Although Kerala itself is renowned for its mystical beauty, Munnar is acclaimed as one of the most coveted hill stations of God’s Own Country in the Idukki district. Located at a magnificent height of 6,000 ft in the Western Ghats, this stunning hill station is a true paradise for travelers from all walks of life.
Captivating mountains and valleys, evergreen plantation areas, lush greenery, several things to do, and places to visit in Munnar, make this hill resort a great holiday destination. Whatever the season, or with whom you intend to visit Munnar, surely its fascinating beauty will keep you enchanted! And to make your vacation more enjoyable and memorable.
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Here is the list of 10 Must-Visit Places in Munnar:
1. Mattupetty Dam
One of the main tourist attractions in Munnar, this water reservoir in the Idukki district is located about 13 km from the heart of the hill station. Tucked away between majestic mountains and valleys, it acts as the region’s primary source of hydroelectric power.
Since water is accessible around this concrete gravity dam, there is an exotic variety of flora and fauna flourishing around it. If luck favors you can also find Asian Elephants looking to visit this dam site for water and food. The Mattupetty Dam also acts as an ideal spot for sightseeing and a perfect place for birdwatching.
- Best Time to Visit: September to May.
- How to Get There: About 13 km from Munnar, easily accessible by road.
- Why Visit: The dam is set against beautiful hills, and the reservoir offers picturesque views. It’s an ideal spot for boating and picnics.
- Things to Do: Enjoy speed boating on the reservoir, explore the surrounding tea plantations, and have a peaceful lakeside picnic.
- Entry Fee: Free, but boating has charges (around ₹500 for speed boating).
2. Echo Point
The Echo Point’s distinctive beauty marks the confluence of three mountain ranges – Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni, and Kundala. Situated on the shores of a lake, this place’s peace and serenity are enchanting. Here, you can enjoy a quiet walk around the gentle slopes of the hills, or go to the serene waters of the lake for boating.
The echo point is a birdwatchers ‘ paradise because here you can see many native birds. You can also see a couple of shops on the outskirts of the attraction selling hill station local products. You’ll find the rare flowers of Neelakurinji or Strobilanthes which bloom and enhance their beauty. Echo Point is on your do-list when you visit Munnar. Read Best Places to Visit Kerala in March 2025
- Best Time to Visit: October to March.
- How to Get There: Located 15 km from Munnar, easily accessible by road.
- Why Visit: Famous for its natural echo phenomenon, Echo Point offers scenic lake views and is surrounded by lush greenery.
- Things to Do: Shout out to hear your voice echo, enjoy a peaceful walk by the lake, and capture the beauty of the mist-covered hills.
3. Attukad Waterfalls
Nestled 2 km from Munnar and surrounded by stunning hills and lush green jungles, this pristine waterfall allows for romantic getaways and picnics. The path to Attukad, however, is very narrow and needs a lot of driving experience. Read List of Popular Beaches in Kerala
- Best Time to Visit: June to September (monsoon season) for full flow.
- How to Get There: Located about 9 km from Munnar, accessible by road.
- Why Visit: A beautiful cascading waterfall set amidst rolling hills and forests, perfect for nature lovers and photographers.
- Things to Do: Trek to the waterfall, have a scenic picnic, and enjoy the misty ambiance.
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4. Top Station
Top Station is about 32 kilometers away from Munnar, at the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border. It’s the highest point in Munnar (1700 meters) to enjoy the panoramic view of Tamil Nadu’s magnificent Western Ghats and Theni District Valley.
Top Station is a prime example of natural beauty with its low-lying clouds and lush foliage. Historically, Top Station is known as a transshipment point for the delivery of tea provided by Munnar to Tamil Nadu and was named the Kundala Valley’s top railway station. Ruins of ropeway lines are yet to be identified.
- Best Time to Visit: April to May and September to November.
- How to Get There: About 32 km from Munnar, accessible by road.
- Why Visit: The highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road, offering stunning panoramic views of the Western Ghats and the valley below.
- Things to Do: Trek to the viewpoint, enjoy the scenic views of the tea gardens and surrounding mountains, and witness the famous Neelakurinji flowers (which bloom once every 12 years).
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5. Pothamedu Viewpoint
Situated 5 km away from Munnar, Pothamedu View Point is adorned with sprawling hills and lush green mountains. One can witness the spectacular broad view of the area’s tea, coffee, and cardamom plantations.
If you love sunset and sunrise then this is the perfect place for you. From this point of view on a clear day, Idukki Arch Dam which is about 60 km away is visible.
- Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year.
- How to Get There: About 6 km from Munnar, accessible by road.
