Munnar Travel Guide: hiking through the beautiful rice fields of Kerala
HOLY FARTS! Rarely have I seen such beautiful tea plantations as in Munnar. The town itself is chaotic, crowded and even a little dirty. So not the best first impression. So we decided to do a day trek to go into nature. We walked through the misty forests and arrived at the most green tea plantations. Perhaps the most beautiful tea plantations I have ever seen.
In this article
- To do
- Hotspots
- Travel time
- Budget
- Practical information
- The nicest accommodations
- How do I get there?
- Our opinion
How many days do I need to explore Munnar
You will need at least 2 days to explore the beautiful tea plantations and waterfalls. If you like hiking, you might want to plan some extra days. In fact, you also have several multi-day hikes to see more of the area. In short, the longer you stay, the more you see and experience.
TIP! The town of Munnar is chaotic, crowded and intense. Stay nice somewhere in the mountains or among the tea fields. Basically, you can skip the town itself nicely.
What to do in Munnar
Take a hike through the tea fields of Munnar
Through Viator , we found a cool excursion to take a wonderful hike through the tea fields of Munnar in the morning. The fantastic reviews were very promising and really nothing lied about that. This hike was absolutely fantastic and the tea fields are truly the most beautiful we have ever had the pleasure of admiring. Definitely a gem that is Munnar. The hike was quite tough, as you hike from 900 meters to an altitude of 1,750 meters in a short time. But it was absolutely worth it. The different views were fantastic. The guide also managed to tell us numerous facts about the area. Definitely a fat tip.
Would you prefer a private tour? We also found a complete tour of Munnar at GetYourGuide. Watch the tour here >>
Eravikulam National Park
An hour’s drive from Munnar, this park offers breathtaking scenery and wildlife, including the rare Nilgiri Tahr, a species of goat found only in this region. The park is open year-round except for February and March when it is closed for calving season.
Top Station
Top Station is the highest point in Munnar and offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. It is especially beautiful at sunrise and sunset.
Attukal waterfall
Attukal waterfall is a beautiful waterfall located about 9 km from Munnar. It is a popular place to picnic and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
Kundala Lake
Kundala Lake is a beautiful lake in Munnar, surrounded by lush green hills.
Best time to travel to Munnar
The best travel time to visit Munnar is from September to May. The weather is pleasant and dry during this period, and temperatures range between 15°C and 25°C. It is the perfect time to explore the tea plantations and beautiful natural landscapes of Munnar and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the hill station. From June to August is the rainy season in Munnar, which can cause landslides and road closures.
Which budget do i need in Munnar?
Of course, the cost of a few days in Munnar depends on your travel style and what you want to see and do in Munnar. Here’s a general estimate of what you can roughly expect to pay for Munnar:
Accommodation
Budget accommodations such as hostels and guesthouses cost around €10-€20 per night, while mid-range hotels usually cost between €30-€60 per night. If you go for the Fancy Schmanzy resort, you will quickly pay more than 100 euros.
Food
Food in India is incredibly cheap and Munnar is no exception. If you eat locally then you pay between 1 -3 euros per meal. At a western restaurant, you should expect 5 – 10 euros per meal.
Transport
A tuktuk ride costs on average between 100 and 300 rupees (about €1.20 – €3.50) for a 5-15 minute ride.
Activities
We paid 9. 95 per person for a our half-day trek and booked our trek through Viator.
Keep in mind that these prices are a general estimate and may vary depending on the specific places you visit and the time of year. It’s always a good idea to plan extra budget for unexpected expenses or special experiences you might want to have.
Practical information about Munnar
- Not all banks accept Mastercard or Maestro, visa works in most places
- Alcohol is not available everywhere, but with the help of Google Maps you can easily find the places where you can order a beer.
- Always have some cash with you for small expenses.
- Don’t forget to get your vaccinations before departure.
- A Visa card is accepted everywhere though and is therefore handy to have.
- Protect yourself from the bright sun and bring sunscreen.
- A tuktuk ride costs on average between 100 and 300 rupees (about €1.20 – €3.50) for a 5-15 minute ride.
- In India, people drive on the left side of the road, so keep that in mind when participating in traffic.
- At most restaurants you pay an additional 10% service charge and it is customary to tip 5-10% on top of that.
- India is a conservative country, so dress respectfully, especially at religious sites or cemeteries. Cover your shoulders and knees.
- Going hiking in Munnar? Then put on long pants and high hiking boots to protect yourself from leeches and ticks.
What are nice places to stay in Munnar?
Munnar offers a wide range of accommodations to suit all budgets and tastes. From luxury resorts amid the tea plantations to budget-friendly guesthouses in the city center, there is something for everyone.
How to get to Munnar?
There are several ways to reach Munnar, depending on where you are coming from. If you are coming from outside the state of Kerala, then flying to the nearest airport, the Cochin International Airport, is the best option. From the airport, you can take a cab or a bus to Munnar, which is about 130 km away.
If traveling by train, the nearest train stations are Aluva and Ernakulam, both of which are about 130 km from Munnar. From the train station, you can take a cab or a bus to Munnar.
We visited Munnar from Thekkady. This is about a 3-hour taxi ride for which we had to pay about 30 euros.
