A 3-Day Nature Lover's Itinerary in Munnar

  1. Day 1: Explore Tea Gardens and Waterfalls
    Approximately 7 km from Munnar Town

    Start your day by visiting the Tea Gardens for a refreshing view of rolling greens hills of tea plantations. Spend some time here walking around and taking in the picturesque scenery. Afterward, make your way to Munnar's famous waterfall, Attukad Waterfalls, by car. Here, you can enjoy the beautiful waterfalls surrounded by hills.

    Next, visit Eravikulam National Park where you can spend some time admiring the wildlife and flora. With some luck, you might even get to see the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. Finally, visit the Mattupetty Dam to enjoy the scenic views and take a boat ride on the lake.

    Estimated time: 9 hours
    Estimated travel distance: 25 km
  2. Day 2: Adventure in the Mountains
    Approximately 18 km from Munnar Town

    Begin your day by visiting Top Station, which is the highest point in Munnar. The view from here is breathtaking, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy nature in peace.

    After this, visit Kolukkumalai Tea Estate that offers a guided tea tour and will show you about the tea-making process. After this, drive to Meesapulimala, the second-highest peak in the Western Ghats mountain range. This beautiful peak offers the perfect opportunity for trekking and other adventure activities.

    Estimated time: 9 hours
    Estimated travel distance: 36 km
  3. Day 3: Connect with Nature
    Approximately 29 km from Munnar Town

    Start your day by driving to the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is home to the endangered Giant Grizzled Squirrel. It is a beautiful place, perfect for trekking and enjoying the flora and fauna of the area.

    Go to the Marayoor Sandalwood Forest where you can see the production of Sandalwood oil by the local tribes. After this, visit the Thuvanam Waterfalls and take a dip in the refreshing waters. Finally, end your day by visiting Lockhart Gap Viewpoint, which offers an impressive view of the tea gardens and valley.

    Estimated time: 10 hours
    Estimated travel distance: 58 km

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Tea Gardens (1 hour, Free)
  • Attukad Waterfalls (1.5 hours, INR 30)
  • Eravikulam National Park (2-3 hours, INR 125 for Indian citizens, INR 420 for foreigners)
  • Mattupetty Dam (1.5 hours, INR 10 entry fee per person, INR 100 per group for boating)
  • Top Station (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Kolukkumalai Tea Estate (2-3 hours, INR 1200 for guided tour)
  • Meesapulimala (4-6 hours, INR 3500 per person for trekking, INR 4500 for offroad jeep ride)
  • Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (3-4 hours, INR 75 entry fee for adults, INR 25 for kids)
  • Marayoor Sandalwood Forest (1-2 hours, INR 10 entry fee)
  • Thuvanam Waterfalls (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Lockhart Gap Viewpoint (1-2 hours, Free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 4,000-5,000 (depending on additional activities)

Useful Tips

If you have more time, try visiting the Idukki Dam or the Pallivasal Hydroelectric Project as these are both impressive engineering wonders. Alternatively, you might want to visit the Munnar Tea Museum to understand the history and processes of Tea culture in India.

If you have less time, you could consider leaving out Thuvaram Waterfalls from Day 3.

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