Munnar, Idukki

Location : Idukki, central Kerala.
Altitude : 1600 - 2695 m above sea level.

Munnar, a charming hill station covered with unending expanses of tea plantations, was the summer resort of most European settlers in Kerala for centuries.

Anamudi, the highest mountain peak in south India towering at an altitude of 2695 m above sea level, is part of this hill station. Munnar is ribboned by winding lanes that snake through its tea plantations.

Among the exotic flora found in the rich tropical forests and grasslands here is the Neelakkurinji ( Strobilanthus) . This unique plant that blooms only once in twelve years paints the entire Munnar hillside blue.

An assortment of wildlife such as the endangered mountain goat - Nilgiri Tahr, Nilgiri Langur, Sambar, Gaur and the Lion tailed Macaque are found in the tropical forests around Munnar.

Munnar literally means three rivers and has three mountain streams - Muthirapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala - meeting at the heart of the town.

There are a number of leisure and adventure activities awaiting tourists at Munnar.
Tea garden Visits: Permission to visit any of the 26 factories of Tata tea Ltd. can be had from the Regional office, at Munnar.
Trekking: Tourists are allowed to go on upto Anamudi. The permitting authority is the Wildlife Warden, Idukki Division, Painavu Tel: ++91 - 4865 - 30487.
Cycling: The District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) Idukki, provides cycling facilities at Munnar.

Getting there : Munnar is at a driving distance of nearly 142 km from Kottayam town.

Nearest railway station : Kottayam about 142 km.
Nearest airports : Cochin International Airport about 130 km away; Madurai in neighbouring Tamilnadu State, about 142 km away