Attractions

Top Station, which is about 32 km from Munnar is at a height of 1700 m above sea level. It is the highest point on the Munnar-Kodaikanal road. Travellers to Munnar make it a point to visit Top Station to enjoy the panoramic view it offers of the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the spots in Munnar to enjoy the Neelakurinji flowers blooming over a vast area.

Mattupetty offers many fascinating sights to relish. Besides the lush green tea plantations, and the rolling grasslands, the Shola forests in and around Mattupetty are ideal for trekking and are habitat to a variety of birds. Rivulets and cascades crisscross the terrain here, which again adds more attraction to the place. Of all the main attractions at Mattupetty is the dairy farm, run by the Indo-Swiss Livestock Project. The dairy farm is a unique one of its kind with several varieties of high-yielding cattle being reared.

Kundala a tranquil, serene place with alluring, ravishing beauty, offers incomparable experience to travellers. In the heart of hearts a visitor can keep never fading memories of moments spent in the bosom of nature. Kundala is 28kms from Munnar on the way to Top Station. The construction of Sethuparvathy Dam at Kundala was completed in the year 1946, as a part of Pallivasal Hydro Electric Project, when it was found that the reservoir at Munnar was not getting adequate water. Hydel tourism promoted by KSEB is an attraction to tourists. Pedal boats and Kashmiri Shikaras are available for tourists. Cherry blossoms, which bloom only twice a year, make Kundala a paradise on earth. Kurinji flowers, though seasonal, also provide ecstatic delight to visitors.

CSI Church is a popular destination which built in 1910 and is an important landmark of Munnar. CSI Church is a Protestant Church built mostly in stone, by Scottish tea estate managers and workers. The main attraction of this Church is its charming interiors which still retain stained-glass windows, brass plaques, rows of rosewood pews and an ornate chandelier. There is a cemetery adjacent to this church with tombs, which dates back to 1894.

It is an ideal place for seeing the biodiversity of high elevation shola-grassland ecosystem. Visitors are taken to Rajamalai in forest dept vehicles and given an opportunity to see all this. Private vehicles are not allowed here. The National Park is usually closed at the time of calving of Nilgiri Tahr which is usually during the early months of every year. A sanctuary for the endangered mountain goat of South India, the Nilgiri Tahr (Hemitragus hylocrious), the Eravikulam National Park stands out for the stark beauty of its rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Kannan devan hills.

Munnar has a legacy of its own when it comes to the origins and evolution of tea plantations. Taking account of this legacy and to preserve and showcase some of the exquisite and interesting aspects on the genesis and growth of tea plantations in Kerala's high ranges, a museum exclusively for tea was opened some years ago by Tata Tea in Munnar. This Tea Museum houses curios, photographs and machineries; all of which have a story to tell on the origins and growth of tea plantations in Munnar. The museum is located at the Nallathanni Estate of Tata Tea in Munnar and is worth a visit.

The Blossom International Park is located at 3 Km away from Munnar on the way to Cochin. Commencing from Head works Dam it stretches about 15 acres. Beautiful gardens with rare varieties of plants and flowers, shady trees, facilities for water cycling, boating cycling for kids, roller skating etc are amusing. In addition Tree houses, ropeways and swings are arranged. Anybody who wants to spend some leisure time at the lap of serene natural beauty will find this park, the right place. Entrance Fees - Rs.10.00/ for adult and Rs.2.00/- for child.

Chithirapuram pulls us back to the Gothic Period. One can't deny the old world charm in the green background of nature. With its sleepy little cottages, bungalows, old playgrounds and courts, Chithirapuram still exudes an old-world charm. Home of the Pallivasal Hydel Power Project, this hill town is also famous for its picturesque tea plantations.