- Why Visit: Known for its breathtaking views of the rolling hills, tea, coffee, and cardamom plantations, Pothamedu is perfect for nature lovers.
- Things to Do: Trek through the plantations, enjoy a panoramic view of Munnar’s lush landscape, and relax in the fresh mountain air.
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6. Trekking
Located on the top of the undulating peaks, it is also declared a UNESCO heritage site. The hill station in Munnar offers a mesmerizing wealth of trekking trails for trekkers to explore.
The entire range is filled with greenery carpets, low slopes lined with some of the world’s highest tea plantations and rainforests rich in biodiversity, exotic and spice plantations, Hills with their crests concealed under the curtain of fog, and stretches of rugged terrain.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March (cooler months).
- How to Get There: Various trekking trails are available around Munnar, with guides available in town.
- Why Visit: Munnar is a trekking paradise, offering trails through misty mountains, tea plantations, and wildlife-rich forests.
- Popular Trails: Meesapulimala Trek, Anamudi Peak Trek, Chokramudi Trek.
- Things to Do: Go on guided treks through lush landscapes, spot wildlife, and enjoy breathtaking views from the peaks.
- Entry Fee: Varies based on the trek (₹1,500–₹3,000 for guided treks).
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7. Meesapulimala
Meesapulimala, the second-highest mountain in South India, rises at an altitude of 2641 meters (8660 feet), high above sea level. The densely covered terrain has eight mustache-like peaks and is therefore called Meesapulimala. The starting point of the trek is either Rhodo Valley or Silent Valley, 6 km before Rhodo Valley, which is a perfect spot for trekking. After a trek from Rhodo Valley for about 8 km, one gets to see the grasslands, wildlife, rainforests, and small waterfalls.
Peace is what one gets to experience here in its purest form amidst the lush green valleys and hundreds of rhododendrons, tea estates, and bubbling streams, making it a must-visit destination for all nature as well as for adventure lovers out there. Meesapulimala is also considered a hotspot of diversity and has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Best Time to Visit: October to February.
- How to Get There: About 25 km from Munnar, requires trekking.
- Why Visit: The second-highest peak in South India, offering challenging treks and stunning views of the valleys and tea gardens below.
- Things to Do: Trek to the summit, enjoy panoramic views, and spot endemic flora and fauna along the way.
- Entry Fee: Guided trekking fees vary (₹2,000–₹3,000).
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8. Pallivasal Tea Garden
Pallivasal Tea Garden is located in a village of the same name, a few km away on the outskirts of Munnar. The tea gardens are known as beautiful tea plantation meadows for their paradise. Even the Sahya mountain range can be seen in the distance from those gardens. Read Also: The Best 5 Backwater Destinations in Kerala
- Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year.
- How to Get There: Located 8 km from Munnar, accessible by road.
- Why Visit: One of the oldest tea plantations in Munnar, offering a glimpse into the tea-making process and lush tea-covered landscapes.
- Things to Do: Take a guided tea plantation tour, enjoy tea tasting, and take scenic walks through the gardens.
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9. Kuthumkal Waterfalls
Kuthumkal Waterfalls is situated at Rajakkad, 24 km from Munnar. The waterfalls are a popular picnic spot in the area, boasting a nice climate and captivating water cascading down from a cliff along with the height.
- Best Time to Visit: June to September (monsoon season).
- How to Get There: Located about 24 km from Munnar, accessible by road.
- Why Visit: A lesser-known but stunning waterfall surrounded by lush greenery, making it an ideal spot for picnics and photography.
- Things to Do: Hike to the waterfall, enjoy the serene atmosphere, and relax by the cascading waters.
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10. Eravikulam National Park
National Park Eravikulam is the site of the threatened Nilgiri Tahrs spreading over 97 sq. km. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is situated close to Munnar; approximately 15 km away, and is one of Munnar’s must-visit sites. A treasure trove for nature and wildlife lovers, the park also serves as the home to Anamudi Peak (2,695 m) South India’s highest mountain.
- Best Time to Visit: February to April (best time to see the Nilgiri Tahr).
- How to Get There: Located about 15 km from Munnar, accessible by road.
- Why Visit: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this park is home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and offers spectacular views of the Western Ghats.
- Things to Do: Go on a safari to spot the Nilgiri Tahr, enjoy trekking in the park, and admire the Neelakurinji flowers when in bloom.
- Entry Fee: ₹125 for Indians, ₹420 for foreigners.
You can easily find some of the rarest as well as most endangered wildlife species during a visit to Eravikulam National Park. You will spot Indian Muntjac, Golden Jackal, Tiger, Leopard, Nilgiri Langur, and many more to name a few.
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