Go Trekking in Munnar – One of India’s Most Beautiful Hill Stations

Take a break from the heat in Kerala and visit the beautiful hill station of Munnar. Green lush hills, lakes, waterfalls and endless amount of tea fields, all as far as the eye can see. Drink the tea, go trekking through the tea fields of Munnar or to the viewpoints to find some of the best views of Kerala. With the city of Munnar being 1600m above sea level it is a refreshing break from the heat to either seek adventure, or simply by relaxing and enjoying the lush views. While rather small, the surroundings of Kerala draws tourists from all over the world, all to have a glimpse of the most stunning surroundings. Not sure yet if you should add Munnar to your India Bucket List? Keep on reading to find photos that might make you think otherwise…

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Where is Munnar

If you are looking for an escape from India’s summer heat than Munnar might be a destination considering worth adding to your Kerala itinerary. A 4 hour bus ride from the city of Kochi will take you slowly up the mountains and as you get higher and higher you will feel the warm temperatures change into a refreshing breeze. The ride up is windy, but absolutely stunning, as the hills will turner greener by the minute. There is no train station in Munnar, so the bus will be your only option. To have a better idea of where Munnar is located check out the map below.

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Where to stay in Munnar

With Munnar’s rising popularity there is no shortage of accommodation in Munnar. From small guesthouses to the most beautiful resorts, there is something for everyone’s liking in Munnar. If you are on a budget you might want to stay near the centre of Munnar, as here you will find a large option of budget accommodation, budget restaurants and easy access to some of Munnar’s most beautiful sights. Check out the map below to find the perfect accommodation for you!

Booking.com

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Trekking in Munnar

The most stunning views don’t come easy, they require a bit of effort in Munnar. But in the end it is the journey, not the destination that counts right? And this journey will take you through some of the most lush and beautiful views you will find near the centre of Munnar. While you can easily be driven around by a Jeep on a day tour, we found the most amazing views on early morning hikes. Leave around 7.30am when the sun is still low, and the sky most likely still clear. Bring enough water and some snacks for along the way, and enjoy a 3 to 4 hour hike in the most lush scenery you might have ever seen. The fields of the mountains are filled with the most stunning tea plantations… you might even wander into people working on the tea fields who will often warmly welcome you with a smile.

While the tea fields are simply everywhere and they seem very inviting to walk through, many of these lands are owned privately, so be warned, but this will often be indicated by a sign. Not sure if you are walking on private land? Just ask around first! We found ourselves wandering on private land once by accident, clearly missing the signs, but the friendly owner simply pointed us the shortest way back to the public roads while the people working in the tea fields waved us goodbye. Ask around, the locals and the guesthouse owners will often be able to point you in the right direction for the most beautiful hikes, but honestly, it seemed like you can’t go wrong in Munnar as it is beautiful views wherever you look.

If you are planning to head out for a hike for a couple of hours there are a couple of things you might want to take with:

• A raincoat or poncho as weather changes frequently up in the mountains.
• A phone to redirect yourself back to the centre, it is easy to get lost in these endless tea fields.
• Enough water, while the temperature might be lower then the rest of Kerala, the trekking in combination with the sun can be straining, and the last things you need is a heat stroke.
• Some quick and simple snacks. Once you leave the city centre there aren’t many restaurants or shops on the tea field, and you might get hungry from all that hiking!

But that is enough talking about trekking in Munnar, instead, check out the photos below to see why you should go trekking in Munnar yourself!

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Other Things to do in Munnar

However, if you are not into trekking, don’t worry, there are many other things to do in Munnar. Learn more about the tea plantations, or simply find the most beautiful views by going on a tour. There is something in Munnar for everyone’s liking, and for everyone’s budget. Here are a couple suggestions to help you out.

• Visit the Tea Museum – Learn more about the history of Munnar, and on how tea is picked and sorted by visiting the beautiful tea museum of Munnar. Combine your visit to the Tea Museum with a tea tasting nearby and your morning or afternoon is complete!
• Go on a jeep tour – Gather your family and friends and take a seat in a jeep to explore some of Munnar’s most beautiful surroundings. Visit sights such as the Mattupetty Dam and Echo Point, Top Point or some of Munnar’s most beautiful waterfalls, including some beautiful stops and viewpoints along the way for the best shots.
• Taste the delicious Kerala cuisine – How can a visit to Munnar be complete without tasting the delicious cuisine? Head to the city centre of Munnar to try the different restaurants and street stalls to find the best snacks, meals and dosas in town! One of our personal favorites: Rapsy’s located in the city centre, we must have eaten here almost a dozen times during our stay in Munnar!

Where to go after Munnar…

When you feel all refreshed, or feel like you have simply seen enough of Munnar and its surroundings, continue traveling the rest of South India. The easiest way to continue your travels is to take a bus back to Kochi and to hop on a bus, train or in a taxi to your next destination. Not sure where to go? Go on an adventure and go camping at Vagamon or perhaps check out some of our other guides:

• The best beaches in Goa for backpackers
• 10 Unforgettable things to do in Hampi
• Take a Boat Tour through Alleppey’s Backwaters

Oh and of course, don’t forget to pin it for later!