around 12,000 inhabitants and is acclaimed for its scenic beauty, moderate climate and rich cultural heritage.
Munnar is located where the three rivers Mudhirapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundaly meet. The hills, tea gardens and thick forests have formed the backdrop for horror stories for a long time. The weather of Munnar is quite moderate and nice for a visit, having 5 min – 25 max around the year.
It is a town rich in culture and history with a large population of tribal communities like Muduvan, Nayar and Malayarayan. Though they speak their language, have thier own lifestyle and traditional rituals that followers, Munnar is a attractive location for having different culture experiences.
👉 Source: 20 Places to Visit Near Munnar
History
Munnar has a rich history as it served as the retreat of British officials in South India, during the colonial days. The British later developed the town as a tea plantation, and the cultivation of cacao and tea are still important agricultural activities in the area. The town had actively participated in the Indian independence movement and had produced several freedom fighters.
Agriculture, and specifically the growing of tea and coffee are an important economic activity for the local population in addition to tourism. Tourism contributes in a big way to the economy of Munnar as the destination has become like an international town that welcomes tourists from all over the world. The town is an access point for other tourist places and also a commercial hub in the Munnar region. Trekking, camping and nature walks are other activities that visitors can enjoy here.
Check out our – Kerala Tour Packages
In conclusion – Munnar is a stunning location with its unique geography, culture and history. Its beautiful scenery, moderate temperature and colourful culture that you want to know about. Its tea and coffee plantations form part of the local industry, which contributes to its allure and its ever-growing tourism trade keeps it economically strong.
MUNNAR TEA PLANTATIONS
Munnar is a town in the Idukki district of Kerala, India and is known for its picturesque tea gardens that cover the hills and valleys of this hill station. The tea gardens around Munnar are definitely appreciated by the honored travelers and are an important source of revenue.
The tradition of growing tea in Munnar started by the British in the late 19th century with the formation of several plantations. Today, Munnar has 50+ tea estates spreading over more than 33,000 hectares. Tea gardens are located at a height of 4,900–8,200 ft.
The tea plantations in Munnar are absolutely mesmerising with their serene ambience and stunning landscapes. The tea plants run in rows on the side of the hills and valleys, arranged neatly creating a pleasing pattern.
Munnar has its immaculately manicured tea estates that have earned great acclaim, thanks to the unique flavour and aroma of its teas. The leaves of the tea are handpicked, processed in a conventional way to maintain their natural flavour and aroma.
While at Munnar, one can also go for the guided tour of the tea plantation to know the history behind the concept and process of its cultivation. The tours walk people through tea gardens, tea factories and tasting rooms to give them a taste of the world of tea production.
The Munnar tea plantations other than cultivating tea offer employment to the people. The Tea industry is a key source of earnings for the local people and many are employed in tea estates working as laborers, pluckers or factory workers.
THEKKADY
Thekkady Thekkady is a prime tourist destination in the Kerala state of India. It is situated at an elevation of 700 metres and its area is about 777 km². The town of some 4000 inhabitants is recognised for its natural attractiveness, as well as being a locale rich in biodiversity and culture.
Hills Thekkady lies in the hills of the Western Ghats; the Highlands surrounding it are also home to famous hill-station destinations such as Munnar, The main attraction in this place is periyar wild life sanctuary, which does not itself fall under the above categories.Surrounded by mountains, and located near the Anai Peak, From chennai its 586stiff cliffs and forests. Thekkady has a moderate, tropical climate with temperature ranging from 15 to 30 C.
The town is enriched with culture and heritage, home for many indigenous tribes like Mannan, Palliyar and Malayarayan. These people have their own language, customs and the way of life which make Thekkady an interesting cultural destination.
Thekkady has had a chequered history since its days as part of the ancient Tamil lands. His town played a very important role in Indian independence which many freedom fighters came out in.
The local inhabitants are largely dependent on agriculture, especially spice cultivation and tourism. Tourism is the mainstay of Thekkady’s economy; occasionally there are traffic jams along the Thekkady–Munnar Road. The town also houses the famous Periyar National Park teeming with rice fields and a variety of wildlife species. Visitors can also camp, hike and bamboo raft.
