Even as the landscapes of Munnar holds one spell bound, there are even more places of interest that is well-worth visiting. Several tourist hot spots sprinkled in and around the verdant Munar hills is a must for tourists.
Eravilulam National Park: Eravikulam is situated close to the scenic hill station, Munnar. It lies across the border of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and further extends as sthe Annamalai National Park Rich in forest and grasses, this park was established to protect the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered specie of the wild goat and the only one to be found south of the Himalayas. Apart from the Nilgiri Tahr, which is a goat found in South India, the Eravikulam National Park is also home to Atlas Moth, Elephants, Sambhars, Gaurs, Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Tigers and Leopards.
Another major attraction of the place is the Anamudi peak (2,695 m); the highest peak in south India is located within the park area. This offers a good trekking ground and thus attracts many people.
Devikulam
This idyllic hill station which is situated 7 kms from Munnar is a spread of velvet lawns, exotic flora and fauna and cool mountain air. To a visitor it surely would turn out to be a rare experience. The Sita Devi Lake with its mineral waters and picturesque surroundings is a good picnic spot. The lake is also ideal for trout fishing.
Pallivasal: Situated 8 kms from Munnar, Pallivasal is the venue of the first Hydro electric Project in Kerala. It is also a place of immense scenic beauty.
Attukal: Attukal is a panorama of waterfalls and rolling hills.Attukal, located between Munnar and Pallivasal, is situated about 9 kms from Munnar. It is a feast for the eyes. . An ideal place for long trekking, Attukal is situated between Munnar and Pallivasal.
Nyayamakad: Located between Munnar and Rajamala, Nyayamakad is situated 10 Kms from Munnar and is a land of breathtaking waterfalls. The waters cascade down a hill from a height of about 1600 metres. The enchanting surroundings make an excellent picnic spot and trekking point. It is an excellent picnic and trekking point.
Mattupetty Lake and Dam: A very popular picnic spot for visitors, Mattupetty Lake and Dam is situated about 13 kms from Munnar and is at an altitude of 1700 mts. The area is surrounded by wooded hills and tea planatations. The view and ambiance is enthralling. The forests around Mattupetty are ideal for bird watching and trekking. There are several varieties of birdsfound here. Several small streams and waterfalls running and tumbling around the location adds to the charm of the place.Motor boats and and speed launch are available for hire.
Mattupetti Swiss Livestock Project Farm : This Mattupetti (cattle village), Swiss Livestock Project, is a highly specialized dairy farm where over a hundred breeds of highly yielding cattle are reared in eleven cattle sheds. Visitors are allowed into three of the sheds during fixed hours. The project was established in 1961 by Kerala Livestock Development Board (KLDB).
Pothamadu:Pothamedu - Situated at a distance of around 6 km from the town, Pothamedu is one of the major plantation hubs of Munnar. It offers excellent view of the surrounding tea, coffee, and cardamom plantations of Munnar. The rolling hill sides and lush green mountain with its breathtaqking scenery are ideal for trekking and lonf mountain walks.
Chithirapuram
About 10 kms from Munnar, Chithirapuram is a charming place with its sleepy little cottages, bungalows, old playgrounds and courts.Chithirapuram still exudes an old-world charm. Once the favorite of the British, it is the home of the Pallivasal Hydel Power Project. This hill town is also famous for its picturesque tea plantations.
Lock Heart Gap: 15 kms from Munnar Lock Heart Gap is an ideal place for adventure tourism and trekking. The fresh mountain air, the mist clad hills and panoramic view make it worthy of visit.
Rajamala: This is the natural habitat of the Nilgiri tahr. Half the world population of the rare mountain goat (Hemitragas bylocres) which is fast becoming extinct, is now found here. The Nilgiri tahrs are today reduced to small herds, are found in the Eravikulam-Rajamala region. The total number of Nilgiri tahrs in Rajamala is estimated at 1317. Rajamala lies 15 kms from Munnar.
Echo Point: Echo Point is on the way to Top Stations from Munnar This scenic place gets its name from the natural echo phenomenon here. It is situated at a distance of around 15 km from Munnar.
Power House waterfalls: This waterfall is on the way to Thekkady and about 18 kms from Munnar. The waterfalls cascades down a steep rock, 2000m above sea level. The spot is enriched with the scenic western mountain ranges, and is an ideal place for a break on the way to the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary in Thekkady.
Kundala: Kundala is a picturesque town situated about 20 kms from Munnar and on the way to Top Stations. The Golf Course which belongs to Tata Tea Ltd. is located here. The Kundala artificial dam is another attraction.Aruvikkad waterfalls is also near Kundala.
The enchanting beauty of Marayoor offers diversity in every aspect of the land and culture. Hamlets, rocky hills, rivers, brooks, cave temples, paddy and sugar cane fields, waterfalls, sandal wood and bamboo forests The rain shadow region, blessed with abundant natural beauty and wildlife is attracting tourists from all over the world. You are cordially invited to Marayoor for the experience of a lifetime. It is land of never-ending adventure and beauty.
Cheeyappara: The Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls are located between Neriamangalam and Adimali on the Kochi - Madurai highway. The Cheeyappara Falls cascades down in seven steps. It is a real feast for the eyes. This is also a great place for trekking. Valara waterfalls are 10 km from Adimali on the Kochi - Madurai highway. Valara has a chain of waterfalls surrounded by thick green forests.
Meenuli: Meenuli is an ideal place for trekking with its huge rock extending over 500 acres in area and two acres of evergreen forests upon it. From the top of the rock, one can see the Lower Periyar Area, Bhoothathankettu, and even up to Ernakulam on a fine day
waterfalls
Thommankuthu Water Falls: Thommankuthu Water falls Kerala is located at a distance of 16 kms from Thodupuzha. Thommankuthu waterfalls is a nature lover's delight. Abounding in natural splendor, the place has got 24 stages of waterfalls starting from a height of 5000 ft, above sea level. The water fall is thronged by tourists, throughout the year. The best way to enjoy the panoramic beauty of the waterfalls is to take a trek that takes one to the top of the mountains. From here one can view the breathtaking sight and savor truly unforgettable moments.
Malankara Reservoir: Malankara reservoir is in fact, an artificial lake formed as part of the muvattupuzha valley irrigation project. Located at a distance of 6 kms from Thodupuzha, the Malankara reservoir is an important irrigation project of Kerala. It is a sight to behold the all-pervading beauty of nature. The view around this reservoir is enough to take one's breath away. A true favourite with nature lovers. Anayirangal It is an ideal picnic spot with lush green carpet of tea plants. A boat trip on the splendid reservoir is an unforgettable experience. The Anayirangal dam is surrounded tea plantations and evergreen forests. Anayirangal is 22 kms from Munnar.
Marayoor: Situated 40 kms from Munnar,Marayoor is the only place in Kerala that has a natural growth of sandalwood trees. The sandalwood factory of the forest department, the caves(muniyaras) with the murals and relics from the New stone age civilization and the children's park spread across a hectare of land under the canopy of a single banyan tree, are of great interest to tourists. Thoovanam waterfalls and Rajiv Gandhi National Park are also nearby. Exotic and pristine, Marayoor is a unique place where tourism meets adventure.
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