Heh heh, gotcha with the title, right!! Well its true(But that’s later)... Guys I am back with a review on one of India’s most picturesque hill stations.
MUNNAR - One of the most popular hill stations in India, is situated at the confluence of three mountain streams - Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala. Located at 1600 Mts. above sea level, this was once the summer resort of the erstwhile British Government in South India. Sprawling tea plantations, picture book towns, winding lanes, trekking and holiday facilities make Munnar a unique experience.
LOCATION & OTHER DETAILS - Cradled among the Western Ghats.
Munnar is located in the eastern part of the state of Kerala (Idukki district), at an altitude of 1524 m above sea level. It is 130 km east of Cochin and borders the state of Tamil Nadu. Easily approachable from both the sides (Kerala & TN), Cochin can be the easiest lauch pad, since it is well connected by air, rail and road. The weather in Munnar is pleasant. Summers (April–June) are mild, while winters (November–February) are cool. It experiences heavy southwestern monsoon rains in June–August.
How did I get there??
I drove down from Bombay to Calicut (North Kerala) by car and then drove to Munnar from there (abt 4 hrs). The drive up the ghats just blows you away. The best time to visit is after the monsoons, around Oct-Dec. The wild jungle around you is just bursting with life and you find (to your never ending delight) waterfalls, both tiny and tremendous around every second corner. Wow, what an amazing experience. Imagine driving along through the jungle, with thick mists around you and finding a waterfall roaring by your window. Fantastic....(I think I need to write a review on road trips, considering that I have been to Kerala 5 times by road, Orissa once and Rajasthan once, all from Maharashtra..what say!!)
PLACES TO SEE -
Well, Munnar is not your typical hill station, since it was developed more as the Tea Estate of the south. But never you worry, there is plenty to see or do out there... :-)
Mattupetty - (13 km from Munnar)
Situated at a height of 1700 m , Mattupetty is famous for its highly specialised dairy farm, the Indo-swiss live stock project. Over 100 varietes of high yielding cattle are reared here.Visitors are allowed into three of the eleven cattle sheds at the farm. We always feel India is technologically backward, but the guys out there are doing some amazing work. Definitely a must see, with the rolling greens and the quaint little cattle sheds. They have strict visiting hours and you can only enter between 0900 - 1100 hrs and 1400 - 1530 hrs.
The Mattupetty lake and dam , just a short distance from the farm, is a very beautiful picnic spot. The sprawling Kundala tea plantations and the Kundala lake are other attractions in the vicinity. DTPC Idukki provides boating facilities on the Mattupetty Dam. Speed Launch and slow speed motor boats are available on hire, of course one can’t always rely on the boat ride being there...we missed it (closed for repairs - said the wise old man)
Eravikulam National Park (15 km from Munnar) - Oh the sheer beauty of this place.
The 97 sq. km. park is situated in the Devikulam Taluk and is home to the Nilgiri Tahr (Mountain Goat). The Anamudi peak (2695 m) is located in the Southern region of the park. This is the highest peak in the South of India and is mentioned in the Veda’s and the Upanishad’s.
Originally established to protect the Nilgiri tahr (Nilgiri Ibex), the Eravikulam National Park is situated in the Devikulam Taluk of the Idukki District. It was declared as a sanctuary in 1975. Considering the ecological, faunal, floral, geo-morphological and zoological significance, it was declared as a National park in 1978.
It covers an area of 97 sq kms of rolling grasslands and high level sholas (evergreen forests). The park is breathtakingly beautiful and is easily comparable to the best mountain ranges found anywhere in the world. This national park , is the single biggest attraction (i feel) for Munnar. It gives you a feeling of awe, when you look around you and see the giant mountains and waterfalls, and far away on the peaks, some Tahrs (through binoculars, of course)
The park is divided into 3 regions - the core area, the buffer area and the tourism area. Visitors are allowed only to the tourism area which is in the Rajamala (King of Mountains) region. The Nilgiri Tahr can be observed at close quarters here. The natural habitat of the Niligiri tahr , Rajamala is 2695 m above sea level. Half the world’s population of the rare mountain goat or tahr which is fast becoming extinct, is now found here.The total number of Niligiri Tahrs in Rajamala is estimated to be over 1300.
Trekking facilities are available here. Tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi. This is also a place for adventure tourism. There is a track that leads up to Anamudi, from where you can actually see the Nilgiri Tahr up close and personal :-)). I kid you not, I have the photographs to prove it.
TEA, TEA - wherever you can SEE
Munnar is essentially a tea town. The tea plantations owned by the Tata Tea Company, are enormous. The visitor is greeted with miles and miles of unending tea plantations on entry into Munnar. Among the exotic flora found in the forests and grasslands here is the Neelakurinji a flower which bathes the hills in blue colour once every twelve years. The Neelakurinji, will bloom next in 2006 AD. But other than this, it is only tea, tea..and more tea. This incidently is my only grouse with Munnar. Too much of a good thing, with not much of the natural jungle left in and around Munnar proper. But the good thing being, you can actually visit the plantation and they will explain the whole process to you.. (Bargain prices too..)
ACCOMMODATION - No Problem
Very nice, friendly people, assist you in finding readily available accommodation in a number of budget hotels and 3 & 4* hotels. There is also the Sterling Resorts (where yours truly perched his considerable bum) and Mahindra Holiday Resorts. But during the peak season (Nov-Jan), it is advisable to book in advance. The net will provide considerable assistance.
Well I can’t think of anything else you will need and I really feel that a visit to the South should include, Munnar, Silent Vally and Thekkady to really experience the jungles and mountains of Kerala.
Happy travelling...and do tell me how your trip was.. :-))
Cheers