Finally, Thekkady is a picturesque town with some interesting geography, culture and history. It is a paradise of sorts for the lovers and admirers of nature and culture, with its awe-inspiring panoramic views, diverse flora & fauna, and their unique values and traditions. With the town’s spice plantations adding to its allure, prosperity for local citizens is just around the corner thanks to bustling tourism.
TOURISM ACTIVITIES IN THEKKADY
Kathakali is a traditional dance drama from Kerala, characterised by detailed costumes, makeup and facial expressions. The acts are generally from mythological stories and include music and vocal recitation. Thekkady offers the option to watch Kathakali at different cultural centers such as Kadathanadan kalari Centre and Navarasa Kathakali.
Kalaripayattu is an ancient martial art that hails from Kerala and is believed to be one of the oldest forms of martial arts in the world. The Kalaripayattu schools of Thekkady offer live performances of the art and its history & techniques to the fit. Well known Kalaripayattu centres are the Kerala Kalaripayattu Academy and the Mudra Cultural Centre in Thekkady.
In addition to those classical art forms, there are plenty of other tourism activities in Thekkady including Bamboo Rafting, Trekking and wildlife safaris. Visitors can boat in the Periyar Lake, walk through spice plantations or take a guided trek through forests. The Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary is the other popular site in Thekkady which is famous for its flora, fauna including elephants & tigers and is also useful for viewing a large number of birds.
On the whole, Thekkady is an ideal place for people who love wildlife adventure tourism as well as traditional art lovers. travellers can be a part of local culture and nature in the region along with various tourists’ activities around.
SPICE PLANTATIONS THEKKADY
Thekkady is well known for spice plantations. The area is famous for fertile soil, tropical weather and rain, conditions which favor the growth of numerous spices.
Spice plantations in Thekkady are hot spots that allow monitoring of the cultivation and development lifestyle of spices. Guided tours of the plantations are offered to visitors, who learn about various spices and their origins, as well as how they are used in cooking and medicine.
Cardamom, pepper, cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg are some of the spices that are cultivated here in Thekkady. These are traditionally grown spices with no harmful chemicals & pesticides.
Guests to the spice plantations can also see how these spices are grown: planted and harvested. They can watch how the spices are dried, sorted and packaged for sale. Tourists can also buy fresh spices from the plantations, with excellent quality and aroma.
Spice and tea plantations Other than spice, Thekkady is also famous for its tea plantations. Visitors can tour part of the plantation, led by guides who explain how tea leaves go from plucking to packaging.
To sum up, the spice farms in Thekkady lend a rare chance to explore the agricultural legacy of Kerala and witness nature’s beauty. So when in Kerala, make sure to cover up the Spice plantations at Thekkady.
TREKKING AND HIKING IN MUNNAR THEKKADY
Munnar and Thekkady – Both known for trekking/trails in KeralaOne can visit Munnar and Thekkady where tourists get an opportunity to travel the nature’s beauty, green trails leading towards forest covered lush greens.
Located in the Western Ghats, Munnar is famous for rolling mountains and tea gardens and waterfalls. This area has trekking routes from easy to strenuous. The favourite trekking routes in Munnar are the Meesapulimala trek, Anamudi trek, and Chokramudi trek. These treks are also known for beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and valleys, not to mention wildlife like Nilgiri tahr, bison and sambar deer.
Thekkady, however, is famous for its lush forests, spice plantations and wildlife sanctuaries. There are several hiking routes in the area, from easy walks to harder treks. The Periyar Tiger Trail, the Bamboo Grove Trail and the Vandiperiyar Trail are some of the best hiking paths of Thekkady. They are medium-difficulty treks and provide visitors with an opportunity to see varied flora and fauna native to the area, as well as animals including elephants, tigers, wild boars.
Both Munnar and Thekkady provide nature enthusiasts with the opportunities to savor natural splendor up close: The treks and hikes in this region are wonderful ways to become more familiar with the local habitat. The ideal months to go trekking and hiking in Munnar and Thekkady are between October and May when the weather is dry and pleasant. Visitors are encouraged to hire experienced guides for treks and hikes, and bring plenty of water, snacks, fresh batteries and sunscreen.