Munnar is famous for its tea plantations, cool hill-station climate, Eravikulam National Park, Nilgiri Tahr, Neelakurinji flowers, waterfalls, trekking trails, spice plantations, and misty mountain scenery. Munnar is located at an elevation of around 1,600 meters in the Western Ghats and is approximately 130 km from Kochi.

As one of our guests wrote in the review

Watching the sunrise over Kolukkumalai while mist slowly covers the tea plantations is one of the most memorable experiences in Munnar.

Munnar at a Glance

• Famous tea estates cover every hillside
• Home to the rare Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain ungulate
• Dramatic waterfalls, especially after the monsoon
• Some of the best trekking routes in Kerala
• Cool weather year-round, even in summer
• The Neelakurinji flower blooms once every 12 years

Quick Facts about Munnar

Detail	Information
Location	Idukki district, Kerala, India
Altitude	Around 1,600 metres above sea level
Distance from Kochi	About 130 km, 3 to 4 hours by road
Best season	September to May
Famous for	Tea estates, wildlife, waterfalls, trekking
Nearest airport	Cochin International Airport (COK)
Languages spoken	Malayalam, Tamil, English

What Is Munnar Famous For? 12 Reasons Why Tourists Love Munnar

Munnar is famous for its sprawling tea plantations, mist-covered hills, cool climate, waterfalls, wildlife, and scenic trekking trails in Kerala’s Western Ghats. From the rare Nilgiri Tahr and blooming Neelakurinji flowers to breathtaking viewpoints like Top Station and Kolukkumalai, Munnar offers a perfect blend of nature, adventure, and relaxation for every traveler.

1. Tea Estates

It’s a fact that Munnar is famous for its tea plantations around the world. Here, the landscapes are defined by endless stretches of beautifully maintained tea plantations,  rolling across the hills in every direction.

The significant portion is managed by Kanan devan hills plantations company, which is known as the one of the best-known tea-growing regions in South India. Among all, Kolukkumalai stands out as the crown jewel, which is located above 2,100 meters, which is known as the highest tea plantation garden in the world. You can take a complete drive through the tea gardens for a better experience here.

ALSO SEE – Top 5 Munnar Tea Estates That Are A Must-Visit For All

Visitors can visit and explore the tea factories and watch the processing. Also, you can buy the fresh tea from there itself. The smell of fresh tea leaves makes the experience better.

2. Eravikulam National Park and Wildlife

Munnar is famous for its wildlife, especially the Nilgiri Tahr, which is an endangered species and is found only in a few regions in the world. The perfect place to explore is the Eravikulam National Park, which is spread across more than 97 square kilometres of high-altitude grassland.

ALSO SEE – Eravikulam National Park- Entry Fee, Timings & Best Time to Visit (Updated)

Tahr are quite approachable, and here you can often spot them grazing close to visitor trails and close to the path at the gate to the entrance. This park supports elephants, leopards, gaur, and around 130 species of birds. Usually Eravikulam national park closes for part of the Nilgiri Tahr calving season around February and April; check official timings before visiting.

3. Neelakurinji Flowers

It is one of the best and most beautiful natural phenomena associated with Munnar, and it occurs once every 12 years. During this period, parks are transformed into a breathtaking expanse of blue blossoms, which create unforgettable landscapes. The last bloom took place in 2018, and the next bloom is expected to be in 2030. It’s a beautiful place, so if you have time, you must visit this place.

ALSO SEE – Neelakurinji Flowering Season-When Munnar Blooms Blue

4. Waterfalls

Munnar is the home of several mountains and waterfalls, some of which are easily accessible from the town, and it is a perfect scenic spot to visit.

Three of the most scenic and serene waterfalls you can visit in and around Munnar include:

• Attukad Waterfalls: A refreshing cascade set in a dense forest amid rolling hills 9 km from Munnar. It’s a great spot for trekking and picnics and can be reached via a scenic drive from Munnar town!
• Lakkam Waterfalls: Located near Marayoor 25 km from Munnar, the idyllic Lakkam originates from the Eravikulam Plateau and its surrounding forests, bridges, and rivers make it great for trekking, picnics, and photography.
• Nyayamakad Waterfalls: This waterfall at 5,300 feet is tucked 10 km from Munnar amid serene tea plantations and tribal forests. It’s easily accessible by road and a favorite spot for trekkers and families.

