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               MUNNAR TRAVEL GUIDE

Munnar is a town located in Kerala .The name is often used to refer to the whole
tourist area of Idukki District of which the town forms a part. Munnar panchayat of
Devikulam block is the largest in the district with an area of 557 kmē. The name of
Munnar is believed to be derived from the Malayalam words Muunu (three) and aaru
(river), referring to the town's strategic location at the confluence of the
Muthirappuzha, Chanduvarai and Kundali rivers. [2] The area is surrounded by vast
jungles and remains wet and cold during most of the year. The Mattupetty Dam is
nearby. The people of Munnar share the culture and traditions of Kerala and their
Tamil neighbours.

During the British rule of India, Munnar was developed to cultivate tea plants. At that
time, most of the people around the area were employed as laborers for plantations
throughout the area. In the early stages of development, only Tamilians and a small
number of Malayalis inhabited Munnar. From the late 1890's till 1921, tea was
transported down from Top Station by 24 inch railway and ropeway to Munnar for
transhipment throughout the World.

Most of the top positions in the estates were occupied by the British "Managers". A
few bungalows were built for them and these are still in use. Munnar was a Hill
Station for some British who sought a cooler climate.

Most native flora and fauna of Munnar has disappeared due to severe habitat
fragmentation by plantations. However, most of the species survive in several
protected areas nearby, including the new Kurinjimala Sanctuary to the east, Chinnar
Wildlife Sanctuary and Manjampatti Valley in Amaravati reserve forest of Indira
Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary to the north east, Eravikulam National Park and Anamudi
Shola National Park to the north, Pampadum Shola National Park to the south and
the proposed Palani Hills National Park to the east. These protected areas are
especially known for several threatened and endemic species including Nilgiri Thar,
Grizzled Giant Squirrel, Nilgiri Wood-pigeon, Elephant, Gaur, Sambar, and
Neelakurinji.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Time zone         IST (UTC+5:30)
Area                   557 kmē (215 sq mi)[1]
Elevation           1,700 m (5,577 ft)
District(s)          Idukki
Population
Metro                  68,205 (2001)


PLACE TO VISIT

Eravikulam (Rajamalai) National Park -  45 mins from Munnar. See
Nilgiri Thar (Hemitragas hylocres) - an endangered species of mountain goats,
rolling grasslands and sholas, spread over 97 sq km in the Rajamalai hills, rare
flora and fauna, Atlas moth (largest in the world), lion-tailed macaque, leopards,
tigers, The Kurichi or Neelakurinji Flowers turn the hills of Rajamalai blue every 12
years. The next bloom will be in 2018.

Anamudi Peak inside Eravikulam National Park -  The highest
peak (2695 m) south of the Himalayas, towers over the sanctuary in majestic pride.
The slopes of the hills abound in all kinds of rare flora and fauna. The Atlas moth,
the largest of its kind in the world, is a unique inhabitant of the park. Other rare
species of fauna found here are the Nilgiri Langur, the lion-tailed macaque,
leopards, tigers, etc. An ideal place for trekking, facilities are provided here and
tourists are allowed to go on foot up to Anamudi.

Mattupetti Dam - 10km from Munnar, this popular picnic spot activities like
boating and horse riding and is a great place to spend the day especially if visiting
with children.

Mattupetti Indo-Swiss Farm - Better known as Mattupetti (cattle village),
Tamil migrant labourers had once upon a time reared cattle here. The cool climate
and abundance of fodder made it the ideal location for the Indo-Swiss dairy farm.
Established in 1961, the Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB) manages this
highly specialised dairy farm. The dairy farm is a unique one of its kind with more
than 100 varieties of high-yielding cattle being reared.

Echo Point - 15km from Munnar, on the way to top station from Munnar is a
small lake set amidst rolling hills. Every loud call made from a spot on the lake
embankment is returned manifold by the echo from the surrounding hills. Young
tourists throng to this place to listen to the echoes of their friendship calls.

Top Station - 37km from Munnar on the Kerala and Tamil Nadu border, has
great views of the Western Ghats. Regular buses go to Top Station (1 hr) from
Munnar. A jeep costs Rs 400. The area is known for the Neelakurunji plant, which
flowers only once every twelve years. The flower is violet.

Salim Ali (Thattekkad) Bird Sanctuary - There are woodpeckers,
Malabar gray hornbills, Ceylon frogmouths, parakeets, and rose-billed rollers. This
sanctuary is located 20km from Kothamangalam on the road between Ernakulam
and Munnar. There are basic and mid-range hotels in Kothamangalam and an
Inspection Bungalow in Boothathankettu. You can take a boat cruise from
Boothathankettu to Thattekkad. Admission Foreigners/Indian Rs 40/10.

Marayoor - Around 40km from Munnar. It is the only place in Kerala with natural
growth of sandalwood trees, natural caves with murals, and relics from Later Stone
Age civilisation. There is a sandalwood factory of the Forest Department of Kerala
and a children's park extending across one hectare of land under the canopy of a
single Banyan tree, all of which attract tourists in large numbers.

Kolukkumalai Tea Estate - At a height of about 7130 ft, this orthodox tea
factory lays claim to being one of the highest in the world. The view of the Western
Ghats is absolutely enchanting.


HOW TO REACH

Munnar is 140 km (about 4.5 hours) from Kochi. The road is smooth - NH 49.
Kothamangalam is on the way and is 80 km down from Munnar. Between
Kothamangalam and next town "Adimali", you can experience a cool drive through a
natural forest. Alongside, you can see many refreshing waterfalls.

Once you reach Adimali, Munnar is just 30 kilometers away - but, will take almost an
hour to reach there. Around 22 kilometers from Adimali, you can start seeing the tea
plantations on both side of the road and a panoramic view of the western ghats. The
view is extremely beautiful during the early mornings.

Munnar can also be reached from Kodai Road, Madurai, Udumalpet. The drive to
Munnar involves about 2 hours on the ghat section. There are 17 hair pin bends and
traversing them can make you feel nauseated. However if you eat light while
travelling you can enjoy the scenery during the drive.

Munnar is about 150km from Coimbatore. Coimbatore-Munnar route is a very scenic
route and though a bit longer is generally considered worth the extra time spent.