With its scenic mountains and unique flora and fauna, Munnar is a favourite holiday destination for Indians and international travellers. Here are a few reasons to choose our Munnar tour packages.
Your morning cup of chai probably comes from the estates of Munnar, whose association with tea started in the 19th century when different British officers who visited the region for several official reasons and were mesmerised by its beauty. This quaint hill town gained gradual popularity by word of mouth. This group included John Munro, who was enthusiastic about the region’s geography being conducive to growing cash crops such as coffee, tea, and spices. Eventually, he gave up on most commercial crops in favour of tea, which was well suited to Munnar’s climate and soil conditions. But before him, A.H. Sharp, a European planter, had established an estate in Parvati.
Over the years, several tea estates were established by European planters who passed on ownership to Indians after independence. Today, some of the world’s best tea plantations are based in Munnar. This includes the Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, which is the world’s highest.
The Kannan Devan Hills Produce Company is Munnar’s largest tea estate, managing over 70% of the region’s tea estates.
Today, as part of your Munnar tour packages, you can stay in a tea estate within the plantation, experiencing the tranquillity of the region and enjoying the colonial and vintage vibes of the properties. Some of the popular bungalows that offer this experience include the Sevenmallay Bungalow, Parvathy Bungalow, and the Sholamallay Bungalow nestled amidst the Nullatanni Estate.
The Neelakurinji flower is endemic to the Shola forests of the Western Ghats, viz., in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. In Kerala, the Eravikulam National Park, Munnar, is a prime location for these flowers. Neelakurinji means blue flowers – these monocarpic plant species flower once in their lifetime, set seeds, and die. In fact, the Nilgiri Mountains derive their name from the Neelakurinji, which translates to “Blue Mountains.”
It takes around 12 years for the Neelakurinji flower to mature and flower. Another characteristic of these flowers is that they bloom gregariously, covering vast swathes of land and turning the entire hills of Munnar into shades of blue, thereby creating a magical landscape.
But not all Kurinjis are blue – there are over 250 species of Kurinjis, with the colour of flowers ranging from deep blue to a deep purple.
The time it takes for different species of Kurinjis to mature varies, resulting in different flowering seasons in different regions. The next kurinji blooming season in Munnar is likely to be in 2030. To learn more about the Kurinji blooming seasons in the different areas of the Western Ghats, call us at +91 9940882200, or send a message on Instagram.
Also note that while the major bloom occurs every 12 years, there are isolated or sporadic instances of Kurinji blooming. You can book Munnar tour packages during this time, if 2030 seems like a long wait.
The best thing about Munnar is its pleasant climate, which you can experience all year long. Even during the peak of summer, when temperatures could rise up to 35°C, the climate is pleasant in the mornings and evenings. Whether you are drawn to the vibrant spring/summer landscape of the mountains, the verdant greenery during the monsoon, or the chilly climate during winter, Munnar promises a perfect vacation that’s completely aligned to your expectations.
There are over five national parks in Munnar and a few more in neighbouring districts. The Eravikulam National Park is home to Anamudi Peak, the highest in South India. The park also hosts the spectacular Neelakurinji bloom that occurs every 12 years.
Munnar’s diverse habitats like the tropical evergreen forests, semi-evergreen landscapes, and shola forests. Some of Western Ghats’ unique animals and birds, like the Nilgiri Tahr, Gaurs, tigers, leopards, Bonnet Macaques, porcupines, Nilgiri flycatchers, and the Malabar Whistling Thrush, are found in Munnar.
Other national parks in Munnar include the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, Anamudi Shola National Park, Pampudam Shola National Park, Mathikettan Shola National Park, and Kurinjimala Sanctuary.
The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary has a deciduous forest that is home to the grizzled giant squirrel, white-bellied flycatcher, crested serpent eagle, and the mugger crocodile.
The Pambadum Shola National Park is home to evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, Shola grasslands, and semi-evergreen trees. These forests are home to hundreds of endemic animals like tigers, leopards, flying squirrels, pangolins, and spotted deer.
You cannot discuss Munnar’s stunning beauty without mentioning the exquisite waterfalls that cascade over the Western Ghats’ mountains. While some are very popular, others, such as the Lakkam Waterfalls, are less touristy and therefore relatively less crowded. The Attukad Waterfalls, Munnar’s most famous tourist attraction, is also an excellent trekking and picnic spot. The Nyayamakad Waterfalls are about 10 km from Munnar and fall from over 1600 metres. As you move farther from Munnar, the Kuthumkal Waterfalls fall with so much ferocity that the surrounding area is filled with a thick layer of mist.
As for other water sources, Munnar’s hydel projects have helped create several reservoirs and dams that attract tourists and support irrigation in neighbouring districts. Some of the popular dams include Mattupetty Dam, Kundala Lake reservoir, and the Anayirangal Dam.
The Mattupetty Dam is a popular attraction that’s not only popular for motorboating but also for bird watching. The Anayirangal Dam gets its name from the fact that elephants descend into the lake to drink water.
The Kundala Dam is India’s first arch dam and a popular spot to experience cherry blossoms and the Neelakurinji blooms.