ALSO SEE – Top 8 Munnar Waterfalls

5. Trekking and Adventure

From trekking in the second-highest peak of the Western Ghats (Meesapulimala) to riding Jeeps in its dense jungles, Munnar offers myriad activities for adventure seekers and families with kids, including, but not limited to:

• Trekking in Anamudi Peak, Meesapulimala peak, and Eravikulam National Park.
• Rock climbing and rappelling in Pothamedu and Chokramudi Peak.
• Various types of boating in Mattupetty Lake, Kundala Lake, and near Echo Point.
• Wildlife safari, including Jeep safari, canter safari, and nature walks, in Eravikulam National Park, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Anakulam Elephant Village.
• Ziplining near Kolukkumalai Tea Estate and Valara Waterfalls.
• Camping near Attukal Waterfalls, Echo Point, Top Station, and Suryanelli Hills.
• Cycling around Munnar town and near Kannan Devan Hills tea gardens.
• Fishing at Mattupetty Lake and Kundala Lake.
• ATV rides at Pothamedu Viewpoint, Anakulam Elephant Village, and around several tea estates.
• Tandem paragliding through various local tour operators that take you to designated locations in Pallivasal Hills, near Mattupetty Dam, and Anamudi Shola National Park for take-off.

ALSO SEE – Meesapulimala Trekking – Best Tips on Booking, Stay , Tour and Route

6. Spices, Fresh Produce, and Local Shopping

Apart from the landscape and the waterfalls, Munar is famous for its spices such as cardamom, pepper, and coffee plantations. You can get all these spices from the local market in the town, and you can get homemade chocolates and tea blends at affordable prices.
Cardamom from Munnar is considered the best quality in India. You can purchase directly from the estate shops.

ALSO SEE – 10 Most Famous Spice Gardens In Munnar For A Stimulating Experience!

7. Scenery and Photography

Munnar is considered the most photogenic destination all over in India. Here, the morning mist of the valley is very mesmerising, with beautifully decorated tea plantations, and stretches of hillside are perfect for a photographer to capture the view.

ALSO SEE – Top 25 Incredible Munnar Photos of Beautiful Munnar Tourist Attractions

8. Kanthalloor, the ‘Fruit Bowl of Kerala’!

Kanthalloor is a small village near Munnar popular for its colorful fruit orchards thriving in the cool, temperate climate of this region.

Unlike anywhere else in Kerala, a wide variety of fruits grow in this region! Some of the major fruit crops that are grown over the fertile soils of Kanthalloor include apples, custard apples, strawberries, peaches, oranges, plums, pears, avocados, cherries, pomegranates, guavas, kiwis, blackberries, passion fruits, gooseberries, figs, and lemons.

Vegetables like eggplants, cauliflowers, carrots, beetroots, potatoes, bell peppers, cabbages, beans, and peas are also cultivated here in abundance in addition to seasonal flowers and exotic herbs.

In addition to growing a variety of fruits and veggies, Kanthalloor is also known for producing fresh, organic fruit products in an eco-friendly manner!

You can buy everything from fresh jams to squashes, juices, spicy pickles, dried fruits, fruit candies, toffees, syrups, mocktail mixes, sauces, and vegetable chutneys here, all prepared by the locals using traditional methods.

Kanthalloor’s rising popularity courtesy of its fruit orchards and vegetable gardens has led to a rise in its number of homestays and hotels. It’s the perfect place to stay if you’re looking for a quiet place near Munnar with the same pleasing weather and juicy fruits surrounding you!

ALSO SEE – Kanthalloor- The Land of Fruits in Munnar

9. Unique tourist attractions in Munnar

Munnar is home to several unique and intriguing places that you must visit during your trip. Some of these include:

• Top Station: For panoramic views of Kerala’s Western Ghats and Tamil Nadu’s Theni Valley from a single spot located 6,100 feet above sea level!
• Kolukkumalai Tea Estate: For being the highest tea estate in the world at 7,900 feet overlooking the Western Ghats bathed in wisps of clouds!
• Eravikulam National Park: For the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, the rare Neelakurinji flowers, and the mighty Anamudi peak, South India’s highest mountain peak!
• Kundala Lake: For Asia’s first arch dam, cruises in colorful shikaras, lush green surroundings, and pink cherry blossoms!
• Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary: For its peculiar Grizzled Giant Squirrels living amid dry deciduous forests and sandalwood trees.
• Marayoor Sandalwood Forests: For Kerala’s only natural sandalwood forest that is rich in nature, culture, and history courtesy of its ancient dolmens, rock cave paintings, and Marayoor jaggery!
• Lockhart Gap: For sweeping panoramic views of mist-laced valleys, mountains, and tea gardens from the middle of a heart-shaped gap between two hills.
• Cheeyappara Waterfalls: For a gorgeous waterfall cascading down in seven steps from a height of over 1,000 feet inside a dense forest.
• Gap Road: For its sharp winding roads offering dramatic views of Munnar’s lush valleys, tea plantations, and misty mountains.

ALSO SEE – Munnar Tourist Places

10. Year-round pleasant weather

When people are looking for what is Munnar famous for, they’re instantly drawn to its cool climate and misty weather above other things!

Munnar’s pleasing weather in all seasons is a major crowd-puller, making it a year-round destination for most.

Owing to Munnar’s high altitude, its temperature ranges between 6°C in peak winters and doesn’t go above 25°C even on the hottest afternoon in summer. It’s the ideal weekend getaway for most travelers in South India, especially those in the scorching plains of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh!

• In the winter season from November to February, the temperature remains between 6°C and 16°C with chilly mornings, cool afternoons, and foggy evenings.
• Summertime from March to May is just as pleasant with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C, balmy afternoons, and cool mornings and nights.
• In the monsoon season from June to September, you’ll be met with heavy rains that turn this region into a lush green paradise, cover its hills with thick mist, add drama to its waterfalls, and keep the temperature between 10°C and 18°C!

ALSO SEE – Munnar Temperature, Weather, Season & Climate For Each Month

Now you know what is Munnar famous for. The next question is – How can you book a trip? Simple! Reach out to our team at Munnar Holidays, and let us craft you a customized Munnar tour itinerary as per your preferences and budget so that you experience all that Munnar has to offer! Happy tripping!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Munnar most famous for?

Munnar is famous for its tea plantations. Munnar is synonymous with tea. The rolling green hills covered in tea gardens are the defining image of Munnar.

Is Munnar worth visiting?

Yes, it is worth visiting there. It is known as one of the top hill stations in South India for reasons like scenic views, green environment, wildlife, waterfalls, and cool weather, making this place a wonderful destination

What is unique about Munnar compared to other hill stations?

Comparatively, Munnar is different and unique from the other hill stations. Here, you will find Nilgiri Tahr, which is a very rare bloom of Neelakurinji once every 12 years, and neat and clean tea estates. It is hard to find a destination like Munnar.

How many days do I need in Munnar?

Around three to four days is enough to explore Munnar, but you may feel rushed. If you want to include trekking along with the trip, then you require approx 5 days to explore comfortably and relaxed.

What is the best time to visit Munnar?

The best time to visit Munnar is during the main season from September to May. During these months, October and November, the views are extremely beautiful and different because the landscape is lush and fresh after the monsoon, and you’ll feel very relaxed after travelling.

Is Munnar good for families?

Yes, it’s a perfect choice for families with easy walking trails, wildlife viewing opportunities, a tea factory visit, and cool and comfortable weather. All the attractions are accessible without any effort.

What food is Munnar famous for?

Munnar is famous for its tea plantations, homemade chocolates, and spices like pepper and cardamom. In the local restaurant, you can have excellent cuisine from Kerala.

Can I buy tea directly from Munnar estates?

Of course, you can buy tea from Munnar. In Munnar, there are many small and local shops, but Kolukkumalai and Kanan Devan hills are famous for direct purchase of fresh tea of the best quality, and it is quite affordable.

Why Munnar Stays in Your Memory

Munnar is not just a destination; it is a combination of everything, such as tea plantations, waterfalls, mountains, landscapes, Nilgiri Tahr, fresh and cool environment, especially on warm days.

In India, there are a few destinations that offer a wonderful diversity, compact and accessible location. You’ll be surprised when you visit Munnar for the first time, and you will feel like visiting again and again for a better experience.